(S05E05) Nicole said something interesting tonight, right at the top of the show. "Why is that everyone I pick as the Mole gets executed and I don't?" That's a good question, because you would think that if Nicole is truly concentrating on one person every time she takes the quiz that she would have been eliminated by now. Maybe she's The Mole! Of course, we can make that case for every single one of the remaining contestants at one point or another. Well, except for the one that was executed tonight, the player that a lot of viewers picked because this person was rather quiet and flew under the radar. Just goes to show you that you really can't predict who's going to get kicked off the show.
Something hit me tonight as I watched Paul do a nutty again on Clay and Mark over-react (overact?) about a challenge: one of these people is putting on a show. So maybe Paul's intense jerk act is just that, an act, and he's a helluva guy. Maybe Mark's immature drama is an act and he's really a cool person. Maybe Nicole's arrogance and scheming is just an act and she's really your average, nice girl. But think of this: only one person left on the show can be the Mole, so the other personalities we're seeing are the real thing. Yikes.
In the two challenges tonight, I think a lot of the players were completely illogical. In the first, everyone is ticked at Mark because they think he took the exemption instead of the key. But why would they be so pissed at him? I mean, he was the last person left at the prison, so why wouldn't he take the exemption? Hell, even Paul was tempted and he left a lot earlier (as it turns out, Mark didn't take the exemption, though if he's the Mole it's a smart move). In the second, everyone is mad that Craig took the exemption after he got one by sheer luck, saying the word "exemption" first (of course, maybe it wasn't luck, maybe he said it on purpose because he's the Mole - then again, maybe the show made up the whole "first one to say exemption" thing, it really could have been any word they thought of after the fact). What, they wouldn't have taken the exemption if given the chance?
And I'm so tired of these complaints about challenges (the "Travelers" challenge - too bad Traveler isn't on anymore, we could have had a crossover episode). Everyone thinks it's not worth it to be "humiliated" by wearing a llama costume or wearing stilts or riding a unicycle? Why the hell did the even sign up for this game? Mark really pushed this. You know what? I actually believe Craig when he says that even though he took the exemption he picked those things because he thought it would be fun. I think Craig is the guy I'd like to hang out with in real life, Mole or not.
I'm not sure what we're supposed to think about another tie in the quiz. Only one second separates two players? The one executed tonight is Kristin, who seemed nice and was quiet (hey, turns out she probably really is!). All of the most controversial players - Mark, Paul, Nicole - are still around, along with the still-sick Craig (?), religious lawyer Clay (and no, Paul, those things aren't contradictory), and musician Alex, who was the only one who really seemed to want to dress in a funny outfit tonight.
Next week: highlights from the season so far, but a new episode too.
Some observations/questions:
- Is there some significance with that damn lemon pet that Paul carries around? It will be fun to see the clues that the show laid out for us when the show is over.
- Some of the questions on the quiz are so specific that if you're not the Mole and you concentrate on one person and they aren't the Mole, you're screwed. For example, a question tonight asked if the Mole used a sleeping bag in the prison challenge. Only one person had a sleeping bag and that was Clay.
- During his argument, Paul said "My whole life is a hypocrite." Wow.
- The Mole is keeping a journal at over abc.com. I haven't checked it for clues yet.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-01-2008 @ 2:22AM
Erica said...
I try really hard to think of clues during the episodes! Tonight I paused the show 2 or 3 times to read the "grafiti" writing on the walls. One said Jaime, one said Ernan (whatever that means), and another said Bar. I have a strong suspicion that since they're in South America they're going to hide clues in Spanish that when translated will relate to whoever the mole is. My guess as of now is either Paul, Craig, or Alex. AHH this show makes my brain hurt. I did really like what someone said about the scales=attorney=Clay.... something to think about. I can't wait to see the clues @ the end of the season. I'll tell you what, I really hope the mole isn't Nicole! I can't stand her!
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7-01-2008 @ 3:57AM
D Colin said...
