Intro - this time, I noticed the added bit about the final: The winner is determined by a combination of 7 physical/mental challenges and 6 votes from the people who who were eliminated by someone who was voted out : Pupo, Thomson, (that's not exactly right but I guess they needed someone for that slot) Hutak, Yaney and two more of the remaining six recruits.
Last week: Coddington got better physically, but still lost out socially. Whitlow got hurt on the obstacle course. Brown and Moretty got sick of the injuries, and others conspired with them. Coddington thought Yaney was losing it, but it was Moretty who snapped. The mission failed - blame Jackson. The DI's got pissed off and let the recruits know. Coddington was voted out - she took Yaney. Six remain - Moretti, Wolf, Jackson, Moretti, Brown and Whitlow.
Day 21, 700 - Wake Up. They got to sleep in! It's foggy and cold looking today. McSweeney doesn't know they could be tired with that extra sleep. Moretty wants to be squad leader so she can get to the in final four. Whitlow says she still want to hide in the back. Wolf points out that all the women haven't been squad leader, and all the guys have.
800 - New Squad Leader. With Whitlow backing out, it's Moretty and Brown deciding - Brown opts out on the coin toss and allows her to do it. Brown: "I'm just hoping I don't kicked off." Brown says she's a real leader, and she's trying not to be too bossy. People who have been the most bossy haven't made it here, according to Brown (I think she's thinking of Park and Hutak - though look at the three guys who are there who haven't been taken out.) Moretty accepts the position - she doesn't think they have confidence in her, so she asks for their help. Jackson tells us that she needs it - she's not a leader and doesn't know what to do. Jackson says that Moretty's getting by on her charm. That didn't seem that way last week.
915 - Female Barracks. Jackson continues to complain about how Moretty has it easy - the Drill Instructors are friendly to her and all (where was this last week?) "That's okay, that's how the real world is. There are people who get by because they're friendly and cute." Jackson's not really in a happy mood today. Maybe he misses Yaney. DI Francisco and the women discuss yellow socks.
1100 - Water Survival Training. Like I said before, it looks cold, and it's really cold - McSweeney has them all run right into the water. We're told the air temperature is 43 degrees Fahrenheit - one can only guess how cold that water is. Even better, they have take off their trousers to learn how to use them as a flotation device. Brown says it was really cold and she doesn't like being cold, but it was something new and McSweeney was in a better mood than usual because the recruits were afraid those alligators would get them.. They take a break back on the beach and run back in again - except Jackson doesn't run. He just kinda quits the training, refuses to go on, and is told sit on beach. Moretty says that Jackson got off without having to do anything - especially from McSweeney. McSweeney explains that he figures Jackson was hurting himself (in the game, by alienating himself) than any amount of pushups he could give him. But, Meyer was an idiot and everyone knew he'd be gone yet he still had to do a billion pushups. Maybe McSweeney likes Jackson better - I know I used to. Jackson says it's not worth the hypothermia to make the drill instructor happy. Moretty says it seems unfair - she doesn't understand why McSweeney gave him a break.
1500 - Ten Mile March. Rosenbum takes about cadence. His is good. Moretty's is not. DI Fransico says Jackson does a good off it - working other people's strengths and weaknesses in. Jackson cadences (that's a word) about people not listening to him. They all make it through fine.
1815 - Evening Chow. Jackson explains about leading cadence. Moretti tells him that he does it because he does it back. Jackson picks the wrong the day complain about things they have to do that aren't evenly distributed. Maybe someone pointed out to him about the non-pushups and he's trying to defend what happened? Proving them wrong is not the best way. Jackson complains about Fransico flirting with the women. Jackson seems to convince no one.
1930 - Female Barracks. Jackson sure didn't convince Moretty or Whitlow, because they're fuming about him. Brown chimes in and tells us that she thinks Jackson is the only guy who wouldn't take her with. We hear Whitlow and Brown having a conversation about voting off Jackson. Brown: "Who do you want to vote for, me?"
2015 - Female Bathroom. Turns out, yea, Whitlow wants to vote for Brown, and she tries to convince Moretty to go with. Whitlow tells Moretty she doesn't believe Jackson will take Brown and then she tells us that she doesn't trust Brown. Whitlow doesn't like people trying to cover up problems - she rather be straightforward about things. Moretty tells us (while nearly crying) that Brown's her best friend here but it'd be better, as far as the game is concerned, to take her.
2030 - Firepit. The other four recruits are waiting for those two, and discussing what took them so long.
Brown: Did they fall in the toilet?
Jackson: Nah, they're plotting against us.
Wolf: Nah, that won't happen.
Brown: They're plotting against me. It's the first time I've been away from
them. (Yelling to Whitlow and Moretty, walking towards them) Hey, I can hear
you!
(Whitlow and Moretty walk up)
Wolf: God, we thought you fell in the toilet.
(Whitlow and Moretty talk at the same time, about stopping by the medic as
well.)
Brown (to Moretty): Were you plotting against me in the toilet?
Moretty: Yea.
