Suvechha Sarkar
In season 1 of Fox’s ‘The Snake,’ trust is a weapon, and only the most cunning can survive. Following last week’s fallout among the contestants has made the tension inside the house quite palpable. In episode 3, titled ‘Two-Headed Snake,’ MacLaine’s narrow escape leaves the players shaken and more paranoid than ever. As a new morning dawns, the contestants can be seen getting ready for another day of strategy and deception. What they do not know is that a new and crucial twist awaits them, where new pacts can reveal one’s true colors.
As Alliances Evolve, the Game Reveals Its Most Intense Twist Yet
As the players prepare for another day, Amanda asks MacLaine how she feels after last night’s Saving Ceremony. She reveals that since Derek broke her trust and chose to save Jacob, she feels she cannot trust anyone. In one of the flashbacks, she breaks down before Jake, stating how she always spends the holidays alone because she has no family. Back in the present, she notes that she trusts Jack since he makes her feel seen and heard. Inside the house, Alyssa, Bryan, Derek, and Frank discuss Cody and Christine’s bond. Frank observes that Christine is dangerous since she is pretty quick intellectually. Meanwhile, Kethryn tells Bryan she wants to meet his family and learn what has turned him into such an individual. The latter remarks in his confessional that he has a good bond with her because they communicate well.
However, Kethryn discloses that she feels she is in a powerful position in the house because she can persuade a majority of the players, making them believe she has their best interests at heart. In the meantime, Jacob expresses how he never expected the competition to be so emotional. He recalls the last Drinking Challenge and feels it has put a target on his back. He approaches Frank, Bryan, and Alyssa to have people by his side and reduce risk. Upon asking, Frank reveals that although he likes the Pastor as a person, he cannot trust him because he is a fierce competitor. When Alyssa points out how she felt misjudged by him based on her profession, Jacob clarifies that it is not the case. He informs her that he defended her as a professional during the first dinner, where Kailee made discouraging comments about their profession.
When Jacob adds that everyone should be respected regardless of their profession, Alyssa gets emotional and expresses her appreciation. In his confessional, Frank states that although he doesn’t trust him completely, he realizes the Pastor has a good heart, which is quite rare. The energy shifts in the house as Alyssa discovers a note informing the players of the next challenge. As they arrive at the location, they are welcomed by the host, Jim Jefferies. Jacob notes that he is going to bring his competitive spirit and hope for divine intervention to win the game. Jim then announces that the players are going to compete in the challenge, but not alone. They have to work with a partner under extreme pressure, which is going to pave the road to the first-ever double-snake.
Chaos Erupts as Cockroaches Rain Down During the Puzzle-Making Challenge
Each player and their partner must put their heads on opposite sides of the boxes kept before them and work together to replicate a puzzle. One of them is going to have the answer key and has to provide the other verbal instructions. The first person to correctly replicate the puzzle is going to win. However, there is a twist: each pair is going to share the box with thousands of cockroaches being dumped on their heads. Jim then decides on the team formation by drawing names from a lot. While the first team contains MacLaine and Jacob, the second team has Brett and Christine. The third team contains Jack and Devonte, with Jordan and Kethryn in the fourth. Team 5 comprises Bryan and Frank, Team 6 has Amanda and Cody, and last but not least, Team 7 has Derek and Alyssa.
As the competitors put their heads through the fabric, the cockroaches are loaded on them. The chaos quickly ensues, but Amanda is not too bothered by the cockroaches. However, Cody becomes so afraid that he ends up quitting, leading to his and Amanda’s disqualification. While the former feels it is the most insane thing he has ever done, Amanda is shocked that the bull rider is afraid of the bugs. While Alyssa and Derek can be seen making progress, Frank gets too unnerved to continue and quits the game. This also disqualifies Bryan as his partner. In the meantime, Jacob and MacLaine have managed to match seven tiles, with only nine more left. The former is trying to stay calm and provide the right direction. Meanwhile, Christine is absolutely scared and even wants to let go.
However, Brett tries his best to keep Christine calm. Despite Christine’s fear, she decides to continue. Jim observes that Alyssa is very calm, considering the situation. This is when she reveals that her competitors have underestimated her when, in turn, she went to college for Chemical Engineering and loves puzzles. Although MacLaine and Jacob are in the lead with 11 tiles already set and only five remaining, the former is getting increasingly afraid. Meanwhile, Jack and Devonte are also closing in on their competitors. Derek is quite determined to win since he has a target on his back. Although Jack and Devonte pull ahead by one tile, they fail to win as Jacob and MacLaine finish theirs right before the former pair, winning the round.
