American Grit (2016) s01e08 Episode Script
Barricade the Bunker
1 JOHN: Previously on American Grit (air horn blows) The teams got a rude awakening.
It is time to wake up! And they had their navigation skills tested.
That way.
We're screwed.
Her team's behind us.
We're just scared more.
Let's run.
JOHN: But in the end, it was team Noah who once again came out the victors.
Boom! They just will not be denied.
Back at base camp, Cam went behind enemy lines.
Oh.
JOHN: KJoy, Tony and Mario faced the Circus, but the burden was too heavy.
That's it, I quit.
JOHN: KJoy's chances of winning $250,000 disappeared.
-Go! JOHN: Tonight Let's go! RORKE: Forget this rah, rah, rah, we got a good attitude.
I'm tired of getting beat.
JOHN: The battle continues both on and off the field.
She's playing you.
Haze is playing a PSYOPs on him, psychological warfare.
JOHN: And the stakes have never been higher.
Fighting with everything he's got.
Without Tony, Team Tee goes bye-bye.
JOHN: But a surprise visit could change the competition.
(screaming) Who will be the next contestant to give up, ring out, and go home.
(bell rings) (dramatic percussive music) MAN: Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh Whoa-oh-oh All alone now We in the fire Gonna burn it down Get out alive (screaming) (yelling) It's over! Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh (dramatic music) (bell rings) JOHN: Before I send you back to base camp, I have a special added announcement today.
As we near the finals, every victory is crucial.
And the stakes of your next Evolution will reflect that more than ever.
When you head back to base camp tonight, you'll get a better perspective of what I'm talking about.
GOLDIE: From Evolution to Evolution, you don't know what to expect.
So I'm on pins and needles right now.
(dramatic percussive music) I told you! I told you! What is this? I told you.
The winners of the next Evolution will get a visit from their loved ones.
Oh, snap! We got to win.
We got to win.
TEE: As this competition progresses, it's wearing on them.
It's similar to us being in the military.
When you're deployed, you're missing all the luxuries of home, and everyone that you left behind.
Is that your dad? Look, she's gonna cry.
I didn't get to see my dad when I left, 'cause he was traveling.
So I haven't seen him for, like, three months.
My dad has always been there, and it's hard, sometimes, to get through without him being here.
We have to win this Evolution.
Who else we got? My pops.
And he's military too.
101st Airborne, same as Noah.
My dad supports everything that I do.
He is a minister as well as I am.
He's the pastor of a church.
But, you know, we're getting towards the home stretch, and if seeing family is icing on top of the cake, but the cake is always make it, all of us, to the final Circus.
Lumberjack? Yeah, my girlfriend with the baby.
Aww! Baby's down in here.
(laughter) When I left, my girlfriend was pregnant and not showing, and she's showing now, so I'd love to see that.
I don't know if it's gonna be a little lumberjack or a little lumberjill, but I'm super excited.
I can't wait to be a father.
Motivation's up.
It's on! Hip-hopping again.
(laughs) (dramatic music) JOHN: Good morning, everybody.
ALL: Good morning! JOHN: Ah, so many reasons to be excited today.
The winner of today's Evolution is not only safe from the Circus, but will get a visit from home.
(sighs) And just like our U.
S.
military on overseas deployment, after a while, you get to miss your family.
Noah.
When you're on a deployment, you--you miss them so much, but then you have to constantly remind yourself that you're doing a job for them, and that's kind of what motivates you to keep going on day to day.
JOHN: Tee? -For me, it was my daughter.
Missing the holidays, missing Thanksgiving, Christmas, her birthday.
Goldie, we've talked about your family.
-What would that mean to you? -Oh, man.
It would be some fuel to the fire.
It would be the last bit of oomph that I need to get through this.
You guys know what's at stake today.
Let's find out how to get there.
Which brings us to today's Evolution.
One of the most basic and important tasks for infantry in the U.
S.
military is fortification.
Today's Evolution is called Barricade the Bunker, and it goes like this.
Inside each of these bunkers is a very valuable set of flags.
Your goal is to protect your flag at all costs.
Here's how it'll work.
Each Cadre will pick one team member who will have 30 minutes to barricade the bunker.
As you can see, each team has been given the same basic materials to do it.
Strategy is up to you guys.
When that 30 minutes is over, the Cadre will select another team member whose mission is simple.
Break into an opposing team's bunker and retrieve your flag.
First team to do this wins the Evolution.
Win the Evolution, safe from the Circus.
Safe from the Circus, you don't ring out.
And you get the bonus of seeing your family.
In Team Tee's case, Tony will be doing both the barricading and the breaching.
Tee, how do you feel about Tony competing as a team of one? We're the Marine Corps, so our slogan is "The Few, the Proud.
" We just happen to be the fewest today.
(laughter) That's okay.
JOHN: This will be contained mayhem.
Cadre, get with your team, form a game plan.
NOAH: As an infantry soldier on a deployment, living with the locals and the enemy that you didn't know who it was, it was life or death to make sure that we had our living spaces fortified completely.
You're gonna fortify it.
You're gonna break down whichever one we end up doing.
With Mark's strength, the whole strategy is we want to tie this thing up with as many knots as possible.
With the amount of hand strength he has, it's gonna be really difficult to get undone.
If they can't get those knots undone, they can't get in.
-I got you building.
-All right.
-I got you breaching.
-Okay.
-So, uh, I think-- -What's the best way to-- The first thing is the actual handle.
They have to actually use that handle to get through.
That's the first thing we have to secure.
Second thing, I think we should build layers of a process they actually have to get through.
And we got plenty of material to actually layer that up.
You're gonna build.
You're gonna destroy.
When it comes to building, we're gonna start close, and then, you know, work our way out.
The thing that we're gonna try and achieve is just design as many problem sets for the person coming in as we can and make those as intricate or as complex as we can.
-Just utilize the rigs.
-Okay.
And it should be like a spider web.
-So we want to go-- -An intricate spider web.
-Intricate spider web, okay.
-So no one can get through.
-Yep.
-Chicago style.
You barricade your home, nobody's getting in.
We're both from Chicago, so we know in order to keep people from breaking into your house, you got to create layers.
Same thing in the Marine Corps.
You secure your belongings.
Gear adrift is gear amiss.
All right, then, when you breach-- It's all about breaking through.
Already know, it's all about breaking through.
Chicago style.
(both laugh) We got this.
JOHN: All right.
-Strategy is over.
-We got this.
Competitors take your starting marks.
RORKE: We're playing for two really important things at this point in the game.
One, immunity from going into that Circus.
Part two is getting to see your family.
Haze in particular, I feel like has this just very, very deep connection, and kind of respect with her father.
He's a marine.
To be honest, I want her to win just so I can shake that Devil Dog's hand and tell him what a great daughter he raised.
Prepare to barricade your bunker.
Let's go, Haze.
Three, two, one, go! (air horn) The teams all have the same material to choose from, including chains, ropes, fencing, wood and various fasteners.
Cam doing his best Tom Brady over there.
Looking pretty good.
-I don't like it.
-Yep.
Turn the other way.
NICK: Securing the doorknob was our first strategy.
I mean, if I was in a house, doing like a sniper hut or something like that, I'd make sure that the-- the door was secured.
There you go, nice.
Just make it tight, just make it tight.
JOHN: So far, the basis of everybody's strategy has been chains and chicken wire.
-Crisscross.
This way.
-Crisscross? -Yep.
Just like you did, but opposite direction.
Tony developing some sort of Houdini-type stunt.
TONY: Me being by myself puts a lot more pressure on me to make everything just as perfect as possible.
If I do make a mistake, it might cost me a little bit more, because everybody else has three or two heads thinking for them-- I have one.
20 minutes remain.
Needs a little bit more.
Quick, quick, quick, quick, quick.
JOHN: Team Nick has secured the doorknob, but seems to be struggling with the fencing.
Can you just push it through there, and then lock it on the other side with another lock? JOHN: Team Rorke already has some fencing secured, as does Team Noah.
(grunts) Big lumberjack.
Mark, no stranger to timber, doing what he can to use his specialties to his advantages.
And sitting it on top there, just like it's a ledge.
MARK: My strategy was weaving boards in and all that.
It creates pressure on everything.
I would just tie as many knots as you can.
Use that hand strength.
MARK: It's so tight in some areas, you can't get in there to undo them.
JOHN: 20 minutes gone by.
Ten minutes remain.
But you don't need it to be tight.
It just needs to be a place that they have to undo.
-Get the slack in there.
-Yep.
-Pull it tight.
-All right.
JOHN: Nick advising Cam, who at points, seems to be a bit shaky.
We need a lot more mesh.
-Come on, Cam.
-Got it, got it, got it.
NICK: I think when it comes to making something intricate, and under a time constraint, it might bother him a little bit.
Cam, don't worry about that.
I'm just trying to tie it in a knot.
-You can't knot chains.
-It's not gonna work.
Jim, stop.
JOHN: Two minutes remaining! Two minute warning! (dramatic music) JOHN: Two minutes remaining.
Two minute warning.
They want in your house, make them work.
JOHN: Check out the lumberjack, pulling those knots so tight his hands are bleeding.
Looks like he's putting together a grill.
