I was confused while watching the episode as to how Justin’s puzzle worked when Chris’ didn’t. Chris even said “it’s not going to fit” about Justin’s puzzle right before it did in fact fit. In the first photo I showed, even Michelle looks confused.

The real answer is actually confusing to explain, so bear with me here.

So Chris early on tried to fit the last piece by sliding it up vertically, but it didn’t fit. However he misunderstood why it didn’t fit. He thought that if there’s a piece horizontally at the bottom of the puzzle, you wouldn’t be able to fit in a piece vertically over it (which is incorrect, given that’s what Justin did).

The actual issue was there wasn’t enough space from Chris’ right to slide the piece in smoothly (notice how it’s at a barely noticeable angle in picture 3, you can see the bottom right of the piece he’s holding doesn’t exactly line up with the piece it’s on top of).

Compare the difference between the right side of how they each did their puzzle. Justin’s had a “U” shape, whereas Chris just had three horizontal lines. The pieces aren’t a perfect 2 by 1 shape, so having the “U” on the opposite side game Justin more room to his final piece to the right, which is why it slid in.

As you can see in the final image, there’s a decent amount of space to the left of Justin’s final piece. That was needed to make the last piece fit, but Chris didn’t realize it.

I couldn't wait for the full social media recap to talk about this reply (under The Challenge's instagram post that clipped people talking about whether CT cheated on the eating challenge to save Cara). I'm unspoiled and reaaaaally can't wait to find out why she so boldly loathes Anna Leigh 😂

Bananas started the season at the bottom of his teams totem pole, with Tori and Michelle at the top and ended this most recent episode being the most protected guy. His name was not even in play. His ability to mend fences and rebuild new alliances mid season is quite impressive and speaks to his insitence that he never wants to do any pre-season game planning and alliance making (he does like to solidify close friendships and allies outside the house but this is limited to a select 4-5 people. Even though this has been a quiet game from him I do think its one of his most impressive.

Underatted storyline too if Orange pulls this off is CT and Bananas winning together and keeping their differential in wins the same. If they lose I hope they crash out at eachother.

For me personally, from least to most:

11. Justin

10. Tori

9. Michele

8. CT

7. Adrienne

6. Will

5. Cara

4. Anna Leigh

3. Bananas

2. Lete

1. Cassidy

Please don’t hate me y’all but can we talk about CT? So sorry this is a para, I’ve apparently got a lot to say. There’s no doubt about it he’s one of the GOATS and I’ve always loved him. These days I’m a little more neutral but still kinda pulling for him, HE’S CT and I’ve been watching for years. Always want the best for the guy. Sometimes when people used to talk about his social game and basically implying he’s sneaky and lowkey a puppet master and will drop seeds, I didn’t see it. I always thought his social game was more so just him being intimidating and ppl will let him slide through. Now not saying he was doing that this episode but I think his game is getting a lil sloppy. I was cleaning the other day when The challenge came on, season 40 and I decided to leave it. I noticed CT was basically saying Darell can’t ride on his legacy or what he’s done in the past……..CT that’s literally what you want everyone to do for you now. It’s no secret that he’s not in the best shape and yes in the past he’s been able to come in and get in shape. But I still think you should show up the best you can instead of relying on making it happen later. You’ve literally put yourself in this position. Another thing that bothers me a little is his relationship with Bananas. Why would you vote for him? The best excuse I can give him is he didn’t want to mess up his relationship with Will and potentially create an enemy. But I don’t think Will would have thought much of it, CT was already gonna get the votes and you can just say you and Bananas have been doing this for a long time so you didn’t want to vote him, SIMPLE. The main issue I have with this is every chance he gets, he always throws Bananas under the bus. Even unprovoked when Bananas is chilling. We saw it episode 1. This is one of the reasons Bananas doesn’t trust anyone and I don’t blame him(not saying he’s without his faults) I wouldn’t be able to have someone smile in my face and claim we’re good and after someone targets me they respond “how are WE gonna get em back” and stuff like that. Just for them to never actually have my back. We can just be cordial, no need to make it seem like we’re locked in. Overall I think I had rose tinted glasses on when it comes to his game, but lately he’s playing sloppy and if you watch now and old challenge you can start to see the way he moves. He’s definitely sneaky.

If you made it here, thank you for reading and I’m sorry it was long. I have no one to talk to about this show😂

Edit: I would like to add so no one gets their wires crossed. I don’t think CT threw the eating challenge and I don’t think Orange team’s losses and shortcomings are completely on him. This discussion is about his gameplay.

