Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Inferno, Episode 13 – Relapse

Previously on The Inferno: Leah had a massive anxiety attack, and the doctors sidelined her for health reasons. Road Rules plotted to send Katie into the Inferno by allowing Veronica to win the Aztec Lifesaver. Sadly, Abram’s safety cord did not break, as he whooped and yukked it up, showing that he will forever be the Bozeman Bozo. As a result of RR’s efforts, Real World broke their five-mission losing streak. In the worst endgame ever devised, Katie beat Julie at jumping rope. Once again: jumping rope. What should have been a great moment for me was drowned out by the sheer lameness of the mission. On the other hand, Julie had to take her buggy eyes and 371 front teeth back to Huntington Beach with her... and really, isn’t that the best thing that could have happened?

Credits. While I’m thinking about it, how about Shii Ann’s performance on Survivor: All Stars? Back against the wall, six vultures ready to feast on her, and she pulls off an immunity win. Even better, she gives a Katiesque celebration afterwards, since she was all but voted out. In a way, I’m more impressed with her win than Katie’s. Don’t get me wrong; I am firmly on the Katie bandwagon until the very end. But I’ve liked Shii Ann (or Shiiablo, as I like to call her) since her season, and it hurts me to see her cut down on forums, when there are worse players still in the game. I know that she has little chance of winning the million dollars, but as long as she’s there, the show is more interesting. And if she’s an obnoxious buffoon, then so am I for rooting for her. Ya gotta Shiilieve!

Night. We’re back at Hooters, as Leah talks to Coral about how happy she is with CT. We flash back to Real World Paris, as CT (in his bushy-haired glory) rips into Leah. Hey, there’s Christina! I don’t remember the scene, but I’m guessing Leah was asking for it, since she was the uberbitch of that season. Leah continues, saying that the “mean stuff” from CT hurt the roommates.

Villa. CT tells David that it isn’t fair for Leah to sit out and collect checks at the end. “We want to get rid of Leah,” CT interviews. “She’s slowing our team down. She’s dead weight, she doesn’t even compete in missions. Why should we be splitting with this girl?”

Back to Hooters. I bet this was shot on Day One. Leah thinks that she and CT have let go of their respective differences. She interviews, “The small changes that CT and I have made within ourselves has made a world of difference in our friendship, and it’s great.” Back to the Villa. CT tells David that the team should have a meeting to lay everything out. “Unfortunately,” David interviews, “it’s not going to feel good, and it never will.” CT anticipates Leah thinking that it’s not fair. Back to Leah: “I’m glad that he’s here, and I’m glad that we’re here together. We’re on the same team and it’s giving us another opportunity to work together.” The only thing missing is the word “IRONY” flashing on the screen.

Oh, my goodness. Katie lives! Given the attitude of the RR girls, I thought they’d pull a Code Red on her while she slept. But there she is, typing on the computer, as Darrell sits next to her. He asks about her smoking on the treadmill. She claims that Syrus doesn’t know how she defeated Julie, and that she feeds off being pissed. “Nobody wanted Katie to win,” Darrell interviews, “but Katie got a lot of fight in her, and I think she does better when people are against her.” Katie interviews that the team realized that maybe she isn’t the weakest player.

Mission site. Dave welcomes the players to Fallen Angel. Both teams alternate sitting on platforms over the water. The other team climbs up to pull a release, dunking the competition. Two people will go into the other. Two people per team will be in the water, but only one person can climb at a time. If one person falls in the water, the other can start climbing. The team with the fastest average time wins $10,000 for the bank. Dave announces that Leah has been cleared for this mission, prompting her and Coral to cheer. Leah interviews that she’s excited to be back. As RW gets on the platform, CT openly wonders whether if Leah can climb the rope. He interviews that RW needs a win.

First up: Darrell and Kendal. Darrell climbs the rope first. Timmy explains that each player must dunk at least two people. Darrell pulls on the rope, dunking CT. As Kendal climbs up, Holly says that any duo who can’t complete the mission gets the slowest time, plus a two minute penalty. Darrell and Kendal dunk the remaining four players, clocking out at 4:04.

Syrus and Leah take their turn. Syrus struggles to get up the rope, yanking on the handle with both hands to sink Veronica. Apparently, some witches don’t die after getting splashed. Good to know. Leah climbs, standing on Syrus’s shoulders, slowly going up the rope to dunk Holly. Syrus falls off the rope. On the sidelines, Coral starts getting cranky. Leah falls off.

Mike interviews that both Syrus and Leah are having trouble, and it’s “sucking ass.” Leah: “My team has looked at what I’ve been doing as not enough, which for me personally is everything that I can be doing.” Leah drops into the water, cursing a storm. “I need to prove myself, and this is not helping at all.”