Episode 7

This week, we bid farewell to our strong willed attorney, Clay.  On the  downside, the Philly barrister gave a Rocky Balboa-like effort in the game,  only to get ko'ed by The Mole in the late rounds.  At least his flight home  was made a little sweeter with his lovely wife Kim by his side.  More good news: no lemons on board his flight.

"Go Figure" was a high quality cerebral exercise.  Not to mention the ample  opportunities for The Mole to jack things up for everybody.  I sensed a  definite change in tone from our competitors -- can't blame em.  Those  surviving this week knew they were in the final four. Nothing too extreme, but there was an edge... a distinct focus, if you will, which I could feel as  they interacted.

It was really interesting how this one panned out.  Maybe I was starting to  zone in as well, but I think I could definitely decipher who was on the up  and up... and who was being Moley.  But of course I'm not letting you guys in  on any of the stuff bouncing around up in my melon.  I have no desire to  disturb your groove as you track you game.  Just like all of you, I STILL  don't know who The Mole is ... but at this point, I felt like I had it nailed.  Of course, it wouldn't be the first time I thought I had it on lockdown  --  and was flat out wrong.

Then it was on to the next mission where it was time to go underground.   Look, it's no secret that it's my job/extreme pleasure to be the show's  "puppet master"...the diabolical host who twists players' minds and tosses  out major league curveballs.  But for "Ticket to Ride," I was well aware how badly the players wanted ... NEEDED to have some up close and personal contact  with their loved ones.  Sometimes I'm a big softie and honestly, I had no desire to do anything but pray each and every one of them was successful.

Let me break it down like this:  those cats were so wound up after hearing  about the mission, if they DIDN'T get a passing grade at that train station,  it would not have been pretty.  To be that close... only for Mark to see his  pregnant wife roll away and Paul missing a chance to hug his wife and sweet  little daughter ... man, I don't even like thinking about it.

Fortunately, we had a fairytale ending and I could feel all the good  vibrations flowing once again. For one day, I put my Mr. Grinch approach on  hold, and got caught up in the lovefest.  But trust me, it's only temporary!

Now, I could go on and on but you've got more important business to tend to:   uncovering that real-life rogue, known simply as The Mole.  Happy hunting.