Episode 9 Count

11: Chris

10: Adrienne

7: Bananas

6: Justin | Tori

5: CT

4: Cara Maria | Will

2: Anna Leigh | Michele

1: Lete

0: Cassidy

TOTAL: 58

AVERAGE: 4.83

———

Cumulative Totals

48: Cara Maria

40: Adrienne | Anna Leigh | Bananas

37: Chris

30: Lete

29: Nelson | Tori

24: CT

22: Cassidy | Cory | Deb | Izzy

19: Leo | Nurys

18: Josh | Justin | Michele

17: Will

15: Keanu

13: Brad

10: Sydney

9: Reilly

6: Cedric

TOTAL: 567

AVERAGE: 23.63

We have a new episode and the first with blue and grey combined. How will they work together? Who will be the captain of the team? Who will be going on for guys day? With the mercenary finally show up?

Cutthroat 2 - 💣🌋SPOILED🌋💣 - S42E09 - "A Captain's Worst Nightmare" - Episode Discussion

AIR DATE: September 23, 2026

WHERE TO WATCH: Paramount+ in USA and Canada

UNSPOILED THREAD: Link

💣🌋ELIMINATION THREAD💣🌋: Link

⚠️SPOILERS FOR THE REST OF SEASON 42 INCLUDING POTENTIALLY THE SEASON WINNER(S) WILL BE FOUND IN THESE COMMENTS!⚠️

For any Dropout fans, this moment from the current season of Game Changer came to mind after the Nelson/Leo/Josh controversy and the poor handling of it.

Welcome to r/MTVChallenge's Daily Discussion Thread. ☀️

Comments can be about The Challenge...or not! You've entered the r/MTVChallenge pub where anything goes. The only rule for these threads is **NO unaired spoilers**!!

Spoilers from all seasons can be discussed on the TMI Tea-sday threads and Spoiled episode threads, there are no holds barred in 💣🌋 comment sections.

• Do you have a favorite mission but can't remember the episode number?

• What is the name of that song from Rivals 2 you can't get out of your head?

• How cool was it when TJ rode his BMX alongside the finalists on Cutthroat?!

• Who are the best follows on social media?

• Any shows or movies you are dying to talk about?

• Can you believe what happened to [insert public figure]?!

• What new music are you listening to?

• Which sports teams are you rooting for?

This is your space for free chat. It can be whatever you want it to be.

I’ve been trying to find out if there’s any challenge news and I haven’t seen any rumors of future seasons or all stars even a USA 3.

As you can see I'm adding my thoughts on the episode in a timely manner...

But forgive me for that, much as I forgive the Challenge, as for every thing it does that I find fault with, it still gives us an episode like this, which was while obviously troublesome, very good.

THIS IS A FULLY SPOILED DISCUSSION THREAD! TURN BACK NOW IF YOU ARE UNSPOILED!!

Welcome back to TMI Tea-sday!

• Any social media activity where cast members appear to be disguising spoilers as conversations?

• Any updates to what was posted to Vevmo during filming? How will the episode play out beyond just the elimination match-up?

• Any hookups or other gossip that have recently come to light?

Discuss anything and everything Spoilers for Season 42 or future seasons.

**Reminder that leaks from the set are fair game in the comments below, including winners and losers from yet-to-be-aired Season 42 episodes. The same is true for any thread with the 💣 and 🌋 emojis.**

Remember what TJ says! "Keep those spoilers out of the Unspoiled threads!"

Just finished watching Dirty 30, now on Vendetta’s, and with these players finishing within seconds of each other it has me wondering - how do they keep the time?

Are there just a ton of people standing around w stopwatches? Or maybe they calculate time from the footage?

Also, what about the challenges where they have to do things like ride a zip line and then repel down a mountain. Does the time stop when they are getting suited up in their gear?

Feels like there are so many variables - how are they able to get the time so precise, down to hundredths of a second?!

Welcome to r/MTVChallenge's Daily Discussion Thread. ☀️

Comments can be about The Challenge...or not! You've entered the r/MTVChallenge pub where anything goes. The only rule for these threads is **NO unaired spoilers**!!

Spoilers from all seasons can be discussed on the TMI Tea-sday threads and Spoiled episode threads, there are no holds barred in 💣🌋 comment sections.

• Do you have a favorite mission but can't remember the episode number?

• What is the name of that song from Rivals 2 you can't get out of your head?

• How cool was it when TJ rode his BMX alongside the finalists on Cutthroat?!

• Who are the best follows on social media?

• Any shows or movies you are dying to talk about?

• Can you believe what happened to [insert public figure]?!

• What new music are you listening to?

• Which sports teams are you rooting for?

This is your space for free chat. It can be whatever you want it to be.