‘Race to Survive: New Zealand’ Recap – ‘Separate Ways’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

RACE TO SURVIVE: New Zealand -- "Separate Ways" Episode 209 -- Pictured: Paulina Pena -- (Photo by: Brian Finestone/USA Network)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 209 of ‘Race to Survive: New Zealand’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
If there is one particular phrase that we can easily associate with the USA Network series, Race to Survive: New Zealand, it would have to be… expect the unexpected. For this reality competition has not resembled what we are used to regarding shows in this vein. For of the six teams eliminated, only two have left because of an actual ‘loss’ according to the rules. Whereas everyone else has tapped out due to injury, and we sadly had a team go home for breaking the rules out of sheer hunger. Not to mention, any attempt to bring about a strategy here has gone nowhere for the teams because the show has changed up the rules and the landscape, giving rise to one stunning adventure through and through.

If anything, the consistent shake ups and surprises present within this show are top of mind today, simply because… they came into play once again last night. For ‘Separate Ways’ saw the final three teams be tested in a unique way. First, they would be subjected to an intense time trial, two days to complete a course via two checkpoints and half of that competition would be handled apart. For they were to perform individual trials before reuniting for the last leg of the journey and well, that brought about some fascinating and intense moments for certain. Mainly because it put everyone to the test and forced them to not lean on their partner’s skills and that led to some real surprises for certain. Because it definitely exposed a few weaknesses.

Oddly, it exposed none for the game’s new leaders. Since Ethan and Tyrie performed amazingly through and through and just keep hammering forward. To the point where their individual drills were a breeze, and they completed both segments of the time trial with plenty of time to spare to rest and recoup for the grand finale. But Kennedy and Nik, came to learn that their slow and steady strategy might come back to haunt them down the line. Simply because that was their edict for both segments of this particular trial, and that slowed them down immensely and while they did indeed cross the finish line, it was a close call with the clock for certain. Making it clear they may have to rethink their strategy to snag that half a million dollars.

But truly, the centerpiece journey regarding surprises, was Paulina and Creighton’s. Simply because while Paulina flipped the switch and went into full beast mode in this tale, Creighton struggled mightily without her supporting him in the wild. Simply because he got lost often, and spent most of the first half of the journey wandering about trying to find the best way forward. Which thankfully, he did, but that massive delay put their standing in the race in severe jeopardy. Simply because they lost a lot of time and truly had to haul it to the finish line, with no guarantees they’d beat the clock and make it to the grand finale of this show. But believe it or not, they pulled it off and will indeed compete for a half a million dollars, and it really is a good thing they are reunited. Since this episode made it clear how well they work together as a team.

But all learning moments and wild twists and turns aside, this really was, quite the epic penultimate episode. Simply because, these teams were absolutely put to the test. For they were pushed hard here from beginning to end and were forced to face their weaknesses and find ways to overcome them to compete for the grand prize and that made for one epic story for certain. One that was full of surprises and worry, since there were no guarantees that anyone was going to make it to the finish line. But all three teams made the cut and now we must impatiently wait to see how the final race plays out, and with three teams this hungry for the win and a half a million dollars, the finale should be nothing short of a doozy. Until next time.

---