Brown: Okay.
Jackson: See.
Moretti: They're watching you go down the drain.
Brown took it as a joke, I think, but Moretty's again almost in tears when she talks - she couldn't lie to Brown's face, especially when they ask the question. So that's why she said yes. Too bad Brown thought she was kidding.
2230 - Lights Out. The men discuss the cold weather and who to vote for. Jackson favors eliminating Whitlow, but figures she's more likely to take one of them. Jackson tells us that he doesn't know what Whitlow is going to do. Wolf says he's unsure if he could trust Whitlow. Back in the barracks, the guys are still not sure.
Day 22, 1030 - Mission Day, Reward/Punishment. It's a hot tub! If they win, they get an hour in the warm hot tub.
1400 - Mission Briefing. Operation Hell: Hostage Evacuation from Laser Labyrinth. From the drop-off point, they go to Checkpoint 1, then cross over a fence to the roof of a building (attacks dogs in the space between), then down the other side of the roof to Checkpoint 2. There, they have to make their way through a set of lasers systems, without setting them off. Any laser beam broken costs them 3. After that, at Checkpoint 3, they must get the hostage and take him over the fence (and dogs) to an escape tower, then to the drop off point. They have 90 minutes to complete the mission.
The mission begins. Moretty (still almost crying) that she's not motivated - she wants amnesty, but at this point, people could start throwing missions making it all meaningless. If they fail the mission, they still get the hour in the hot tub - but with cold water.
Arrival at Checkpoint one, and they find they quickly make a bridge, though they argue about how it should be made. Brown talks about the frustration of everyone arguing over what they should do.
Jackson reaches Checkpoint 2 by himself and reads the instructions about the lasers. Moretti tells us that Jackson kinda took over the mission and everyone else was unhappy about it. Jackson starts to say how they should go through it, but Moretty tells him to go ahead and do it so everyone else can watch. (Only one person is allowed through at a time.) While he's crawling through, Wolf tries to give him advice about moving a barrel so it'd block a beam and make it an easier trip, but Jackson doesn't understand his directions. Wolf tells us how hard it is not to lead, and how he was annoyed about how Jackson tries to lead. Jackson gets through a critical part with last than 30 minutes left, and reaches Checkpoint 3. Brown is next through. Moretti is is next. Wolf is after him. I assume there are no problems, because we just get glimpses. Whitlow is last - I guess we didn't need to see Moretty. No one broke a wire and they even remembered to break all the equipment this time. Whitlow says that McSwenney was surprised that no one touched a laser.
They get the hostage (dummy) and pull him on the roof - it weights 175 pounds, so it's a little bit of a struggle. Jackson said that Moretty really didn't have to do anything this time, as other people did stuff for her. Whitlow says that the guys didn't believe that Moretty would do as good as she did, but they advised her just to tell people to shut up so she could keep control. With about 15 minutes left, they're using a zipline to get everyone (and the hostage) over to the tower. The last person is over with 5 minutes left, and they've got a 100 yard dash with the body to get it to the drop off point. Everyone and dummy is in the truck with 1:22 - they're successful. Moretty says the mission went really well - yea, amnesty. Jackson says it's great for Moretty to be in the final, without having to do a lot of work. Jackson's not in a good mood for this interview we keep going back to - actually, he's been this way the whole show.
Day 23, 1100 - Mission Reward. They all get the hot tub, and it feels really good. Wolf says it was a good way to relive some of their stress.
1300 - Sandbag Detail. Seems like everyone's on it. Moretty fills up a bag that Brown's holding, while Brown tells her that Whitlow told her that Whitlow and Moretty are going to vote against her (Brown.) Brown says she's told that to a few different people. Moretty says she's against Whitlow and they'll talk about it later. Brown tells us that it was actually Wolf who told her that Whitlow was got Moretty to vote against her, and seems a little shook up about it. Wolf says that he found out about it and told Brown, but that got her in trouble with Whitlow. Back on the beach, Moretty tells Whitlow that Brown told her that Whitlow's telling people that Moretty is against Brown. (Moretti is standing like a foot away looking at both of them during this, but it's confusing enough as it is.) Moretty's uncomfortable with the lies and everything. Whitlow tries to get her to calm down. Moretty knew she had to tell the truth - so she did. Brown says Moretty told her and said she felt bad about it for the last two days, and Brown just asked her to tell the truth.
In the female barracks, Moretty says they thought she'd take Jackson - Brown says she wouldn't have. Brown says she likes him the most - that would have been a real surprise when she didn't. Brown says he's only voting for Jackson because he thinks he'll take Whitlow. Brown tells us again (or is the same clip?) that she thinks Jackson won't take her, and he'll probably take Whitlow, and that'll be the best scenario. Moretty tells Whitlow that Brown knows about their plan to vote against her, so they've got an alternate plan - vote for Jackson. Moretty suggests that Wolf isn't as loyal as he says he is. Brown tells Whitlow that she was "bothered" that Whitlow was going to vote against her. Brown tells us that she was "hurt and angry" about nearly getting stabbed in the back. Whitlow says it wasn't personally and she feels bad about doing it. Moretty tells us that it was bad to backfire with a group this small. Brown says Jackson is the strongest guy, so he's the best person to eliminate. Whitlow asks Brown who she thinks Jackson will take - she tells her that it'll be one of the guys. Whitlow tells us that she's changed her mind after talking to Brown. Whitlow says that the guys will find out at dismissal hill, and they'll go from there. "That way, we'll all be together." Except Brown hates Whitlow and Whitlow may not like Brown - but they haven't figured it out yet.
