‘Race to Survive: New Zealand’ Recap – ‘A Rule Was Broken’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

RACE TO SURVIVE: NEW ZEALAND -- “Kahuranghi Coast” Episode 207 -- Pictured: (l-r) Ethan Greenberg, Tyrie Mann Merrill, Creighton Baird, Paulina Pena, Bronsen Iverson, Ryan Stewart -- (Photo by: Brian Finestone/USA Network)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 208 of ‘Race to Survive: New Zealand’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say, that last week’s episode of Race to Survive: New Zealand on USA Network was quite ominous in nature. After all, we saw Oliver and Corry struggle for the first time this season, to the point where it seemed as though the lack of food, they didn’t get in Survival Camp a little while ago was going to bring about great trouble for them as the race continued. Not to mention, Ryan was fighting hard to push through some nagging injuries. Since his knee was straight up aching and there appeared to be a tendon injury coming into play as well, leaving us to wonder what kind of impact those injuries would have upon Ryan and Bronsen going forward. 

Well as it turned out, the next episode in this saga wasted little time in letting us know if those ominous moments were of concern after all. For ‘A Rule Was Broken’ opened up… with a farewell. For after spending the night to really assess Ryan’s injuries and ponder upon how much worse things could get when it came to Ryan’s knee and arm, he and Bronsen came to the decision to tap out. To preserve their physical health and just like that… another team was eliminated via injury, one that really did fight hard during this race since Ryan and Bronsen were consistently in the top three and in the thick of it. But that’s how this race goes unfortunately, and they weren’t the only ones sent home this week either.  

Because as the helicopter whisked Ryan and Bronsen to safety and medical treatment, the other teams finished battling through the tough terrain of this brutal coast, to reach the Finish Crate. Wherein everyone settled in for Survival Camp, to prepare for the next leg of the race and well, that’s when the next elimination came into play. One that was an outright surprise. For the producers had to come forth and explain to everyone that a rule had been broken, one that Corry and Oliver violated. For they crossed the line and ate one of the protected species, mainly because… they were straight up starving and hunger clouded their judgment. Which resulted in a disqualification and an early end to the race for two favorites to win it.

Which left everyone in Survival Camp, besides themselves. Because they did not expect to be the final three teams in this manner, but they were, and they used this time to really rest and recoup and ponder upon so much regarding this race. Such as how quickly fortunes can change and how a simple or injury or mistake can end the whole thing for them. Not to mention, how fortunate they were. Because just like that, they were now looking at one final race to win it all, and truly… it could be Kennedy and Nik, it could be Paula and Creighton, and it could be Ethan and Tyrie. For the race is truly up for grabs and in true Race to Survive style, there will be another twist for the competitors to overcome in their quest to win half a million dollars. 

In that, there will be an individual competition to go with the final leg of the journey, which will undoubtedly add surprise and drama to the mix and possibly another surprise farewell. But while we wait to see, we can reflect upon one shocking episode. Because we simply did not expect two teams to go home in this manner. After all, it really seemed as though Ryan and Bronsen were going to fight to the bitter end, and that Ryan was going to fight through the pain. But clearly, those injuries were far more painful than any of us knew, and what a shocking twist for Corry and Oliver. Who clearly reached a point of starvation that few of us know or will ever know. But alas, what’s done is done, and now it is onto the final segment of this brutal race to survive, and it will be interesting to see who wins it all. Until next time.

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