Road Trip: All-Stars

Road Trip: All-Stars is the sixth season of the travel reality competition show devised by SJ productions. The show follows a group of individuals travelling around in a select number of recreational vehicles (RVs) from a starting point to a finishing point across a predetermined route. At each city/town pit-stop, the group compete in either an individual or team-based immunity challenge to win the role of 'tour leader'. The worst performing individual in each challenge is put up for 'repatriation', along with another individual of the tour leader's choosing. Everyone other than the three stated cast a vote in the deliberation for who they wish to repatriate, with the individual receiving the most votes kicked-off the road trip. When only two road trippers remain, a jury consisting of the last seven eliminated players vote for who they wish to win the £50,000 prize. The series is hosted by Big Brother UK alumni Lincoln Mackenzie (Season 1 & All-Stars) and Sinead McGrath (Season 2 & All-Stars).

The season was the first to feature returning players (All-Stars), in which fourteen of the most memorable players from the previous five seasons returned for a second shot at the £50,000 prize.

This season began in Paris, France and ended in Innsbruck, Austria. The tour featured 13 cities and 10 countries within Europe. The winner of the season was Montana Lippmann (Western Europe), defeating Jamari Allen (The Caribbean) in a 4-3 vote to become Champion of the Road Trip.

Voting History
Key
 * This person won the challenge and became the tour leader.
 * This person was safe during the episode and cast a vote for who to eliminate.
 * This person was safe during the episode but did not cast a vote for who to eliminate.
 * This person finished last in the challenge and was therefore automatically nominated for repatriation and remained on the road trip.
 * This person was nominated by the tour leader for repatriation and remained on the road trip.
 * This person finished last in the daily challenge and ultimately eliminated in the repatriation vote.
 * This person was nominated by the tour leader and ultimately eliminated in the repatriation vote.

Game Summary
^¹ Group 1 was picked by team captain Montana. She selected Michael, Brandon and Ocean.

^² Group 2 was picked by team captain Maranda. She selected Jamari, Bao and Luke.

Episode #1 - Retourner
At nightfall, under the illuminated Arc de Triomphe, fourteen returning All-Stars return to have a second shot at becoming Champion of the Road Trip. The returning players applaud Lincoln and Sinead as they walk in, welcoming everybody to the very first All-Star edition of Road Trip. Sinead explains that all fourteen of them are regarded to have been amongst the most memorable and successful players in the shows history who failed to claim victory on their first season, and that given the calibre of players that she hopes to see the most competitive season yet. Lincoln reminds everybody that whilst this is a brand new season, that past relationships will almost definitely play a role; coming back to help or haunt them. All fourteen are told that they'll have the evening free to explore Paris, reconvene with old faces whilst getting to know new ones. The All-Stars agree to head as one big group through central Paris, checking out night-sights before settling on a location to get their first group meal. Knowing that the game has almost certainly begun, Brandon begins socialising with each and every member of the group (either individually or as part of larger conversations). He claims in his confessional that this is to present himself as a trustworthy and approachable player, rightfully believing it will help him avoid being an easy target for anyone at this early stage of the game. At the back of the group, Michael stands between Ocean and Rain as the three of them continue their introductory conversation. Michael jokes to both ladies that he's excited to meet the "villains of Road Trip", poking fun at the negative perceptions both girls picked up during their respective seasons. Despite both girls joking along, they reject the idea that they are 'villains', instead seeing themselves as "honest people". Michael informs them both to own the title, claiming that he too was regarded as 'deceptive' due to being instrumental in shifting the game during Western Europe, insinuating that "the 'baddies' have to look out for each other". In a confessional, Michael claims that although he's happy to work with anyone, he needs to be careful to avoid "unstable players", claiming that Ocean or Rain could be Siobhan 2.0 and end his game.

At a local restaurant, the fourteen players continue getting to know one another in good spirits over food and drinks. Chilean Adventure players Bao and Lucy both appear deep in conversation after several alcoholic drinks, holding hands and telling the other that their bad blood is firmly 'in the past', and that they need to make-up and not simply target each other this time around. As the restaurant begins to close, the group break apart, with some choosing to head back to the hotel and rest, and others instead further exploring Parisian nightlife. Bao, Jamari and Maranda sit together besides the Seine River, talking about their hopes and fears for this upcoming season. Both girls are eager to hear about Jamari's past in the game, in particular his ejection (currently the only instance of this occurring in Road Trip history). Jamari admits he is ashamed of holding this distinction, hoping that being on All-Stars will show everybody the capability he truly has as a player. Maranda jokes that this time she doesn't want any "boy distractions", claiming that whilst a showmance with Western Europe Champion Austin was fun at the time, that "the prize money will be more fun" to win this time around. Bao agrees with this sentiment, claiming that she felt blinded by friendship (and a crush) on Chilean Adventure Champion CJ, and didn't play enough to ensure her own victory. The trio eventually head back to the hotel, making an agreement to not leave All-Stars with any regrets. In the hotel, Ocean and Montana sit in their bedroom after pairing up for the night. Ocean jokes that they're "the two glamazons" of the competition, making Montana laugh after they joke due to their average height of six-foot that they can 'share clothes'.

On the morning of day two, the fourteen contestants are given a quick breakfast before being escorted to their first daily challenge, finding themselves at the base of the Eiffel Tower. Lincoln and Sinead welcome the group to the challenge, explaining that this first challenge will test their endurance as well as their puzzle skills. Each player will be given a slide puzzle, putting it together which will then uncover a famous Parisian landmark (circled in red). After completing their slide puzzle, competitors must race up the stairs of the Eiffel Tower to the second floor (totalling 674 steps), and use one of the second-floor sightseeing telescopes to locate said landmark, at which point their time will be taken. In order to alleviate the dangers of fourteen individuals racing on the stairs at the same time, the group has been broken up into three random heats. In heat one, Bettina, Brandon, Ivan, Jacob and Montana compete. Jacob appears to struggle the most with his puzzle out of the group, being the last left completing it as the others already race up the stairs. However, he is able to catch up on the stairs, passing Bettina who is once again struggling with physical competitions, pausing to catch her breath. On the second floor, Ivan is the first to locate the Tour Montparnasse, with Brandon and Montana finishing soon after (with Brandon telling Montana to "follow him" as they ran up the stairs together, showing her the director of the tower). Finishing last, Bettina immediately worries that she could very easily fall into last place overall due to her poor performance. In heat two, Jamari, Lucy, Luke, Ocean and Rain compete. Despite being pitted to dominate the physical portion, Jamari has a horrific time solving his slide puzzle, falling into dead last as the others all finish ahead of him. Luke storms ahead of the three girls on the stairs, finishing in first and confident with his overall performance, joking that this time he "wants the first win". Ocean and Rain are the next two to finish, with Lucy placing fourth and relieved to hear that Jamari is still behind her. After Jamari eventually finishes, he takes a moment alone, clearly holding back tears that his first abysmal performance may turn out to be his last. In the final heat, Bao, Gareth, Maranda and Michael compete. In what turns into the most competitive round yet, Bao, Maranda and Michael all finish their puzzles ahead of Gareth, racing up the stairs in almost perfect unison. Despite being in last, Gareth also puts in a solid performance, trying to ensure that he does better than at least one other competitor to avoid being nominated for repatriation. As the leading trio reach the second floor, Bao races off to find her own telescope, whilst Maranda and Michael race to the same one. In this moment, Michael pushes ahead of Maranda, somewhat knocking her out of his way to cement his place ahead of her in the finishing order. Maranda appears angered by this after she finishes seconds later, not answering him as he puts his arm around her and apologises for his "competitive spirit".

After the competition, the fourteen All-Stars stand together on the second-floor of the Eiffel tower to hear the results from Lincoln and Sinead. Sinead reveals that Michael and Maranda finished in third and fourth place respectively overall, confirming that Bao in fact finished ahead to them to secure second place. However, it is Luke who finished in the quickest time and as a result has won himself safety from the first elimination, as well as an all-expenses getaway to a five-star Parisian hotel for himself and one guest to be enjoyed after the competition. Lincoln then reveals that Jacob finished with the third slowest time of the day, narrowly saving himself from facing repatriation. Bettina and Jamari are announced to be the bottom two, with Jamari's speed on the stairs giving him a slightly quicker time than Bettina, who Lincoln confirms will be one of the two facing the first elimination of the season. Bettina is comforted by her fellow competitors, all silently relieved that she has assured their safety for now. Lincoln and Sinead tell the group that they may enjoy the rest of their evening in Paris, as tomorrow they'll be heading to their next destination city. Heading down, Montana takes a private moment to thank Brandon for his assistance in the challenge, telling him that she hopes to be able to repay him further down the line. Elsewhere, Western Europe contestant Michael continues to apologise to fellow alumni Maranda, trying to pass-off the 'push' as a joke. Maranda eventually accepts his apology, telling Michael he "owes (her) one". However, in her confessional Maranda calls Michael "a bitch" for his move, noting that she won't forget it moving forward, knowing that old-friendships and bonds mean nothing to him if he's willing to shove her "just to get third place". She promises that this time around she'll ensure Michael doesn't outlast her, laughing and covering her mouth after doing so.

Episode #2 - Lights, Camera, Factions!
On the third day of the trip, the fourteen All-Stars finally come into contact with their anticipated RVs, splitting into two groups of seven as they begin a five hour journey to the city of Lyon. During the journey, Jacob and Ocean sit together and discuss Jacob being the only Israel contestant on the season. Jacob admits that he's somewhat concerned that this could make him "easy pickings" for the group, especially as he has nobody vouching for him as a potential ally. Ocean privately assures Jacob that she sees this having the opposite effect, as nobody has bad blood with him nor does he present himself as a threat due to lack of numbers. Ocean suggests the two of them consider working together, with the duo quietly shaking hands under the table without the others in their RV noticing. In the other RV, openly-gay player Brandon sits with Ivan, who since his season has begun labelling himself as 'bi-curious'. The two boys discuss the fluidity of sexuality, and get personal about Ivan's lack of sexual experiences with men. The pair seem to get somewhat flirty in the conversation, with Ivan jokingly remarking that Brandon can "show him the ropes" if they get friendly enough, causing Brandon to nervously blush and laugh. Upon arrival in Lyon, the group meet with Lincoln and Sinead as they embark on a short tour to take in the city's Italian-style architecture that dates back to the fifteenth century. At the end of the tour, the group head to a local market where they sample Lyon's famous local cuisine, taking a moment to relax just hours ahead of the first repatriation.

Over lunch, Rain orders a specific health-drink off the menu, claiming that she wants to keep up a rigorous diet throughout to give her 'an edge' on the competition. However, the drink is delivered whilst Rain is using the bathroom, leading Ocean to publicly poke fun at the strategy; sniffing and taking a sip of the drink, Ocean gags and laughs as she declares it "too horrific even for Rain". Ocean takes the drink and pours it into a nearby flowerpot, ordering Rain a diet-cola as a replacement. Rain soon returns from the bathroom and is informed by a laughing Ocean what transpired, leading to immediate conflict between the pair, with Rain calling Ocean "a stupid bitch", threatening to throw the diet-cola over her as retaliation. In response, Ocean calls Rain "crazy", reminding her to learn to take a joke as well as bringing up her past conflicts from Central Africa. The girls are eventually separated by production, concerned that the conflict could soon escalate without intervention. Western Europe alumni Michael and Montana sit gobsmacked during the fight, feeling as though this level of conflict wouldn't have taken place so early in the adventure. The two then take some time to speak privately, quickly agreeing once again that they will work together as a final two alliance, this time hoping that they'll be more successful in reaching the end. In a confessional, Montana mentions that everybody is aware she and Michael trust one another implicitly, and that they'd be foolish to not utilise their bond out of fears that others are going to group them together.