He just looks like he's in his element over there.
Anchor point, right here.
JOHN: The goal here is to build a solid bunker so that the opposing team cannot break through it.
Not only safety from the Circus, but a visit from a loved one hanging in the balance here.
We're gonna see our families today, guys.
RORKE: The point that we really emphasize was creating spots where intricate work would need to be done, time-consuming work.
You guys start looking at just ways of other place we can fill things in, cause any place there's a single point, I want it locked again.
JOHN: One minute remaining.
This is the one minute warning.
We have to keep the tension tight.
(grunts) A day off here could be crucial for Tony.
Come on Cam, faster, yeah, go back to that anchor.
JOHN: Half a minute! 30 seconds! 30 seconds left! You need to make your bunker impenetrable to see your family and stay safe from the Circus.
-Come on, Cam -Hang on.
Knot, hurry, fast.
(indistinct speech) JOHN: Four, three, two, one (air horn sounds) Stop what you're doing.
-Good job.
-Away from the bunkers.
I think we've got the ugliest one.
JOHN: Okay, teams, now it's time to breach.
HAZE: Dang, look at Tony's.
(laughs) His looks like he's waiting for the zombie apocalypse.
That's what I'm talking about.
That's what I'm talking about.
JOHN: Safety from the Circus, and a family visit at stake.
Let the demolition begin.
Jim, Tony, Mario, Clare, you are now standing in front of the bunker that you have been chosen to breach.
You will each have only a pair of pliers to help you get in that bunker and retrieve your team's flag.
First to the flagpole wins this Evolution, avoids the Circus, and earns a visit with loved ones for the team.
-Competitors at the ready.
-Chicken coop is easy.
JOHN: Three, two, one, go! Get in there, baby.
Get in there.
Get in there, baby.
You're a cop, come on, get in there, get in there, get in there.
-Pull that.
-Right there, there we go.
Pull that.
Jim, pull that off.
Pull that off.
JOHN: Jim working through the labyrinth set up by Haze for Team Rorke.
You got little points right here that we'll get undone.
JOHN: Mario buried in knots over there.
Forget about the chain after that.
Get the rope.
Tony, ripping away chains, ripping away rope.
Clare, the same.
Your body, you don't think you could squeeze your body through that top corner? (all talking at once) JOHN: The goal is to get inside.
Mario, first to go for the pliers.
Ha, ha, he has to use pliers.
Pull on this too.
Obviously has his work cut out for him.
Mark did a heck of a job fortifying that bunker.
First you got to get this one knot.
Mario, you got this.
I feel it.
I feel it right now.
MARIO: We attack this first knot on the lower left-hand corner, and this is tied by the lumberjack, which is 250 pounds of man.
There's a lot of tension on this knot.
Work the--work the-- work the thing with your hands too.
-Come on, Jim.
-You have to do it.
JOHN: Jim taking the gargantuan approach.
(all talking at once) Jim, come in.
-You got this lock, right.
JOHN: Jim is inside the fencing.
Here we go, Jim.
JOHN: He has the door open.
Is it enough to get through? Is it enough to get through? JIM: The key to their design was the chain around the doorknob.
Haze had it so tight, there was no slack.
It's the little twisty thing.
JIM: It was really intricate, but my fingers aren't really working too well.
Undo that, undo that.
-Right here, baby.
-Right there.
JOHN: Tee encouraging Tony, fighting to keep his team alive in this competition.
And right now, a doorknob is the only thing standing between Jim and victory.
Once you get that slack, you just go to the next one.
That's enough slack for you.
TONY: Tee had me do it.
Got the rope out the way.
As I start pulling more rope, the chicken coop got loose.
That gave me the entryway to get up in there.
Unhook it.
Get them gloves off.
JOHN: Only one team can win this.
And Clare, still removing material.
Okay, this chain, I need to know where this chain goes.
Undo this one, this'll take this chain out of the way.
What's that? Tony did a really, really amazing job.
Everything I undid, there was something behind it.
Pull that out, pull it.
CLARE: It just was like, layers and layers of stuff.
Right here.
JOHN: Jim is at the door.
Here we go, Jim.
JOHN: Does Jim have enough room? Come on, get that slack, it's the slack, Jim.
-It's the slack.
JIM: When you get dumped with adrenaline, fine motor skills are gone.
-It's up against this.
-Where's the slat? Where's the slat coming from? All right, now, pull, pull.
Do big pull, big pull, big pull, big pull, big pull.
Pull, pull, pull, pull, pull, pull.
Pull again! (grunts) JOHN: Tony's squeezing his way in.
Doing some amateur locksmith work over there.
Open the door.
Open the door, baby.
JOHN: Tony has the door open.
Can he get through? TEE: Get in there! (all talking at once) -Mario, Mario, don't--look.
JOHN: Team Rorke has their door open! Mario, trying to worm himself through.
Jim's still mere inches away, but it's Tony who's found a way through.
TEE: Get the flag! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! JOHN: And now Mario is in! Hold on one second! Tony fighting with everything he's got, fighting for a team of one to get himself a well-deserved day off! Go! Here! Boom! -Whoa! -We have a winner! (air horn sounds) JOHN: Tony ahead of Mario by mere seconds.
That's what I'm talking about! (screams) BOTH: Oh, my God.
Thought we had it.
TEE: Whoo! Good job.
JOHN: Tony, proudly raise your flag.
You have won the Evolution.
Here we go.
Whoo! That's that Chicago style right there! Now that's Chicago style.
-Right there.
-(laughs) TEE: We're safe from the Circus, safe from ringing out.
Team Tee is still intact.
We hanging by a strand, but we're still in there.
We live to fight another day, and I couldn't be happier right now.
-Good job, good job.
-That's the one I wanted.
NOAH: We're experiencing what other teams have experienced time and time again.
So it's a building moment for us.
This is the second time we've been knocked down, and we can come back again.
CAM: My barricade wasn't the best thing in the world, you know, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed.
-He wormed his way in.
-Wormed it in, yeah.
Sorry, guys.
(laughs) Aw, man, now I'm not gonna see my dad.
-Never saw? -Never saw.
(bleep) The hardest thing right now is not punching Cam in his fat face for not fortifying his bunker better.
The reward was not just avoiding Circus.
The reward was family time.
Like, I--I hurt thinking I'm not gonna see my dad.
Tony, "the Few, the Proud," indeed.
You get yourself a visit from your family, and you are safe from the Circus.
Tee, at the beginning, you said that marines were "the Few, the Proud.
" Have any advice for the Army they just defeated? I mean, Army stands for "Ain't ready to be a marine yet.
" So we took this.
We showed them today.
JOHN: Indeed, you did.
And now it is decision time.
Nick, Rorke, Noah, you will choose a member of your team to face the Circus.
Team Noah, your second taste of defeat.
We will see you guys at the sentencing.
NOAH: We're so close to the finals, and I want the team to be three strong.
But then there's always that risk that something could happen.
(bleep) (laughing) Stop.
Stop.
-Holy smokes.
-Uh.
Like ten seconds after the Evolution I was mad.
God.
-Furious-- -At Cam? -Were you mad at Cam? -No, not at Cam.
The game is over.
Wipe that slate clean.
But I'm still gonna punch Cam in his face.
He could have got, like, two more knots in there.
Two more knots, and we would have had that.
GOLDIE: Haze does have true feelings for Cam.
I don't know how deep they run, or whatever, but we really have to focus on ourself, and what we can do better as a team to win an Evolution.
It would have been nice.
But when business has to be taken care of out there, it was gonna be us three.
But we wouldn't be sitting here, thinking about, like, "Oh, yeah, you know, at least Team Noah's going to Circus.
" We'd be here going, "My dad's coming.
" And it just infuriates me.
(dramatic music) CAM: What's up? What's up? You got a second? -Yeah.
-All right, I need to blindfold you, though.
Oh! -I--I'm gonna regret this.
-All right? CAM: The person in the house who wanted to see their loved one the most was Haze.
We're going to my room.
Blue Team was so close to winning today, so I'm here to cheer Haze up.
-All right? -Okay.
Take off your blindfold.
Ta-da! Cam, what is this? -We got champagne.
-Oh, my God.
I guess, in a way, it was my apology for building such a crappy barricade.
Aww.
Usually all my dates are in the back seat of cars for, like, 15 minutes, though.
This is-- this is something different.
HAZE: Oh, my God.
GOLDIE: (laughs) HAZE: Wow.
MARK: Cam and haze are having their little date.
They're adorable.
Last endurance challenge.
And I got to frickin' spin, too? Seems like everyone's just trying to stay positive, you know.
Everyone knows what's ahead of us, and everyone's got to kind of stay relaxed and happy.
-(vocalizing) -(grunts) (both laugh) -Give me the gold medal! -That was a five! -That was a five.
-(laughs) That was a five.
There's a good possibility that you and I might have to go to Circus together.
You know, 50/50 chance, and then somebody from team Noah.
So, I mean, somebody has to go home at the end of the day.
I think it's gonna be Team Noah.
All right, I can cheer to that.
I can cheers to that.
I kind of blamed him for being the reason why my dad's not here.
And that was selfish of me.
What a sweet guy.
Like, this is a great first date.