Jacob and MacLaine Can Feel the Pressure of Being the Double-Headed Snake
As Jacob and MacLaine become the Double-Headed Snake, Brett remarks that this is the worst-case scenario. In his confessional, Jacob states how he has gone from being powerless to being powerful, dramatically changing the circumstances. Jim then breaks the news that it means there is going to be a double elimination, where the pair is going to agree and choose who to send home and who to keep. When the competitors arrive at the house, Jack congratulates Jacob on the win. The focus then shifts to Cody, who is speaking alone with Christine. He informs her that the cockroaches scared him and that he was the first to quit. He also reveals that he is glad the production team found her. Meanwhile, Jacob and Christine arrive at the Snake Lair to discuss their strategy.
After getting their trust set, Jacob informs her that Brett has been primarily driving the target against him. Hence, he wants Brett and Devonte to be eliminated. However, his partner feels it is going to be a hard thing to do. MacLaine wants Derek to be the one to bid goodbye and explains how she doesn’t feel he has their backs like they think. Kethryn and Devonte are conversing on the side, where the former expresses that she is stressed about the challenge because she has no idea what they are going to do. In her confessional, she notes that Jack and MacLaine have a close relationship, but the former may be playing the latter because he knows she is not a very strategic player. Devonte observes that if MacLaine picks someone else from the other group first, he may be going home. Hence, he feels their fate is in MacLaine’s hands.
In the meantime, Jack pulls MacLaine aside for a conversation. While the latter divulges that she doesn’t have a problem managing her game and emotional relationship side by side, it may become a conflict later. She further adds that if the time comes to choose one over the other, she doesn’t know what to do. When Jack asks her about her and her partner’s discussion, she opens up before him about trying to make Jacob pick Jack. The latter quickly notes that he cannot betray her by picking Brett in this case. He realizes that his and MacLaine’s connection is quite strong, but he worries about deciding between himself, Brett, Kethryn, and Devonte. He further adds that although he loves them, everyone is looking out for themselves. As another morning approaches, MacLaine is feeling good about her position.
Secret Pacts and Risky Plays Threaten to Unravel the Game
Despite the good sides, MacLaine observes that being a Double-Headed Snake has led to compromise, and they cannot use their power as they want. Similarly, Jacob is also contemplating how to use his new power to aid his mission. Meanwhile, Jake decides to speak to the Pastor before MacLaine to ensure he is not manipulating her while going into the Saving Ceremony. At the Snake’s Lair, Jacob secretly proposes a new pact to Jack since he doesn’t feel he and his partner are on the same page. He truthfully reveals that one among Jack, Devonte, and Brett has to go home from his strategic viewpoint. This baffles Jack because the Pastor is telling his enemy about his plan. MacLaine enters the room soon after, and Jacob fills her in on the new pact. She explains how he can pick Amanda, who can then choose Jack.
Jacob agrees and adds that they can also add Devonte to the chain because he no longer perceives him as a threat. Jack quickly suggests that he can pick Devonte, and the latter can choose Derek, leaving Brett stranded. He later discloses that he is using this opportunity, where Jacob fails to see the mistake he is making by telling the enemy his plans. However, the latter is completely oblivious and hopes that his negotiating skills are going to make his position a success. Jack wastes no time pulling Devonte aside and informing him about the Pastor’s pact. Devonte acknowledges that he can understand Jacob’s decision to send Brett home because he is a strong competitor. Shortly after, Jacob joins the conversation and tells him to join the pact. However, Devonte is unsure who to save because talking about saving Brett may cause some “bloodshed.”
Jack and Devonte reassure Jacob, saying that at any cost, they want to save themselves. In the meantime, Cody asks Bryan about his biggest heists and is shocked to find that it was the Burlington Robbery, where the latter got $500,000. The latter is determined to shatter his image as a bad person, with him being an ex-convict. In search of a true ally, just like others, Christine approaches Cody, expressing her appreciation for him. The latter remarks that the former is quite intelligent and can mess around with a man’s mind. Jacob then approaches Alyssa and Frank, explaining to them whom to choose in the chain. When Frank questions him if he is confident in it, he acknowledges and adds that if someone doesn’t follow through with the plan, they are declaring open war.