Last week Mark, Kristen and Victoria were my three that I thought could be the mole. Well, last week Victoria was executed and this week kristen --- so I'm sticking with Mark. I guess he'll either be executed next week or he is the mole.
I think the whole my journal is gone is to keep the others from thinking he's the mole and he's been on my radar since not walkin' in his underwear.
just my thoughts-- but not doing too well
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7-01-2008 @ 5:46AM
collin said...
D A M N . . .
Kristen was top pick so far, and I was sooo wrong. I was so shocked by her execution, and the field now seems a bit close since there was only one second splitting her and someone else.
I am going to do the wrong thing and eliminate Nicole from being The Mole. I do not believe that she is sabotaging the group or is that much of a threat. I think she's trying to play the unpredictable "hey look at me" role, and yet some of the players are indicating that their suspicions are on her.
Watch... it'll probably be her.
One more thing about Nicole. She never seems bothered or relieved once someone else is executed. She seems as if she's untouchable... and now I'm second-guessing myself. Dammit!
Anyway, here we go. ** My picks for The Mole: **
- Alex. Not as nonchalant about surviving as Nicole, but he doesn't seem to sweat. Quiet, flies below the radar, bla bla bla.
- Clay. Starting to question others and their motives out loud, which is a Mole-ish way of deflecting suspicion. But he also seems to be changing up his strategy by confronting the loudmouths (Paul) and obtaining sympathy from others as a result (e.g. riding in the second van). Hm...
** Who besides Nicole isn't the Mole? **
- Craig. His demeanor screams "regular player trying to be sneaky." But I think he's another favorite of other viewers to be The Mole.
- Paul. If he's The Mole, then I will publicly state that the producers are resorting to a lame strategy of having The Mole be the opposite of what previous Moles were (e.g. obnoxious as hell). Paul is my second choice to NOT be The Mole. Please God, let that be the case.
** Questionable player? **
- Mark. I think he's trying to be unpredictable like Nicole, but I can't see him being The Mole. He's more of a complainer and although Clay seems to suspect him, I don't suspect him of being The Mole. Crap, there seems to be a lot of players trying the same unpredictable pattern.
Dammit. I was sure of Kristen though. I guess I'd be executed first if I were playing the game. Oh well.
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7-01-2008 @ 8:55AM
Sarah said...
actually, Nicole seemed quite unnerved when Kristin was eliminated...
7-01-2008 @ 2:02PM
collin said...
Really? I didn't think so.
But she did seem concerned to be the only woman left, but then... can anyone take what she says seriously?
7-01-2008 @ 6:35AM
MERVE-THE-PERVE said...
I'm still sticking with Mark as the mole since I picked him from the start and I still can't think of a reason to switch right now.
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7-01-2008 @ 9:42AM
ORKMommy said...
I couldn't care less who the mole is...I just watch to see what Paul is going to do each week.
One of the funniest moments on TV...when they all sang the Paul Free song in the van! I actually laughed out loud and that rarely happens when I'm watching TV.
All together now...
"Paaaaauuuuul Free...In van #2..."
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7-01-2008 @ 10:47AM
djbuhhda said...
im still goin to say that craig is the mole. "im starting to think its excemption worthy" he musta know that was goin to happen and he made them all have hard ways to get up the mountain. for an excemption so it wasnt suspicous that he didn't go home. we'll just have to wait til next week to see what happens. but for the whole nicole being the mole thing im going to say that she puts all this attention of her being the mole, when the real mole wouldn't do that.
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7-01-2008 @ 12:47PM
Caroline said...
"During his argument, Paul said "My whole life is a hypocrite." Wow"
I thought Paul said "you're whole life is a hypocrite" directed at Clay. He was calling Clay the hypocrite during their fight. And personally if the criminals Clay is defending are guilty and he's aware of it then I do think he's living a contradictory lifestyle.