This is probably one of the best first dates I've ever been on.
Come here.
Uh-oh.
(dramatic music) On deployments, especially the invasion of Iraq, we would constantly do this rucking, just putting on a pack, and just walk.
The advantage to us doing this out here is we don't have to be tactical and quiet.
It is extremely difficult to choose between Mark, David and Clare to send to the Circus.
I could send somebody, and they go home and miss out on something in the end that could greatly improve their lives for them and their families.
Whoever goes to the Circus, go into it like its your last day here, 'cause it could be.
I'm gonna do my best to make the best decision for the team, and the four of us will be at the next Evolution.
-All right? -Let's do it.
CAM: I have a feeling Nick will pick me.
So you know what I mean? BOTH: Hi.
Bye.
Ridiculous.
I think that Cam doesn't know it's a game.
He's so young.
He's only 21.
And I think Haze is playing a PSYOPs on him, psychological warfare.
I mean, do you want to send home the girl you like? If you had to go up against Haze, my fear is-- Distraction.
Distraction, her getting into your head.
Yeah, she's told me, she's like, "Well, like, you know, I act like it's a competition," but, like, yeah, she goes, "I'd be really distracted if I went to Circus against you.
" That's a game.
That's a game, dude.
That's a game.
That's a game.
She's got a strong mind.
-That's a game.
-She's playing you.
Listen to Jim.
She's playing you, yeah.
CAM: I don't think going up against Haze in the Circus would be a distraction, but I think it would be hard to focus.
When I get the phone call, or the page that say give them the Black Hawks or the Chinooks.
We're about to fly and hit a target, I get cold, I don't talk-- -Game time.
-Yeah, that's my-- No, I get you.
Everything's on the line right now.
I don't want to end up in Tony's position.
-Nope.
-We have to win.
(cheering) You know, honestly, that's what I dig about this place.
It is a competition, but every time I walk in to see you guys, I feel like I'm walking into the bar from Cheers.
(laughter) Seriously, you guys make me feel so welcome.
As you guys know, there's a very special reward today.
Tony, come on up here.
(applause) For winning the Evolution, Tony earned himself a visit from a family member, and I wanted you all here to welcome his visitor.
To the victor goes the spoils.
I hope you enjoy your time.
JIM: Cena opens the door, but wicked smart, I know that's not Tony's sister.
(screaming) JOHN: Tony, to the victor goes the spoils.
I hope you enjoy your time.
-Come on in, man.
-(screaming) (cheers and applause) -Oh, honey.
-(sobbing) Oh, my God.
TONY: She hasn't seen her father in, like, four months, so I've been blessed to get safe from the Circus, so share the blessing, and I'm giving her the family visit instead.
You're the man! You're the man, dude.
Yeah.
-You're a class act.
-Surprise! (laughing) TONY: Plus, he's a marine too.
I'm representing Marine Corps, so I'm happy.
Nice to meet you, brother.
-Thank you so much.
-No problem.
-No problem.
-Oh, man.
-How you doing, gunny? -All right, how you doing? HAZE: Tony is so selfless.
I feel like I have better than I deserve today.
For someone to struggle as much as Tony has, finally make it to victory lane, and then openly give away his reward, I think is, uh, not only outstanding, but is absolutely everything that we represent.
Thank you, Tony.
(cheers and applause) HAZE: Making my father proud is my main motivation to excel.
Like, for my dad to come here and see that I'm one of the final nine? With these athletes? Like, that has just lit a fire under my ass, and I am just-- I'm gonna go as hard as I can these next final Evolutions.
So when I was in the Marines, I was taking my Marine Corps career in a different direction, and I went to a career planner, I'm like, "I think I want to be a Navy SEAL.
" -You know.
-Yep.
And so when I saw how cool those guys were, I'd be like, "I will ring that bell on the first day.
" Isn't it so funny, though? 'Cause he told me, he's like, "I hope that they don't get anything cold for you.
" Well, you--you've done your part, and, uh, it's been a treat.
-All right, sir.
-It's a pleasure to meet you.
Yes, sir, and you too.
-Take care.
-Isn't he so cool? -He is so cool.
-I know! (laughs) JOHN HAZLETT: You're just surrounded by cool.
How often is it like this? HAZE: Uh, every day.
-Well, I bet.
I mean, the challenges themselves are so-- mentally, physically, emotionally just taxing, and then you throw cold, wet on top of it and you lose focus of the task at hand.
JOHN H: I'm incredibly proud of Haze.
She's always been that person that's-- was never willing to quit.
I like to think that she gets that trait from me, but she's a tough kid.
She's always gonna come out on top.
Just keep on-- keep on doing what you're doing, and that's gonna be enough.
Thanks, Dad.
A rather unfamiliar backdrop for our selection process.
The elements and weather at the Circus has been deemed extreme.
Those chosen to face the Circus, regardless of tomorrow's elements, will run.
Because indeed, this Circus is extremely important.
One person will give up.
One person will ring out.
One person will go home, but for the two that survive, since they will be exempt from next week's Circus, they get the golden ticket into the finals of American Grit.
Nick, who have you chosen to face the Circus? Tough decision for me, reminds me of that little space in between a fired rifle and a shoulder pocket.
Anything in between that area, once the rifle is fired, it kind of gets smushed, so I'm kind of in between that little space, that gap.
But at the end of that rifle comes out a bullet, and it, you know, destroys anything in its path.
Sending my bullet, Cam.
Cam, you've been chosen to face the Circus.
-Thank you.
-Anytime.
Bring it home.
With a smile on your face.
Anything to add? I think every circus needs a clown, and today, it's C-A-M.
That's me.
Rorke, please.
One of the things that was interesting about yesterday's Evolution was that two people got to compete, and one sat out.
But I think the person that didn't get to work is ready to get in there and do it.
So I'm gonna pick Goldie.
Goldie, you've been chosen to face The Circus.
That leads me to Noah.
You've only been to the Circus once before.
And ended up losing a team member.
A very difficult decision on your hands.
This decision was extremely difficult.
It kept me up all night.
We're really close to the end of this competition.
I want to see my three be the winners.
All three of them bring something to the table.
And if somebody goes home, that's something that we'd lose.
Whoever goes in and finishes is guaranteed a chance to win $250,000, but then, on the flip side, one of these three could never even get that opportunity.
Who are you sending to the the Circus? Mark.
JOHN: Throwing big Mark in there.
This will be his first time competing in the Circus.
Noah, please explain your decision making process.
I've watched his hands bleed.
The man does not know how to quit.
The Circus is demanding.
The Circus is also unpredictable.
There are no guarantees.
There are no automatics in this process.
The unpredictable curveball of this Circus is You will face The Circus without your Cadre.
You will rely on your team.
You will decide who would you like by your side at the platform acting as your Cadre.
The reason we've been so successful in the Circus is the fact that we do have the best Cadre standing there right beside us doing the whole thing.
I don't even want to think about not having him there.
And make no mistake about it, tomorrow's Circus will indeed be extreme.
(thunder rumbles) GOLDIE: You know, I'm deciding who I'm gonna let go on the platform with me.
Having you down there and Cam competing could be a big advantage.
I mean, my focus would be on you.
-Right.
-But his focus might not.
-Right.
-Okay? I think it may be a slight distraction.
I definitely think it's a great strategy.
It is your lover boy.
Oh, at the end of the day this is all about winning.
-Sound good to me.
-Let's do this.
(gentle music) JOHN: I been actually waiting to talk to you for quite some time.
What's making you tick through this whole thing? Well, lots of things.
I mean, my main drive-- I mean, any competition in life is my family.
Everything is family-based for me.
I have an identical twin brother-- -Get out of town.
Awesome.
-Yeah.
-So you got two of these.
-(laughs) Two big lumbersquatch looking dudes with chainsaws.
Lumbersquatch, yeah, exactly.
Awesome, man.
Awesome.
Speaking of family, you got a-- a family of your own on the way? I can't wait.
It's my first baby.
Yup.
I don't even know how to feel.
It's amazing.
This is your first time running the Circus, and you'll have to run it without your Cadre.
Is there any added stress without Noah? I suppose-- yeah, that's in the mind of everyone here doing the Circus today, but, to be honest with you, I can't let that block my focus.
I'm gonna have my team there, and he's gonna still be with me, I mean, in spirit and in heart.
I don't think there is anything that could crack you guys.
You guys just-- you have a plan, you stick to it.
I hope you keep it up, man.
Thank you.
JOHN: We have Cam who's been in there once and Goldie, this'll be her third time.
They just know what it's like to have their back against the wall.
Mark has only experienced the Circus as a spectator.
He's never failed when he's challenged, but the Circus is always unpredictable, and he's facing it for the first time without Noah by his side.
And that in itself could be the difference maker.
What do you feel about, um your stand-in? I'm gonna put a name in the hat, and then you-- one of you guys can pick.
I'd rather have both you guys down there.
Is that a man bag? No, this is my girlfriend's bag.
(both laughing) CLARE: All sorts of secrets.
It's green.
At least it's the right color.
You don't think I can rock this [bleep.]
? CLARE: (laughs) (dramatic music) JOHN: The Circus begins to evolve as we steamroll towards the finals of this competition.
