The episode starts with Don narrating. "Last time on the race around the states, Harold's declaration about not giving a crap about his family anymore, began to make Kelly seriously think about her relationship with Taylor." "Then we set off to South Dakota for a race through black hills national forest, and Harold ran into trouble, when his hand caught on fire." "He was able to win the challenge, and became the first challenge winner, to not stand on the podium, due to having to see a doctor." "He has made something blatantly clear though, he will still continue on in the race." "We are now three quarters of the way through the regular season, and three contestants are now so far back in points, that making the chase is literally impossible." "Those three contestants are Josee, Dwayne, and Carrie." "At the same time, nobody has clinched a spot into the chase." "How will the top contestants in points compete, to try and clinch a spot as early as possible?" "And how will Dwayne, Carrie, and Josee compete, knowing that they are out of the running?" "We may find out on this episode of, the race around the states."
Intro consists of a shorter version of the final countdown.
As Harold was at the doctors office having his hand examined, nearly everyone else was in self defense class with Officer Chambers. Once again, Jay was absolutely destroying everyone else. What was interesting, was that while Jay was sparring against Taylor, the two of them were actually having a conversation. "Considering how much you can't stand things that are gross, I am shocked that so far, you have had nothing negative to say about Hazel" said Jay. "I mean for crying out loud, she's been for the past decade, living in of all places, inside my ear." "That's because you made sure Hazel was actually cleaned up, and made sure she got all of her shots" said Taylor. "You've kept that owl of yours completely under control, the only time she ever dumps on someone, is when you ask her too." Jay then pinned Taylor against the matt they were sparring on, easily winning the match. "You're a terrible liar, you're just too scared to insult his pet owl, because he might strangle you with his prosthetic hand" said Lorenzo.
(Confession cam- That is a low blow)
Taylor- "Oh hell no, I can't believe he's accusing me of being a coward." "You know, most of the contestants here are a bunch of morons." "There are barely any contestants that know what the hell they are doing." "Some of them are just pathetic." "They are weak, stupid, and disgusting."
Jay- "Ever since the incident with Emma, i've realized that my prosthetic hand can be extremely dangerous." "From now on, I'm only going to fight with one hand." "My prosthetic hand will only be used in a fight, as a last resort, in a life threatening situation."
**End confessional**
Harold then walked into the room, having just gotten back from the doctors office, his left hand now heavily bandaged. "I've lost count of how many injuries i've had throughout my life, i'll just guess that this is number #645" said Harold. "You know, fighting with one hand isn't as hard as it seems, I can teach you how it's done" said Jay. "I appreciate the offer, but unlike you, I am actually left handed, and my left hand is the one that's bandaged up" said Harold.
A few minutes later, Harold and Stephanie, were standing on the same mat. "Okay, I want you pin Stephanie to the ground, using only your right hand" said Jay. "I'm not too sure about this, she's one of the toughest contestants on the show" said Harold. "Being a 12 time challenge winner, I would think you would have much more confidence than that" said Jay. To nobody's surprise, Stephanie easily knocked Harold over. "Okay, we've got some work to do" said Jay.
(Confession cam- More work than you think)
Harold- "Okay, I can compete right handed, i've done things that are way more difficult in the past."
Stephanie- "Yeah, he's pretty much screwed."
**End confessional**
Later that day, Jay and Josee were on a date, at a baseball game. As they were leaving the stadium, Josee asked Jay a serious question. "Do you think Harold is going to be okay?" "I certainly hope so, considering all of the shit he's had to put up with" said Jay.
(Room 12- Harold and Carrie)
Harold flopped down onto his bed, feeling exhausted. "Oh gosh, working with only my right hand is going to be harder than I thought" said Harold. "It could be worse, you could be letting your loved one down, by losing any opportunity you had at winning" said Carrie. "Carrie, you're beating yourself up too much about Devin's lung cancer" said Harold. "What happened to him, was not your fault." "Yeah, it could have been worse, he could have" began Carrie. She was about to say that Devin could have caught on fire in that forest, but realized that probably would not have been the best choice of words, given what just happened to Harold.
(Room 3- father and son)
Dwayne was looking down at his sleeping son, and all he could do was cry. He had just lost his chance at a million dollars, and now he was about to lose the only child he had left. He then stepped into the bathroom, but when he looked in the mirror, he didn't see his reflection. All he saw was the worst father in the world, who had just lost everything that he cared about in his life.
(Room 16- the ice dancers)
"You're taking your loss surprisingly well" said Jacques. "Just like you, I am not the person I was a long time ago" said Josee. "Who would have thought, that the adversity twins would eventually become our friends?" said Jacques.
The next morning, everyone got on the bus, and the sun eventually went down. When they got off, they found themselves on the edge of a forest. "We are in the state of Maine, the state that produces 600,000 gallons of maple syrup each year" said Don. "Mmmm, maple syrup" said Owen. "Oh, so that's why you have a maple lead on your shirt, I thought you were just representing Canada" said Noah. "We are outside of a forest, full of maple trees" said Don. "For this challenge, it's a race from one end of the forest to the other." "As it is dark out, you are going to be needing headlamps, so nobody gets lost.
