‘Race to Survive: New Zealand’ Recap – ‘Deep, Dark, Holes’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

RACE TO SURVIVE: NEW ZEALAND -- “Deep, Dark, Holes” Episode 205 -- Pictured: (l-r) Ashley Paulson, Rhandi Ohrme -- (Photo by: Brian Finestone/USA Network)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 205 of ‘Race to Survive: New Zealand’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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There is an old mantra out there when it comes to facing tasks and goals that are difficult or impossible in nature. In that, the harder it is, the easier the rest of the task or the hunt becomes. Because human psychology dictates that we become hardened and emboldened by the tough stuff, making the rest a breeze, and while there is logic to support that… since we do indeed find ourselves in a zone after we slog through some tough days… it isn’t something we can apply across the board. For there are some tasks that we do our best to prepare for/work through, only to discover… it only gets harder… and for proof, just ask the contestants of Race to Survive: New Zealand on USA Network.

Simply because the next episode in this journey, ‘Deep, Dark, Holes’, saw refreshed teams holding to that mantra. For they felt that they’d been through hell and now had a good handle on how best to tackle the next leg of the competition. In fact, this episode featured strategies across the board and well… it didn’t take long for the teams to learn that this won’t be getting easier in the slightest. Simply because when one is dealing with nature, one never knows what to expect, and of course… speed and push can vary and change on a moment’s notice because of the terrain. The kind that saw teams get lost and jockey for position all while dealing with some real struggles here.

Because the terrain was simply brutal, since the teams had to do some hard spelunking through a narrow cave and make their way through brutal brush to make it to the coastline, to then boat to the finish line. Which meant, there were some slowdown moments because of that, and there were minor and major injuries abound. Some of which involved something as simple as cuts and bruises and some… were complex and scary. Since Ashley’s ankle injury was aggravated by the terrain, in this leg of the journey. Specifically, the rocks, and she struggled badly with her pain, and injuries also put one team out of the race altogether. Because Coree hit his head at one point and the pain and concern over his health was reason enough to exit the race. 

Which spoke deeply to how this was just getting harder and harder, despite these teams doing their best to just immerse themselves in the madness, and even those in front… faced some hardships. For our usual top three were in the lead, but it wasn’t easy to get there or maintain. Since Bronson and Ryan skipped the food cache to just go for first and showcase their strength, and for a time enjoyed the lead before Corry and Oliver once again found their way into first. Not to mention, our beloved smokejumpers were the ones who got lost and had to hustle like never before to find their way to third. Because this race is just unpredictable and it doesn’t matter how well one thinks they are prepared, they are not. The terrain will get them, surprises will come into play and injuries have derailed the hopes and dreams of another team.

Not to mention, this was also an emotional tale. Since we came to learn about why Randi and Ashley are pushing so hard to win this and we saw Creighton and Paula reflect upon the importance of this race for both of them and really… this was just a tough episode when all is said and done. Because we saw everyone just get pushed hard and clearly, this race is only going to get more difficult before it gets better and that is going to lead to more intense episodes, and well, we absolutely want more of that. Because that is indeed what we signed up for, and it does make for compelling and moving television, the kind we cannot get enough of. Because tough days and hard lessons regarding control aside, it is inspiring to see these competitors fight so hard for an incredible prize and to see how far they will go to obtain it. Until next time.

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