Day 24, 830 - Dismissal Day, Men's Barracks. Moretti asks Jackson if he's decided who he's going to vote for yet - he says he's gonna vote for Whitlow and hope she takes Brown. They all agree to make it their decision. I wonder what happens in case of a tie? They made a point of showing the recruits ranking everyone else the first week, and they're still doing it (just not showing any off it), maybe that factors in? Anyway, the plan is repeated - vote for Whitlow, hope she takes Brown. Wolf tells us that Moretti's an upstanding guy and will go along with whatever Wolf and Jackson tell him to do. "He's very loyal, in that aspect."
1200 - Haircuts. Only for the guys, but I was wondering if they'd make them do it again. Pretty harsh to make them do it when one or two of them could be going home that night anyway. Rosenbum convinces them that they should keep these haircuts after they leave. Moretti tells us that he dreams about winning Boot Camp - not for the money, but just for being the winner. He has to think about himself first, based on what he hears.
1330 - Tasks. Wolf and Whitlow are on "Submarine Watch" which means they sit on the beach and do nothing. Brown and Jackson clean the bathrooms. Moretty and Moretti get to flatten the sand pit in front of the barracks. Moretti tells Moretty (oh no) that the other two guys want to vote for Whitlow, but he doesn't. Moretti tells us that he trusts Moretty (makes sense) and Whitlow (doesn't) but no one else. Moretti says he doesn't trust Jackson, he's talking to Brown too much. Moretty says she doesn't like Jackson, Moretti says he just doesn't trust him - Jackson may try to get him out. Moretti tells us that he thinks himself, Moretty and Whitlow will vote for Jackson. Moretti tells Moretty that he feels crappy for voting against Jackson - but he keeps thinking off his sons and their college educations. Moretty says she trust Moretti - he's not the kinda person who would lie. Moretti isn't happy about being deceptive, but he wants to be the winner.
1415 - Male Barracks. Apparently, it's just Jackson and Moretti - Moretti tells Jackson that he thinks they're going to vote for Wolf, when he knows better. There's more than a letter different between Moretti and Moretty. Jackson says that he and Moretti would rather lose honorable than win dishonorable, so they're not voting for each other. Jackson tells Moretti that regardless (of what? I think, with Wolf not here, Jackson thinks that it's him who might turn), he's not going to take one of the guys. Moretti says that he promised Wolf and Moretti before that he wouldn't vote for them, and he still won't. "I will never do that." Moretti's looking at his feet while doing that.
1900 - Dismissal Hill. Everyone's moved up to the front row now. 6 are here now, 4 will be after this. Moretty will be one, she's got amnesty for this turn. We watch the vote, and look at various people. Moretty tells the squad that she's proud of how they pulled together and worked together. We see her vote - it is for Jackson.
Time for the dismissal. Rosenbum starts with Brown - she thinks that all six are strong enough to win it all. Jackson is next - he's been strong, smart, fast and musical when needed. There are reason for him to stay - but there are reasons why everyone should stay. If it's his time, it's his time. Whitlow is questioned - she says she's part of a hardworking team, and if the squad feels that she should stay, she'll stay. "Anything is possible." Rosenbum goes back to Jackson - he's gone.
Jackson takes the position, and we look at the vote - Brown, Whitlow, Morretty and Morretti voted for him. Wolf backstabbed in his own way, voting for Morretti. Jackson did what he said he was going to do, voting for Whitlow. Jackson addresses the squad - no hard feelings, they all did well. He thanks the drill instructors.
Jackson's turn to discharge someone. He says it's pretty easy to figure out who voted for him and who didn't (I think he thinks Wolf voted for him) but he can live with that, it's nothing personal. So, like other people were looking out for their own (the women voting him off), he's going have to look out for the guys - and takes Brown. Brown is disappionted but manages to recover - she may not know it yet, but she still matter a whole lot in this game. And that's it.
Next week, Whitlow's the drill instructor, and the preview hints with major problems with Wolf.
It's now Pupo, Thomson, Yaney, Hutak and Brown with the votes. If there's a woman left, I'd expect Hutak would vote for them, and if that woman is Morretty, she'll probably get Brown's vote. (I don't see her voting for Whitlow after this episode.) Pupo didn't get along with the women so maybe she'll be against them. But Thomson and Yaney don't have any clear connections to whoever's left and whoever joins them is going to be bitter that they're not part of the final two, so they're a wild card too. This could get very strange in the next two weeks.