After a less than peaceful lunch, Lincoln and Sinead invite the All-Stars to join them in visiting the Institut Lumière museum; the former residence and now museum dedicated to Auguste and Louis Lumière, who are celebrated by many as the earliest filmmakers in history. Lincoln tells the group that they all need to pay attention within the museum, as its contents will directly impact the second daily-challenge. Guided around the museum, the All-Stars are shown short silent reels of the Lumière brother's work on a loop. Each contestant takes note of what they're being shown, as well as doing their best to memorise signs and other displays within the museum. At the end of the tour, Sinead sits the group down as they are supplied with hot refreshments and sweet treats, giving everybody a chance to socialise as they wait for their challenge. The All-Stars sit beside screens playing clips of the Lumière brother's reels once again as they eat and drink. However, this time the clips are shown in a sporadic and different order to that shown previously (which had been placed in chronological order to when the reels were produced). After ten minutes, the All-Stars are told this information, and that for their next daily challenge they will (one at a time) enter a task room and place the ten reels in the order they were initially shown. The contestant with the most reels in the right place will win the daily challenge, whilst the individual with the least will automatically face repatriation against Bettina. One at a time, each contestant heads to the task room to complete their order, eventually heading outside where Lincoln, Sinead, Bettina and Luke wait for them (as the latter two are not competing). Once everyone has completed their order and headed outside, Lincoln and Sinead gather the results. The duo announce that Jacob, Michael and Ocean all tied for first place, but that Michael's time in locking in his order was the quickest, and as a result he has become the second daily winner, earning the same five-star getaway as Luke. Alternatively, Brandon and Ivan are announced to have tied in last place after only getting two of the ten correct, with Brandon facing repatriation after taking longer than Ivan to lock in his answers. Brandon and Bettina hug one another as they are officially declared the two nominees for the first repatriation, with one of their experiences about to be cut short after just three days as an All-Star.

The All-Stars are given several hours to separate and begin deliberations on who they'll be voting off of the Road Trip. Predictably, a lot of competitors begin breaking off into groups based on past seasons, with Bettina seeking a confidence boost off friend and ally Luke. Luke reminds Bettina that he cannot vote in this repatriation, but that he will do his best to try and convince others that voting for Brandon would be in their best interest. A tearful Bettina momentarily breaks down in Luke's company, telling him that she would be heartbroken and embarrassed to return and be the first ousted. However, Luke reminds her not to show weakness to the others as it would make her "the easy vote". Elsewhere, Western Europe alumni Montana and Maranda call Chilean Adventure player Lucy over to one side, wanting to see where her head is at for this first vote. Lucy confesses that so far she hasn't given it much thought, and generally is going to go with wherever the numbers are. Both Montana and Maranda agree, with Montana somewhat speaking more positively about Brandon due to him helping her in the first daily challenge. In a confessional, Montana talks about wanting to do her best to coerce others to vote for Bettina, believing that Brandon could be an ally for her. However, she notes that to campaign too hard would be foolish at this stage, particularly as she only met Brandon three days prior. Noting their former castmate Lucy talking to the girls, Ivan and Bao sit together and discuss Montana, who they claim "called Lucy over like a dog". Ivan goes on to call Montana "annoying", with Bao believing that Montana is a threat, particularly with Western Europe having so many players in the game. The two agree that alliances will be season based, and that they'd both rather not work with Western Europe out of all the other seasons. Brandon spends much of his time working alongside former ally Jamari and friend Ocean to campaign for votes, whilst Bettina and Luke try their best to offer their loyalty in exchange for votes. However, Luke's inability to vote somewhat sways people against Bettina, as well as preferring Brandon's early social efforts in the game. At sundown, the All-Stars join Lincoln and Sinead in the Place Bellecour square in central Lyon. The eligible players cast their votes, coming to a near unanimous 9-1 vote in favour of eliminating Bettina from the game, with Bao casting a rogue vote so as to not completely hurt Bettina's feelings. Bettina does her best to hold back tears, devastated to be leaving the game after just three days. The group all say their goodbyes, also congratulating Brandon on surviving the vote. Luke helps Bettina pack her belongings, privately hugging his friend goodbye as she removes her luggage from the RV. Bettina wishes Luke luck, begging him to "take it all" for the both of them, which he promises he will. The thirteen remaining All-Stars are driven to a local hotel to spend the night, leaving Bettina walking off alone.

Episode #3 - Harder Than Before
In the early hours of the morning, Lucy and Montana sit together as they each have a coffee prior to departing for their next location. Lucy confesses to Montana that at this moment, she feels closer to her than others on the trip, unsure if people are hesitant to talk outside of pre-ordained groups. Montana agrees with Lucy's feelings, going on to say that she thinks for a few rounds they'll continue with 'easy targets'. The girls both name Jamari as a viable target for the group, particularly as there is uneasiness around him after his ejection in The Caribbean. Ivan comes down to join the girls at breakfast, once again noticing that Montana has been having private chats with Lucy. Wanting to stir the pot, Ivan asks Montana if she agrees "it's too early for manipulating". Montana rebuffs Ivan's comment, saying that "it's too early for your wind-up act". Ivan laughs as he sits next to the girls, continuing to poke fun at Montana by claiming she is trying to add Lucy to a Western Europe alliance. He goes on to declare that "last time relying on the blonde didn't work out so well" (in reference to Siobhan turning on Montana and Michael in their season). Montana responds by asking Ivan why he is "playing the same failed game" that lost him Chilean Adventure, leading to Lucy to speak up and tell the pair to stop fighting, with the other All-Stars slowly entering the breakfast hall and watching on.

An hour later, the thirteen remaining All-Stars board the two RVs and head five-hours south to Monte Carlo in the independent city-state of Monaco. On arrival, the group begin theorising that it will be a gambling-based task due to Monte Carlo's association with luxury casinos. Lincoln and Sinead greet the group, bringing them aboard two hired speedboats for a tour around the Mediterranean cost of Monte Carlo. During the tour, Jamari openly begins questioning Ivan on his grilling of Montana earlier that morning, to which Ivan tells him that he was just "making sure everything was in the open". Jamari accuses Ivan of "bullying tactics", leading Ivan to laugh and call Jamari "the last person who can judge anyone" on the trip. The pair shout at one another from either side of their boats, believing the other to be an aggressor in the situation. Jacob eventually speaks up against Jamari, pointing out that he started the confrontation and it would be best "to just leave it". With the mood of the tour soured, the group are brought to the shore where they're allowed to enter the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, which hosts an array of ocean life and exhibitions of historical sea vessels. The group remain on their best behaviour throughout the tour, heeding a warning off Sinead not to start a fight inside its walls. As the day heads into the afternoon, the group enjoy a quick lunch outside before being escorted to the location of their next daily challenge.

After lunch, the group are brought to a custom-built racing track in what is being dubbed the 'Road Trip Grand Prix', celebrating the famous grand prix that takes place in Monaco each year. The players are told that they'll be split into two groups (of six and five respectively), and must race the course in their identical go-karts. Lincoln explains that the fastest three overall times will race once again in a final round, as will the three slowest times overall. As expected, the winner of the fastest top three will win the daily challenge and earn the right to nominate somebody for repatriation, whilst the slowest of the bottom three will automatically be nominated themselves. After the two groups perform, it is announced that Jamari and Montana of the first group have both finished in the top, as has winner of the second group Jacob. Bao, Gareth and Rain are declared the bottom three of the day, having all raced in the second group (with both Rain and Gareth finishing with the slowest time due to an untimely crash between the pair on the course). Before the final round, Jacob is seen telling others that he hopes Jamari doesn't win, with word of this eventually reaching Jamari after it is spread around. Despite Jacob's wishes, Jamari is able to use this to fuel himself and ultimately beats Jacob by less than three seconds. Of the bottom three, both Gareth and Rain are able to have a more successful run, finishing ahead of Bao who now automatically faces repatriation. Jamari is asked to immediately select who'll be facing off against Bao, leaving him stuck between easy-vote Ivan and a more strategic move against Jacob. In the end, Jamari announces that word has got back to him on "someone coming for (his) name before the challenge", and thus selects Jacob as his nominee. Jacob immediately challenges this, denying such conversations took place, demanding to know who has spread this to Jamari. Ivan also joins in on the vocalisation of disapproval, calling it "an easy move" for Jamari to make. Jamari doubles down and claims to stand by his decision, telling Ivan that if he doesn't like it, that he "only need(s) to win and make your own nomination".

With both nominees known, the group are given a few hours to walk around Monaco before being required to meet at the harbour at sundown to cast their votes for repatriation. Bao begins by speaking to Lucy and Ivan, being assured by both that they will vote to keep her in the game to keep their numbers up. However, both girls voice concern that Ivan's blow-ups are going to turn people on Bao by association. Alternatively, Jacob is assured by Ocean that he has her support, despite Jamari telling both her and Brandon that he'd like Jacob to leave the game due to targeting him earlier in the day. Later on, Jamari sits to talk with Michael, seeking to canvass for the votes of Western Europe alumni. Michael tells Jamari that he's happy to vote for whoever he'd rather see leave, believing that they can forge an alliance between their two seasons, giving them a seven strong group. Jamari is hesitant to agree to this outright, carefully admitting that he had considered voting for Gareth, who he finds stand-offish compared to others. Michael accepts this view, claiming he too isn't that trusting of Gareth due to their lack of friendship. Michael's former castmates Gareth and Maranda see him talking to Jamari from afar, leading Maranda to question Gareth about Michael's loyalty to a season-based alliance. Both Gareth and Maranda agree that Michael is "still shifty" in his gameplay, and that neither of them would feel comfortable going to the end of the game with him once again. Maranda suggests that the two of them would do well to socialise with others, seeking an alliance of four with two others that they can trust. At sundown, the group head to the harbour where they find Lincoln and Sinead waiting, giving Bao and Jacob one last opportunity to plead for votes off those eligible. As the votes are revealed, Jacob's lack of Israel support ends up being his undoing, with only Ocean and Brandon voting against Bao in a 8-2 result (with Brandon only voting for Bao to 'raise suspicions'). Jacob is disappointed to be leaving so early, having somewhat expected it after he recognised nobody else in the cast. He chooses to remain positive in saying his goodbyes, sitting alone at the harbour as the remaining twelve retire to their hotel for another evening of rest.

Episode #4 - Road Trip Runway
On the fifth morning of the Road Trip, the twelve remaining All-Stars all sit together by the harbour to eat a quick breakfast prior to travelling to their next destination. Over breakfast, Bao publicly thanks the group for keeping her safe in the last repatriation vote against Jacob, explaining how much it truly means to be given a second shot in the game. In a confessional, Bao talks about wanting to strengthen her bonds in the game, knowing that she could easily find herself nominated for repatriation if she continues to perform poorly in daily challenges. Bao's socialising goes well, making the chances of her surviving another repatriation vote likely if she's to find herself in danger again soon. The group then board their two RVs, being given instructions to drive four hours across borders to the Italian city of Milan. During the journey, Ocean sits up front as Gareth drives, with the pair talking about Ocean's transgender identity. Gareth admits that Ocean is the first transgender person that he's met, feeling glad to be able to hear her story first hand. Ocean is grateful for Gareth's kind words, becoming tearful as she declares she "wishes more people were so welcoming to change". In the other RV, Maranda, Luke and Ivan sit up front, leaving Bao, Jamari and Michael sitting privately together at the back. The trio at the back begin talking about security in the game, knowing that season-based alliances cannot be relied on to carry you to the end of the game. Jamari recommends that the three of them consider an alliance, not letting their respective 'allies' know that they are in fact working together. Bao and Michael both eagerly agree to the alliance, knowing that it would give the three of them an advantage over everyone else in the game. The trio jokingly agree to call themselves 'The Trifecta', agreeing that regardless of previous relationships they will be the final three in the game.

