Episode 8

Shocked?

Don't be shy.  Raise your hand if you were at least a little thrown off  watching Paul getting red-thumbed and full bucket of cold water tossed on  his "scorched earth" game-plan.  Can't call his execution earth shattering -- w/ only 4 players remaining, everybody is vulnerable in a large way.  Except, of course, the dastardly individual who rocks that mysterious, 1-name moniker:  Mole.

Love him... hate him... disagree with his lack of tact or consideration.  You can't argue Paul played an effective game.  The cat made it clear from day 1; his approach was full-throttle WWE Smackdown.  Mental and verbal "shock and awe."  He announced his abrasive approach was purely in the spirit of the game, although he admitted to me, what we saw on the show was mild compared to what his close friends have witnessed back home.  Damn.

Paul told me straight up the game was "too easy."  Meaning not only did he have his target in his sights from the moment the curtain raised on episode one but he was able to rattle players with little effort.   He's a poker player.  Reading people and keeping them off balance are skills and art forms one must master on some level to be effective.  Clearly something was working.  But unfortunately for him, his lovely little daughter and wife, he felt the deck was stacked against him heading into the quiz.   The look on his face when Mark earned the final exemption said it all.  That New York state of mind ultimately wasn't enough to avoid execution this week.  Did he have a last second change of heart, which ultimately proved fatal?  Was he off base on his suspect and merely got lucky every week?  Or did he truly have The Mole stone cold nailed and just got beat on time in the quiz?

To the missions ... a pair of entertaining rides this episode.  "How's the View" was a multi-dimensional mind fry.  Half our final 4 got to channel their inner toddler while the other 2 had an impromptu audition to run camera for a major network show.  Just a long shot here, but my guess is neither Mark or Nicole has a future shooting for ABC.  But truth be told, this mission was ripe for "Moley" behavior.  Acting like you can't work a little camera... acting like you can't kick a soccer ball straight or pour tea into a cup.  Although I will give it to Paul and Craig, that reverse/backwards/inverted goggle view is a serious brain trip.  But I can tell you I'm wearing one right now AND working the camera myself AND typing this blog with only one hand.  No sweat.

I did dig hearing their reactions once they saw their final task in "How's the View."  Paul and Craig's knees were banging almost as loud as jumping off that bridge a couple of weeks ago.

Man, "Cell Out" was killer.  Great mission.  Huge stakes on the line.  The wild part was -- it took longer to explain the game than it did for Mark to solve that doublet.  Seriously.  His paper came flying out of his cell so fast I thought he maybe accidentally kicked it out.  But Mark was on it at lighting speed... leaving me wondering if he was just that good and his game was that tight and motivated to win -- or was this an "inside job" if you catch my drift?

Paul was the self appointed ringleader forming their plan to avoid getting  tagged by paint balls.  It was his idea for him, Nicole and Craig to work together as a team and use distraction tactics to try and keep that final exemption out of Mark's hands.  I'm a huge movie fan... love old flicks.  So I  couldn't help laughing when Paul started chanting in a high pitched voice,  channeling the 70's cult classic "The Warriors."  Brilliant tactic, my man.  Ultimately, only worked to get Paul safely to the finish, but at least he was able to deliver some added entertainment value on his last hurrah.

Congratulations to Paul to making the final quartet.  A game well played.  Thanks for a season full of amusement and adventure.  If you and your cute little girl haven't opened up a lemonade stand yet this summer, I suggest you get crackin, son.

As for this season's last 3 standing... a true "Triple Threat."  Cheers to a phenomenal effort! We're now left with only 2 gunning for the big dollars at stake in this quest for The Moley Grail.

Note to our resident saboteur:  outstanding work.  But the end is near and your time is running out.