Today competitors do not have the faith of their Cadre behind them.
They have the faith of their teammates.
NICK: Whatever this Circus is, I just hope that it plays in Cam's favor.
This is one of those situations where you bet everything on black and hope for the best.
Some of you, Circus veterans.
Some of you have worked very hard to make sure that this is only your first Circus.
CAM: I feel really confident, but you got this giant man in Mark, and you got this small, fiery girl in Goldie, and then there's me.
So it's a very weird mix right now.
Now let's get down to business.
As with every Circus, one person will give up.
One person will ring out.
One person will go home.
Today, as usual, The Circus will begin with the punishing Obstacle Course.
When you arrive on the endurance platform, you'll see sets of stilts that are held together by links of chain.
When your endurance test starts, you will mount yourself on the lowest set of footrests on the stilts.
On my signal, you will move up to the second smaller footholds, and when I tell you to, you will climb to the highest, thinnest set of footholds and stay there until one of you fall.
These stilts are dynamic.
They will move, and they will wobble, and so will you.
Let's talk about the advantages.
Third competitor to arrive has no advantage whatsoever.
Their test begins immediately.
The second competitor to arrive will get a much needed rest before starting the endurance portion.
And the competitor who arrives first will enjoy an even longer rest before starting their test.
The first competitor to fall will ring out and go home.
This is only the second time I've had to send anybody to the Circus, and it's all or nothing.
Mark could be guaranteed a spot in the finals, but then, also, he could go home.
That's it.
He's come this far, and all of a sudden it's over.
Make your way to the starting line.
-Goldie! -Let's go, Goldie! I'll see you down there, girl.
We gonna crush it! -Teamwork! -(barking) I do think Goldie feels like she needs me.
So, uh, I guess going in, if I'd known that it may have impacted my decision on who I'd want to send so when I put her in there, I feel a level of anxiety, and I've seen her each time with real fear on her face.
JOHN: Take a second.
Put this entire journey in perspective.
All we ask is all you got.
Competitors at the ready.
Three, two, one, go! (air horn blows) (cheering) -You got this, Goldie! -Let's go, Goldie! (cheering) (dramatic music) There you go, Kim! TONY: You got this, Mark! Do it! Get up a little faster, Cam! JOHN: I figured Cam would be fast.
I didn't figure Mark would be fast.
Fear the lumbersquatch.
And Circus rookie Mark first to the top of the cargo net.
Let's see if he's pushing too hard too early.
Cam up and over.
HAZE: You're doing good, Goldie! JIM: There you go, Goldie! -He always has that pace.
-Go your pace.
JOHN: Mark crossing the A-frame.
Cam not far behind.
You're right with him! -There you go.
-You got this, Goldie! HAZE: Good girl! JOHN: Goldie, as always, conserving energy.
Mark approaching the giant's ladder.
Man, that kid is moving at a brisk pace.
He seems to be extending his lead little by little over Cam.
Whoo-hoo! CLARE: Go, Mark! JIM: There you go, Goldie! Nice and easy! JOHN: Mark was like lightning through that thing.
And look at the big man! -Off to a bit of a lead.
-Awesome job! Yeah! JOHN: Cam seems to be slowing down.
You got to wonder if he's thinking ahead to that endurance platform.
Goldie just now beginning to climb the giant's ladder.
Mark looking a little unsteady at the start of that Burma bridge.
Not a lot of room for those big feet.
You can catch him, Cam! TONY: Good job, Mark! -He's right there, Cam.
-You can catch him! -Step right up! JOHN: It is close.
It is close.
Roll it, Cam, roll away! JOHN: Cam now hesitating on that Burma bridge.
JIM: Good job, Mark! (panting) CLARE: Whoo! JIM: Good job! Good job! JIM: Stretch it up, Cam! JOHN: Mark's still going full-speed as he approaches the final cargo net.
(breathing heavily) I hate this ladder! (panting) ALL: Whoa! JOHN: Whoa! My goodness! What? JOHN: SportsCenter, prepare yourself.
That was the best thing I've ever seen! -There you go! JOHN: That was awesome! He is the first on the endurance platform with a human cannonball! Awesome, man.
You go, Goldie! -Whoo, Goldie! JOHN: There she is! She has her own method of coming down this too.
It's not quite like yours, Mark.
Doing good, Goldie.
Slow and steady.
Hands dry and warm? Yeah, trying.
HAZE: Doing good, Goldie.
JOHN: Goldie's arrived.
Let's get the Endurance started.
All right, make your way to the platform.
HAZE: Goldie's strategy is for me to be on the platform as distraction for Cam.
JOHN: Up and on we go.
HAZE: Cam and I have a great connection, but when we get on the battlefield, it is a war, and he is the enemy.
JOHN: Goldie clearly in her zone.
We've seen this before in the Endurance challenge.
Cam, your rest period advantage is over.
Step up.
This game could be over soon.
NICK: Bring it back.
Bring it back.
Hold tight and get a good grip on it with those feet.
Ten seconds until Marc has to start.
Looking good, Goldie.
JOHN: All right, get those feet up there.
Three, two, one.
Mount.
Get your core tight.
JOHN: Cam, Marc, Goldie, all up.
Goldie, you've been up for two minutes.
You have the best position.
I like where your arms are.
They're not above your head.
A ticket to the finals for those who survive.
RORKE: Just envision that, man.
Slow everything down.
Slow, deep breaths.
JOHN: On my signal, you will all ascend to the next set of footrests.
That's a thinner footrest coming up.
Slow, deep breaths.
Three, two, one.
Step up.
TONY: Everything floored.
Good job.
Grip--grip tight.
Grip tight.
Slow, deliberate.
Doing good, Goldie.
Toughest one out here, Goldie.
You make it through this, you're in to the money round.
Don't leave anything in the tank on this one, guys.
Don't leave anything in the tank.
Rorke is proud of you.
Mario is proud of you.
JOHN: Goldie still absolutely motionless.
One minute until you rise to the top.
You all know those are thinner, and you all know the posts can move, so you all know what you're up against.
This is gonna be a big problem for somebody.
He's not gonna last.
Feet are too big.
JOHN: Three, two, one.
Step up.
HAZE: You got this, girl.
There you go.
That's it.
Use your body.
Use your body.
TONY: Good.
Perfect.
Good job.
Excellent.
JIM: One foot.
Solid.
Solid feet.
Good grip, good grip.
Well, that makes me a very happy man.
Now we're gonna push all of you to your limits.
Every muscle in your body is gonna be telling you to quit.
Come on, dude.
Grip tight if you're gonna move.
Little while longer.
(exhales) Cam, you're moving a bit over there.
I just want to make sure you're all right.
I'm good.
Good job, Goldie.
Don't look at them.
Take care of yourself.
Whatever's bothering you, man, throw it away.
You all now realize we don't give anything away here.
You earn everything you got.
Mark readjusting himself.
Keep your core tight.
Keep your core tight.
JOHN: Not much room up there for those big feet.
All right, Cam, you're constant shaking, I'm just gonna think that you're cold.
Goldie, hell of a job.
Goldie, you are like a statue.
All right, try and relax.
Help me, Jim.
Is it your ankle? CAM: Yep.
JIM: If you get on a heel, would it help? Do not let go at any cost.
A little repositioning going on.
Who wants to stay? Who wants to go? You will go to the finals if you make it.
There you go.
Find a good place.
Easy, come on.
Come on.
- Oh, [bleep.]
JIM: You got it.
Keep giving.
Don't let it go.
JIM: You're okay.
You're okay.
Your body hurts, ignore it.
You want to drop, don't.
-Change position.
JOHN: $1/4 million on the line.
Trip to the finals.
Help your team.
[bleep.]
Ah-- [bleep.]
Wow, this is it, huh? I thought everything was going well, and then, you know, my legs just started to lock up.
You did it, man.
You did all you could, man.
I tried switching positions and everything, but that little peg, I just there's only so much you can do.
Jim, I'm so sorry.
No, man.
You did all you could.
Do I feel bad that our mind game worked on him? No.
Just sucks that it had to be Cam.
-Sorry.
CAM: It happens.
Hey, chin up.
Do I think that's the last kiss? I don't know.
I would prefer it not to be.
I don't know what the future holds, but, you know, I think I'll still be in contact with Haze.
-Goldie! -Get over here! HAZE: Three strong! She's like a puma! JOHN: You've done a great job.
I think you've grown up, and you've taken certainly a giant step towards becoming a man.
Thank you.
I appreciate that.
And now, it's time to ring out.
All right.
(bell rings three times) CAM: It's weird when it all hits you at once and you have to say good-bye.
Sucks I'm not gonna make it to final Circus, but I'm leaving with no regrets here.
You now know what feeling tested is like.
If you can apply that to the rest of your journey, you're gonna make it real far, and that's from a guy who's been there.
Thank you.
JOHN: Next time, on the two-hour season finale This is gonna be fun.
JOHN: The teams are in for shocking surprises.
(shouting) JOHN: And the grueling competition pushes some contestants over the edge.
We're gonna burn them down.
JOHN: Before ending with the biggest, baddest Circus the teams have ever seen.
NOAH: Black out or win.
There's no other option.
