Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Battle of the Sexes 2, Episode 16: Penultimate Present

In the past few weeks, Reality News Online has asked readers to submit the best and worst of 2004 for the RNO Awards. A few days ago, I received the nominations for the "Worst Of" segment, and wouldn't you know it, there was nothing Challenge-related. I was banking on a few categories to be loaded with folks from the Challenge. I mean, contrary to what Andre 3000 might tell you, Veronica is the reason for the word "witch." I did learn a lesson: no matter how much I bellyache about my chosen beat, there are far worse shows and characters about there. I just have to remember that. But after this episode, perspective might be too slippery for me to grasp.

Previously on Battle of the Sexes 2: Arissa's fear of heights caused problems for her team. Cut to scenes from Sa-Wing, Pop Culture Bike Jump, and Semi-Cross. Don't ask me why they threw in Pop Culture Bike Jump, since she nailed that. The guys won Car-Go, upping their record to a ridiculous 13-2. Coral told Sophia that she didn't want to put herself at the mercy of two best friends with her and Ruthie. The women sent Ruthie home, while the guys let Brad go. Brad: "This was my game. I should have made it to the end." Eric: "We had to send somebody home. He's 20 years old. This is the first Challenge that he's on. And obviously, he should have played it a little bit better, because he shouldn't have allowed me to be a leader that day." What's worse than Eric wearing the jump rope around his head while saying all this? The fact that he's aware of how bad he stinks, and he's giving Brad grief about how he's still there. Theo interviews that Eric didn't deserve to be there, and it was time for him to bow out gracefully. What has Eric done in his life that can he considered graceful?

It's daytime at the Osaka Bistro, where the final four ladies have a meal. Tina gets the clue from the sponsor phone, which mentions that "this is the high point for this season." Anything can be higher than the valleys this season has chosen to dwell in. Arissa is not happy about the "high" implications. Sophia interviews that she's concerned about Arissa's physical performances. She adds that if Arissa makes the final team, they would have to pick up the slack,

Over at the Men's Lounge, Dan reads the clue, "high point" and all. Mark is excited and ready for action. He interviews that he made a pact with Eric to bring each other to the final three. He adds that both have stuff going on outside the Challenge (dodgeball and jump ropes, presumably), and that Dan and Theo have "earned their keep." The fellas debate about the mission. Theo thinks that if it's a loseable mission, Eric would lead. Mark wants to step up if he feels confident, and that "The Big E" would go home. Eric: "Do you really think that we're gonna get there tomorrow, and one of us is gonna go, 'Man, I really think we're gonna lose it'?" He has a good laugh, since kicking a team when they've been down for weeks is so funny. Eric interviews that Theo and Dan deserve to be in the final mission, and that he and Mark have fewer points. I don't get that, myself. I also don't get how a small white dog just walked in the background. Where did he come from?

It's a new day, and the kids have taken a trip to the exotic land of Albuquerque (motto: "We Bet You Can't Spell It Right The First Time!"). Today's mission involves beams jutting off the roof of a tall building. Jonny welcomes the kids, and there's a dude in a suit with him. But it's not just any dude; it's Martin Chavez, mayor of Albuquerque. Neat .. a mission mayor who's actually a mayor. Don't you have to go way back to the first season of Road Rules for that? Anyway, Mayor Chavez welcomes the players to the mission and his city. "This is going to be a knockout," he adds, "and will scare the bejeezus out of everybody." Here in New York, I don't think our mayor has ever said "bejeezus." Arissa reminds us that she thought that she was over her fear of heights, but she was wrong.

After commercials, we cut to the roof and the assembled players. Jonny congratulates everybody for making it this far, then welcomes them to today's mission: Vertigo. Jonny adds that they'll find out who's afraid of heights. We get a tight close-up of Arissa, as if we haven't been told she's scared of heights. Jonny lays down the rules: the players will walk out on the beams. At the end of each beam is a tiny pedestal. The team that stands on the pedestals the longest wins. He adds that he'll blow his air horn once to get everybody to the edge, then blow it again to start the mission. The winning team gets a furniture shopping spree,worth $3,500 per person. Jonny gives the team 30 minutes to pick leaders, and hammers all the implications on who would stay and who would be vulnerable. We get it, Jonny. Shut up.

On the men's side, Dan wants Mark and Theo to lead. He interviews that if they win, Eric should be the one to leave. Mark is good with this arrangement. On the women's side, Coral and Arissa step up. Arissa interviews that she wants to make things fair, and she would go home if they lose. After a meaningless shot of sponsor drinks, Theo thanks the guys for getting this far.

Jonny calls the leaders up, then tells them to get harnessed. The guys huddle up, as Mark tells the team that Arissa hasn't been good for her side, citing Semi-Cross as an example. Eric asks if they want Sophia or Arissa in the final team. Dan would rather have Arissa stay on.