By midday, the two RVs arrive in the city of Milan where the group are immediately taken to the location of their next daily challenge; Palazzo Serbelloni, an 18th century palace that has been the home of the famous Milan Fashion Week in the past. Lincoln and Sinead greet the group on arrival, escorting them inside the palace where the entire group is treated to a tour followed by a light lunch. After eating, the group are introduced to twelve local models (six male and six female), as well as two leading experts in high-fashion and regular attendees of Europe's fashion weeks. Sinead explains that for this daily challenge, each individual will select a model who will come with a unique briefing on what theme their outfit must represent. It will then be up to each competitor to select from a mass array of garments and put together a runway outfit for their model that matches their briefing. Each look will be graded by the judges out of ten, with the highest graded look winning the daily challenge and giving the individual the right to nominate for repatriation. Meanwhile, the lowest rated outfit will automatically face repatriation. Names are randomly drawn to determine the order of models selected, leaving competitors such as Lucy nervous as she is one of two individuals dealing with a model of the opposite sex (after Michael chose to take the last female model). During the challenge, Gareth seems completely stumped at his briefing, clearly finding no comfort in the fashion-based task. Despite support off Maranda, Gareth is reminded that he cannot seek help off anybody else (as per the rules). Maranda becomes overwhelmed with excitement during the challenge, trying on multiple outfits herself alongside her model, desperately wondering if in fact she can keep any or if they're "all on stock check", taking her Italian models silence as a sign they may be. Ocean takes risks with her outfit, wanting to have a deeper meaning behind her look that she as a designer would feel connected to. Luke, Rain and Jamari surprise everyone with their outfits as the catwalk begins, with Maranda quipping that she wrote off "the masculine ones amongst us" and Rain, who "doesn't look like she cares about fashion", causing her to laugh and take back the "bitchy" comment.

At the end of the show, the twelve designers are called on stage to have their scores made public. Brandon, Ivan, Maranda and Montana are declared to be middle of the pack and therefore are all safe, which they are happy to accept under the circumstances. The judges announce Bao, Luke and Jamari to be in 3rd-5th place respectively, whilst Ocean narrowly avoids the bottom two for "missing the briefing". In her confessional, Ocean claims to believe the judges had bias, and weren't as fashion aware as they claimed to be. Michael's risky look pays off, but not enough to give him the win, which is awarded to Rain, giving her control over one of the days nominations. Lucy's poorly put together look is announced to have scored lower than Gareth's, as his "at least can be seen in line with the theme", leaving Lucy automatically facing repatriation. The models and judges are thanked for their participation, leaving them to depart the hall. Rain is asked by Lincoln to name who will be facing the vote alongside Lucy, giving her just a minute to come to a decision. In a confessional, Rain claims that she came close to placing Central Africa nemesis Luke up, but was unsure if he would leave, and ultimately felt it would be unfair to nominate him for doing well in the daily. Instead, Rain names Ocean as her nominee, citing her "awful outfit" and "bad attitude", bringing up their argument two days prior. Ocean cuts Rain off mid-reasoning, stating "girl hush, no one needs to hear your dreary voice... just say Ocean and your little bit is done for the day". Sinead confirms that the group will have four hours until sundown, and that at that point they'll all meet to determine who between Lucy and Ocean will be the third to leave Road Trip: All-Stars.

With time to spare, some of the group head to Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the oldest shopping mall in the world. Whilst walking around, Bao and Jamari both quietly talk about being pleased to have assured theirs and Michael's safety for the day. As they bond, the pair agree that within 'The Trifecta' they will be the closer pair, going as far to promise one another a final two deal. Concerning the vote, Jamari speaks in favour of Ocean, knowing that whilst she can be argumentative that he thinks her prowess in physical challenges and hatred of Rain will be a shield for them moving forward. Bao mentions that she and Lucy have made amends, and that she would feel guilty casting a vote against her this early in the game. However, Jamari reminds her that Lucy is a bigger social and strategic threat than Ocean, believing that they'll always know where Ocean stands in the game. Elsewhere, Brandon and Ivan take time alone sitting at a local restaurant where they share two alcoholic beverages. The pair continue their flirty-bonding that begun several days prior, with Brandon hesitantly admitting in his confessional that there's something "attractive" about Ivan's "unstableness, bad boy, goth persona". Ivan becomes touchy-feely with Brandon's hand, playfully giving it a kiss before reminding him that they should re-join the group before anyone "becomes suspicious". In his own confessional, Ivan denies liking Brandon more than a slight crush, but doesn't rule out there being "a Road Trip fling", joking that "it worked out for CJ". Western Europe alumni Gareth, Michael, Montana and Maranda sit together to discuss where their votes should go, with Michael pushing for Lucy to be eliminated due to finding her untrustworthy. However, both Montana and Maranda voice their liking of Lucy, believing that she could serve as an ally for them moving forward. Despite their pleas, Michael claims to dislike the idea that they want to keep someone who benefits them rather than their foursome, irritating both girls who think Michael is being selfish himself. Prior to the vote, Lucy campaigns by declaring Ocean to be "a drama maker" and a bigger threat in challenges, whilst Ocean goes for a "straight talking" approach of telling the group that if she wins she'll only target Rain until she's out the game. At the vote in Milan's Piazza del Duomo, the group are more heavily swayed by Ocean's promise, eliminating Lucy in a 7-2 vote, with only Maranda and Montana throwing Lucy pity votes after being irritated by Michael and Gareth's refusal to consider helping save her. Lucy willingly hugs everybody in the tour goodbye, claiming that she had a good experience despite it being cut much shorter than the last. In a joint-confessional back at the RVs (where the group are sleeping for the night), Montana and Maranda claim to be in agreement that moving forward they need to become more assertive, not liking that their input was overruled in favour of keeping Ocean.

Episode #5 - Rain, Rain, Go Away
Following Lucy's elimination, Western Europe alumni Maranda and Michael head into the latter's room in order to debrief over the nights events. Maranda confronts Michael about his 'attitude' surrounding strategy, informing him that both she and Montana feel as though their input was disregarded and that it shouldn't be this way "in an alliance of four". Michael challenges Maranda's opinion, saying that regardless of how he and Gareth voted that Lucy still would have left the game, to which Maranda points out "but we'd have campaigned harder for her". The two begin bickering about loyalty/control, leaving the conversation on a sour note after Maranda chooses to exit the room, audibly calling Michael an "asshole". Michael laughs after Maranda leaves, declaring that "when we have to clean house, I think she can be first out the RV". The next morning, the remaining competitors head out to board their RVs in order to drive from Italy into neighbouring Switzerland to the city of Lugano. During the journey, Ivan, Maranda and Luke sit together at the back of their RV whilst Gareth and Montana sit up front. Maranda jokes to Ivan about his supposed targeting of Western Europe players (as per his argument with Montana), which Ivan jokingly responds is "what needs to be done". Luke turns the conversation more seriously, asking Ivan if he believes anyone is a threat individually (without the tag of past season association). Ivan is frank in calling out Jamari, believing that physically he is capable, as well as having "both Brandon and Ocean already in his court". Luke and Maranda agree that Jamari is undoubtedly the biggest threat of The Caribbean alumni, and ponder if anyone is willing to take a shot at more threatening players at this early stage. Ivan reminds them "Jamari claims he was", referring to the move that ultimately sent Jacob home just days prior. Later in the journey, Luke attempts to take over driving from Gareth, who Luke jokes is "hogging responsibility". The two men begin bickering after Luke eventually takes over the drive after a short break, with Gareth 'backseat driving' much to Luke's annoyance. Both men are shown to be criticising the other in confessionals, with Luke saying that he's "unsure why Gareth even bothered to show up when he could've stayed at home and driven round the M1".

Arriving in Lugano, the group are immediately stunned by the natural beauty and beaming weather of the lakeside city. After parking the two RVs beside Lake Lugano, the eleven All-Stars exit the vehicles and head down to the waterfront where Lincoln and Sinead wait for them. Sinead welcomes the group to Lugano, telling them that without need for rest they'll all be immediately taking part in their next daily challenge. One at a time, each player must swim out alongside a marked course in the water, diving down and releasing buoys along the way. The individual to do so in the fastest time will win the daily challenge, whilst the slowest will automatically face repatriation. Unsurprisingly, athletic players Bao, Luke and Rain put in good performances, looking to be in the stronger group of the day. Ivan also impresses with his speed, clearly wanting to win in order to make his nomination and shake up the game. Despite many expecting him to do well, Jamari struggles to release two of his buoys, massively slowing down his final time. Maranda also has a poor showing, laughing after in trying to put on a brave face, declaring that swimming has never been her strong suit. At the results, Lincoln announces that Maranda has unsurprisingly finished in last place, automatically leaving her facing repatriation. Lincoln then reveals that Ivan and Rain finished in third and fourth place respectively, with Luke snagging victory over Bao by just seven seconds to give him his second daily win of the season. The group eagerly wait to see Luke's decision, with many hoping that he nominates Gareth due to their fight earlier in the day, particularly as this would force one of the Western Europe players out of the game. However, Luke shocks everyone by declaring that he wants to make a nomination that will keep "harmony" on the tour, and ultimately "deal with bad blood from last time"; nominating Rain to face Maranda. Rain immediately calls Luke out for this, reminding him that she had the opportunity to put him up but chose not to, but is told by Luke that "(his) mind is made up". Sinead tells the nominees and the group that they'll have the remainder of the day to come to their decisions, before returning to their RVs to determine who'll be the fourth All-Star to leave the road trip.

After nominations, Ivan declares Luke's nominations "prove he's a p***y" in his confessional, but ultimately he cannot be upset as long as he remains safe. Nominee Maranda walks with Ocean and Michael along the lakefront, wanting to ensure that despite her fight with him that Michael is still going to vote against Rain that evening. As expected, Ocean is quick to declare her support for Maranda, noting that she's happy to vocally cast her vote against Rain if they run out of key-fobs later. Michael also joins Ocean in telling Maranda that she has his vote, confident that she will survive with ease against a player like Rain. Maranda brings the conversation onto Jamari, informing them that Ivan and Luke earlier had spoken about Jamari being a threat in the game (hoping that Ocean will spread this information and cause the men to target one another). Surprisingly, Ocean vocalises support for fear of Jamari, claiming that she has suspected he (and Brandon) could eventually seek revenge on her for being outplayed in The Caribbean. Michael also echoes this sentiment, reminding the girls that soon enough the "big boys" can take shots at each other whilst they slip under the radar. However, in a confessional Michael reiterates his loyalty to 'The Trifecta' (with Bao and Jamari), but that he'll hedge his bets to make sure that whatever group comes out on top that "(he's) a part of it". Elsewhere, Rain aggressively campaigns for her safety, promising that she has Luke firmly on her radar, as well as calling on the importance of eliminating somebody from Western Europe whilst there are still four of them in the game. Whilst speaking to Brandon and Ivan, Rain is thrown off by Montana, who chooses to stand nearby to listen in to her pitch. Rather than let Montana stay, Rain requests that she "go stand by Maranda and give (her) space", leaving Montana perplexed as she claims her vote was "up for grabs". Rain rejects this claim, telling Montana that she isn't an idiot and is aware that Western Europe will put their three available votes against her. Montana tells Rain that she's got a narrow minded view of the game if she believes this, leading to an escalation of the argument between the pair, with Rain loudly telling Montana to "get out (her) face" before she "knock(s) that hat off (her) head". Brandon and Ivan stand silently during the fight, watching the two women gradually get louder and louder in the quiet Swiss street. Rain ends the argument by telling Montana that she also knows she and Ocean are 'aligned', having suspected this from the pair of them rooming up several nights on the trip. In her confessional, Montana declares that she truly would have considered saving Rain if the case was good enough, but that she's more determined now to "see that Rain is not in our forecast moving ahead".