Don't you drop that rope, you son of a bitch! Which team will win the grand prize and prove that they have American Grit?
It is time to wake up! And they had their navigation skills tested.
That way.
We're screwed.
Her team's behind us.
We're just scared more.
Let's run.
JOHN: But in the end, it was team Noah who once again came out the victors.
Boom! They just will not be denied.
Back at base camp, Cam went behind enemy lines.
Oh.
JOHN: KJoy, Tony and Mario faced the Circus, but the burden was too heavy.
That's it, I quit.
JOHN: KJoy's chances of winning $250,000 disappeared.
-Go! JOHN: Tonight Let's go! RORKE: Forget this rah, rah, rah, we got a good attitude.
I'm tired of getting beat.
JOHN: The battle continues both on and off the field.
She's playing you.
Haze is playing a PSYOPs on him, psychological warfare.
JOHN: And the stakes have never been higher.
Fighting with everything he's got.
Without Tony, Team Tee goes bye-bye.
JOHN: But a surprise visit could change the competition.
(screaming) Who will be the next contestant to give up, ring out, and go home.
(bell rings) (dramatic percussive music) MAN: Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh Whoa-oh-oh All alone now We in the fire Gonna burn it down Get out alive (screaming) (yelling) It's over! Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh (dramatic music) (bell rings) JOHN: Before I send you back to base camp, I have a special added announcement today.
As we near the finals, every victory is crucial.
And the stakes of your next Evolution will reflect that more than ever.
When you head back to base camp tonight, you'll get a better perspective of what I'm talking about.
GOLDIE: From Evolution to Evolution, you don't know what to expect.
So I'm on pins and needles right now.
(dramatic percussive music) I told you! I told you! What is this? I told you.
The winners of the next Evolution will get a visit from their loved ones.
Oh, snap! We got to win.
We got to win.
TEE: As this competition progresses, it's wearing on them.
It's similar to us being in the military.
When you're deployed, you're missing all the luxuries of home, and everyone that you left behind.
Is that your dad? Look, she's gonna cry.
I didn't get to see my dad when I left, 'cause he was traveling.
So I haven't seen him for, like, three months.
My dad has always been there, and it's hard, sometimes, to get through without him being here.
We have to win this Evolution.
Who else we got? My pops.
And he's military too.
101st Airborne, same as Noah.
My dad supports everything that I do.
He is a minister as well as I am.
He's the pastor of a church.
But, you know, we're getting towards the home stretch, and if seeing family is icing on top of the cake, but the cake is always make it, all of us, to the final Circus.
Lumberjack? Yeah, my girlfriend with the baby.
Aww! Baby's down in here.
(laughter) When I left, my girlfriend was pregnant and not showing, and she's showing now, so I'd love to see that.
I don't know if it's gonna be a little lumberjack or a little lumberjill, but I'm super excited.
I can't wait to be a father.
Motivation's up.
It's on! Hip-hopping again.
(laughs) (dramatic music) JOHN: Good morning, everybody.
ALL: Good morning! JOHN: Ah, so many reasons to be excited today.
The winner of today's Evolution is not only safe from the Circus, but will get a visit from home.
(sighs) And just like our U.
S.
military on overseas deployment, after a while, you get to miss your family.
Noah.
When you're on a deployment, you--you miss them so much, but then you have to constantly remind yourself that you're doing a job for them, and that's kind of what motivates you to keep going on day to day.
JOHN: Tee? -For me, it was my daughter.
Missing the holidays, missing Thanksgiving, Christmas, her birthday.
Goldie, we've talked about your family.
-What would that mean to you? -Oh, man.
It would be some fuel to the fire.
It would be the last bit of oomph that I need to get through this.
You guys know what's at stake today.
Let's find out how to get there.
Which brings us to today's Evolution.
One of the most basic and important tasks for infantry in the U.
S.
military is fortification.
Today's Evolution is called Barricade the Bunker, and it goes like this.
Inside each of these bunkers is a very valuable set of flags.
Your goal is to protect your flag at all costs.
Here's how it'll work.
Each Cadre will pick one team member who will have 30 minutes to barricade the bunker.
As you can see, each team has been given the same basic materials to do it.
Strategy is up to you guys.
When that 30 minutes is over, the Cadre will select another team member whose mission is simple.
Break into an opposing team's bunker and retrieve your flag.
First team to do this wins the Evolution.
Win the Evolution, safe from the Circus.
Safe from the Circus, you don't ring out.
And you get the bonus of seeing your family.
In Team Tee's case, Tony will be doing both the barricading and the breaching.
Tee, how do you feel about Tony competing as a team of one? We're the Marine Corps, so our slogan is "The Few, the Proud.
" We just happen to be the fewest today.
(laughter) That's okay.
JOHN: This will be contained mayhem.
Cadre, get with your team, form a game plan.
NOAH: As an infantry soldier on a deployment, living with the locals and the enemy that you didn't know who it was, it was life or death to make sure that we had our living spaces fortified completely.
You're gonna fortify it.
You're gonna break down whichever one we end up doing.
With Mark's strength, the whole strategy is we want to tie this thing up with as many knots as possible.
With the amount of hand strength he has, it's gonna be really difficult to get undone.
If they can't get those knots undone, they can't get in.
-I got you building.
-All right.
-I got you breaching.
-Okay.
-So, uh, I think-- -What's the best way to-- The first thing is the actual handle.
They have to actually use that handle to get through.
That's the first thing we have to secure.
Second thing, I think we should build layers of a process they actually have to get through.
And we got plenty of material to actually layer that up.
You're gonna build.
You're gonna destroy.
When it comes to building, we're gonna start close, and then, you know, work our way out.
The thing that we're gonna try and achieve is just design as many problem sets for the person coming in as we can and make those as intricate or as complex as we can.
-Just utilize the rigs.
-Okay.
And it should be like a spider web.
-So we want to go-- -An intricate spider web.
-Intricate spider web, okay.
-So no one can get through.
-Yep.
-Chicago style.
You barricade your home, nobody's getting in.
We're both from Chicago, so we know in order to keep people from breaking into your house, you got to create layers.
Same thing in the Marine Corps.
You secure your belongings.
Gear adrift is gear amiss.
All right, then, when you breach-- It's all about breaking through.
Already know, it's all about breaking through.
Chicago style.
(both laugh) We got this.
JOHN: All right.
-Strategy is over.
-We got this.
Competitors take your starting marks.
RORKE: We're playing for two really important things at this point in the game.
One, immunity from going into that Circus.
Part two is getting to see your family.
Haze in particular, I feel like has this just very, very deep connection, and kind of respect with her father.
He's a marine.
To be honest, I want her to win just so I can shake that Devil Dog's hand and tell him what a great daughter he raised.
Prepare to barricade your bunker.
Let's go, Haze.
Three, two, one, go! (air horn) The teams all have the same material to choose from, including chains, ropes, fencing, wood and various fasteners.
Cam doing his best Tom Brady over there.
Looking pretty good.
-I don't like it.
-Yep.
Turn the other way.
NICK: Securing the doorknob was our first strategy.
I mean, if I was in a house, doing like a sniper hut or something like that, I'd make sure that the-- the door was secured.
There you go, nice.
Just make it tight, just make it tight.
JOHN: So far, the basis of everybody's strategy has been chains and chicken wire.
-Crisscross.
This way.
-Crisscross? -Yep.
Just like you did, but opposite direction.
Tony developing some sort of Houdini-type stunt.
TONY: Me being by myself puts a lot more pressure on me to make everything just as perfect as possible.
If I do make a mistake, it might cost me a little bit more, because everybody else has three or two heads thinking for them-- I have one.
20 minutes remain.
Needs a little bit more.
Quick, quick, quick, quick, quick.
JOHN: Team Nick has secured the doorknob, but seems to be struggling with the fencing.
Can you just push it through there, and then lock it on the other side with another lock? JOHN: Team Rorke already has some fencing secured, as does Team Noah.
(grunts) Big lumberjack.
Mark, no stranger to timber, doing what he can to use his specialties to his advantages.
And sitting it on top there, just like it's a ledge.
MARK: My strategy was weaving boards in and all that.
It creates pressure on everything.
I would just tie as many knots as you can.
Use that hand strength.
MARK: It's so tight in some areas, you can't get in there to undo them.
JOHN: 20 minutes gone by.
Ten minutes remain.
But you don't need it to be tight.
It just needs to be a place that they have to undo.
-Get the slack in there.
-Yep.
-Pull it tight.
-All right.
JOHN: Nick advising Cam, who at points, seems to be a bit shaky.
We need a lot more mesh.
-Come on, Cam.
-Got it, got it, got it.
NICK: I think when it comes to making something intricate, and under a time constraint, it might bother him a little bit.
Cam, don't worry about that.
I'm just trying to tie it in a knot.
-You can't knot chains.
-It's not gonna work.
Jim, stop.
JOHN: Two minutes remaining! Two minute warning! (dramatic music) JOHN: Two minutes remaining.
Two minute warning.
They want in your house, make them work.
JOHN: Check out the lumberjack, pulling those knots so tight his hands are bleeding.
Looks like he's putting together a grill.
He just looks like he's in his element over there.
Anchor point, right here.
