'You cost us first place!' Team breakups, makeups and a showmance in Drumheller, Alberta
We recap the best moments from Episode 3 of Canada’s Ultimate Challenge Season 3
Only four teams remained as Canada's Ultimate Challenge arrived in prehistoric Drumheller, Alta. Located in the heart of the Canadian Badlands, this eerie and otherworldly landscape features multi-hued canyons and wind-sculpted hoodoos and is home to the world's largest deposits of dinosaur bones.
This epic environment set the stage for another mammoth clash — and an earth-shattering twist.
What went down on Episode 3 of Canada's Ultimate Challenge, Season 3
The first order of business was selecting new team captains. Things got a little heated on Team Blue when Aaron nominated McKiya. Mariam wanted the job but was quickly shut down by Aaron and the rest of the team.
This only worsened the growing rift, as Aaron had no time for Mariam's disappointment: "That's passive-aggressive bullshit," said Aaron, "if you're going to act like that, go home." Well, if you wish it…
From there, the teams got down-and-dirty in the next challenge, The Ultimate Dinosaur Dig. Teams had to assemble a giant 3D dinosaur skeleton from 15 colour-coded pieces scattered across the rugged landscape. Four were hidden in the surrounding hills with the rest submerged in nearby mud pits.
Team Green started strong with a slight lead. Captain Gabriel instructed Steve to stay at the top of the hill to monitor how many pieces the team had uncovered, but Steve ran into the game to help lift the heavy pieces to the top of the hill instead. As a result, they lost a few seconds of precious time.
Team Yellow was the first to hit the cold and mucky mud pits, with Teams Green and Blue close behind. Meanwhile, Team Red searched the hills for their last missing piece.
While Team Blue's Aaron and Mariam bickered over the placement of the tail (turns out Aaron was right this time), it was a mad dash to the finish with Yellow only just edging Green out of the top spot. Team Red placed last and was at the bottom of the leaderboard for the first time.
Then a shocker! Brandon announced that it was time for the Knockout Shuffle. Each team would have to cut one player from their ranks. That player would ultimately be drafted to join a new team. While some players were thrilled with their new assignments, others were heartbroken. More details on that hot mess below.
The newly minted teams gathered at the Dinosaur Down Speedway for the Ultimate Prehistoric Relay Race. It was a hot day in Drumheller — 32 degrees! — and this challenge was a tall order. Each team member had to do four laps around a 600-metre track, the first rolling a 100-pound boulder, the next carrying a 40-pound club, the next pushing a wheelbarrow — loaded with 140 pounds of rock — and ending with a mad sprint to the finish.
This was Mariam's first challenge with Team Red and she seemed happy with the new team: "They've got my back and I've got theirs, too!" Things were looking up!
Keenan quickly took a solid lead for Team Red followed by Green and Blue. Steve struggled in last place for Team Yellow, after rolling his boulder through a puddle of mud. Not a great start.
Then, a problem. As Team Green and Team Blue battled it out for second place, Steph (now a member of Team Green) fell to the ground as she pushed the wheelbarrow. Medics put a temporary stop to the challenge and rushed over to discover that she'd collapsed from dehydration. "I realize that she's not getting back up," says teammate Veronica, "and my heart just breaks." Team captain Gabriel felt that he might have put too much pressure on Steph to perform, risking her health.
Unfortunately, this left Team Green with a DNF (did not finish) and zero points. When the race resumed, Santina used Red's massive lead to breeze over the finish line first. Back on top, Team Red!
Up next, big sky country, Saskatoon!
Best line of the episode
Finally, some good news: "We were the second team to finish this challenge and it feels pretty good. We celebrate as if we were first."
Team Green's Ashlyn was pretty stoked about their second-place finish in the Ultimate Dinosaur Dig. Finally, the team was working together. But not for long.
Coach Gabriel pulled Steve aside and in a few words, pinned the loss of first place on him. "We had a plan, you didn't listen to it and you cost us first place," he said. "Teamwork and communication is really important." After his amazing effort in Vancouver's solo sky hang, Steve felt Gabe's anger was unfair.
Moment that changed the game
Brandon gathered all four team coaches for a bombshell announcement. It was time for the Knockout Shuffle and they would have to cut a member from their own team. "This is a very hard decision," says Eddie, "I wish I wasn't in this position."
The four remaining teams were reconfigured, as Mariam, Gracia, Steph and Steve were selected by new teams. Some of the players were devastated. Steve, likely still smarting from Gabriel's reprimand, announced, "I'm up for grabs. You want to win, pick me. I'll take you to the top."
Mariam was thrilled to be selected in the draft by Team Red (and away from the toxic dynamic with teammate Aaron), Gracia was decidedly not thrilled to be chosen by Team Blue (she had a proper sulk about it), Steph was now on Team Green and Steve seemed happy to land on Team Yellow.
MVP(s) of Episode 3: Aaron, McKiya and Tulio from Team Blue
The brutally hot day in Drumheller, Alberta had already claimed one causality as all the players battled through the gruelling slog four times around a 600-metre track for each team member. "The toughest part of this challenge is by far the heat. It's about 30 degrees out here. Sweat's getting into my eyes," says Keenan.
Gracia had been furious leaving Team Yellow after the Knockout Shuffle, and was quick to blame Team Blue for ripping her away from her friends. "I'm devastated," she said after the cut, "Team Yellow is the best team so wherever I end up, I'm downgrading." And there she was in last place, doing her final lap around the track.
Team Blue rallied for their new teammate. "We're doing this one with you. Us together, one team. Let's go," said Aaron as he and the rest of Team Blue joined her in a show of support and sportsmanship. And that's all it took to win Gracia's allegiance to her new team.
"Aaron, Mckyia and Tulio joining me for my last lap makes me feel emotional," says Gracia, "Blue's my new family and I love them!" That's how you welcome a new team member!
Most caption-worthy photo
Where to watch Canada's Ultimate Challenge
Catch all the action on Canada's Ultimate Challenge, now streaming free on CBC Gem.
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