In a House Full of Snakes, Even the Purest Intentions Come With Consequences
Jacob approaches Derek next to inform him about the new pact with Jack. However, the Detective is quite baffled because he wonders why the Pastor trusted Jack. As he listens more to the plan, Derek remarks that Jacob is too trusting and is not used to dealing with devious people. He gets upset that the Pastor did not discuss the plan with him and truthfully mentions before him that he doesn’t trust Jack and Devonte. Jacob then goes to MacLaine about how he has spoken to Devonte, who is going to choose Derek. As everyone begins preparing for the Saving Ceremony, Alyssa notes that she is safe for another week since no one views her as a threat. Amanda can understand that the night’s plan is to push out one of the pros, but she also realizes Jacob has given Jack the position of power. She is eager to see how everything goes.
Devote is ready to make a move to his advantage if he is put in a tough situation. Brett discloses that he knows that Jacob has been communicating with everyone except him. He accepts that it is accepted, but he adds that if he does not go home for this week, he is going to make sure the Pastor does next time. However, Jacob feels that the pact he made is genuine. Christis is afraid because everyone has a pact except her. As she and Cody talk it out, they speak about moving to each other’s place to continue their connection beyond the show. As everyone takes more steps closer to the Ceremony, Jack notes that either their new pact works or everything can blow up in their faces. After reaching the location, Jim announces that Jacob and MacLaine are safe for the night.
Meanwhile, Derek feels that Jack has played Jacob since the latter is too trusting because Devonte is a Poker player, and he cannot be trusted. Jim then explains that both of them are going to pick someone to save, setting a chain reaction until only the final four are left. Among them, only two can be saved, while the other two shall bid goodbye. Jacob goes for his first pick as Amanda, who is curious if Jack or Devonte is going to change sides. She chooses to save Jack, who, in turn, selects Devonte. While Jacob feels that the trust in the pack is coming together, Devonte declares that it is his toughest choice, and the nature of the game forces everything to change every day. After noting that his decision can change the course of the game, he selects Brett. This prompts Derek to remark that he knew this was going to happen.
Betrayal Cuts Deep as Bryan and Cody End up Getting Eliminated
Jacob states that when one is playing a competitive game, there are reasons people deceive and lie. In his confessional, he realizes that in the end, MacLaine is getting what she wants, and he is left with nothing. He then declares that he needs to think about the choices made and wants to adjust. Amanda quickly notes that, as a Lawyer, she saw this chain of events from a mile away. When Brett picks Kethryn after him, she reveals that she is using him, Jack, and Devonte as a human shield to save herself. Her being saved increases Bryan’s confidence since he perceives her as his closest ally. However, he is left dumbfounded when she instead chooses to save Jordan. Kethryn discloses that she is here to play the long game. Furthermore, she doesn’t feel Bryan has a lot of strong relationships in the house.
Hence, Kethryn doesn’t want to be the one to save Bryan every time if he does not want to save himself. While Jordan saves Alyssa, the latter picks Frank. The latter is glad he has a friendship with both sides and feels it is the best strategy in the game, where everyone is a snake. This leaves Derek, Cody, Christine, and Bryan in the bottom four. As Jim asks Jacob and MacLaine to make their final choice, Derek states there are more than two snakes right now. He points out how Devonte is a liar, but the latter divulges that he is not too bothered by it. With MacLaine getting the first pick, she explains how she is choosing this person because she also faced weeks down in the Snake Pit. She further adds how the world needs more women to show how powerful they can be. Hence, she ends up selecting Christine.
Jacob chooses to save Derek, adding how they have formed an incredible connection. This prompts Jack to note that a clear war is now going on. This means that Bryan and Cody are the players to get eliminated. Before his departure, the former points out how he feels betrayed and backstabbed. Kethryn promptly apologizes with tearful eyes, keeping in mind her 12th strategy to act affected for everyone’s exit, whom she does not care about. In his exit interview, Cody adds that he may not have been as smooth as he wanted. However, he wants his and Christine’s bond after the show. The latter is quite upset because she feels he was the only one who genuinely smiled at her and decides to finally lock in. As the episode comes to an end, Derek remarks that someone needs to send Jack, Brett, and Devonte back home.
Read More: The Snake Premiere Recap: Who Can You Trust?
