The episode opens with a series of interviews. Corbin vows that he's going to sit back, relax, and listen this time around. Stephen says that if Corbin isn't The Mole, and he's playing the game the same way he did last time, he's an idiot. Mark worries about the effect that losing the game might have on his ability to pick up chicks in clubs. I think he should worry about the effect just going on the show will have, even if he does win. Angie thinks anyone might be The Mole, other than herself. Mark says that his mother won't let him come over if he loses. His imitation of his mother involves speaking with his eyes closed and grunting at the end like Billy Bob Thornton in Sling Blade. If I were his mother, I'd kick him out of the family just for that. Tracey says that she could be The Mole. Dennis mumbles something that I can't really understand. Keshia says she can't wait until this is over and they know who The Mole is, because it's not her.
The contestants gather at some ruins. Keshia interviews that she knew they were in trouble when she saw Ahmad's crazy outfit. Tracey thinks that Ahmad is the only man who could wear that outfit and look good. Ahmad is wearing a Mexican-style suit, and a gigantic sombrero. He says he needs four players who want to stuff themselves, and three players who would like to swing. Remember when the clues on this show weren't totally sexual in nature? Anderson Cooper would never have delivered that line. The Stuffed Group (that's what the on-screen text calls them) is made up of Keshia, Dennis, Mark, and Angie. The Swingers are Corbin, Tracey, and Stephen. Tracey interviews that she was afraid "stuffing" would involve eating something gross or stuffing yourself with something. It was a strange choice to use that interview segment when she's known for having an eating disorder.
Everyone follows Ahmad over to some piatas hanging from a tree. Ahmad tells each member of the Stuffed Group to choose one. Mark goes first and chooses a pink pig. Dennis takes the bull. Keshia takes a purple goat, and Angie is left with a green cat.
The contestants head over to the playing field for the game. Giant versions of their piatas are hanging high above the dirt. Locals are gathered around, dancing to music. I hope they got paid. Keshia interviews that she was scared they would have to ride in the belly of the piata. Ahmad pretends to conduct the mariachi band. I'm glad he's having so much fun. Ahmad explains that the Stuffed Group members are going to stuff themselves into the large version of their chosen piata. The Swingers will each get five minutes to break open a piata, one each. Inside each piata is a box. Three of those boxes contain money (which goes into the pot), and the fourth contains an exemption (which goes to the person who uncovered it). If a Stuffed Group member's piata does not get broken, he or she gets to keep the box inside. If it contains money, nothing happens, and if it contains an exemption, the person inside the piata keeps it. Got all that? I totally did not understand the instructions the first time around, and my husband had to explain it to me, and then he got confused, so we ended up having to rewind and watch it again. Thank God for TiFaux. Ahmad offers up a bit of strategy: Stuffed players need to protect their piatas to have a chance at the exemption. Also, Swingers need to stay inside a circle of rope on the ground, or they will be disqualified.
Angie immediately says that she will barf if she has to go in the piata. Angie interviews that she got Montezuma's Revenge. So she wouldn't barf, exactly. Tracey offers to trade places with Angie. Numbers on the bottom of the Swingers' bats determine their order. Stephen is first, Corbin is second, and Angie is third. Everyone sits around and waits for the game to begin. Mark interviews that he thought it was fishy that Angie suddenly got sick. Corbin flat-out says he doesn't think Angie is sick. Angie tells him, "I think you can eat me." Classy. Corbin wonders why Dennis picked the bull, and why Mark picked the pig. I would guess that Dennis picked the bull because he used to play for the Bulls. And maybe Mark just likes pigs. Who knows? Stephen stands behind Corbin and makes the international sign for "crazy." Corbin interviews that it's inconsistent that Mark would choose a pink pig, because he's got a macho persona. Corbin talks about how he's not obsessed this time, while Stephen continues to mug behind him. Corbin interviews that he thinks Mark is The Mole, and isn't doing a very good job. Stephen pretends to choke Ahmad with his bat, and demands to know which piata holds the exemption. Corbin mouths to the camera, "The pink one."