JOHN: The goal here is to build a solid bunker so that the opposing team cannot break through it.
Not only safety from the Circus, but a visit from a loved one hanging in the balance here.
We're gonna see our families today, guys.
RORKE: The point that we really emphasize was creating spots where intricate work would need to be done, time-consuming work.
You guys start looking at just ways of other place we can fill things in, cause any place there's a single point, I want it locked again.
JOHN: One minute remaining.
This is the one minute warning.
We have to keep the tension tight.
(grunts) A day off here could be crucial for Tony.
Come on Cam, faster, yeah, go back to that anchor.
JOHN: Half a minute! 30 seconds! 30 seconds left! You need to make your bunker impenetrable to see your family and stay safe from the Circus.
-Come on, Cam -Hang on.
Knot, hurry, fast.
(indistinct speech) JOHN: Four, three, two, one (air horn sounds) Stop what you're doing.
-Good job.
-Away from the bunkers.
I think we've got the ugliest one.
JOHN: Okay, teams, now it's time to breach.
HAZE: Dang, look at Tony's.
(laughs) His looks like he's waiting for the zombie apocalypse.
That's what I'm talking about.
That's what I'm talking about.
JOHN: Safety from the Circus, and a family visit at stake.
Let the demolition begin.
Jim, Tony, Mario, Clare, you are now standing in front of the bunker that you have been chosen to breach.
You will each have only a pair of pliers to help you get in that bunker and retrieve your team's flag.
First to the flagpole wins this Evolution, avoids the Circus, and earns a visit with loved ones for the team.
-Competitors at the ready.
-Chicken coop is easy.
JOHN: Three, two, one, go! Get in there, baby.
Get in there.
Get in there, baby.
You're a cop, come on, get in there, get in there, get in there.
-Pull that.
-Right there, there we go.
Pull that.
Jim, pull that off.
Pull that off.
JOHN: Jim working through the labyrinth set up by Haze for Team Rorke.
You got little points right here that we'll get undone.
JOHN: Mario buried in knots over there.
Forget about the chain after that.
Get the rope.
Tony, ripping away chains, ripping away rope.
Clare, the same.
Your body, you don't think you could squeeze your body through that top corner? (all talking at once) JOHN: The goal is to get inside.
Mario, first to go for the pliers.
Ha, ha, he has to use pliers.
Pull on this too.
Obviously has his work cut out for him.
Mark did a heck of a job fortifying that bunker.
First you got to get this one knot.
Mario, you got this.
I feel it.
I feel it right now.
MARIO: We attack this first knot on the lower left-hand corner, and this is tied by the lumberjack, which is 250 pounds of man.
There's a lot of tension on this knot.
Work the--work the-- work the thing with your hands too.
-Come on, Jim.
-You have to do it.
JOHN: Jim taking the gargantuan approach.
(all talking at once) Jim, come in.
-You got this lock, right.
JOHN: Jim is inside the fencing.
Here we go, Jim.
JOHN: He has the door open.
Is it enough to get through? Is it enough to get through? JIM: The key to their design was the chain around the doorknob.
Haze had it so tight, there was no slack.
It's the little twisty thing.
JIM: It was really intricate, but my fingers aren't really working too well.
Undo that, undo that.
-Right here, baby.
-Right there.
JOHN: Tee encouraging Tony, fighting to keep his team alive in this competition.
And right now, a doorknob is the only thing standing between Jim and victory.
Once you get that slack, you just go to the next one.
That's enough slack for you.
TONY: Tee had me do it.
Got the rope out the way.
As I start pulling more rope, the chicken coop got loose.
That gave me the entryway to get up in there.
Unhook it.
Get them gloves off.
JOHN: Only one team can win this.
And Clare, still removing material.
Okay, this chain, I need to know where this chain goes.
Undo this one, this'll take this chain out of the way.
What's that? Tony did a really, really amazing job.
Everything I undid, there was something behind it.
Pull that out, pull it.
CLARE: It just was like, layers and layers of stuff.
Right here.
JOHN: Jim is at the door.
Here we go, Jim.
JOHN: Does Jim have enough room? Come on, get that slack, it's the slack, Jim.
-It's the slack.
JIM: When you get dumped with adrenaline, fine motor skills are gone.
-It's up against this.
-Where's the slat? Where's the slat coming from? All right, now, pull, pull.
Do big pull, big pull, big pull, big pull, big pull.
Pull, pull, pull, pull, pull, pull.
Pull again! (grunts) JOHN: Tony's squeezing his way in.
Doing some amateur locksmith work over there.
Open the door.
Open the door, baby.
JOHN: Tony has the door open.
Can he get through? TEE: Get in there! (all talking at once) -Mario, Mario, don't--look.
JOHN: Team Rorke has their door open! Mario, trying to worm himself through.
Jim's still mere inches away, but it's Tony who's found a way through.
TEE: Get the flag! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! JOHN: And now Mario is in! Hold on one second! Tony fighting with everything he's got, fighting for a team of one to get himself a well-deserved day off! Go! Here! Boom! -Whoa! -We have a winner! (air horn sounds) JOHN: Tony ahead of Mario by mere seconds.
That's what I'm talking about! (screams) BOTH: Oh, my God.
Thought we had it.
TEE: Whoo! Good job.
JOHN: Tony, proudly raise your flag.
You have won the Evolution.
Here we go.
Whoo! That's that Chicago style right there! Now that's Chicago style.
-Right there.
-(laughs) TEE: We're safe from the Circus, safe from ringing out.
Team Tee is still intact.
We hanging by a strand, but we're still in there.
We live to fight another day, and I couldn't be happier right now.
-Good job, good job.
-That's the one I wanted.
NOAH: We're experiencing what other teams have experienced time and time again.
So it's a building moment for us.
This is the second time we've been knocked down, and we can come back again.
CAM: My barricade wasn't the best thing in the world, you know, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed.
-He wormed his way in.
-Wormed it in, yeah.
Sorry, guys.
(laughs) Aw, man, now I'm not gonna see my dad.
-Never saw? -Never saw.
(bleep) The hardest thing right now is not punching Cam in his fat face for not fortifying his bunker better.
The reward was not just avoiding Circus.
The reward was family time.
Like, I--I hurt thinking I'm not gonna see my dad.
Tony, "the Few, the Proud," indeed.
You get yourself a visit from your family, and you are safe from the Circus.
Tee, at the beginning, you said that marines were "the Few, the Proud.
" Have any advice for the Army they just defeated? I mean, Army stands for "Ain't ready to be a marine yet.
" So we took this.
We showed them today.
JOHN: Indeed, you did.
And now it is decision time.
Nick, Rorke, Noah, you will choose a member of your team to face the Circus.
Team Noah, your second taste of defeat.
We will see you guys at the sentencing.
NOAH: We're so close to the finals, and I want the team to be three strong.
But then there's always that risk that something could happen.
(bleep) (laughing) Stop.
Stop.
-Holy smokes.
-Uh.
Like ten seconds after the Evolution I was mad.
God.
-Furious-- -At Cam? -Were you mad at Cam? -No, not at Cam.
The game is over.
Wipe that slate clean.
But I'm still gonna punch Cam in his face.
He could have got, like, two more knots in there.
Two more knots, and we would have had that.
GOLDIE: Haze does have true feelings for Cam.
I don't know how deep they run, or whatever, but we really have to focus on ourself, and what we can do better as a team to win an Evolution.
It would have been nice.
But when business has to be taken care of out there, it was gonna be us three.
But we wouldn't be sitting here, thinking about, like, "Oh, yeah, you know, at least Team Noah's going to Circus.
" We'd be here going, "My dad's coming.
" And it just infuriates me.
(dramatic music) CAM: What's up? What's up? You got a second? -Yeah.
-All right, I need to blindfold you, though.
Oh! -I--I'm gonna regret this.
-All right? CAM: The person in the house who wanted to see their loved one the most was Haze.
We're going to my room.
Blue Team was so close to winning today, so I'm here to cheer Haze up.
-All right? -Okay.
Take off your blindfold.
Ta-da! Cam, what is this? -We got champagne.
-Oh, my God.
I guess, in a way, it was my apology for building such a crappy barricade.
Aww.
Usually all my dates are in the back seat of cars for, like, 15 minutes, though.
This is-- this is something different.
HAZE: Oh, my God.
GOLDIE: (laughs) HAZE: Wow.
MARK: Cam and haze are having their little date.
They're adorable.
Last endurance challenge.
And I got to frickin' spin, too? Seems like everyone's just trying to stay positive, you know.
Everyone knows what's ahead of us, and everyone's got to kind of stay relaxed and happy.
-(vocalizing) -(grunts) (both laugh) -Give me the gold medal! -That was a five! -That was a five.
-(laughs) That was a five.
There's a good possibility that you and I might have to go to Circus together.
You know, 50/50 chance, and then somebody from team Noah.
So, I mean, somebody has to go home at the end of the day.
I think it's gonna be Team Noah.
All right, I can cheer to that.
I can cheers to that.
I kind of blamed him for being the reason why my dad's not here.
And that was selfish of me.
What a sweet guy.
Like, this is a great first date.
This is probably one of the best first dates I've ever been on.
Come here.
Uh-oh.
