‘Race to Survive: New Zealand’ Recap – ‘Eels, Heels and Deals’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

RACE TO SURVIVE: New Zealand -- "Eels, Heels and Deals" Episode 204 -- Pictured: (l-r) Spencer "Corry" Jones, Oliver Dev -- (Photo by: Brian Finestone/USA Network)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 204 of ‘Race to Survive’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
It really is quite amazing what the USA Network series, Race to Survive: New Zealand is accomplishing this year from a storytelling standpoint. For this is that rare reality competition series, that is extremely engaging. Courtesy of an intense race through incredible terrain that has already claimed two teams and pushed every single contestant to their physical limits. Not to mention, this race has forced so many to choose between food and the win. All of which really has made for an intense and compelling viewing experience unlike any other, and well, it would seem the show is showing no signs of slowing down in offering up unique and immersive moments for us to enjoy, as evidenced by this week’s episode.

For ‘Eels, Heels and Deals’ spent a great deal of its focus on Survival Camp and what really goes into surviving this competition. Mainly because, a fair number of the teams crossed the finish line quickly here, since so many were so close at the end of the last episode, and well… once Corry and Oliver won a segment of the race again, they and so many others settled into Survival Camp to rest, recoup and figure out the survival element of the competition. Because it quickly became clear to so many that skipping food was a risky gambit and calories and strength were going to be a big key to overcoming the odds and winning the day and that led… to some interesting moments.

The kind that saw some take full advantage of the items provided to them in the winner’s crate. Since our resident smokejumpers learned how to fish for eel and use an improvised smoker system… to create sustainable meals for the future. Since they caught one giant eel. In fact, Paulina and Creighton were so impressed with that catch… they committed to a trade. One that gave them some meat as well to sustain them down the line and well, all of this spoke to the reality that making the most of the landscape surrounding the competitors is indeed the key to this race. One must learn to survive and adapt and be creative to get hold of what one needs most out there, and it will be interesting to see how the teams apply those critical lessons going forward.

But of course, while that made for a very unique leg of the journey, one that gave us an up close and personal look at what really goes into the day-to-day healing and learning in Survival Camp, there were still plenty of epic moments to be found in the race itself. After all, a couple of the teams got lost on their way to the finish line and had to either double back or forge ahead, and it was neck and neck for the bottom tier teams this week. Since Kennedy and Nikola, and Ashley and Rhandi, barely saw separation for most of the final leg of the journey. Which led to some amazing tension as they waited to see if coming in last would mean a double elimination for this particular segment of the race and they were able to rest easy in the end. Since there were enough medallions for all.

In the end, this was just… an amazing episode through and through. Since so many shows in this vein, neglect those more intimate moments and the strategies that come into play, or they gloss over them with quick cuts to keep a story moving. But going this route, helped us to learn what the contestants are thinking, what they want to accomplish and what kind of competitor they will be down the line. All while the episode gave us more of the tense race itself that we love so dearly. All of which made for another compelling watch and a fine reason to continue the journey as well. Since now we know more about the people fighting for the finish line, and we are downright curious to see who will adapt and strategize their way to a half a million-dollar prize and quite the accomplishment, surviving the rough terrain of New Zealand. Until next time.

---