The Stuffed Group members get into their piatas. They're rigged in such a way that the person inside can pull on a rope to lower him- or herself up and down. Stephen steps up to go first. He pulls out his bat like he's unsheathing a sword, and raises it to the heavens, which would normally be more annoying Baldwin mugging, but the sound guys add in a musical flourish and it totally cracked me up. The locals gathered around start chanting, "Loco, loco, loco!" Ahmad gives Stephen the signal to start, and he starts beating on Keshia's piata first. The leg breaks open and candy falls out, but no boxes. One swing nearly causes Stephen to fall out of the circle, but he manages to catch himself and doesn't get disqualified. Stephen interviews that Keshia kept lifting herself up so that he couldn't hit the belly of her piata, which means she either wanted an exemption or she was trying to keep money out of the pot. Stephen heads over to the bull, but Dennis also lifts himself out of the way, so Stephen heads over to Mark in the pig. Stephen takes a couple of big swings and knocks the whole leg off. Stephen manages to get the belly open, so he shoves his bat in there and tries to open the hole up even more. Finally, a box falls out. This reminds me of my niece's sixth birthday party, where they had a piata and none of the kids could bust it open, so then the adults tried, and none of us could bust it open, so finally the birthday girl's dad took a jackknife and cut it open, and it exploded with the whack. And then all the little kids started crying over who got the most candy. Good times.
Anyway, Ahmad gives Stephen his box, but he doesn't get to open it yet. Corbin assures Stephen that he's got the exemption. Stephen wonders how Corbin knows. Corbin says that if he gets a box, he'll trade it with Stephen. Stephen considers this, and says that he's going to hold off until he sees what box Corbin gets. Corbin says he only has one other option, but that he doesn't want to reveal what it is yet. I think his other option is institutionalization.
Corbin removes his shirt and tosses it to a little girl, which is gross both because he's sweaty, and because he's old. It's times like this that I really miss Kathy Griffin, who would have totally ripped on him for that one. Why couldn't she have been the host this season? Corbin's turn begins. He pretends he's going to go for each piata, but ends up focusing on Dennis's bull so much that his bat breaks. Keshia interviews that Corbin is a maniac, and that something's not right in his head. Stephen tosses Corbin his bat, and Corbin continues. And breaks the second bat. Talk about Super Veiny Hockey Dad. He is totally going to burst something, and I'm not talking about the piata. Angie tosses Corbin her bat so that he can continue. Dennis interviews that he was lowering himself into Corbin's range so that he would break all of the bats and the game would be over. Corbin's third bat is the charm, as he busts open Dennis's piata. Stephen interviews that Dennis wouldn't let him hit the bull, but that he lowered it for Corbin, which was upsetting. Corbin keeps plugging away, and a box finally falls out. Corbin returns to the sidelines and asks Stephen to keep observing and telling Corbin what he sees, and Corbin will do the same. Corbin thinks that it would be fun for him and Stephen to go the distance. Stephen agrees.
Angie shows off her heart-shaped sucker and reminds us that her last name is "Everhart." Angie asks the many kids surrounding the playing area which piata she should go for, and they all say that Angie should go for Tracey's cat piata. Angie's time begins, and she starts swinging. Like Corbin before her, she uses her foot to push the boundary of the rope circle around. Unlike Corbin before her, she has to leap up into the air to reach the piata, and on one jump, her foot lands outside the circle, just as she was making some progress on the piata. Ahmad stops the game and tells Angie that she's disqualified. We see a replay of the incident, which verifies that Angie did step outside. Corbin and Stephen pretend to be pissed-off baseball managers; they run out and yell at Ahmad, and then kick dirt on him. Corbin, you are no Billy Martin. The kids get really pissed off, too. Angie interviews that she didn't think her foot went out, but apparently, it did; she does allow that it was a fun game.
“ Corbin tries to get everyone to shake his or her box, but Keshia refuses. That sounds so dirty. ”
Corbin and Stephen shake their boxes. Corbin's rattles a lot, and Stephen's doesn't rattle at all, so Corbin thinks Stephen has the exemption. Ahmad retrieves the remaining two boxes from the piatas and gives one to Tracey and one to Keshia. The Stuffed Group and the Swingers reconvene. Corbin tries to get everyone to shake his or her box, but Keshia refuses. That sounds so dirty. Keshia and Tracey open their boxes first and reveal that they both have money. Since those boxes weren't knocked out of the piatas, that money that won't go into the pot. Before the remaining boxes can be opened, Corbin offers a trade to Stephen, but Stephen refuses. Dennis interviews that he doesn't understand why Corbin would think Stephen might trade when they shook their boxes and know what's inside. At least, I think that's what Dennis said. He also might have said, "Snarfle vomit electra." Corbin opens his box and reveals that he has $10,000, which Ahmad says will go into the pot. Stephen opens his box and shows that he got the exemption. Corbin interviews that he told Stephen that the exemption was in the pink pig, and that he should have kept his mouth shut.
