Suvechha Sarkar
Season 1 of Fox’s ‘The Snake‘ is down to its fiercest stage, and the tension has never been higher. Only eight contestants are in the game in episode 9, titled ‘Shocking Behavior.’ Each of them is determined to outsmart and outplay the others. It is the ninth week, and the pressure is quite high since this week’s challenge is not just about strategy and athleticism. It is the ultimate game changer, guaranteeing the players a direct spot in the Finale. With $100,000 hanging in the balance, alliances are being tested, and secrets may be on the verge of exploding.
Personal Revelations Lead to The Silent Enemy Challenge With Literal Shocks
The episode commences with a focus on Derek and Amanda. The former states that they may be in trouble if either of them doesn’t win. The Lawyer quickly adds that she and Maclaine have a good relationship, and now maybe it’s time for her to open up a little more. In her confessional, Amanda reveals that there are several things that she hasn’t shared yet because she didn’t want to gain sympathy for her personal experiences. Although she is going to put effort into the game, she has to do some background work to remain here. Shortly after, she discloses to Maclaine that twice a month, she volunteers at a human trafficking shelter because she was almost kidnapped when she was nine in the Philippines. Maclaine appreciates Amanda sharing this with her because she wants to have someone honest on her side.
Maclaine also feels her bond with Amanda has improved, and the latter will push her to do better. The note from the host, Jim Jefferies, finally arrives, revealing that the next challenge is going to recharge them for the Finale. Alongside it, a box has also arrived from John, which contains an advantage for Frank. As the players arrive at the location, Jim welcomes them and announces that this is the last week before the Finale. He then surprises everyone with not just one but two Snake Medallions, revealing that it is going to be the week of a Double-headed Snake and Double elimination. Today’s challenge is named The Silent Enemy: The players will be standing at one of the podiums before them, blindfolded, and wearing a shock collar kept before them.
The collars will be wired to a control panel and send electric shocks when activated. The crate before Jim contains tiles with each of their names. When instructed, the picked player has to open their blindfold and indicate who they want to shock. Then the shocked player has to guess who targeted them correctly. If the guess is correct, the player who shocked them is going to be eliminated from the challenge. If they fail, they themselves will be eliminated. The game shall continue until only two players are left, who will become the Double-headed Snake. Although Derek is excited about the challenge, Maclaine tells Jack that hurting someone goes against her soul. So, Jack reassures her that he can play for both of them if she doesn’t want to do it.
The Challenge Ends With Brett and Jordan Becoming the Double-headed Snake
Frank notes that if he hurts someone for money, it can disgrace his mother. So, when he respectfully withdraws from the challenge, Jim informs him that he is giving up on the advantage he received from John and a chance to get an automatic spot in the Finale. While Brett feels it’s not a good decision for Frank to give away the advantage, Jack feels this decision increases his chance of being the Snake. However, Frank is adamant that he has to do what’s best for him, even if he loses the prize money. Maclaine hopes she is not the first person to hurt anyone, which can help her be eliminated first and be done with this. She prays for guidance to navigate it because it feels unnatural. When Jim picks the first tile, it bears Maclaine’s name on it. The host cautions that the player who receives a tap on the shoulder from him has to be quiet.
Maclaine chooses to shock Derek, and when everyone pulls their blindfolds off, he quickly identifies the person as her because of her emotional reaction. Maclaine apologizes and explains that she chose him because she thought he could handle it. However, she is now eliminated from the challenge. For the next round, Jim picks the tile with Derek’s name on it. He decides to shock Jack since his girlfriend came for him. When Jack wrongly guesses it to be Alyssa, thinking she chose him for previously eliminating one of her closest allies, John, he gets eliminated. Next up is Brett’s turn, who unhesitatingly shocks Amanda because she is a formidable competitor. Amanda fails to guess under stress correctly and takes Alyssa’s name, which eliminates the former.
Next up is Jordan, who picks Derek to be shocked since he has been a threat to her the whole game. Although the Detective observes that Brett wouldn’t hurt him, Jordan would. However, when he sees Alyssa crying, he wrongly guesses Alyssa’s name against his intuition, leading to his elimination. In her confessional, Alyssa states that everyone thought she shocked them when, in fact, she was just nervous. The challenge has now come down to Brett, Alyssa, and Jordan. For the final round, Jim picks Alyssa’s tile, and she shocks Brett. When he successfully identifies her, she ultimately gets eliminated, making Brett and Jordan the Double-headed Snake. Amanda reveals that when she was shocked, she first felt angry, but later decided that showing sadness was the best strategy. Since she can be in the bottom four in the upcoming Saving Ceremony, she will channel her rage into sympathy to play the emotional contestants.
Amanda Plays the Sympathy Card While the Snakes Scheme Their Next Move
Once everyone returns to the house, Amanda tells Maclaine and Jordan about her suspicions that Brett or Derek is the one who shocked her. Brett admits it before Jack, adding that it was a hard decision. However, Derek feels the boys are “stupid” because he thought they would never choose to shock a girl since it hurts. On the other hand, Alyssa is facing a hard time because everyone presumed she had shocked them when she was actually shaking and was afraid of making eye contact. She also feels bad for Amanda, who can be seen speaking with Maclaine with tearful eyes. In her confessional, the Lawyer discloses that tonight, she gained a lot of sympathy from Jordan and Maclaine because no one expected Brett to shock a girl. She knew she needed to be sad because she is not the Snake.