Soon, everyone was lined up on the edge of the forest. "Okay everyone, let's get this challenge started" said Don. "On your mark, get set, GO!" Everyone then took off.
As they were running through the forest, Tom and Jen were discussing Owen's choice in clothing. "He may be starting a trend, of people wearing clothes with food on them" said Tom. "Well technically, the maple leaf, isn't actually a food, it's really the syrup" said Jen. "Then maybe Noah is wrong, maybe Owen really is representing our home country" said Tom.
Lorenzo was with Kitty and Tammy. "Since we are in a forest, I think now would be an appropriate time to ask this question" said Kitty. "What kind of wood is your wand made of?" "It cherry wood" said Tammy.
(Confession cam- Was the tree chopped by George Washington?)
Lorenzo- "Oh come on, it's not made of actual wood." "It's a fake toy wand, made out of plastic."
**End confessional**
Chet was with Jacques and Spud. "Maybe once the show is over, you and Josee can give the olympics a second attempt" said Chet. "Oh hell no, I am not giving her another brain injury" said Jacques. "Considering how hard ice is, you are very lucky you didn't kill her" said Spud.
(Confession cam- She cheated death)
Jacques- "First the peach incident, and now this." "Why does he feel the need to put these disturbing images in my head?"
**End confessional**
Dwayne was talking to Ellody about the chances of his son's survival. "50 mph, head first into a brick wall, at the young age of fourteen" said Ellody. "We also have to take into consideration, that this isn't the first time he's had a concussion." "Once you get one, you are extremely vulnerable to another." "Then there's the fact that some of these challenges can turn out to be really dangerous." "It may ultimately come down to wether or not he takes another blow to the head." "I'm sorry that I have to be the one to tell you this, but your son only has an 8% chance of survival." "Oh God, I am going to hell before I die" said Dwayne.
Junior was with Rock and Pete. Junior was barely able to keep his eyes open, and looked as though he was about to throw up. "It could be worse, you could be suffering from back pain" said Pete. "Just wait, when you're as old as I am, your back will be killing you." "I know what back pain is like, i've already had my back broken by a rabbit" said Junior. "More like you had your back ripped open" said Pete.
(Confession cam- Good thing he got stitched back up)
Rock- "Okay, I know that Loki gave him several bleed out cuts, but Junior wasn't being literally torn apart."
**End confessional**
Emma was with Sanders and Owen. "As soon as this challenge is over, i'm going tapping" said Owen. "I'm confused, what's tapping?" asked Emma. "That's what they call the process of getting syrup out of trees" said Owen.
(Confession cam- I thought you meant tap dancing)
Sanders- "I'm not entirely sure the maple leaf on his shirt is there to reference Canada." "Look at the colors of his shirt, and the colors of the Canadian flag." "It's not even close." "Don't even get me started, on the fact that there are obviously maple leaves, in other countries."
**End confessional**
Mary was with MacArthur and Taylor. "This forest makes me feel like we're back in Canada" said MacArthur. "I'm not surprised, the state we are in is on the border" said Mary. "One thing I really hate about borders, is that you can't carry guns across them" said MacArthur.
(Confession cam- Shooting down the terrorist)
Taylor- "That is the second time, I have heard somebody mention that they want a gun." "How many of these weirdo's have an obsession with shooting things?"
**End confessional**
Stephanie with with Noah and Miles. "This beautiful picture of all these trees will unfortunately disappear, when the lumberjack's show up" said Miles. "What kind of vegan are you?" asked Stephanie. "I thought that all they gave a damn about was animal rights, since when did they become obsessed with nature?" "Trees provide air, and animals need air to breathe" said Miles.
(Confession cam- What interest would a locomotive have in scenery?)
Noah- "Okay, she's not wrong about the air situation." "She just doesn't realize that new trees are planted shortly afterwards."
**End confessional**
Ennui was with Chris and Geoff. "Ennui, I would just like to say thank you" said Chris. "What are you thanking me for?" asked Ennui emotionlessly. "For having Loki attack Junior, he got what he deserved" said Chris. Ennui's eyes widened in shock. "That comment was completely unnecessary" said Geoff. "You know Geoff, i'm surprised you're defending him, he's one of the reasons why you're being sued" said Chris. "It's just a shame that rabbit didn't kill him, he's been nothing but an asshole since he first appeared on screen."
(Confession cam- Okay, that was uncalled for)
Ennui- "GOD FUCKING DAMNIT!" "THAT INCIDENT IS WHAT CAUSED JUNIOR TO START HAVING ANGER PROBLEMS!" "CHRIS IS A TOTAL ASSHOLE!" "WHEN THAT INCIDENT HAPPENED, ME AND CRIMSON ACTUALLY THOUGHT THAT WE CAUSED JUNIOR'S DEATH!" "HE IS THANKING ME FOR THAT?!" "YOU KNOW WHAT, IF ANYONE DESERVES TO BE MAULED BY A WILD RABBIT, IT'S CHRIS!"