Ahmad says that the total in the pot is $41,000. Actually, Stephen has to tell him, like, isn't one of Ahmad's few duties in this game to keep track of the pot total? Ahmad offers Stephen $10,000 for the pot if he gives back his exemption. Mark tells Stephen to do it for the team. Stephen asks Dennis what he would do. Dennis says he'd put money in the pot. Corbin says he'd put the money in the pot. Stephen asks Angie, but before she can answer, Corbin blurts, "That's bullshit. I'd take the exemption." Heh. Angie and Tracey would also keep the exemption. Keshia nods but doesn't say anything, and Mark is off in his own world.
Angie tells Ahmad that he needs to offer more money. Ahmad offers $30,000. Corbin says that if Stephen doesn't give back the exemption, he's The Mole. Corbin starts sniffing Stephen's armpit, which is so gross! Stephen is wearing a tank top! Grody! Oh, that grossed me out. Stephen says he's keeping the exemption. Ahmad ups the offer to $50,000. Stephen clarifies that this would be on top of what's already in there, so the total pot would be $91,000. Ahmad confirms. Angie tells Stephen to give up his exemption, and Tracey and Mark agree. Stephen refuses the offer and keeps the exemption. Ahmad asks if he's sure he wants to screw over the team like that. What team? It's every person for him- or herself! Stephen spits out, "I'm not coming back to lose, doggie! I'm coming back...to win!" Dennis interviews, "Flurgle google boggle." Angie interviews that she's not sure that Stephen is The Mole anymore, because he's playing the game too hard, but now she thinks that Corbin is suspect because he knew where the exemption was. Ahmad reminds everyone of what Stephen gave up, and then says that they can move on. The mariachi band starts playing again, and all the kids run in to gather up the candy. One little kid hands Angie some candy. I think Mark was in there stealing candy from the kids.
The contestants pile into the MUVs (Mole Utility Vehicles) and drive down the highway. Stephen, Tracey, and Angie are in one MUV. Stephen tells Angie that Dennis let Corbin get the box. Tracey asks why Stephen thinks Dennis would do that, and Stephen says he doesn't know.
In the other MUV, Mark states that Angie is The Mole. No one responds. Corbin leans over and asks Keshia who The Mole is. Keshia says she doesn't know. Corbin asks whom she has a coalition with. Keshia says it's none of his business. Corbin asks if she was working with Angie down on the beach. Keshia says she wasn't. Corbin says that Keshia doesn't share anything with anybody, and Keshia says she didn't say that. Mark throws out that there could be two Moles. J-Dawg cracks up, and I tell him not to laugh, because there were people on the forums seriously considering that idea in the first season.
Back in the first MUV, Stephen says that Corbin knew Stephen had the exemption before they opened the boxes, and Angie agrees. Tracey points out that if Corbin were The Mole, he wouldn't reveal who had the exemption. Stephen says it's a "double entendre," because Corbin might try to be acting like he's not The Mole, and you have to wonder how he knew. I don't think Stephen knows what "double entendre" means. Well, he already confessed that he's not cerebral.
Stephen interviews that after the piata game was over, "Corbin reached out to [him]." Somebody's watched a few too many mob movies. Corbin lounges poolside and calls Stephen's cell phone. Corbin says that coalitions are important, and that it's time to talk. Stephen says he's got to "go do a thing," and that they'll talk later. Corbin agrees. Stephen interviews that he's been avoiding forming a coalition with Corbin, because he wanted to see how Corbin would react to that avoidance. It seems to Stephen that the more he avoids Corbin, the more frustrated Corbin gets, which points to his not being The Mole. Stephen looks over the top of his sunglasses and tells the camera that Corbin is "haaaaaaaaating [him] right now." He's not the only one. Cut your hair, greasebag.
Ahmad asks the assembled guests who would like an exemption. Everyone but Dennis and Stephen raise their hands. Ahmad says that the game is called "Exemption or Bust." The group will get an exemption, but they have to decide unanimously who gets it. Stephen says that he remembers this game, and that it sucks. (Aw, I was just reading that recap to find the proper link, and I really, really miss Kathy.) Ahmad says that if they can reach a decision, he will put $25,000 in the pot, but if they can't come to a decision, he'll take $25,000 out of the pot. Corbin interviews that everyone is desperate for an exemption. Stephen interviews that having an exemption is huge. Tracey interviews that she needs an exemption. Corbin interviews that an exemption would mean "one free ride -- a breather."