(dramatic music) On deployments, especially the invasion of Iraq, we would constantly do this rucking, just putting on a pack, and just walk.
The advantage to us doing this out here is we don't have to be tactical and quiet.
It is extremely difficult to choose between Mark, David and Clare to send to the Circus.
I could send somebody, and they go home and miss out on something in the end that could greatly improve their lives for them and their families.
Whoever goes to the Circus, go into it like its your last day here, 'cause it could be.
I'm gonna do my best to make the best decision for the team, and the four of us will be at the next Evolution.
-All right? -Let's do it.
CAM: I have a feeling Nick will pick me.
So you know what I mean? BOTH: Hi.
Bye.
Ridiculous.
I think that Cam doesn't know it's a game.
He's so young.
He's only 21.
And I think Haze is playing a PSYOPs on him, psychological warfare.
I mean, do you want to send home the girl you like? If you had to go up against Haze, my fear is-- Distraction.
Distraction, her getting into your head.
Yeah, she's told me, she's like, "Well, like, you know, I act like it's a competition," but, like, yeah, she goes, "I'd be really distracted if I went to Circus against you.
" That's a game.
That's a game, dude.
That's a game.
That's a game.
She's got a strong mind.
-That's a game.
-She's playing you.
Listen to Jim.
She's playing you, yeah.
CAM: I don't think going up against Haze in the Circus would be a distraction, but I think it would be hard to focus.
When I get the phone call, or the page that say give them the Black Hawks or the Chinooks.
We're about to fly and hit a target, I get cold, I don't talk-- -Game time.
-Yeah, that's my-- No, I get you.
Everything's on the line right now.
I don't want to end up in Tony's position.
-Nope.
-We have to win.
(cheering) You know, honestly, that's what I dig about this place.
It is a competition, but every time I walk in to see you guys, I feel like I'm walking into the bar from Cheers.
(laughter) Seriously, you guys make me feel so welcome.
As you guys know, there's a very special reward today.
Tony, come on up here.
(applause) For winning the Evolution, Tony earned himself a visit from a family member, and I wanted you all here to welcome his visitor.
To the victor goes the spoils.
I hope you enjoy your time.
JIM: Cena opens the door, but wicked smart, I know that's not Tony's sister.
(screaming) JOHN: Tony, to the victor goes the spoils.
I hope you enjoy your time.
-Come on in, man.
-(screaming) (cheers and applause) -Oh, honey.
-(sobbing) Oh, my God.
TONY: She hasn't seen her father in, like, four months, so I've been blessed to get safe from the Circus, so share the blessing, and I'm giving her the family visit instead.
You're the man! You're the man, dude.
Yeah.
-You're a class act.
-Surprise! (laughing) TONY: Plus, he's a marine too.
I'm representing Marine Corps, so I'm happy.
Nice to meet you, brother.
-Thank you so much.
-No problem.
-No problem.
-Oh, man.
-How you doing, gunny? -All right, how you doing? HAZE: Tony is so selfless.
I feel like I have better than I deserve today.
For someone to struggle as much as Tony has, finally make it to victory lane, and then openly give away his reward, I think is, uh, not only outstanding, but is absolutely everything that we represent.
Thank you, Tony.
(cheers and applause) HAZE: Making my father proud is my main motivation to excel.
Like, for my dad to come here and see that I'm one of the final nine? With these athletes? Like, that has just lit a fire under my ass, and I am just-- I'm gonna go as hard as I can these next final Evolutions.
So when I was in the Marines, I was taking my Marine Corps career in a different direction, and I went to a career planner, I'm like, "I think I want to be a Navy SEAL.
" -You know.
-Yep.
And so when I saw how cool those guys were, I'd be like, "I will ring that bell on the first day.
" Isn't it so funny, though? 'Cause he told me, he's like, "I hope that they don't get anything cold for you.
" Well, you--you've done your part, and, uh, it's been a treat.
-All right, sir.
-It's a pleasure to meet you.
Yes, sir, and you too.
-Take care.
-Isn't he so cool? -He is so cool.
-I know! (laughs) JOHN HAZLETT: You're just surrounded by cool.
How often is it like this? HAZE: Uh, every day.
-Well, I bet.
I mean, the challenges themselves are so-- mentally, physically, emotionally just taxing, and then you throw cold, wet on top of it and you lose focus of the task at hand.
JOHN H: I'm incredibly proud of Haze.
She's always been that person that's-- was never willing to quit.
I like to think that she gets that trait from me, but she's a tough kid.
She's always gonna come out on top.
Just keep on-- keep on doing what you're doing, and that's gonna be enough.
Thanks, Dad.
A rather unfamiliar backdrop for our selection process.
The elements and weather at the Circus has been deemed extreme.
Those chosen to face the Circus, regardless of tomorrow's elements, will run.
Because indeed, this Circus is extremely important.
One person will give up.
One person will ring out.
One person will go home, but for the two that survive, since they will be exempt from next week's Circus, they get the golden ticket into the finals of American Grit.
Nick, who have you chosen to face the Circus? Tough decision for me, reminds me of that little space in between a fired rifle and a shoulder pocket.
Anything in between that area, once the rifle is fired, it kind of gets smushed, so I'm kind of in between that little space, that gap.
But at the end of that rifle comes out a bullet, and it, you know, destroys anything in its path.
Sending my bullet, Cam.
Cam, you've been chosen to face the Circus.
-Thank you.
-Anytime.
Bring it home.
With a smile on your face.
Anything to add? I think every circus needs a clown, and today, it's C-A-M.
That's me.
Rorke, please.
One of the things that was interesting about yesterday's Evolution was that two people got to compete, and one sat out.
But I think the person that didn't get to work is ready to get in there and do it.
So I'm gonna pick Goldie.
Goldie, you've been chosen to face The Circus.
That leads me to Noah.
You've only been to the Circus once before.
And ended up losing a team member.
A very difficult decision on your hands.
This decision was extremely difficult.
It kept me up all night.
We're really close to the end of this competition.
I want to see my three be the winners.
All three of them bring something to the table.
And if somebody goes home, that's something that we'd lose.
Whoever goes in and finishes is guaranteed a chance to win $250,000, but then, on the flip side, one of these three could never even get that opportunity.
Who are you sending to the the Circus? Mark.
JOHN: Throwing big Mark in there.
This will be his first time competing in the Circus.
Noah, please explain your decision making process.
I've watched his hands bleed.
The man does not know how to quit.
The Circus is demanding.
The Circus is also unpredictable.
There are no guarantees.
There are no automatics in this process.
The unpredictable curveball of this Circus is You will face The Circus without your Cadre.
You will rely on your team.
You will decide who would you like by your side at the platform acting as your Cadre.
The reason we've been so successful in the Circus is the fact that we do have the best Cadre standing there right beside us doing the whole thing.
I don't even want to think about not having him there.
And make no mistake about it, tomorrow's Circus will indeed be extreme.
(thunder rumbles) GOLDIE: You know, I'm deciding who I'm gonna let go on the platform with me.
Having you down there and Cam competing could be a big advantage.
I mean, my focus would be on you.
-Right.
-But his focus might not.
-Right.
-Okay? I think it may be a slight distraction.
I definitely think it's a great strategy.
It is your lover boy.
Oh, at the end of the day this is all about winning.
-Sound good to me.
-Let's do this.
(gentle music) JOHN: I been actually waiting to talk to you for quite some time.
What's making you tick through this whole thing? Well, lots of things.
I mean, my main drive-- I mean, any competition in life is my family.
Everything is family-based for me.
I have an identical twin brother-- -Get out of town.
Awesome.
-Yeah.
-So you got two of these.
-(laughs) Two big lumbersquatch looking dudes with chainsaws.
Lumbersquatch, yeah, exactly.
Awesome, man.
Awesome.
Speaking of family, you got a-- a family of your own on the way? I can't wait.
It's my first baby.
Yup.
I don't even know how to feel.
It's amazing.
This is your first time running the Circus, and you'll have to run it without your Cadre.
Is there any added stress without Noah? I suppose-- yeah, that's in the mind of everyone here doing the Circus today, but, to be honest with you, I can't let that block my focus.
I'm gonna have my team there, and he's gonna still be with me, I mean, in spirit and in heart.
I don't think there is anything that could crack you guys.
You guys just-- you have a plan, you stick to it.
I hope you keep it up, man.
Thank you.
JOHN: We have Cam who's been in there once and Goldie, this'll be her third time.
They just know what it's like to have their back against the wall.
Mark has only experienced the Circus as a spectator.
He's never failed when he's challenged, but the Circus is always unpredictable, and he's facing it for the first time without Noah by his side.
And that in itself could be the difference maker.
What do you feel about, um your stand-in? I'm gonna put a name in the hat, and then you-- one of you guys can pick.
I'd rather have both you guys down there.
Is that a man bag? No, this is my girlfriend's bag.
(both laughing) CLARE: All sorts of secrets.
It's green.
At least it's the right color.
You don't think I can rock this [bleep.]
? CLARE: (laughs) (dramatic music) JOHN: The Circus begins to evolve as we steamroll towards the finals of this competition.
Today competitors do not have the faith of their Cadre behind them.
They have the faith of their teammates.