At sundown, the group return to the lakeside RVs to cast their votes for either Maranda or Rain to leave the game, with Rain's mood getting more and more upset throughout the afternoon. Both girls are given one last shot to plead their cases, with Maranda speaking on "positivity and loyalty", whereas Rain uses her time to call out Montana and Luke as players who need to be 'taken out', highlighting that Maranda is likely supportive of both and would be a bigger threat moving forward than herself. Despite the high tensions, Rain and Maranda hug as the others begin casting votes, knowing that between them there is truly no bad blood and it remains 'all game'. Western Europe players Michael, Gareth and Montana all throw their votes against Rain, as does Ocean who is more than happy to see the back of her short-term nemesis. Having been swayed by Michael; Bao and Jamari both happily cast their votes to eliminate Rain, as do Brandon and Ivan who ultimately prefer Maranda and feel Rain is too much of a loose cannon. Rain is disheartened to learn that she has been eliminated in a unanimous 8-0 vote, calling the group "sheep" for taking out an easy target when they're "meant to be All-Stars". The group say their goodbyes, all relieved that Rain and the drama surrounding her is left at the twilight lakeside of Lake Lugano, taking sighs of relief as they drive off to a nearby clearing where they'll be spending the night.

Episode #6 - Bern Baby Bern
At the beginning of the second week of the road trip, the remaining ten All-Stars board their RVs and begin the three hour journey to Switzerland's capital city of Bern, taking time to relax and socialise amongst themselves during the relatively easy journey. In one RV, Luke and Ivan quietly talk together about the previous night, in particular Ivan's disagreement that nominating Rain was a good move for Luke's game. Ivan highlights that those with power in the game have no reason to keep Luke safe, and that he would have been better taking a shot at somebody from Western Europe or The Caribbean, as both seasons have a total of seven players in the final ten, giving them total control. Luke claims that he doesn't believe season-based alliances will factor into the game, but Ivan reminds him that "old feuds made you come after Rain, so who is to say old friendships aren't keeping them all tight?". Luke admits that Ivan has a point with this, agreeing that going forward the two of them plus Bao should try to keep one another safe. Ivan tells Luke that he believes Brandon is somebody they can also rely on, particularly as he isn't that close with Gareth, Maranda or Michael. Ivan then agrees to 'distract' Montana, Jamari and Michael who are sat up front, giving Brandon a chance to sit alone with Luke and hear the pitch that the three men can work together in the next few rounds. Brandon is happy to accept this offer, knowing that the more alliances he has the more likely he is to remain safe until the end of the game. As their conversation draws to a close, Brandon mentions to Luke that he cannot shake his loyalty to Jamari, and that for their 'new group' to have legs he'd recommend they add him to give more muscle. Brandon also informs Luke that there has been talk that Jamari is being targeted by Ivan/himself, and that it would do good to squash paranoia if they can talk it through as a foursome (plus Bao).

Arriving in Bern, the ten All-Stars are given an hour of free time to get themselves lunch and look around the city before being required to meet back for their next daily challenge. The Caribbean alumni Brandon, Jamari and Ocean go together to get lunch, leading to Jamari and Ocean to converse about Gareth, who Jamari claims he "cannot ride with" anymore, citing his annoying control of the RV. Ocean laughs as Jamari does an impression of Gareth, agreeing that if it weren't for Western Europe having strong numbers that he likely would've been taken out early without their protection. Jamari goes on to admit that if he's able to win another daily challenge that he'll put Gareth up, thinking that at this stage they can easily get the votes against him. As the trio sit down to eat, Brandon speaks to Jamari about his chat with Luke and Ivan (not mentioning any alliance plans), and believing that they may do well to align with them because "they both want to work with (Jamari)". Ocean seems somewhat slighted by this, questioning why Ivan and Luke would not request her as well as himself and Jamari. Despite Brandon's attempts to sugar coat the proposal, Ocean remains slighted, not liking the idea that she would be at the bottom of "a boys club". After Ocean heads to the bathroom, Brandon voices concern that Ocean is "too emotional" still, and that he'd feel more trusting of other people at this stage. However, Jamari reminds him that he wouldn't consider turning on her this early on, especially as "Ivan is just as emotional" of a player. In his confessional, Jamari mentions that riding between The Caribbean and 'The Trifecta' is proving difficult, and that joining another alliance would only make things more complicated. Moreover, he claims to not share Brandon's willingness to work with Ivan, and cites him as the person alongside Gareth who he'd most like to see eliminated next (with a preference for lowering Western Europe's numbers first).

Later on, the ten All-Stars reconvene by the RVs where Lincoln and Sinead walk them to Bern's famous Bärengraben; a bear-pit that houses several large brown bears and has done since 1857. Sinead explains that for today's challenge, the bears have been moved into the enclosed pit out of their way, leaving BärenPark (the open grassy slopes adjacent to the Aare river overlooking a freshwater pool) free for the contestants to compete in. Lincoln informs the group that for their challenge, each competitor must don a hefty large bear costume, racing up the steep slopes of the enclosure to collect dead fish one at a time. Players must carry their fish down the slopes, placing them on the other side of the freshwater pool (which can only be crossed by a narrow beam). The group are told that if they drop their fish or fall into the pool, they must leave that fish and race to get another, and only after they have three fish will their time be taken. The individual with the fastest time will be crowned the winner, whilst the slowest time will automatically face repatriation. During the challenge, athletic player Luke once again gives a strong performance, making the odds of him winning his third daily challenge seem all the more likely. Michael also puts in a good showing, determined to keep control for himself and his allies and continue picking-off those challenging his authority. Less athletic players Maranda, Montana and Brandon all become winded during the task, finding the weight of their costumes and the steepness difficult to manage. Despite hoping to do well, Bao takes a big tumble as she comes down the hill, severely rolling and crashing into the pool, screaming as she emerges and requiring medical attention. Bao is shown to be bleeding from both her legs, also fearing that she may have sprained one of her ankles. Unable to finish, Bao accepts that by default she will receive a 'DNF', making the odds of her avoiding nomination slim. Ivan also struggles with the task, slipping into the pool several times. However, knowing Bao failed to complete the task leaves him feeling comfortable enough to take it steady, finishing with the third-slowest time behind Maranda and Montana. Surprising everyone, Ocean uses her long legs and endurance skills to race up the hill, proving to have the best balance as she makes quick work of the beams, with her time ultimately being declared the fastest of the day over Michael and giving her control of the second nomination. As the group congratulate Ocean on her win, Lincoln begins to ask her for who she'll be selecting to face Bao. Before Lincoln can finish, Michael interjects as he audibly is seen telling Ocean "put Ivan up... put him up against Bao... get him out... we all want him out...". Montana soon joins in, nodding along and telling her roommate that "we (Western Europe) have your back". Sinead asks the trio if they'd like to open the discussion up for all to hear, but Ivan speaks up instead by announcing "they don't want Ocean to make her own decisions". Lincoln and Sinead remind Ocean that any decision made is solely hers, requesting her to confirm a name to face Bao. Feeling the pressure and noting her own issues with his gameplay, Ocean confirms that Ivan is her nominee and that she "hopes the group honour her wishes" by voting him off the road trip.

Following his nomination, Ivan decides to call out the lack of individual gameplay from the cast, citing almost every round being done "with all caution and no brains", feeling as though the entire cast should be renamed 'All-Sheep' to truly fit the gameplay. Ivan tells Lincoln and Sinead that he 'knows there is no saving him' tonight, as he doesn't expect people to "go against the wishes of Michael and Montana". Regardless, Sinead reminds Ivan that he will be given the afternoon to plead his case, and that at sundown the seven eligible voters will decide who between himself and Bao is to leave the tour next. After the nomination drama, daily winner Ocean goes to check on Bao who is recovering in the medical tent, still tearing up due to the pain of her injuries. Ocean tells Bao that she's "an inspiration and a fighter", and that she is confident she'll have the votes to stay after Ivan "showed his ass". Bao thanks Ocean for the support, but voices concern that she'll be able to continue on the adventure with her ankle potentially sprained. Ocean later agrees to go to the hospital with Bao so that she can have x-rays taken, and receive any further medical attention required. Ivan chooses not to approach anybody from Western Europe or Jamari before the vote, believing all their minds are made up. Instead, he tells Brandon and Luke that they both need to start playing better games, fearing that if they don't they'll join him amongst the next group to leave the game. Luke voices hope that they can get Jamari to vote for Bao, and potentially convince either Gareth or Maranda to vote Bao due to her injuries and inability to compete, although Ivan tells him that it would be "wasting energy", and that instead he should concentrate on getting Bao on side for future votes. Elsewhere, Jamari and Maranda sit together and talk through the drama of the day, agreeing that emotions seem to be higher due to the egos this time around. Maranda goes on to tell Jamari that she thinks Michael and Montana were both extremely ballsy in doing what they did, and that she somewhat sympathises with Ivan's position. However, Jamari reminds her that Ivan has been reckless in calling people out and making enemies, and that ultimately what happened earlier was "reaping the seeds that he had sown" when he verbally attacked Montana over breakfast and himself in Monaco. At the vote, the group are pleased to see Ocean and Bao (who is on crutches) return to the game, confirming that her ankle is minorly sprained but that it should take only 1-2 weeks to fully heal, and that the doctors have given her the all clear to continue if she chooses to. Bao announces that she refuses to quit despite injury, and that she will "run to the end without any legs" if she has to. At the vote, both Brandon and Luke come to Ivan's side by placing key-fobs with Bao's name into the holder, but are easily outvoted as the other five come together to eliminate Ivan from the game in a 5-2 result. Having expected the result, Ivan wishes everybody luck, but pleads that they "stop wasting a second chance and take shots" at those in control. Ivan hugs Bao, Brandon, Luke and Maranda goodbye, telling the four that they're the only individuals on a personal level that he'd be satisfied winning the competition. Nevertheless, Ivan chooses to properly say goodbye to the other five, despite receiving the cold shoulder off Jamari and Montana. The final nine return to the RVs to bed down for the night, receiving the information that the nine of them left have at least reached the jury stage of the game and will have a say on who becomes the All-Stars champion.

Episode #7 - Balls to the Wall
Hours following Ivan's elimination, Michael heads to 'Trifecta' ally Bao's room in order to see how she is coping following her dramatic injury during the last daily challenge. Bao tells Michael that she remains in good spirits, and is confident that she will beat the doctors projections of 1-2 weeks rest to heal her ankle. In conversation, Michael questions Ocean's willingness to spend so much time with Bao at the hospital, wanting to know what the two spoke about in their hours alone. Bao defends Ocean's actions as being "from the kindness of her heart", but Michael remains unconvinced. He warns Bao that Ocean is an emotional player, and that following Rain and Ivan, Ocean would be the next viable candidate to boot from the game. Bao tells him that she is willing to vote anybody outside of 'The Trifecta', reiterating her intentions of a final three with himself and Jamari. The next morning, the final nine All-Stars board their RVs and make a short one-hour journey to the Swiss city of Basel; lying between the borders of France and Germany. During the journey, Bao and Michael once again sit together to convene about their target for the next repatriation. Michael again mentions that Ocean being a threat would make her a good option, although Bao worries that doing this could offend Jamari who she suspects has some friendship with her still. The two theorise that Jamari himself is still a threat when surrounded by Brandon and Ocean, and that removing Ocean would be an easier way to limit his options and ensure he stays with 'The Trifecta'.

