The Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Gauntlet 2, Episode 7 - My Favorite Cackle

Previously on The Gauntlet 2: Brad found out Derrick was not the smartest kid goin’ and the two exchanged some incoherent, yet heated exchanges. The Veterans won the “Body Painters” challenge and Alton smoked Adam in the Gauntlet.

Beth and David are sitting and talking. Beth shares that she has never been voted out for being in last place (although in Battle of the Seasons and Battle of the Sexes 1 she was in second to last.) Beth interviews that her reputation precedes her and this time she’s minding her own business and trying to stay out of trouble. Like with Robin and Jodi… I kid because I love her. She hopes she gets an equal chance to compete and possibly win.

Beth says to us that she was disappointed that Tonya wasn’t on this challenge because she wanted to get her back. Those who have forgotten (and how could you) MTV shows us possibly the most entertaining clip of the Inferno 2 when Tonya threw all of Beth’s clothes in the pool. David tells us he is going to keep his eye on Beth, because she may pull something and it wouldn’t be Beth if she didn’t pull something.

The cast members get a text message asking if they pull their own weight. I’ve been interpreting the RW/RR Challenge messages for awhile now, and my expertise says that this cryptic message means they will be pulling something that weighs a lot.

Susie asks Ruthie and Kina if they dread the girls’ missions or if they get hyped up. Ruthie says she doesn’t necessarily dread them but it’s a lot of pressure. And we know hat Ruthie is a challenge beast. In Battle of the Sexes 1 she was virtually unstoppable and always on top of the leader board and in Battle of the Sexes 2 she was one of the last people to go home but the girls had a hard decision to make between her and Tina. Kina says she goes in already prepared for the Gauntlet.

Aneesa says she hates getting clues. Beth hopes its running because she says it’s the thing she does the best. Montana tells us that she isn’t feeling Beth so much. When they did the first challenge known as Challenge Season One, they didn’t get along so well. We see a clip of them fighting. Montana interviews that Beth is exactly the same as she was ten years ago. She says that you’d expect that in ten years there would be a little personal growth, but “there has been no growth for Beth, except for in the thighs.” Ha! There’s a quote for the ages.

At the challenge site, a track, T.J. introduces the mission for today called “Rickshaw Races.” Each team gets a rickshaw and six members (separately) will have to carry three of their team members (together) around the track inside the rickshaw. Three males and three females will have to run. The winning team gets ten grand and the winning team captain will get $1,000 in Best Buy cash. The losing captain (Kina or Ruthie) will have to go to the Gauntlet.

The Veterans team will have to sit out two people because they have two extra people. It has to be one male and one female and if they sit out they will be exempt from the Gauntlet.

The teams deliberate. At the Veterans, Julie suggests sitting Syrus out just because weight is the biggest issue. Beth says if they’re going to do weight then she should sit out. Montana slyly suggests otherwise because Beth is a really good runner. Beth still says with weight and everything she should sit out. Montana says that Beth has been saying what a good runner she is so she should be in. She adds that it isn’t Beth’s decision, it’s the teams. Beth tells us that Montana is flipping out “because she might actually have to prove herself and run.” Julie tries to mediate and Ruthie doesn’t want them to have a squabble. Beth tells Ruthie that Montana is trying to manipulate the situation. Ruthie asks if Beth is the one trying to manipulate the situation, which Beth says she isn’t. Montana tells us that it wasn’t the team’s best interest in Beth’s mind; it’s her best interest which is always in her mind.

Robin tells us Ruthie is a great team player, but as a captain it’s hard for her to be heard. The captains decide that Syrus and Montana will sit out. Beth says that she doesn’t mind being a runner but “Montana is such a f***ing joke right now” and she’s pissed.

The Rookie runners are: Kina, Alton, Jodi, Jillian, Landon, and M.J. The Veteran runners are: David, Robin, Beth, Julie, Timmy, and Mark.

The first leg starts and David does extremely well, leaving Kina far behind. David passes it to Robin who is going pretty slowly. Kina hands it to Alton who Robin calls “a massive train coming behind me.” Alton speeds through the track like it’s nothing. He passes it to Jodi. Ruthie is a little disappointed in Robin, who finishes and passes it to Beth. Beth, who has a lot of pressure with this, does great. Jillian and Julie go and Jillian struggles a bit, but is doing well enough. Landon and Timmy finish their laps and pass it to M.J. and Mark. Both men figure that M.J. will win unless something goes wrong with M.J.’s rickshaw. And nothing does. M.J. crosses the finish line and wins the mission for the Rookies.

Montana says that she really didn’t want the exemption, she just didn’t want Beth do get it because “she just sucks at being a person.” Kina picks up her obtusely large check and gift certificate. The team bank accounts are now even.

The Veterans deliberate. Aneesa asks if anyone wants to talk about any issues anyone is having. Ruthie is torn between Robin and Beth. Robin, she said, didn’t push it and Beth isn’t exactly her friend but she really helped the team. Beth says that since they picked Syrus to sit out because of weight, it should have been her. She adds that they didn’t but she still kicked ass in the mission. She says the weakest girl sat out today. Julie wants people to vote honestly in their heart. Ace tells us that he isn’t focused on who he wants in the Gauntlet, but for who Ruthie can beat in the Gauntlet.

Ruthie announces that the majority voted for Beth. T.J. spins the wheel and it lands on “Challengers Choice.” Beth picks “Reverse Tug-O-War” which was the one where Jisela fell on her ass. Beth can’t believe that the team voted her in, and now there are two string women in the Gauntlet. She says she won’t lose and people will be very shocked with what happens next.

At the Gauntlet, Beth and Ruthie come out. T.J. asks if Beth wants to be captain. Beth says she would much rather walk out on the whole situation. Shots of Derrick and Aneesa looking very happy. T.J. says to her that she knows how he feels about quitting. She does it. Syrus says that he isn’t a physics major but if you put little itty bitty Ruthie against Beth, who is a whole lotta woman (remember he’s a whole lotta man can you can reach him at 976-WHOLE-LOTTA,) they have a problem.

The Gauntlet starts and Ruthie seems to have a bit of a lead. She stays low but Beth is dragging her little by little. Then next thing you know BETH grabs the flag. Beth! Yeah, Beth!

Montana is in shock. Ruthie has to relinquish her captain privileges. Beth says she’s the last person on their team who they would expect to be the captain and she feels there is nobody on her team who could beat her.

Montana says to Beth that they are women in their thirties and they shouldn’t be fighting. Montana even says “I like you.” Well, that’s a crock. As Montana walks away, Beth turns to the camera and makes the gagging symbol. Oh, Beth.

Beth tells us she’s sitting pretty. She moves into the captain’s room. Derrick hopes she doesn’t go on a power trip. Because if there is anyone who knows about power trips… All four captains toast each other. Beth sums up herself up: “If you’re gonna f*** with me I’m gonna f*** you harder.” She says Montana is next and she can’t wait to send her home.

Next week: The challenge is called “Team Strength.” A lot of pushing is involved. Alton says to know that someone is considering forming an alliance sucks. Kina tells Jodi, Alton and Randy that they need to watch them. Landon asks Cara and Susie if they have an alliance.

Chris Jakobi is not sure if he can take on as many crazies as there are on this show, but he is willing to try. Fan mail, hate mail or advice can be sent to cjakobi9@yahoo.com.

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