NICK: Whatever this Circus is, I just hope that it plays in Cam's favor.
This is one of those situations where you bet everything on black and hope for the best.
Some of you, Circus veterans.
Some of you have worked very hard to make sure that this is only your first Circus.
CAM: I feel really confident, but you got this giant man in Mark, and you got this small, fiery girl in Goldie, and then there's me.
So it's a very weird mix right now.
Now let's get down to business.
As with every Circus, one person will give up.
One person will ring out.
One person will go home.
Today, as usual, The Circus will begin with the punishing Obstacle Course.
When you arrive on the endurance platform, you'll see sets of stilts that are held together by links of chain.
When your endurance test starts, you will mount yourself on the lowest set of footrests on the stilts.
On my signal, you will move up to the second smaller footholds, and when I tell you to, you will climb to the highest, thinnest set of footholds and stay there until one of you fall.
These stilts are dynamic.
They will move, and they will wobble, and so will you.
Let's talk about the advantages.
Third competitor to arrive has no advantage whatsoever.
Their test begins immediately.
The second competitor to arrive will get a much needed rest before starting the endurance portion.
And the competitor who arrives first will enjoy an even longer rest before starting their test.
The first competitor to fall will ring out and go home.
This is only the second time I've had to send anybody to the Circus, and it's all or nothing.
Mark could be guaranteed a spot in the finals, but then, also, he could go home.
That's it.
He's come this far, and all of a sudden it's over.
Make your way to the starting line.
-Goldie! -Let's go, Goldie! I'll see you down there, girl.
We gonna crush it! -Teamwork! -(barking) I do think Goldie feels like she needs me.
So, uh, I guess going in, if I'd known that it may have impacted my decision on who I'd want to send so when I put her in there, I feel a level of anxiety, and I've seen her each time with real fear on her face.
JOHN: Take a second.
Put this entire journey in perspective.
All we ask is all you got.
Competitors at the ready.
Three, two, one, go! (air horn blows) (cheering) -You got this, Goldie! -Let's go, Goldie! (cheering) (dramatic music) There you go, Kim! TONY: You got this, Mark! Do it! Get up a little faster, Cam! JOHN: I figured Cam would be fast.
I didn't figure Mark would be fast.
Fear the lumbersquatch.
And Circus rookie Mark first to the top of the cargo net.
Let's see if he's pushing too hard too early.
Cam up and over.
HAZE: You're doing good, Goldie! JIM: There you go, Goldie! -He always has that pace.
-Go your pace.
JOHN: Mark crossing the A-frame.
Cam not far behind.
You're right with him! -There you go.
-You got this, Goldie! HAZE: Good girl! JOHN: Goldie, as always, conserving energy.
Mark approaching the giant's ladder.
Man, that kid is moving at a brisk pace.
He seems to be extending his lead little by little over Cam.
Whoo-hoo! CLARE: Go, Mark! JIM: There you go, Goldie! Nice and easy! JOHN: Mark was like lightning through that thing.
And look at the big man! -Off to a bit of a lead.
-Awesome job! Yeah! JOHN: Cam seems to be slowing down.
You got to wonder if he's thinking ahead to that endurance platform.
Goldie just now beginning to climb the giant's ladder.
Mark looking a little unsteady at the start of that Burma bridge.
Not a lot of room for those big feet.
You can catch him, Cam! TONY: Good job, Mark! -He's right there, Cam.
-You can catch him! -Step right up! JOHN: It is close.
It is close.
Roll it, Cam, roll away! JOHN: Cam now hesitating on that Burma bridge.
JIM: Good job, Mark! (panting) CLARE: Whoo! JIM: Good job! Good job! JIM: Stretch it up, Cam! JOHN: Mark's still going full-speed as he approaches the final cargo net.
(breathing heavily) I hate this ladder! (panting) ALL: Whoa! JOHN: Whoa! My goodness! What? JOHN: SportsCenter, prepare yourself.
That was the best thing I've ever seen! -There you go! JOHN: That was awesome! He is the first on the endurance platform with a human cannonball! Awesome, man.
You go, Goldie! -Whoo, Goldie! JOHN: There she is! She has her own method of coming down this too.
It's not quite like yours, Mark.
Doing good, Goldie.
Slow and steady.
Hands dry and warm? Yeah, trying.
HAZE: Doing good, Goldie.
JOHN: Goldie's arrived.
Let's get the Endurance started.
All right, make your way to the platform.
HAZE: Goldie's strategy is for me to be on the platform as distraction for Cam.
JOHN: Up and on we go.
HAZE: Cam and I have a great connection, but when we get on the battlefield, it is a war, and he is the enemy.
JOHN: Goldie clearly in her zone.
We've seen this before in the Endurance challenge.
Cam, your rest period advantage is over.
Step up.
This game could be over soon.
NICK: Bring it back.
Bring it back.
Hold tight and get a good grip on it with those feet.
Ten seconds until Marc has to start.
Looking good, Goldie.
JOHN: All right, get those feet up there.
Three, two, one.
Mount.
Get your core tight.
JOHN: Cam, Marc, Goldie, all up.
Goldie, you've been up for two minutes.
You have the best position.
I like where your arms are.
They're not above your head.
A ticket to the finals for those who survive.
RORKE: Just envision that, man.
Slow everything down.
Slow, deep breaths.
JOHN: On my signal, you will all ascend to the next set of footrests.
That's a thinner footrest coming up.
Slow, deep breaths.
Three, two, one.
Step up.
TONY: Everything floored.
Good job.
Grip--grip tight.
Grip tight.
Slow, deliberate.
Doing good, Goldie.
Toughest one out here, Goldie.
You make it through this, you're in to the money round.
Don't leave anything in the tank on this one, guys.
Don't leave anything in the tank.
Rorke is proud of you.
Mario is proud of you.
JOHN: Goldie still absolutely motionless.
One minute until you rise to the top.
You all know those are thinner, and you all know the posts can move, so you all know what you're up against.
This is gonna be a big problem for somebody.
He's not gonna last.
Feet are too big.
JOHN: Three, two, one.
Step up.
HAZE: You got this, girl.
There you go.
That's it.
Use your body.
Use your body.
TONY: Good.
Perfect.
Good job.
Excellent.
JIM: One foot.
Solid.
Solid feet.
Good grip, good grip.
Well, that makes me a very happy man.
Now we're gonna push all of you to your limits.
Every muscle in your body is gonna be telling you to quit.
Come on, dude.
Grip tight if you're gonna move.
Little while longer.
(exhales) Cam, you're moving a bit over there.
I just want to make sure you're all right.
I'm good.
Good job, Goldie.
Don't look at them.
Take care of yourself.
Whatever's bothering you, man, throw it away.
You all now realize we don't give anything away here.
You earn everything you got.
Mark readjusting himself.
Keep your core tight.
Keep your core tight.
JOHN: Not much room up there for those big feet.
All right, Cam, you're constant shaking, I'm just gonna think that you're cold.
Goldie, hell of a job.
Goldie, you are like a statue.
All right, try and relax.
Help me, Jim.
Is it your ankle? CAM: Yep.
JIM: If you get on a heel, would it help? Do not let go at any cost.
A little repositioning going on.
Who wants to stay? Who wants to go? You will go to the finals if you make it.
There you go.
Find a good place.
Easy, come on.
Come on.
- Oh, [bleep.]
JIM: You got it.
Keep giving.
Don't let it go.
JIM: You're okay.
You're okay.
Your body hurts, ignore it.
You want to drop, don't.
-Change position.
JOHN: $1/4 million on the line.
Trip to the finals.
Help your team.
[bleep.]
Ah-- [bleep.]
Wow, this is it, huh? I thought everything was going well, and then, you know, my legs just started to lock up.
You did it, man.
You did all you could, man.
I tried switching positions and everything, but that little peg, I just there's only so much you can do.
Jim, I'm so sorry.
No, man.
You did all you could.
Do I feel bad that our mind game worked on him? No.
Just sucks that it had to be Cam.
-Sorry.
CAM: It happens.
Hey, chin up.
Do I think that's the last kiss? I don't know.
I would prefer it not to be.
I don't know what the future holds, but, you know, I think I'll still be in contact with Haze.
-Goldie! -Get over here! HAZE: Three strong! She's like a puma! JOHN: You've done a great job.
I think you've grown up, and you've taken certainly a giant step towards becoming a man.
Thank you.
I appreciate that.
And now, it's time to ring out.
All right.
(bell rings three times) CAM: It's weird when it all hits you at once and you have to say good-bye.
Sucks I'm not gonna make it to final Circus, but I'm leaving with no regrets here.
You now know what feeling tested is like.
If you can apply that to the rest of your journey, you're gonna make it real far, and that's from a guy who's been there.
Thank you.
JOHN: Next time, on the two-hour season finale This is gonna be fun.
JOHN: The teams are in for shocking surprises.
(shouting) JOHN: And the grueling competition pushes some contestants over the edge.
We're gonna burn them down.
JOHN: Before ending with the biggest, baddest Circus the teams have ever seen.
NOAH: Black out or win.
There's no other option.
Don't you drop that rope, you son of a bitch! Which team will win the grand prize and prove that they have American Grit?