“ Stephen starts laughing at himself. Shut up, Stephen. I hated The Flintstones, too. ”
Have I mentioned that before every commercial, Ahmad tells us that we won't believe who goes home tonight, and that it will be shocking? I don't get that. The only thing that would shock me would be if no one went home, or if Ahmad went home or something. ["Or if someone more or less voluntarily left the game, like Elavia did." -- Wing Chun] Obviously, someone is going, and it could be any one of them (except Stephen with his exemption). I guess if Stephen went home, that would be shocking. But a lot of people said that those promos spoiled the execution for them. In other words: shut up, Ahmad.
The players begin their discussion, with twenty minutes to make a decision. Corbin immediately says that he won't vote for anyone but himself, just like he said last season. Angie tells him to shove the exemption up his behind, because she won't vote for him, and Keshia agrees. Tracey doesn't want to give anyone an exemption. Mark thinks they should give it to Tracey, but Corbin says he won't vote for her. Mark asks Angie how she feels, but cuts her off before she can say anything. Angie starts pouting. Stephen starts yelling, and Mark cuts him off: "Baldwin, you don't count. Go to hell. I hated The Flintstones." Hee! Mark was actually funny! Mark yells at Stephen that he has nothing to say. Stephen yells back that Mark is out of order. Tracey is laughing so hard that her face is red, and she interviews, "What is happening here?" Stephen wonders if he can get another exemption, and Ahmad says that he can't. Stephen starts laughing at himself. Shut up, Stephen. I hated The Flintstones, too.
Mark suggests that they all vote for Angie, because she might get naked. Tracey wants to hear what Corbin says before she votes. Corbin won't vote for Angie. Keshia won't vote for anyone. Ahmad reminds them that if they don't vote for anyone, they lose money from the pot. Mark wants a time check, and Ahmad says that there are fourteen minutes left. Mark asks Dennis what he thinks, and Dennis says that they should give it to Angie. Mark agrees. Corbin refuses, because he needs Angie to be in the game and up for elimination. That must mean that he doesn't think she's The Mole. Keshia says that Corbin is being selfish. Corbin says viciously, "No, I'm being generous like you, you little fuck." Whoa! Where did that come from? Keshia says that Corbin is out of control, and Mark makes Corbin apologize. Keshia interviews that she forgives but she doesn't forget. Keshia says with a smile that Corbin no longer exists in her world. Tracey says that she's never seen anger like Keshia's, because she says everything with a smile. Keshia points out that "Corbin wants to be the center of attention as usual," so she asks whom he would vote for. Corbin says he'd give it to Dennis. Everyone quickly agrees, except then Dennis says he doesn't want it, and that he wants them to give it to someone that does. Tracey interviews that it's unbelievable. Seriously. Does he even know what's going on? Because The Mole would want the exemption for him- or herself, in order to prevent someone else from getting it, and I just don't think Dennis is quick enough to figure out that he could keep the argument going and prevent anyone from getting it, keeping money out of the pot.
Angie says she'll take the exemption, but not everyone wants to give it to her. Everyone tries to convince Dennis to take it. Dennis interviews that he wants to play the game, and that he doesn't want a free ride. Suddenly, everyone agrees on Dennis, except Angie. Corbin points out that he's not the holdup anymore. Mark asks what kind of strategy Angie is playing. Angie says that she should have gotten an exemption for skinny-dipping. Corbin tells Angie, "Getting naked may get you certain places in life, but not ahead in this game." Wow, Corbin is an asshole. Shut up, Corbin. Stephen points out that if Angie won't vote for Dennis, she's pulling money out of the pot. Angie is fine with that. Ahmad says that there are twenty seconds remaining. Everyone starts talking at once. Keshia really pushes Angie to hold out, so that Corbin won't have the satisfaction. I think Angie was just trying to act Mole-y, and that Keshia really is The Mole. Time runs out, and Ahmad says that he's taking $25,000 out of the pot. The total is now $16,000. That's just sad.