Arriving in Basel, the group take several hours to walk around the city centre before grabbing lunch in the town square (Marktplatz), enjoying the 500-year old architecture that surrounds them. Over lunch, Jamari becomes playful with Maranda, who he admits in a confessional that he finds "cute". Maranda appears to enjoy the attention, clearly finding attention off former model Jamari more than acceptable. However, she voices in her own confessional that she is going to do her best to avoid any "silly boy troubles" this time around, and keep her focus on winning the game. Despite this, she finds herself jokingly sitting on Jamari's lap by the end of lunch, facetiously remarking "keep me safe if you win today, babe", much to Jamari's amusement. Michael later has a chat with Jamari as they walk around a local shopping centre together, questioning his ally if he "(has) a thing for Maranda". Jamari shrugs, telling Michael that it's nice to have someone that he can relax around without it being game focused. Michael warns Jamari that he too was "drawn in" by Maranda the last time they played, and that as long as he remembers where his true loyalties are then no harm should come from flirting. Understanding this, Jamari tells Michael that if it came down to himself, Bao or Maranda that he'd happily vote Maranda out, reassuring Michael that their plans haven't changed. Michael then voices concern that with Bao injured, their alliance control is limited to the two of them. However, Jamari claims to be unworried if Ocean, Brandon, Maranda or Montana win, feeling as though the main cases of concern would be Gareth and Luke (although Michael claims that Gareth is "under control").

Later on, the All-Stars join Lincoln and Sinead at the side of the Rhine river which runs through central Basel and flows as one of the longest rivers in Europe. Sinead explains that for this challenge, each contestant must ride a paddle board downstream whilst collecting coloured balls along the way (ten available, either on buoys or dangling below bridges). Each ball collected is worth one point, whilst finishing the course itself will be worth an additional ten points. The group are informed that choosing to steer towards the balls (which may be risky) is up to the competitors, as the individual with the most points will be declared the daily winner, and the player with the least amount of points being the individual to automatically face repatriation. However, Lincoln tells the group that if a competitor falls from their board at any point during the course, their trial will end and their current score will be taken as final. Bao is first to compete, being cautious due to her injured ankle and remaining kneeling throughout, only choosing to collect two balls to give herself a total of twelve points. Luke manages to beat Bao's score narrowly, bringing in a total of fourteen points after he too concentrated on not falling off. Alternatively, Brandon, Gareth, Maranda and Montana all fall from their paddle boards just minutes into their trials, leaving them nervous that they will be the one automatically facing the chop. Jamari and Ocean also both put in strong performances, taking risks that pay off to ensure they both finish the course and collect the most balls possible. Ocean is revealed to have accumulated sixteen points, only to be bested by Jamari who achieved seventeen, giving him his second daily win of the season. Sinead reveals that both Brandon and Montana scored zero points throughout their runs, but that Montana made it further before falling off, leaving Brandon to face repatriation as the last place finisher. Jamari is then immediately told that he must select his nominee, confidently naming Gareth due to him being "somebody that (Jamari's) not close to". Gareth calmly accepts being nominated, confident that he has the support of three Western Europe alumni going into the vote, and that they need just one other person to vote Brandon to give them a majority.

Gareth pulls his Western Europe alliance of Michael, Maranda and Montana to one side, telling them that they need to figure out who would be best to convince to vote against Brandon to keep him in the game. Maranda claims that neither Ocean or Luke would be viable options, leaving Bao as the only person she could realistically see working with them. Michael tells his alliance that he feels his relationship with Bao is strong enough to convince her to vote with them, leaving their foursome in tact heading into the final eight. In a confessional, Montana admits that she truly prefers Brandon as an individual to Gareth, and that she feels uneasy that her entire alliance with Gareth is based off the fact they travelled together seasons prior. Elsewhere, Brandon voices panic to allies Jamari and Ocean, knowing that Gareth has more support from those eligible to vote. Both Jamari and Ocean tell Brandon that they just need the vote to tie, as Jamari would certainly send Gareth home on the tiebreaker. The three agree that Luke will already be on their side, and that instead they should concentrate on Bao's vote. Both groups canvass to Bao, who begins to feel the pressure of being labelled as the 'swing vote' of the round, not certain which way would benefit herself and 'The Trifecta'. Later on, Jamari, Michael and Bao come together to talk about the vote, wanting to ensure that regardless of who goes home that the three of them remain on the same page moving forward into the endgame. Jamari tells Michael that he and others are concerned that if they allow Gareth to stay, that a Western Europe steamroll would be inevitable. However, Michael also voices concerns that Brandon and Jamari were a duo the last time they played, and that if he remains that it would leave Jamari stuck between their alliance and his The Caribbean loyalties. Hearing matching arguments from both sides, Bao claims to feel no closer to knowing what move should be made. In a confessional, Michael asserts that whilst Bao is identified as the swing vote, that he believes he truly will guide her one way or the other, and that he doesn't want any big moves in the game to be made without them being under his authority. At sundown, the group return to Basel's Town Hall to see either Brandon or Gareth eliminated from the game. After giving both men a chance to speak, Ocean breaks trend by requesting that she too be given an opportunity to say a few words. Ocean calls Gareth and Western Europe out for retaining numbers, believing that handing them a fifty percent hold of the final eight would be idiotic for herself, Luke and Bao. Gareth responds by calling out The Caribbean for also retaining numbers, saying her argument is hollow as it "tells Luke and Bao to join one big group over another". The two begin arguing about the vote publicly, with Ocean determined to do all she can to save Brandon (and by extension herself), calling Gareth "an old fool" if he thinks she'd lay down and die. Bao eventually speaks up, criticising Ocean's language and labelling it "rude". One by one, each player casts their vote, with Maranda and Ocean saving allies Gareth and Brandon respectively. Unsurprisingly, Luke also joins Ocean in voting against Gareth, wanting to finally limit Western Europe's power on the game. Gareth and Maranda however are blindsided as it is revealed that Bao, Michael and Montana all cast their votes against Gareth, sending him to the jury in a 5-1 result and breaking up the foursome for good. A stunned Gareth hugs Maranda goodbye, telling her to "watch out for snakes" as he departs in his taxi, leaving her fuming as she rejects hearing Michael out. The final eight return to their RVs, with Maranda telling Michael that she "hates him" and "won't forget what (he) did" moving forward. In one RV, Brandon, Ocean and Luke quietly celebrate besides a 'sleeping' Maranda, declaring that the game has finally been blown wide open for the taking.

Episode #8 - Mandem on a Tandem
The final eight are informed that today they’ll be driving two hours from Basel to Schaan, Liechtenstein; one of the smallest countries in the world. Before the drive, the group are told to leave one of the RVs behind, with the final eight now travelling together in one RV. In his confessional, Brandon seems concerned to be stuck in such a small place with his seven competitors, calling it “a ticking time bomb of eight mentally unstable people… at least three of whom legitimately want to murder each other”. On the journey, Maranda is able to sit quietly with Montana at the back of the RV, debriefing over last nights events where Montana and Michael betrayed Maranda by voting Gareth out of the game. Maranda confesses that she is heartbroken by the game move, but that she knows she cannot hold it against them if she truly wants a chance to move forward past this round. Montana tells Maranda that it was a move against Gareth rather than her, and that she still intends to work with Maranda moving forward. Maranda accepts this, hugging Montana before looking at the camera and somewhat rolling her eyes. In a confessional, Maranda credits Montana with being a lot more genuine and personable than Michael, but claims that she truly won’t fully forgive either of them for this betrayal. She cements her decision to target either, with a preference for getting Michael out of the game. Alternatively, Montana speaks about bringing herself, Michael and Maranda back together in her confessional, believing that getting to the end with Michael would win her the game, as many others feel hurt by his cutthroat gameplay.

The group are pleased to arrive in Liechtenstein, somewhat stalled as Brandon accidentally drives into a lamppost, making Sinead and Lincoln both jump and question who let him behind the wheel. Brandon apologises, telling the group that voting out Gareth (the best driver) over himself was perhaps not the wisest move in hindsight. Lincoln and Sinead welcome everybody to Liechtenstein’s largest municipality Schaan, containing a small population of roughly 6000 inhabitants. Lincoln tells the group that in keeping with Road Trip history, they will be taking part in a team challenge, with the teams being selected by two captains. The captains as usual will be determined by a short task, in which each contestant must attempt to eat a local delicacy in the fastest time possible; cold Liver pâté and onion sauerkraut. The group all gag horrendously trying to eat the pâté, with Brandon especially having a tough time and declaring “I don’t want to be a captain that bad”, spitting his pâté into a nearby bush with Ocean. Montana is first to show an empty mouth, joking that she’s sure the pâté was “kosher”, with a determined Maranda finishing soon after to make her the second captain. Montana is first to select, choosing close friend and ally Michael to join her team, whilst Maranda selects flirtmance and strong competitor Jamari. Montana then takes Brandon, with Maranda surprising all by selecting Bao, feeling that she could be strong in a challenge despite her injury. Montana takes Ocean over Luke as her final choice, with many theorising that she feels Ocean would be an easy boot if they were to lose. Sinead informs the two teams that for their daily challenge, they’ll each be following a map to ride around a massive course whilst on a four-person tandem bike, evoking laughter from the final eight. Across the course are four different challenges, representing different strengths (composure, brawn, brains and endurance). Each group must select one individual to take on each task along the way, with the group only being allowed to move on after the individual completes that section. The first team to arrive at the end of the course will be declared the daily winner, each given a vote on who to eliminate from the losing team.

As the challenge begins, both teams quickly find the comedic value of the tandem bikes has quickly worn off, with four people peddling proving much more difficult than anticipated. Maranda’s team sort out a system to allow Bao to keep her injured ankle off the peddles, preventing her from injuring herself any further. For the composure task, Brandon and Maranda are tasked with eating a warm portion of aged Saukerkas cheese, with both gagging as they try to eat a second difficult meal of the day. Once again, Maranda’s stronger stomach enables her to finish first and set her team in the lead. Brandon is eventually able to finish six minutes later, apologising to his team as he vomits during the next peddling portion of the race. Luke is able to speed through the brawn section of the task, lifting the weights into the wheelbarrow and moving them along the designated area. Maranda’s team remain in the lead, with Michael getting through the brawn section at an equally fast pace. For the ‘brains’ section of the task, Bao somewhat slows down her team, enabling Montana to catch up, with Bao finishing just a minute ahead of Montana, leaving both teams in almost equal footing heading into the final portion of the race. As both teams peddle to the endurance area of the task, they find that Jamari and Ocean must race up a stone tower, collecting a team flag and returning to their group to head to the finish line. Despite typically being strong in challenges, Ocean proves to be abysmal on the run, pausing to catch her breath and claiming that she has no energy to run, walking the rest of the way as Jamari passes her on the way down. Ocean’s slowness cements Maranda’s teams lead, giving them victory over ten minutes ahead of Team 1, and placing Montana, Michael, Brandon and Ocean up for repatriation.

