Real World/Road Rules Battle of the Sexes 2, Episode 14: Keep on Truckin'

Previously on Battle of the Sexes 2: Steven smacked Shane, resulting in his dismissal. That was so underwhelming in retrospect. Where were the producers jumping out of the bushes? Where were the cast members crying as they watched the footage on tape? Despite being shorthanded, the guys managed to win, slicing yet another layer from the women's collective self-esteem. The women voted out Tonya. Oh, and Mark got cuddly with Robin.

As we get to the credits, I can announce the last names of the kids from RR: X-Treme that I couldn't get when I wrote my preview: Nick Haggart, Ibis Nieves, and Angela Trimbur. I'm pained by that last one, since I would have went nuts with her booting. Trrrrrriimmburrrrrrrrr! Ah, it could be so much worse; try being named "Tonya Cooley."

We start at the Men's Lodge, where Mark and Robin spend some quality cuddle time. Mark says that he's never gone into a show thinking he'd meet somebody. Well, he was married during BOTS1. He adds that it's good to separate himself from the game, and that he and Robin are alike in many ways. Did Mark slap a Marine and get arrested for it, too? She tells him that her deal is to go into the final mission and win. He whispers that she's going to get crushed tomorrow. "Mark's the kind of guy that's so great and amazing," she interviews, "but he's able to laugh at himself. I'm very lucky."

Later on at the Men's Lounge, Shane picks up the sponsor phone. Dan and Mark comically dive onto the bed. Brad ups the ante by being enthusiastic about the clue to a cardboard cutout of Randy. I swear, this had better be nominated for Funniest Moment at the 2005 RNO Awards. At the Women's Lounge, Tina reads the clue to Coral and Arissa: "Keep on truckin'. Ready, steady, go." More details: be ready by 8:30 a.m., wear pants, long sleeves and tennis shoes. Shane smacks Randy's doppleganger, while Coral gives two thumbs up.

It's daytime at the Sandia Motor Speedway. The players arrive and are captivated by this week's prize, a motor scooter. Jonny welcomes everybody to today's mission: Semi-Cross. The deal: a semi-truck rolls around the track, towing three trailers. On top of each trailer is an obstacle course. Mark explains that each trailer has its own obstacles: balance beams, tires, see-saws, and high and low hurdles. Jonny adds that the game starts once the truck goes 30 miles per hour. Once that speed is attained, the driver will blow his horn to start the mission. The teams will go into heats of three players each. The squad with the lowest accumulated time wins the scooters, which are worth $3,000 apiece. Tina pronounces that her team has it "in the bag." Jonny gives both sides 30 minutes to pick leaders, helpfully pointing out that half the team will be leading.

On the guys' side, Dan steps up, interviewing that he has good balance and a good center of gravity. Mark and Brad follow his lead. "We're just so focused right now and determined," Theo interviews. "We have such a great set of players. I don't know how we can lose anything." Elsewhere, Sophia, Tina and Robin step up to lead. Tina interviews that she was a gymnast and knows how to keep balance. Coral interviews that the team has a good chance of winning the mission, as well as their dignity.

After Jonny calls up the leaders, the first three guys - Shane, Mark and Brad - suit up. Brad interviews that he can't fathom running across trailers. The truck blows its horn, signaling the start of the mission. First, the guys have to cross three balance beams, which are formed in an "N" pattern. Brad can't take a step without falling off the first balance beam. Shane tries and fails. Brad goes on about how disheartening the mission is, adding, "You can't even make five feet down this thing."

Following the commercial break, the three men keep having trouble. Brad makes it to the second beam before falling. More jumping on and hopping off. Mark interviews that it is impossible to cross. That is, unless they use another beam as a brace. The fellas spilt their legs apart, with 12:11 passed. Shane and Mark go past the beams, onward to run and go through tires. Tina is amused about how Mark has to squeeze through the tires, as Shane pulls him. Brad is still on the beam, as 15:40 has elapsed. Shane hits the see-saw, then Brad finally finishes the first part of the course. He goes on the see-saw, then goes under and over the hurdles. Shane blows his air horn, stopping the boys' time at 17:05.

The first three women - Tina, Sophia and Robin - prepare. Robin prays on getting past the beams. Tina: "We have this sucker in the bag. This is gonna be a piece of pie." The women struggle on the beams. Tina: "Okay, this is ten times harder than I thought." Tina makes it to the second beam before falling. Sophia figures out the secret, and Tina follows. Robin struggles some more, while her teammates finish the beams. Time elapsed: 12:05. Robin interviews that this mission is a lot harder than she thought. Sophia tries to guide Robin, but she still falls down. Tina shouts advice. On the sidelines, Coral paces. Elapsed time: 14:00. Robin gets on the final beam. Sophia yells for her to run across, but she falls off yet again.