American Grit Season 1 Episode 5: Double Time

Olugbenro Ogunsemore/FOX

Team Noah’s winning streak came to an end last night on American Grit.

Survival was the key to the Evolution this week, which took place on a World War II training ground. Once the sound of the horn went off, the competitors were tasked with building a shelter, purifying water and making a fire. The curveball was to decide whether they wanted to take the shorter or longer route to materials to complete each of the objectives. The lesser distance means a harder way to accomplish the same result.

Olugbenro Ogunsemore/FOX
Olugbenro Ogunsemore/FOX

Team Nick scored its first victory by going against the grain and choosing the longer distance for the water portion. This move put them ahead of Team Noah right at the end. It became a matter of pouring the water into a container as opposed having to use sand, pebbles and a sock to finish the task.

Rorke was not happy with his blue team’s failure to follow his advice in choosing the similar path. His frustrations permeated through members of his group. Goldie gets the blame from her teammates, specifically Mario insinuating she wasn’t giving her all during the Evolution. Goldie wanted no more of the argument, leaving the room and slamming the door. Coach and team appear to be on a different page at the moment.

Team Nick enjoyed the reward for their winning efforts, which was, of course, enjoying a meal and some drinks with host John Cena. Pro wrestler Cam clearly relished hanging out with the popular WWE superstar. In his eyes, they are now best friends. Interestingly enough, Cena chose a glass of wine over the beer that was also on tap. Somewhere his girlfriend, Nikki Bella, is pleased.

American Grit
Olugbenro Ogunsemore/FOX

Elsewhere, the other teams decided who was going to enter the Circus. Surprisingly, Rorke didn’t go with Goldie and instead went with Mario. Since Team Tee is a duo, it was Tony’s turn. Lisa was picked as the first member of Team Noah to enter the ultimate obstacle course. The Endurance platform after the Circus was Double Time.

The three competitors had to go through cycles of running down a lane to touch a log and returning back to the starting point. The clock started at 20 seconds and decreased over time. Mario finished the Circus first, followed by Tony and then Lisa. Given his football and athletic background, I was actually surprised Tony wasn’t better conditioned.

American Grit on Fox
Olugbenro Ogunsemore/FOX

Lisa, the mom, fought valiantly. However, with one second going to zero, she failed to make it in time and had to ring out. Lisa lacked confidence prior to the Circus, but the fellow female competitors gave her a boast. It was nice to see that even with all the money on the line, the #GirlsoftheGrit are supporting one another. And with a chink in the armor of Team Noah, the game has become more of a level playing field.

  • Watch “American Grit” Tuesdays at 9/8CT on Fox.
  • Follow me on Twitter @smFISHMAN.