Recent episodes made it clear that a year’s worth of lip gloss can be all style and no substance, and that lightning may strike twice in the same spot yet still burn out at a second elimination. A new dawn arrives at Camp Wawanakwa as the Heroic Hamsters wake to a breakfast of maple and bacon at the Spa Hotel, only to be swept back into a brutal contest against the Villainous Vultures.
THE CHALLENGE
In a nod to Total Drama Action, the contestants dive into old fashioned war games. The twist this time is that Chris McLean is on parole from a spell in prison, bound by a rule that he cannot handle or sling hard projectiles like paintballs. The substitute ammunition is leeches, and a large crate holds a pile of worn paintball slingshots. It’s first come, first served, giving the Heroes a full minute head start.
Thanks to smart positioning, the Villains grab the bigger box first and claim the leech-lobbing arsenal, complete with a cannon. Sam’s stay on Boney Island remains tense, so the Heroes stash him in a cave with Courtney posted as guardian. Then the woods fill with music and menace as parasites rain down.
Many shots misfire and at least one fierce ricochet steals the show, but the moment ends with Jo locating the cave. After a failed attempt to remove Courtney, who uses the exhausted Sam as a human shield, the challenge narrows to a one-on-one duel against Zoey. The redhead’s remarkable reflexes let her dodge the swarms and fire back with a counterstrike.
The Heroic Hamsters win. Again.
THE ELIMINATION CEREMONY
No one expects Sam to return to Boney Island, and the chatter grows that Courtney will be sent packing. Sierra confuses Cameron for her pretend sweetheart Cody, but his clear dislike of physical contact drives him toward exile instead of risking a wrong choice.
The Villains Vultures sit back on the log stools, awaiting marshmallows that will keep them in the game. Heather and Jo are up for removal, cited for being a nuisance and for taking out a teammate during the day’s challenge. The Vultures reach a unanimous decision on who must go.
Jo is eliminated.
In an EXTRA TWIST, Chris reveals that one villain acted more like a hero this challenge, while another showed the opposite. Courtney’s hesitation earns her a Villain label, while Duncan’s selfless move earns him a Heroic Hamster designation.
THE DRAMA
Drama kicks off when Mike’s dark alter-ego snatches Sam’s Game Guy from his bag and snaps it, leaving him with no memory of the deed. Later, he tries to channel Svetlana for stealthy forest maneuvers but can’t quite pull it off. The silent pressure from his other personalities starts to gnaw at him.
Jo and Heather trade jabs, which leaves Gwen frustrated. The pair later apologize, trying to mend fences with Gwen because an alliance with her means an alliance with Duncan as well. Alejandro flirts a little, and Gwen sees what’s happening—Duncan too. He even lends a leech to Gwen during the challenge, showing that he knows her better than she expects.
When Gwen tries to welcome Courtney to the Villains, she accidentally dumps a pail of leeches onto Courtney’s head. The reception is as slimy as it is squirmy, turning the greeting into a messy moment.