Following the challenge, the winning team celebrate their victory, with Luke jokingly thanking Ocean for “handing (them) the win”. Ocean snaps at Luke for his remark, telling him to “f**k off” and take his celebrations somewhere else, clearly emotional that she cost her team the win. Luke tries to tell Ocean that he was joking, but is brushed off by Ocean, who continues calling him out on the comment. Luke shrugs, leaving Ocean to sulk alone, stating that she “needs to remember who is the one nominated here”. Ocean overhears this comment, shouting back at Luke “then vote me out, big man”, not receiving a response off the silent victors. The four winners agree to sit together to deliberate the vote, wanting to see if there is a consensus on who they’d like to vote out of the game. Jamari quickly mentions Montana’s name, stating that he cannot bring himself to vote against any of the other three. Luke claims to be unbothered, whilst Bao admits that her preference would be Brandon, feeling as though he’s had more chances than most in the game. Maranda decides to play carefully, not wanting to throw out Michael’s name due to a lack of support amongst the others. Instead, she asks Bao and Jamari to push for their vote to see who has the better case, with Jamari strongly reluctant to vote for Brandon, causing Bao to accuse him of protecting old allies and “being selfish”. The two continue arguing, leaving Luke and Maranda to silently watch on. In a confessional, Maranda claims that the argument and Bao’s comments highlight to her that there must be a deal between the two, and that if they cannot agree it would ultimately benefit her wishes of who to take out. Individually, Maranda tells both Jamari and Bao that she is willing to vote their way, stating that Luke would likely do the same and that they can leave the other voting in the minority. However, Maranda then pulls Luke to one side, soon being joined by Montana who is pleading her case to remain in the game. Maranda confesses to Montana that her name has come up, but that she’d rather vote elsewhere. Montana tells both Maranda and Luke that neither would be on her radar if she were to win, hoping that they can keep her safe in this precarious situation. After Montana leaves, Luke tells Maranda that he is unlikely to vote for Brandon, and that he feels it would “be a waste” to vote against Ocean despite her blow-up. Maranda agrees, asking Luke if he’d consider voting for Michael, knowing that this would be the biggest move and ultimately take out one of the strongest players. Luke appears nervous, wondering why they cannot let Bao and Jamari in on this plan, to which Maranda tells him that they need both to vote separately for it to work, and that if they become aware Michael is a target they would likely cut their losses and vote together. In his confessional, Luke says he isn’t trusting of Maranda’s plan, believing it to be about revenge for Gareth, and that he isn’t sold on the idea that Michael leaving over Montana being the best move when he could instead vote with Jamari. The four nominees continue their canvassing for votes, all nervous to see which of them will be ousted, especially as they are aware they each have supporters amongst the winning team. After the votes have been cast, the group stand around the campfire where Sinead announces that Ocean is safe with no votes to eliminate, surprising the entire losing team. Lincoln then declares that in a 2-1-1 vote Michael has been blindsided from the game, with Maranda’s hectic plan of splitting the vote and getting Luke on side ultimately paying off, finally taking out her Western Europe friend turned nemesis for his betrayal and scheming throughout the season. The entire group bar Maranda and Luke remain in shock, with Michael clapping his hands and stating that there is no bitterness against anyone for making the move. He hugs the group goodbye, including Maranda who he says he hopes can “still be (his) friend” outside the game. After Michael departs for the jury villa, the final seven stand around to debrief, wanting to get to the bottom of what just happened in the most cutthroat round of the game yet.

Episode #9 - Get Schloss
After Michael’s blindside, the group sit inside the RV where they have a group discussion about what transpired. Maranda confesses that with Jamari and Bao split on their decision, that she and Luke agreed on taking a shot at Michael, who she calls “the best player amongst us”. Luke echoes this reasoning, claiming that it wasn’t against anyone but Michael and that he feels it was in his best interest. Despite a majority of the group accepting this, Bao calls Maranda out on “lying to (her) face” about voting for Brandon, saying that she is no better than Michael after criticising him for doing the same thing. Maranda defends herself, explaining that she knew Bao and Jamari would both not vote Michael, and that she wasn’t willing to fall in line and do what Michael wanted “like (Bao) has been doing all season”. Ocean then speaks up on Bao’s side, telling Maranda “well congratulations, you took out the biggest threat and now you’re in his place”. Maranda responds by reminding Ocean that she’d have been “the easiest person to get out”, and that she really should “thank the four of (them)” for keeping her in the game. Ocean laughs at this, saying that Maranda has “gone mad with power after one move”, leaving Maranda to depart the RV after having enough of confrontation. Outside, Maranda speaks in her confessional where she claims not to care that the others are trying to stand up to her, saying it is blatantly sexist that she’d take the brunt of the hate whilst Luke gets nothing. She goes on to criticise the players, saying a majority of them have failed to make moves all season, and are clearly threatened that she’s standing up as someone more willing. The next morning, the final seven drive from Liechtenstein to Bavaria, Germany to the village of Hohenschwangau; sitting below the 19th-century historic Neuschwanstein Castle.

On arrival, Sinead and Lincoln tell the players that Neuschwanstein Castle had served as the inspiration to Disney’s Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, and that for their daily challenge they will be driven up to the castle and take part in a 19th-century ballroom dancing challenge. Each competitor must dress-up in authentic costumes of the era, receiving a professional partner who will have two-hours to teach them a short and simple waltz dance. After two-hours, the group will perform their waltz in front of local dancing experts, who will score the group from best to worst, ultimately deciding the daily winner and the first nominee of the day. Before heading up to the castle, the group are given an hour to have lunch and look around the village of Hohenschwangau. Jamari and Bao sit together over a light meal, talking about how ‘The Trifecta’ has lost its first member thanks to Maranda and Luke, and that the two of them need to stick together in order to fulfil their plans of reaching the final two. The two hug in support of one another, apologising for their earlier fight and assured that they can easily push the target onto Montana, Luke or Maranda at the next vote. Elsewhere, Brandon and Ocean head inside a small souvenir shop together where Ocean purchases small Sleeping Beauty figurines. She explains openly that the movie was a childhood favourite of hers, and that she modelled her facial surgery on her favourite character from the film; Maleficent. Ocean goes on to suggest that “if I had those cheekbones and could turn into a dragon like it was nobodies business, I too would stun a bitch any chance I got”, laughing with Brandon at her purposely jokey remarks.

At midday, the group join Lincoln and Sinead in being escorted up to Neuschwanstein Castle, where they are given a quick tour of the complex (although Bao is forced to partially sit out due to her ankle meaning that she struggles to navigate the many stairs and narrow passages). After the tour, the group dress in their costumes and head to the ballroom where their instructions and live music await them. Throughout practice, all seven initially struggle to keep in time with the music, finding their costumes only make the event that much harder. Ocean complains that her “handsome German man” that she is paired with is “extremely distracting”, jokingly remarking if he’d “like to see inside (her) RV”. As practice goes on, Jamari and Brandon are shown to have more natural rhythm, whilst Maranda and Ocean are both stronger at learning the steps and allowing their male partners to lead. Alternatively, Luke and Montana are both shown laughing as they lack any and all rhythm, with Montana concerned that being taller than her male partner is hindering any chance she’s got. Unsurprisingly, Bao’s injury leaves her extremely vulnerable in the challenge, with her partner also nervous what competing could mean if she continues wincing in pain. Lincoln and Sinead come over to Bao, informing her that it is up to her if she chooses to compete, but that they’d recommend she doesn’t strain herself solely in the name of the competition. Despite their warnings, Bao chooses to compete, doing poorly in her technical scores, but receiving a standing ovation off the entire room for ploughing through. The judges scores are handed over to Lincoln and Sinead after all have danced, with Luke only avoiding the bottom due to Bao’s ‘worse’ dance (due to injury), leaving her up for repatriation. Ocean is declared the winner out of those in the top four, fulfilling her ‘Sleeping Beauty’ fantasy and giving her the power to nominate somebody for repatriation, as well as receiving a kiss on the cheek from her new German crush. Ocean takes a while to ponder her nomination, tempted to place Maranda up due to her being an easy target in the group. However, she explains in a confessional that she doesn’t want to see a woman leave on her daily win, instead selecting Luke due to their argument the previous day, and his poor showing in the challenge. Bao and Luke are told that they’ll have just over an hour to campaign to remain in the game, and that at sunset they will meet outside the castle to cast their votes for one of them to join the jury.

The Caribbean alliance Brandon, Ocean and Jamari quickly come together, with Ocean declaring to the boys that her target is firmly on Luke, which Jamari is glad to hear. She explains that he would be a threat moving forward in challenges, and that with him out the way she is confident that the three of them can control the game until the final three. Jamari and Brandon both accept this, with their two votes all but confirming Luke will be leaving the game. Ocean then approaches roommate Montana, also receiving her word that she is willing to vote for Luke, causing Ocean to finally approach Maranda to make it unanimous. However, Maranda tells Ocean that she would not be willing to vote for Luke after he helped her oust Michael from the game, and that strategically Bao is more connected and therefore will be the one she pushes to leave. Ocean is infuriated with Maranda for this, telling her that she saved her neck by nominating Luke, and that there is no need for her to vote in the minority. Maranda rejects Ocean’s words, telling Ocean that it’s a game and they all need to do what is in their best interest, causing Ocean to storm off and refer to Maranda as “an idiot”. Maranda begins by campaigning to Montana, telling her that the two of them need to stick together, and that tonight they can oust Bao from the game if they can flip one other player, giving them a chance to go to the final three with Luke (who Maranda doesn’t think would beat either girl in a mental challenge). Maranda then speaks to Brandon, knowing that he would be more difficult to sway than Montana. Maranda explains that Bao had pushed hard for Brandon to leave the previous round, and that if he truly intends to work closely with Jamari, that he would do better to get Bao out of the game due to her closeness with him too. Brandon claims to have also been considering this, but that he feared betraying Jamari and Ocean would lose him their support. He goes on to note that Bao has never been a potential ally for him, whereas he has been able to work alongside Luke in the past. In a confessional, Brandon worries about what move to make, unsure if it would be worth removing Bao at the cost of his main alliance. At sundown, the four eligible players cast their votes for who they wish to eliminate. Sinead reveals that in a 3-1 result, it is Bao who will be next to join the jury after Brandon opted to flip on Ocean and Jamari and blindside the player he trusted least. Bao is somewhat surprised by the result, giving everybody hugs goodbye regardless. Jamari and Ocean both appear infuriated with Brandon, who promises to explain why he “had to make the move”. The final six join Lincoln and Sinead in being escorted back down to the RV, leaving Bao standing on her crutches outside Neuschwanstein Castle. Bao looks around in the darkness, remarking “how the hell do I get down from here?”, laughing at her predicament.

Episode #10 - Oktoberfest
The final six sit together inside their RV, with tensions at an all time high after Brandon opted to betray both Jamari and Ocean by voting Bao out of the game, sparing their target Luke from repatriation. Jamari rants for several minutes whilst the other five sit silently around him, listening to Jamari claim that “it isn’t fair”, and that he “deserves this more than anyone” after playing an honest straight-up game. As Jamari’s rants and sulking continues, Luke has a confessional where he criticises his attitude, feeling as though Jamari cannot ever handle being outplayed, similarly to the behaviour that got him ejected in The Caribbean. Jamari goes on to make a veiled threat in his own confessional, claiming that he “got arrested last time, and if they keep testing me then get the cuffs out again”. The next morning, the group drive one hour south to the German city of Munich, where Lincoln and Sinead are already waiting for them.

After a quick lunch, the group are given a short time to look around the city centre (Marienplatz) of one of Germany’s largest cities. As the group walk around, Brandon slowly reengages in conversation with Jamari, who remains angered by the betrayal the night before. Brandon jokes in his confessional that whilst he still intends to go to the end of the game with Jamari, that he needs Jamari to stop being “a big baby” and get over Bao’s elimination when it was in Brandon’s best interest. When the group finish looking around, they meet Lincoln and Sinead once again to begin their next daily challenge. The six are informed that for this challenge, they will be undergoing celebrations of ‘Oktoberfest’, an annual beer/funfair festival that takes place in Munich and has become synonymous with German culture. Lincoln explains that for this challenge, each player will dress in either dirndls or a lederhosen costume in keeping with Bavarian spirit, and that they’ll be tasked with carrying glass steins filled with Oktoberfest beer from one side of a tent to the other. However, each competitor must add two glasses to their load upon reaching each end of the tent, continuing until they completely spill the contents of (or drop) a single glass along the way. The individual to successfully carry the most steins will be crowned the daily winner, whilst the individual with the least will automatically face repatriation. Before the challenge, several competitors begin strategizing as they get into their costumes, with Luke asking Maranda who she’d aim to put up if she won, trying to pitch a case to get Jamari out of the game. Maranda tells Luke that she’d rather not nominate Jamari, citing that she has a better relationship with him than both Brandon and Ocean. Luke becomes irritated at Maranda for this, telling her that at the final six they cannot afford to “play dumb”, causing Maranda to tell Luke that “if you want (Jamari) out so badly, you win then”, remarking that she isn’t here to make his moves for him.

