Suvechha Sarkar
The battle for survival has reached a breaking point on Fox’s ‘Extracted.’ In episode 6, the emotions ran high as the family at headquarters witnessed Robin’s family extracting her, proving how ruthless the competition can be. With only six survivalists remaining in the game, each of them is pushing the limits in the Canadian wilderness. Some of them are struggling with starvation, while others have no choice but to battle the relentless cold due to a lack of supplies. In episode 7, titled ‘Family vs. Family,’ the competitors finally face off head-to-head for these vital resources. As Austin’s decision in the last supply drop really had a big impact, it is time to see who will show their relentless and who cave into the pressure.
An Unexpected Twist in the Supply Drop Leads to Some Tough Decisions
The episode begins with Blake expressing his anger because Austin sent Woody an empty crate despite having seen him ask for food. He states that he is not letting it go. On the other hand, in the woods, Jakoben voices his strategy to stay in his camp and avoid getting wet. However, Terrence is disappointed since he wants his nephew to get up, be active, and show some effort. Similarly, a cold Haley expresses her wish for a sleeping bag, something she has been wanting from day 1. Her friend Natalie is worried because she is visibly burning calories too. On top of all this, she knows Haley is unable to get the rest she needs. The tensions then rise in HQ as there is an announcement of a supply drop. Each family can choose two resources, which is crucial at this point in the game. As Natalie enters the supply room, she goes directly to the sleeping bag, determined to finally send it across. On the other hand, Ryan’s mother notes that he needs a tarp.
Candance had noticed how her son had used the emergency blanket from the last drop to cover his shelter. As the families choose the supplies their survivalists need most, the looming dread that there has to be a catch does not leave them. Their suspense is finally over when it is announced that the survivalists will have to battle a fellow participant for their bags. It is up to the families to choose who they will face, following which they will have to swim in the cold water to reach a boat at the center of the lake. Whoever wins gets to walk away with both bags. It is suggested that the fair thing would be for the girls – Haley and Meagan – to go up against each other, and everyone agrees. Natalie notes that Haley is a good swimmer, so she is confident about this trial. Then, Blake asks Jakoben’s team, Terrance and David, if they want to go up against his father, Woody, and they agree.
Blake later reveals that he chose Jakoben since he does not do well with water, which they already do in the raft trial. Thus, Jake’s brother Austin ends up having to declare that they will go with Ryan H as their competitor, and Candace notes it will be tough. She remarks that although Jake is a tough competitor, her son can also hold his ground. Austin doesn’t fail to notice Blake’s strategy, though, and he whispers to his brother to confirm his suspicion before remarking that it is “fu**ed up.” On the flip side, David is worried about his cousin Jakoben not showing toughness when it comes to water, yet Terrance hopes he surprises him. The survivalists are subsequently asked to report to the lake, and each of them is overjoyed to finally meet one another after weeks alone in the wilderness. As they get acquainted, the survival trial is announced, with all the details and what their families decided.
With Intense Face-offs, The Level of Fight Within Each Survivalist Comes to Light
Meagan and Haley step forward for the first race and prepare for the alert sound. Through a confessional, it then comes to light that Meagan has always been very competitive owing to her dancing as well as fitness background, so she wants to be number 1 in everything she does. As the women dive into the water, Gerrad reveals that his daughter is also a great swimmer and notes that she is using swimming techniques to take the lead. Seeing Haley eventually struggle, her friends grow worried in the HQ. Jake notes that both of them are gradually losing their breath since the water is cold, whereas the anxiety over who will win in this literal head-to-head gets too much for Abby. Both women actually swim right beside one another for a while, but ultimately, Meagan manages to pull away and reaches the boat first. Haley later admits that this swim is hard when one does not have food in their body, so it almost felt like she was drowning. Then, it is Jake and Ryan H’s turn to compete, with the latter revealing how the $250,000 prize pot would mean a lot to him as a blue-collar worker, a diesel technician, and how it will change his family’s lives.
In HQ, Austin discloses that Jake was a lifeguard and hopes he remembers all his training. This prompts Ryan’s father, Roger, to remark that he will have an advantage, but he hopes his son will still beat him. Ultimately, though, Jake gets a headstart since his competitor is still removing his clothes when the trial begins, driving Ryan to jump in with his last layer of pants still on. Candance then becomes concerned about the wet clothes. On the other hand, Austin believes that his brother won fair and square, but almost everyone else feels that he got a headstart. As the contestants discuss the supplies they had previously received back on the shore, Haley gets emotional because she has been struggling in the cold. She realizes she is one of the only few who does not have a sleeping bag. Finally, it’s time for the race between Jakoben and Woody. Terrance hopes he will perform well because it will give him a much-needed confidence boost. Yet, David notes that might not be the case since his cousin is already putting on a life vest, making his worry clear.