Brett understands that Amanda is upset, so he speaks to her to clarify that it’s just a game and that he has nothing but respect for her. He apologizes to her and reassures her that she is not going to be the one to leave in the next Saving Ceremony. He calls her brilliant and says he would take it back if possible. However, he is unaware that Amanda feels she has played him completely. The focus then shifts to the Snake Lair, where Jordan and Brett discuss who they want to save. The former proposes that it makes sense if they save two people each of their choice, and whoever is left will go home. She needs Brett to let her pick first because she doesn’t want to get blindsided. Meanwhile, Maclaine and John are spending time alone. She notes that she feels closer to him than anyone for a long time.
Maclaine is nervous because she and Jack have spoken about meeting outside to determine whether it is a real connection. As the next morning rolls around, Jordan tells Alyssa and Frank that they are her first choice. However, she doesn’t trust Brett’s people to pick her people. Jordan asks Frank for his word to say to Brett that he is going to choose whoever the other Snake wants. Although Frank is not happy about it, he agrees to do so to save Alyssa. However, Brett is planning to convince Jordan that Derek is going to choose Frank, when actually the Detective will save Jack. In this case, there will be four people in the pit, so Jordan can only choose Frank or Alyssa. Brett feels this is going to help him do what is necessary to split the Hairdresser and the OnlyFans Creator.
Secret Deals Force the Snakes to Clash Over Strategy Before the Saving Ceremony
Derek thinks he has to win over Jordan and decides to speak to her. He wants to get into her head and play on her emotions to put him first instead of Frank. Derek plans to use Brett and Jordan’s agreement to choose him, and then he can flip the game and select Amanda, unlike what the Snakes want. Although Jordan trusts the Detective, she has promised Frank and Alyssa to save them. However, she feels that if Frank chooses Alyssa instead of Derek, her plan can blow up in her face. Upon asking, Derek also reassures her that if it comes down to choosing Frank, he is going to do so because his end goal is to continue competing. On the other hand, Brett informs Jack and Maclaine that Jordan wants to save Frank first, who will select Alyssa no matter what. So, to save them, he has arranged a coup.
Brett explains that he has chosen someone neutral, like Derek, to save them. In the Snake Lair, Jordan explains to Derek in the presence of Frank and Alyssa that if she selects Frank first, he is going to save him. When the Detective points out that it may cause problems with Brett, the latter enters the room. However, the Boxer quickly points out to Jordan that any plans about the Saving Ceremony should be discussed between just him and Jordan and not before anyone else. Once everyone goes out, Jordan tells Brett that she thinks if Derek is chosen first, he will save Amanda, and the two people she wants to save will go home. Brett feels that as long as Jack and Derek are saved, he doesn’t care who is in the competition anymore. He reveals that in the ceremony tonight, he can either go with what Jordan says or ask her to stay out of it.
As everyone prepares for the Saving Ceremony, Alyssa observes that she will be devastated if Jordan sends her home. Maclaine is nervous about going home and leaving Jack behind after spending so much time together. Amanda thinks she has fooled everyone into thinking she is upset about Brett shocking her. She hopes the Double-headed Snake picks Derek or her at the start, which can be Brett’s way of making it up to her for the previous night. Once everyone arrives at the Snake Pit, Brett and Jordan take their place beside Jim. Jordan is adamant about not giving up her decision and has her feet on the ground. She first saves Frank, but the decision makes Brett nervous. Frank then saves Derek, remarking he is a man of his word. However, the Hairdresser is anxious about it because the Detective can select Amanda, which can harm his game.
Some Honorable Choices Lead to Amanda and Maclaine’s Elimination
Once Derek takes his position, Jim reveals he is in a significant place. When three players remain after Derek’s pick tonight, they must plead their case before the Double-headed Snake. Both Brett and Jordan must agree to save one of them and send the other two home. Amanda feels this shouldn’t be a hard decision for Derek to pick her because they have been by each other’s side from the beginning. Derek analyses that Frank gave his word and followed through by choosing him. So, his decision must be wise because he doesn’t want to cross the wrong person, or it can hurt his game. Derek declares that his daughter is going to want him to do the honorable thing and stay true to his words. Hence, he saves Jack, which leaves Amanda feeling shocked and blindsided. This leaves her, Maclaine, and Alyssa in the bottom three.
When it’s time for each to plead their case, Alyssa states she has changed everyone’s perception of an OnlyFans Creator after coming to the competition. Besides being pretty, she is intelligent, courageous, and competitive. Although she may use the money to fix her hair and pay off student loans, she deserves it because she has come this far as a brave person. Amanda states that both Jordan and Brett have learned in the game that she is a goofy girl, a fierce competitor, and a trusted friend, besides being a Lawyer. She continues that if they want a fierce competitor with them and win the prize against someone who has been true the entire game, then they should save her. However, Alyssa quickly states that Amanda hasn’t been truthful the whole time, especially about her actions in the house. When she insists she has been honest, Jack points out that she lied to Devonte.
Derek quickly defends Amanda, saying that many were dishonest in the house, and she is just playing the game. He feels she is a great person, and no one should say anything negative about her. Maclaine lays out her heart, opening up that although she is a Cheerleader, she has to work four different jobs to live. Her mother has sold many things to support her, and she wants the money to uplift her. She adds that she is an athlete, and if they want to beat the best, they should beat the professional. Brett and Jordan deliberate who to save, and the latter remarks that she wants someone she can rely upon. Ultimately, Jordan saves Alyssa, which means Amanda and Maclaine are eliminated. The players moving on to the Finale are Jordan, Brett, Derek, Frank, Alyssa, and Jack. In her exit interview, Maclaine expresses that her relationship with Jack greatly helped her in the game. Although she didn’t win the $100,000, she at least has a boyfriend.
Read More: The Snake Episode 8 Recap: Secret Snake