The Bavarian band begins playing Oktoberfest tunes as each competitor performs one at a time (as usual, unable to see each other take part). Montana is first to compete, giving an okay showing and using her long arms to grip as many steins as she can, unsure if her score of eight is going to be enough. Brandon is second to take part, ironically matching Montana’s score of eight after he is unable to bare the weight any longer. The two watch on as Jamari is next to take part, clearly being too cocky by assuming the method in which he can carry the steins, causing him to lose his grip and drop one glass after just having six in his hands. Luke is next to compete, giving a strong showing of ten steins and ultimately being eliminated due to the contents of one glass completely leaking down his chest. Brandon causes laughter amongst those sitting out when he offers to “clean up” for Luke, taking off Montana’s hat to fan himself as a joke. As the last two to compete, Ocean and Maranda put in almost completely polarised performances, with Ocean struggling with the steins and becoming somewhat irritated at the beer spilling down herself. Ocean ultimately drops her steins when trying to pick up her fifth and sixth, putting her in last place and automatically leaving her facing repatriation. Alternatively, Maranda shocks everyone as she dominates the task, showing strength and tactics that they were unaware she possessed, giving her a total of twelve steins before she cannot go any further. Maranda confesses to the group that “those shifts in Wetherspoons paid off”, celebrating her first individual daily win of her Road Trip experience. Maranda is asked to select who will be facing Ocean in the repatriation vote, with Montana and Luke both hoping that she’ll be gutsy and select Jamari so that they can eliminate him from the game. However, Maranda states that she’s “selecting somebody who is a threat in this game, has been playing consistently well and ultimately isn’t on my team”, calling on Brandon to take his place opposite friend Ocean. Brandon sighs, understanding the nomination, but upset that either he or Ocean will officially be leaving the game.

The group are told they may enjoy the Oktoberfest hall/celebrations for another hour, with sundown and the repatriation vote being imminent. Luke is quick to voice his anger to Maranda, saying that her move makes him “lose all trust in (her)”, and that he thinks she’s repeating the same mistakes as before by protecting somebody she “has a crush on”. Maranda scolds Luke for this assertion, reminding him that it is about keeping in people who she know won’t vote her out, which she “can confidently say Jamari wouldn’t, whereas Brandon is happy to turn on whoever”. Maranda goes on to tell Luke that he is welcome to “vote whoever (he) wants out”, and that she is satisfied seeing either Brandon or Ocean leave the game. The two part ways, clearly no longer feeling that they are on good terms to continue working together. Hoping to receive support off Montana, Maranda is shocked to find that she also voices disappointment over the nomination, telling Maranda that “Jamari is the person that we need to worry about in these competitions… Brandon hasn’t won a thing”. The girls bicker about the decision, with Montana reminding Maranda that if they want to go to the end together that they’ll have to cut Jamari eventually, and that Maranda may have jeopardised this by making a personal move over a strategic one. Elsewhere, Ocean and Brandon both begin their campaigns to remain in the game, with Ocean telling Jamari that she has been loyal to him from the start, whereas Brandon has “shown he flip-flops”. Ocean goes on to remind Jamari that she is confident she could get Montana on side, leaving it likely that they have the votes to send Brandon home. However, Brandon too pitches to Jamari that he has been loyal, defending his move to oust Bao and instead playing on their friendship that dates back to their time on The Caribbean. Montana joins both boys as they talk, willing to hear out Brandon’s claims that Ocean is more emotional, and may not be the best individual to rely on heading into the endgame. Clearly struggling with the decision, Montana tells Jamari that whatever he would rather do is “the move they can make together”, confident that Luke is set in voting out Ocean due to liking her less than anyone. At the vote, the group gather before the lit-up Oktoberfest Ferris Wheel, ready to hear who’ll be next to leave the trip. Jamari and Montana are revealed both to have ultimately sided alongside Luke, ousting Ocean in a unanimous 3-0 vote, with Jamari being swayed by his friendship with Brandon and being more trusting of his friend to not turn on him directly, whereas Montana claimed to be happy to stick with the numbers as she was confident that either nominee would have her back moving forward. Ocean appears blindsided by the result, having not been told by Jamari that he’d be voting her out over Brandon. A devastated Ocean is reluctant to hug anybody goodbye, hurt to once again be leaving at the hands of individuals she thought would keep her safe. After Ocean departs, the final five are left to enjoy the remainder of the celebrations, knowing that with five of them left the game is only going to become tougher than ever.

Episode #11 - An Astronomical Night Out
The remaining five All-Stars wake up the morning after Ocean’s elimination, with the mood of the tour somewhat stabilised thanks to the unanimous vote against her. However, all five are aware that at least one other person on the tour wants them eliminated, making the upcoming daily challenge more important than ever, particularly with just two individuals eligible to vote this round. Driving five hours, the group cross the German border into the neighbouring Czech Republic, arriving finally in its capital city Prague. After arriving in Prague, the group receive note from Lincoln and Sinead that they have the remaining day to enjoy themselves, and that it won’t be until the following day that they’ll take part in their next challenge. Montana decides to use her free time to visit Prague’s famous Jewish Quarter (Josefov), which once acted as a major Jewish ghetto within the city and throughout the horrors of World War II. Montana becomes emotional recounting the events that would have taken place in the quarter, receiving support off the others as they are all given brief access to the old synagogue that still stands. In a confessional, Montana mentions that the experience has made her reflect on her own personal deviation from Judaism, and her choice not to raise her children within the Jewish faith “beyond a label”. She confesses that perhaps it is something she would rethink when returning to her partner after the experience. The group head out of the Jewish quarter and reach a local restaurant, where they willingly try Prague’s ‘pork knuckle’ delicacy, with Montana making the group cackle after she willingly tastes the dish despite moments earlier celebrating her Jewish roots. Montana covers her face laughing, stating “you can’t be religious without being a hypocrite, so it’s a start”. After lunch, the group agree to enjoy other sights around the city, settling on a plan to experience Prague’s nightlife for an “end game celebration” at sundown.

Later that afternoon, Maranda and Jamari go off together where they talk about the anger that Montana and Luke both had after Maranda refused to nominate Jamari for repatriation. Jamari laughs that the two of them “have the group pressed”, promising Maranda that his plans are for her, him and Brandon to reach the final three together, with a preference for eliminating Luke next. Maranda claims to be fine with this proposal, telling Jamari that as long as he’s by her side at the end she is happy. The two are seen holding hands as they continue walking around Prague, stopping together to take photos atop the Charles Bridge. At nightfall, the group all dress up for their big night out, heading together to a local club, which initially the group are unaware is in fact a gay bar. The entire group apart from Luke seem to love this fact upon realisation, with Maranda claiming that “the music at gay clubs is always better”. Inside, the five happily drink and dance amongst the locals, even managing to get Luke to loosen up and enjoy himself. In a confessional, Montana mentions that whilst she is having a great evening, that she was somewhat shocked to learn that two local men mistook her for a trans woman, to which she notes “I suppose they think I look as glamorous as Ocean, so I’ll take that compliment”. Brandon is seen dancing with locals himself, assuring the group that he’ll be fine if he disappears for “an hour or two”. Jamari and Maranda both continue getting close in the club, eventually locking lips and taking their flirtmance to the next level, both clearly into one another. The kissing comes to a sudden halt after Maranda rushes to the dancefloor when RuPaul’s ‘Born Naked’ begins to play, which she insists she “cannot not be a part of”. At the end of the night, Luke and Montana return to the RV alone, being joined by Brandon a few hours later. The trio speculate where Jamari and Maranda have gone, realising soon that the two opted to get a private hotel room for the night.

The next day, a hungover trio stand within the National Marionette Theatre of Prague, where Lincoln and Sinead are already waiting for them. Jamari and Maranda both stroll in a few minutes late, blushing as a bemused Sinead asks where the two ran off to, hearing that neither spent the night inside the RV. Lincoln breaks the awkwardness by explaining that puppeteering has long been a popular form of entertainment in Prague, and that for their next challenge, competitors will be putting on their own puppet shows. Each competitor must randomly select two marionette puppets from a box, holding their arms upright and somewhat extended in the style of puppeteers. In doing this, each puppet will stand roughly ten centre metres off the puppet stage, with the goal of the task being to simply hold their puppets in this position for as long as possible. If a competitor raises their puppets too high (hitting a censor) or allowing its feet to touch the floor, then they will be eliminated. The individual who lasts the longest will win the daily challenge and earn themselves a spot in the final four, whilst the first eliminated will automatically face the winners nominee in the next repatriation vote. The group take their positions with their puppets, all eager to win and claim victory for the day in order to keep themselves and their allies safe. After eight minutes, Montana’s arms shake too much that she raises them, hitting her censor and eliminating her from the challenge. A dejected Montana takes her place on the side, knowing that she will automatically face elimination. As time ticks away, muscular Luke and Jamari both appear to struggle due to the weight of their arms, causing both to be the next to drop merely ten minutes after Montana. Brandon and Maranda continue their showdown to the thirty-minute mark, not trusting the other to be crowned the winner of the daily. In the end, Brandon is able to outlast Maranda, whose arms drop down, giving Brandon his first ever daily challenge win (team or individual). The group congratulate Brandon, awaiting to hear who he has selected to face Montana in the vote. Surprising nobody, Brandon selects Maranda as his nominee, citing it as being “returning the favour” after she had nominated him at the previous repatriation. Maranda and Montana put their arms around each other, saddened to know that for one of them the adventure will be ending in Prague.

Maranda and Montana both jokingly call out the “sausage fest” that will be left after one of their eliminations, lamenting that Road Trip will likely produce another male winner by the end of the season. Both Maranda and Montana then begin their campaigns to receive votes to stay, with Luke openly telling both girls that he will be casting his vote to eliminate Maranda, having lost trust with her in the previous round, and believing that she is a bigger threat than Montana moving into the top four. Similarly, Jamari is willing to tell both girls that he is saving romantic interest Maranda, leaving the final decision in the hands of daily winner Brandon. The entire group spend time speaking to Brandon to seek his support, with Maranda’s pitch being that she would target Luke at the next repatriation, and ultimately believes that Montana would instead target himself or Jamari. Montana tells Brandon that Maranda is a bigger threat in challenges, whereas she thinks between the two of them that she (Montana) is the only person who is more likely to lose a daily than he is. Jamari also pleads with his friend, not wanting to see him oust Maranda for selfish personal and game reasons. Brandon tells Jamari that he feels most afraid of Maranda of the other three, and that he doesn’t see how keeping her benefits him. Jamari eventually begins telling Brandon that he “owes him” for voting out Bao, and that he would “appreciate it more than (he) could ever know” if he were to repay loyalty and being saved at the previous vote by keeping Maranda in the game over Montana. Despite Jamari’s earlier comments, Montana questions whether he believes he can beat Maranda in the end, telling him that she is certain out of everyone that Maranda would “sweep the jury votes”, particularly with friends on the jury as well as “a strong resume”. Jamari agrees with Montana’s points, pondering if he would be better off placing Maranda on the jury and banking his hopes on himself and Brandon winning the next challenges. The final five regroup with Lincoln and Sinead by Prague’s ‘Astronomical Clock’, standing ominously in silence as it strikes the hour. Both Jamari and Luke cast their votes to repatriate, ending in a 1-1 tie as neither were willing to budge from their earlier decisions. Sinead declares that in the event of a tie, Brandon will receive the sole vote to eliminate and send one of the girls to the jury. Brandon apologises in advance to vocalising his decision, stating that he needs to continue doing what is best for himself, eliminating “the bigger threat” in Maranda, ending her journey once again in fifth place. Maranda places her head in Jamari’s chest, being comforted by him after what she had expected would be her final evening on the tour. Montana embraces Maranda before leaving, being glad to have further grown their friendship together that began six seasons prior. Maranda remains optimistic in wishing the final four luck, claiming that she had “the best time”, and that she hopes to see them all for another night out in the near future. The final four return to the RV, with a tearful Jamari once again struggling to look friend and ally Brandon in the eye, determined more than ever to take control of the endgame.