As the race starts, Woody and Jakoben head towards the boat, but the latter suddenly stops and turns back. Terrance is angry because he did not even try, and it was as if there was no fight in him. David adds that he might not be weak, but his decision not to even compete was a weak one. Meanwhile, Woody reaches the boat and wins both supply bags. That’s when all players return to the camp and open up their supplies. As Woody thanks his family for the double food supply and states the grand prize is now his, Blake notes that he has to downplay things since others might now notice he is doing well and not favor him for the next drop. Meanwhile, Jake thanks his family for the saw and fire but then feels bittersweet when he realizes that Ryan’s family sent him a tarp, which he needs. Austin says that while his humane side wants to help others, his competitive side just wants to push forward. Meagan is also delighted to see food but gets sad looking at Haley’s supply, knowing she needs it. Haley is devastated that her sleeping bag slipped right through her fingers.
With the Game Taking Its Toll on Jakoben, His Future in the Game is Uncertain
As the pressure of the game mounts with each passing day, Jakoben is feeling its weight. He wants to quit because his body cannot handle this cold. Terrance says that he is not pushing himself enough to actually do what he is capable of. He is hurt because he does not want anyone to view his nephew as a quitter. He even gets emotional over this because of how much he cares about Jakoben and goes outside to calm down a little, expressing his belief that the youngster can do better. As night falls, Haley is shivering, which makes Natalie feel more helpless than ever before because, as a nurse, she can see her condition deteriorate. However, the morning brings change as Jakoben seems to have woken up with a new sense of determination to keep going, making both Terrance and David happy. Then comes another supply drop announcement, and each family is asked to pick just one item for their survivalist. They choose the resources one by one.
However, as soon as the teams return to the screen room, it is revealed that only one survivalist will receive the supply. Each of them is asked to cancel out another’s supply until only one of them remains, and it starts in the order they are standing in. With Ryan H.’s family going first, they freeze Meagan’s supply because she already got a lot the previous day. Similarly, Haley’s loved ones freeze Woody’s since he received double the food through the trial. Woody’s nephew Collin chooses to freeze Jake’s box since he is already in a good spot, and he also believes that his family is constantly targeting Woody. Jakoben’s family subsequently, surprisingly, freezes Haley’s supply, with Terrance noting that she is already a tough competitor. This leaves her friends baffled as they point out she is actually suffering in the cold. Haley’s friend Karly says this was not a good move, and that they are on her bad side now.
When it’s the turn of Meagan’s family to choose, Candace puts forth the fact that Ryan has not had any food for 72 hours. After much deliberation, Gerrad selects to freeze Jakoben supply drop because he seemed quite positive in the morning. This means Ryan would receive his supply – food – which Candace hopes will give him the warmth and energy he needs. As the survivalists proceed to the meadow one by one to see what is in the crate, Meagan is disappointed to see an empty box, while Woody jokes about receiving nothing. When Ryan H. opens his box, Austin notes that he looks at the supply almost disgustedly. Candance says she wants him to show a little gratitude and that she will have to talk to him about this. Haley is sad about not getting anything, which makes Natalie cry since it’s hard for her to see her friend suffer. As Jakoben opens his empty box, Terrance sees that it really hurt him. As the survivalist breaks down over these continuous disappointments back at his camp, he expresses that the game is taking hold of him.
An Extraction and a Mystery Box Changes the Entire Game Once Again
Jakoben struggles with a rollercoaster of emotions, and Terrance realizes that he is broken. Abby and Austin also note the same while sitting nearby, driving them to discuss if the family is now really contemplating extracting him. As the survivalist starts crying, expressing how hard this journey has been, even his uncle gets emotional because Jakoben is like a son to him. Even David notes the hurt in his eyes and his voice. So, after serious consideration, they finally decide to extract Jakoben from the game. As they push the button, Abby notes that it was a quick shift, but it did feel as if the light had gone off within Jakoben. David says that he does not want him to suffer alone because he is carrying a lot of weight on his shoulders. After the survivalist is notified about his extraction, he appreciates them and says that it will make their family even stronger now. He iterates the sentiment that it is like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders.
Terrance explains that he is proud of Jakoben and that he has represented their home state of Mississippi well. As the family reunites, they are emotional yet overjoyed to see each other. His uncle tells him that he made him cry two times before adding how proud he is and how they will definitely cherish these memories forever. He and David then also joke about him smelling from not having showered for days. As a new dawn arrives, the five remaining survivalists start their day with a fresh perspective. While Ryan H. is waiting for the sun to come up so that he can dry his clothes, the families in HQ are anticipating the next twist or survival trial. Suddenly, the sound of a chopper catches all their attention, and Blake wonders whether there has been another extraction. However, that’s not the case. The helicopter is carrying a box no one knows the contents of before dropping it right in the middle of the lake and going away. There are no announcements and no instructions for anyone to follow, leaving us wondering about what could possibly happen next.