Mark says that he doesn't understand people's strategies. Corbin says he has determined that she's The Mole, due to her actions in that last game. Angie tells him to vote for her. She's all pissed off about it, for some reason. Mark is still confused. Angie gets up and stalks off, flipping Corbin off in the process. Mark asks what she's mad about, and Corbin says that she's mad at him. Tracey says that Angie was the only person who stopped the exemption, because she got pissed off. Mark asks what Angie got pissed off about. Tracey says she doesn't get it. Tracey interviews that you can't figure out if people are playing the game, or if they're just showing their true personalities. She adds that Angie has a temper, but if she's The Mole, she could use that as a strategy. Mark says that Angie lost them $35,000 in one day, and that a pimp would let her go. I notice that while they are all having this conversation, Keshia has disappeared. Did she follow Angie, or just slip off? Stephen says that Angie is either an idiot or The Mole. Didn't Stephen say exactly the same thing about Corbin at the top of the show? Dennis interviews that he doesn't think Angie sabotaged the game, and that he thinks it was Corbin's fault. It's amazing to me that no one noticed how Keshia was egging Angie on. Corbin interviews that his game plan was to lay back and stay out of it, and that he totally screwed it up. Each contestant gives his or her Mole picks, and there's no clear consensus. Keshia doesn't give a guess, though.
The players report for dinner. Stephen interviews that Corbin is losing it. Corbin notices that there is a shell on the table. Stephen interviews that he seriously thinks Corbin is insane. Corbin counts the seven candles on the table. Even Ahmad can't help cracking up. Dennis points out that there are actually nine candles. Stephen interviews that Dennis and Corbin have something going on, and that Dennis is actually very smart, despite his freaky looks. Stephen asks Dennis why he wouldn't let Stephen hit his piata. Dennis doesn't have an answer. Stephen asks why he let Corbin hit it. Dennis mumbles, "Yogalates, omelet, piana." He actually says "piana" instead of "piata." Ahmad corrects him, and everyone laughs. Stephen explains what happened on his turn, and says he thinks that if Dennis wasn't The Mole, he would want the money to go in the pot. Yeah, especially since Dennis is Mr. I Don't Want An Exemption. Stephen won't shut up about it, and no one else cares. Finally, Dennis says that he was tired and he couldn't hold the pinata up anymore. Stephen doesn't buy it.
“ Dennis says that Corbin would break down the later it got. Dude, when Dennis Rodman thinks you are mentally weak, it's time to hang it up. ”
Ahmad reminds everyone that tonight will be the second execution, and that Stephen has the exemption. Everyone toasts and wishes one another good luck, and then it's time for the quiz. Angie interviews that she doesn't know why Dennis didn't want an exemption. Keshia interviews that she suspects Mark because he picked first, and happened to get the piata with the exemption in it. Tracey interviews that she felt frustrated that one person stopped the "Exemption of Bust" game. Dennis interviews that he doesn't know who The Mole is, and that he changes his mind every day. Corbin interviews that if he's executed tonight, he'll be pissed that he told people too much of what he believed.
The players convene to find out which one of them will be executed. Ahmad welcomes them; he reminds them that the pot is at $16,000, and that Stephen is exempt from execution. Angie looks like she's about to puke, as does Tracey. Ahmad sits down at the computer. Mark asks if they can all hold hands, and they do. Ahmad types in Dennis's name, and he gets a green screen. He celebrates and yells, and everyone laughs. Ahmad types in Keshia's name . She has a poker face. The screen goes green and she smiles. Ahmad types in Mark's name. Mark says that if he goes, he's taking everyone with him. No one laughs. The screen goes green. Ahmad types in Angie's name. The screen goes green and she gives a big sigh. Dennis jumps up and says, "That's bad," and looks at Corbin. See, I think Dennis and Corbin had an alliance, and I don't think Dennis is The Mole. If he can't contain himself here, how could he be The Mole? Ahmad points out that there are only two players remaining: Tracey and Corbin. Ahmad types in Tracey's name first. After a long wait, the screen goes green. Everyone gasps as they realize that means Corbin has been executed. Ahmad types in Corbin's name. Meanwhile, Dennis is, like, totally off the set, but he returns for Corbin's departure. Everyone hugs Corbin, and they all start clapping.
Ahmad walks Corbin out. Tracey yells, "Come back for number three!" I like Tracey because that's exactly the type of dorky thing I would yell and then sit there and feel like an idiot. Mark interviews that he likes Corbin because he made everyone's emotions come up. Angie says that Corbin's best moment was when he pissed her off in a split second. Dennis says that Corbin would break down the later it got. Dude, when Dennis Rodman thinks you are mentally weak, it's time to hang it up. Corbin interviews that he realizes now that this game is not for him. Stephen says that he's very surprised. Ahmad says that Corbin is his favorite player because he always played the game so hard. They hug, and Corbin gets into his taxi. Aw, Corbin. I kind of hated you, but I always liked telling you to shut up.