Episode #12 - Lacrimosa
The day following Maranda’s emotional elimination, the final four set-off in the RV from Prague to Austria, entering the capital city of Vienna where they will be whittled down to a final three by the end of the day. Brandon and Jamari talk through their disagreements during the ride, knowing that heading into the next round they need to remain unified, as both Luke and Montana are certainly going to target Jamari for repatriation. In a confessional, Jamari claims to believe that in going to the final two with Brandon that he would be sure to win, receiving votes off Maranda, Bao and Michael, with just one more needed to secure victory. Up front, Luke ponders as he drives whether or not he’ll be able to convince Brandon to vote against Jamari, coming to the conclusion that the only chance he has of getting his way would be to win the daily challenge himself. Arriving in Vienna, the group meet Lincoln and Sinead who quickly have the group board a tram ride to the Wiener Musikverein; a prestigious concert hall that is home to the world famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Entering the hall, the foursome are treated to a recital by a local orchestra, playing through several pieces by famed Austrian composer Mozart. After the performances, Sinead explains to the group that for their next daily challenge, they will be played a further three pieces of music (on loop), and that they must enter an adjoining room where twenty pianos are simultaneously playing different pieces of music. Each competitor must identify the three pianos (in one go) that are playing the pieces shown in the other room. If a competitor gets a single piano wrong, they must return to the live performance and sit through all three pieces again in their entirety, doing this until they finally lock in the three correct answers. The individual to do this in the fastest time will be declared the winner, whilst the slowest will automatically face repatriation at such a crucial stage of the game.

One by one, each player takes part in the grand Mozart challenge, with Montana noting that she used to take piano lessons until she was eighteen and “is familiar with a few of Mozart’s work”. Despite this, Montana takes around thirty-minutes to complete the challenge, getting her answers wrong three times during the course of her run. Brandon performs stronger than Montana, only getting answers wrong twice, locking in a time under twenty-two minutes. However, he is then quickly beaten by Jamari, who easily identifies two of the pianos after recognising the pieces, admitting that he had played piano at school prior to “taking a wrong turn”, giving him a final time of nineteen minutes. Luke is last to compete, determined to get the win so that his plans can come into fruition. Despite his wishes, Luke has a horrendous time in identifying the pieces, clearly struggling and barely getting a single piano identified after thirty-eight minutes. In the end, Luke is told by Lincoln and Sinead that he is already fifteen minutes behind Montana, allowing him to quit the task as he automatically faces repatriation. Sinead announces that with that, Jamari has won his fourth daily challenge and has the right to decide who between Brandon and Montana will face Luke, and who will have the sole vote to eliminate. Shocking nobody, Jamari reiterates his desire to stick true to his friends, saving Brandon and placing Montana up for repatriation against Luke. With the day already heading into later hours, Lincoln explains that Brandon will have just a short amount of time to determine who he’ll be ousting from the game, and who will be joining himself and Jamari in the final three. Luke pitches to Brandon privately that the two of them have managed to somewhat work together throughout, and that if he were to reach the top three he would promise to take him to the end over Jamari should he win the final challenge. Moreover, Luke highlights that Montana has more friends on the jury than himself, and would in that regard be a bigger threat. Montana tells Brandon that she believes the two of them have managed to have a strong bond since ‘day one’ when he helped her atop the Eiffel Tower, and that she would feel it a wholesome moment to have the two of them make the end after a difficult season. Brandon asks Montana if she would take him to the final two if she were to win the last challenge, to which she claims she would, noting that Jamari has won more than anyone else and in her view has “played the strongest game”. Brandon struggles with his decision, wanting to make sure that whatever happens he has two people at the end who would take him to the top two; greatly reducing the pressure on him to win the last challenge and get blood on his hands. Brandon checks in with Jamari moments before the vote, with Jamari telling Brandon that he believes Luke to be the bigger threat overall, feeling that Montana has been somewhat lacklustre with her zero wins all season. The foursome reconvene with Lincoln and Sinead on the main stage of the Musikverein, where Brandon announces that he has decided to eliminate Luke from the game. Luke claims that this was a “poor decision”, bringing up that he had not done well in the final challenge during Central Africa (although Montana too mentions losing the same challenge in Western Europe). Despite being somewhat upset, Luke wishes the final three luck, telling Montana she’ll need to “find the strength to win one” if she wants to avoid being the final juror. Now down to three, the remaining All-Stars say their goodnights to Lincoln and Sinead, returning via tram to the RV where they get rest, knowing that in twenty-four hours two of them will be fighting for the chance to win £50,000 in front of a jury of seven fallen comrades.

Being woken in the early hours of their final day, the remaining three competitors receive instructions to drive five-hours to the Austrian city of Innsbruck. Brandon, Jamari and Montana head over to the Swarovski Kristallwelten on arrival, enjoying the eye-catching ‘Giant’ grass-statue waterfall that acts as an entrance to the ‘Crystal Worlds’ within. Brandon jokes that whoever wins the season can purchase one of the rare crystals on display, allowing the others to laugh in a rare moment of serenity before their final challenge. After their tour of the crystal formations, the final three join Lincoln and Sinead who are already seated inside. In keeping with Road Trip tradition, the final three are told that they’ll be taking on a trivia based final challenge, with questions ranging from the road trip as a whole, locations, activities and other All-Stars. The final three are to write their answers on boards secretly before revealing, with every correct answer earning one point. After ten questions, the individual with the most points will win a spot in the final two and determine who will be joining them. After ten questions, Brandon is revealed to have scored the worst, only getting four out of ten questions correctly and leaving him vulnerable. Jamari and Montana both tie on eight correct answers each, leaving it to once again come down to a tiebreaker question in which whoever gets a figure closer to the correct answer will earn the win. Lincoln asks the tiebreaker question, which Montana is ultimately able to get closer to the correct answer, winning her first daily challenge at the most important time. Brandon and Jamari congratulate Montana, both somewhat bemused to have ended up in their ‘worst case scenario’ after planning to take each other to the top two. Both boys are given an opportunity to pitch their case to Montana, with Jamari giving a half-hearted talk about how he has had more conflict than Brandon, and therefore may be a better candidate to sit next to. Brandon gives a more passionate plea, reminding Montana that she had promised him to take him to the end if she were to win, and that he had saved her over Luke just twenty-four hours prior. Montana admits to being conflicted, speaking openly about perceiving Jamari to have played the most successful strategic and physical game of the season, whilst Brandon has played “a phenomenal social game with strategic manoeuvring that always kept him out of danger”. With Montana struggling, Sinead pressures her to make a decision on who to eliminate, as no more time can be allocated to deliberations. Montana speaks up, stating that she is going to “take the biggest risk of her life”, and sit next to the person she thinks she has a better shot at beating “based off who is voting on the jury”; casting her vote to eliminate Brandon from the game and take Jamari to the final two. Brandon throws his head down, frustrated to have fallen at the final hurdle. He stands, hugging friend Jamari and congratulating him on his win, before turning to Montana and coldly hugging her, declaring that she has “no shot at (his) vote”, to which she replies “I figured”. After Brandon departs, Jamari hesitantly thanks Montana on keeping him, concerned as to why she thinks she would be able to beat him based off the jury members. Nevertheless, the final two are given instructions on where to head next, with their journey there being their only opportunity to think through the cases they’ll present as to why they believe they should be the winner of the game.

Jamari and Montana make a short journey up one of Innsbruck’s funiculars, settling atop the mountain in an open courtyard where Lincoln and Sinead are already waiting. The pair take a seat beside a campfire, watching as the jury of seven enter to determine their final fates (Gareth, Michael, Bao, Ocean, Maranda, Luke and Brandon). The jury as a collective body is allowed to question or make statements to Jamari and Montana whilst they pitch their case as to why they should be crowned winner of the road trip. Beginning with Montana, several jury members offer praise for her ability to socially avoid being a target throughout the entire season, with almost the entire jury agreeing that they cannot think of a single moment where Montana was the ‘key target’. However, Brandon speaks up to suggest that this was because Montana ‘lacked any real presence’ as a threat, and that whilst socially she was likeable, that it was just chance that she ‘faded into the background’. Michael then speaks up in favour of Montana’s game, noting that she was able to stay generally loyal throughout, and was the only individual of the Western Europe group who could navigate and survive their downfall, and had to rely on her own new relationships to carry her through to the top two. Regarding her physical game, many jurors question if Montana’s lack of wins should count against her. For Jamari, several jurors offer praise for his physical dominance and strategic control, particularly as he avoided ever being nominated until the final three, where again he almost won the task. Despite this, numerous jurors call Jamari out on having a poor attitude at times, with Luke in particular speaking negatively of Jamari, pointing out that he also had issues with Ivan, Jacob and Gareth throughout the tour. Jamari apologises to the jury (in particular Gareth and Luke) for feeling there were personal issues between them, claiming that he truly has no issue with anyone. Before Jamari can continue, Ocean speaks up by noting that Jamari “almost certainly had personal issues with people”, bringing up his bitchy remarks about Gareth behind his back during the trip. As Jamari continues to apologise, Ocean demands her own apology, calling Jamari’s betrayal the most painful part of the process for her, and claiming that both he and Brandon were willing to cast her to one side despite her loyalty throughout. Bao then speaks more positively for Jamari, reminding the group that all of them have experienced conflict during their respective seasons, and that “it is hard to travel so many miles without clashing now and again”. Brandon echoes this statement, also pointing out that Montana had her own fair share of arguments, notably with Ivan and Rain. Out of curiosity, Sinead asks the jury who amongst them feel both competitors would make deserving winners, only receiving hands up from Michael and Maranda. Sinead then asks who amongst them would rather vote for neither, amusingly only receiving a hand off Gareth, who claims to not like Jamari for his attitude, and not like Montana for her “two-faced” gameplay. After questions and statements, each juror is then instructed to place a key-fob with either ‘Jamari or ‘Montana’ into the holder, corresponding to who they want to win the game. The first two votes drawn are shown to be for Jamari, with his allies Bao and Brandon coming through to support him, and Bao in particular feeling negative towards Montana on a personal level post-game. The result is tied 2-2 after Luke and Gareth are shown to have voted for Montana, both disliking Jamari’s personality and feeling that he isn’t deserving of the title for that reason. The result continues to be tied after Michael opts to give his vote to friend Montana over Jamari, whereas Maranda selects romantic interest and ally Jamari over longer term friend Montana. Ocean’s vote is the last drawn to determine the winner, going to roommate Montana over friend and ally Jamari, ultimately costing him the game for his betrayal of her over ‘flip-flopper’ Brandon. Montana breaks down in tears at her win, being hugged by Jamari, Michael, Maranda and a forgiving Brandon, all assuring her that it was “well deserved”. Although disappointed, Jamari shares a group hug with Brandon and Maranda, choosing not to give into the negativity felt by ‘bitter’ jurors. Montana is last shown to be calling home, emotionally informing her partner and two children that she has been crowned the victor, bringing home an impressive £50,000 for the family. As the All-Stars mull over the seasons events and results, Lincoln and Sinead move back towards the funicular, pondering where Road Trip will take them next for the beginning of its second chapter.