The Mole - Behind the Scenes

Episode 10

So, it was you Craig.  The fun, lovable teddy bear.   Who knew that you were capable of such dastardly works of sabotage?  What's even more impressive is that you were able to play dumb the entire time (Craig actually posseses a high octane intellect of the 143 IQ variety).  Honestly, I'm just sad to see it all end.  I had the chance to see the cast again for the finale and everyone was exactly how I remembered them.  Except, of course, that Nicole and Alex totally were c-r-u-s-h-i-n-g on each other.  At least, in my opinion.  I honestly believe I saw sparks between those two.  Just another example of how The Mole always manages to surprise you -- even if you think you got it all figured out.

Case in point:  right before the finale, Mark watched the final episode.  At the end, he watches as Clay tells Nicole that he voted for Craig.  Uh oh.  Watching that hit him like a rock.  For Mark, $420,000 came down to one simple question:  did Clay tell him the truth.  Even in a small hotel room, outside of LAX, just hours before the finale -- this game was as potent as ever.

When I asked Mark how he felt, about it he said,"That’s what I wanted out of this.  Every emotion. I wanted to be done panting saying this was just a thrill.  And I feel that way.  I'm sitting here right now ... I don't know.  I honestly don't know... and for me that's fun."

Now, that's a gamer.  Congrats, Mark.  And so another great season draws to a close.  From the Andes to the hipster boulevards of Buenos Aires, it was a trip I won't soon forget.  Thanks to everyone who made this insane show possible:  the cast, the crew, the fans and, of course, one lovable, huggable graphic designer from San Diego, California.

Until next time,
Matt

Episode 9

And it all comes down to this.   Craig, Mark and Nicole.  Our first mission was "Tick Tock Boom" and it definitely went down to the wire.  The answer:   CUT WIRE THAT IS RED + BLUE wasn't easy to unscramble.  Earlier that day, our segment producers cornered people on the crew and asked, "Hey, wanna help us prototype a clue for today's mission?"  I personally spent a good half-hour on that thing and came up with something like "BURP LER DER LUBE."  Not so  hot.  The RED + BLUE = PURPLE discovery was really a lucky break for those guys -- had it said "DON’T CUT RED + BLUE," they would've been up a proverbial creek.

Once again, the only suspicious activity appeared to be coming from NICOLE.  What ... now, she can't read maps?  It raised the same question I've had from day 1:  is Nicole the Mole or is she simply incompetent/insane?  I'm still trying to figure that one out ...  Speaking of which, when we got to the final mission, Doctor Diva had returned with a vengeance.  As you've seen, Nicole is very Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde ... you can never tell who or what is going to show up on a given day.  Like when she lied to us about getting "dulce de leche" ice cream ... or couldn't be bothered to find an Argentinian flag ... or hung up on our affable host Jon Kelley.  Now, that was classic.  Meanwhile, Craig and Mark were busting at full speed to make it to that bridge.  Incidentally, one of the locals told me that landmark was built by narco-traffickers as a visual homage to well ... you can probably guess.  After saying that out loud, I'm starting to think the local was pulling a fast one on me...

When Mark decided to pay $75,000 for the Mole's dossier, you could see the concern on Craig and Nicole's faces.  With every question counting on the final quiz, Mark's choice could have been the turning point of the game.  Or he could just be taking $75,000 out of the pot as his final Moley gesture...

What really fascinated me were some of the conversations I had with the final three in their hotel rooms in those final days.  Actually just one in particular ... I was talking with Nicole in her room when she suddenly pulled out a guitar pick from her pants pocket.  And not just any guitar pick ... it was Alex's.  And then it hit me in one fell swoop ... Alex and Nicole totally were crushing on each other!

There's some great "behind-the-scenes" video where she gushes about him that might be too hot for tv -- but let me tell you, it was a complete shocker for me.  Just when you think you've figured this game out, it always throws you a curveball.  Needless to say, now that we're back in the States, everyone on the cast, crew and staff is dying to know who actually IS the mole.

Only one more week and the secret shall be revealed.  I can't wait...