I'm amazed anyone ever thought Kristen was the Mole. Her and Ali were the most obvious Non-Mole contenders from Day One. They're two of the few people that ever actively put money in the pot. Unfortunately the people I'm positive are NOT the Mole are the people who keep going home, so it's not helping me much at all. I'm currently leaning towards Alex since he actively maintains middle ground and never tries to convince people not to screw up. He's just letting people do the sabotaging for him.
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7-01-2008 @ 2:59PM
Liz said...
This is correct, he said "your whole life is a hypocrite."
7-01-2008 @ 12:51PM
Bob Sassone said...
Caroline: Yeah, now that you mention it, he probably did say that. Still doesn't make any sense though, heh.
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7-01-2008 @ 11:59PM
Andrew said...
Actually I'm pretty sure he said "your whole life is a hypocrite"
7-01-2008 @ 3:06PM
Liz said...
I thought they were all overreacting with Craig..every one of them would have done the same thing. This year's contestants are the whiniest, most annoying group ever. And sadly, the nice people keep going home instead of the crazy ones.
I always believed the Mole would be quiet and under the radar. But maybe the producers decided they needed more reality tv mayhem and drama, so picked someone who would be very over the top and obnoxious. I hope not though...and I hope Alex wins the money at this point. He seems like the coolest guy there at this point. So, he will probably go home next episode. :(
Loved it when they were singing Paul Free in the car!
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7-02-2008 @ 10:24AM
brenth said...
Liz,
I must say after reading all the comments this week, I resonate the most with yours. You make some great points about what the producers may be thinking in selecting this year's mole.
I also thought after Kristen was eliminated that all the nice people (except Craig and Paul) have been eliminated, kind of odd.
I have a question for the group, as I have said before, I have believed that Clay is the mole from the beginning, and I haven't checked the past episodes, but I don't remember Clay being picked many times in the end to show his results. Is that true?
Also another observation, was there this many exemptions offered in the first 2 seasons. It seems like there are 1-2 offered every week this season, I don't remember that from the past shows.
Clay's the mole! And the funny thing is, with Mark, and Nicole playing, he doesn't have to do much to sabbotage the group.
7-01-2008 @ 11:58PM
Andrew said...
"But think of this: only one person left on the show can be the Mole, so the other personalities we're seeing are the real thing. Yikes."
It's also possible that they're pulling something out of WWE's playbook and having them all play up larger-than-life characters to create drama and hence draw ratings.
I'm not saying that the whole show is staged and they're all actors but I've been seeing a lot of the same techniques used in pro wrestling to create drama or suspense being used in this show.
The thing that really drove this theory home for me was at the end of the show. You're telling me that 2 weeks in a row the two lowest scores were both within 5 seconds of each other? Smells a little fishy to me.
Another thing that's been bothering me are the points in the show where apparently Jon didn't explain something well enough for the folks at home when they're on location and they play the very obvious-sounding voice over and they do it in a way where they expect you to believe that he actually said that when they were on location. They even go as far as to show a very fake looking reaction from one of the contestants.
Nit-picking aside, overall I'm enjoying the show. It's definitely not as good as the first or second seasons, and there is absolutely no way anyone could have replaced the greatness that was Anderson Cooper but it's still my favorite reality show.
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7-02-2008 @ 3:46AM
Will said...
I don't really believe in ESP or premonition or anythng like that, but right as they all were seated before the execution started, I absolutuely KNEW Kristin was going to be eliminated! It was weird & a little spooky. There must have been some subliminal clue during the show, because I'm almost always wrong in my predictions of who is going home (happens a lot with Survivor, too.)
That said, I think the most likely candidate for The Mole now is either Paul or Nicole. Possibly Mark, but I doubt it. I sure hope it isn't Paul, I really can't stand him & every week I hope he gets booted. That is a really good observation about what Nicole said. If her picks keep going home, shouldn't she be scoring badl on the quizzes? Unless she is getting lucky & has been the player that sat down first.
I am really enjoying the show, I wish it went on longer. Makes you think a little bit.
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