**End confessional**
Jay was with Kelly and Harold. Harold's heart palpitations were acting up again, and he began to sweat. "Hey Harold, do you remember that talk we had yesterday?" asked Kelly. "I just want to say, that I didn't mean to piss you off." "You're not the one aggravating me, it's my pathetic excuse for a family" said Harold. "Harold, buddy, I now you don't mean it when you say that you hate your family" said Jay. "Alright Jay, let me ask you this" said Harold. "What would you do if your family lied to you, and told you that Mickey was dead?" "Harold, you don't know shit, about the problems I am going through right now" said Jay. "I've been separated from my father, nearly my entire life, similar to how you are currently apart from Mickey, so don't tell me I don't know how it feels" said Harold. "You don't know how it feels, because your father is alive and well, while my brother is forced to live the rest of his life, without eyes" said Jay.
(Confession cam- Oh crap, things are getting ugly)
Kelly- "Oh Lord, Jay would not have any anger whatsoever, if Mickey simply just came out of that maze unharmed." "Ever since that happened, he has gone completely off the rails."
**End confessional**
Brody was with Ryan and Laurie. "Ah nature, one of the best things about traveling across the country" said Laurie "You do realize that we have forests in Canada as well" said Ryan. "I know, I just like seeing nature from a foreign perspective" said Laurie.
(Confession cam- Ah, perfect scenery)
Brody- "I cannot say any names, as this this is being aired worldwide, and I don't want to anger anybody." "I will simply just say, that in certain countries, the only scenery you get, is explosions and people dying."
**End confessional**
Carrie was with Leonard and Gerry. "If you and your partner are so obsessed with beer, how come neither of you have gotten wasted yet?" asked Leonard. "We're not obsessed with it, we're obsessed with advertising it" said Gerry. "When are both of you going to realize, that there are literally only two other contestants beside yourselves, that are allowed to drink?" asked Leonard.
(Confession cam- They should have realized by now)
Carrie- "Where did their fascination for beer even from?" "They weren't anything like this last season." "Actually, to be fair, we never really got to know them last time, they were eliminated only three episodes in."
**End confessional**
Crimson was giving some advice to Josee, in an emotionless tone. "You know, falling on your head wouldn't hurt as badly, if you had the decency to wear a helmet." "They don't have helmets in ice dancing" said Josee. "Some of the sports in this world have some of the dumbest rules" said Crimson.
Soon, the contestants were coming across the finish line. Laurie crossed the line in first, with Ryan in second, Brody third, Emma fourth, Owen fifth, Sanders sixth, Kitty seventh, Lorenzo eighth, Tammy ninth, Jay tenth, Harold eleventh, Kelly twelfth, MacArthur thirteenth, Taylor fourteenth, Mary fifteenth, Stephanie sixteenth, Miles seventeenth, Noah eighteenth, Junior nineteenth, Rock twentieth, Pete twenty first, Chris twenty second, Ennui twenty third, Geoff twenty fourth, Jacques twenty fifth, Spud twenty sixth, Chet twenty seventh, Jen twenty eighth, Tom twenty ninth, Gerry thirtieth, Leonard thirty first, Carrie thirty second, Dwayne thirty third, Ellody thirty fourth, Josee thirty fifth, and Crimson thirty sixth.
(Confession cam- Checkered flag)
Gerry- "With how far back I am in points, I just lost any chance that I had at making the chase." "At least Miller lite is still paying me."
Laurie- "Alright, second win of the season." "Things can only go up from here."
**End confessional**
The podium ceremony was now happening. Brody was standing on the third place pedestal, Ryan was on the second place pedestal, and Laurie was on the winner's pedestal. Don then walked up to the podium, dressed as a pirate. "Argh, as it be October the thirty first, I decided to be in uniform" he said. "Well, you certainly look better than Chris's pirate outfit from TDI" chuckled Owen. All Chris could do was frown at him. "Considering the time of year it is, I am shocked that we came out of a forest during the nighttime, without someone trying to scare us" said Rock. "Well Laurie, you just won yourself a Nintendo wii, along with a copy of Super Mario Galaxy" said Don. "And as it is Halloween, we'll throw in a pumpkin." He then then turned to the camera. "Only nine challenges left in the regular season." "How desperate are these contestants going to get?" "We may find out next time on, the race around the states."
Point standings
First place: Ryan, 827 points, 3 wins
Second place: Chet, 772 points
Third place: Noah, 751 points, 2 wins
Fourth place: Emma, 748 points, 1 win
Fifth place: Kelly, 728 points, 1 win
Sixth place: Taylor, 722 points, 1 win
Seventh place: Laurie, 718 points, 2 wins
Eighth place: Harold, 716 points, 12 wins
Ninth place: Crimson, 712 points, 1 win
Tenth place: Leonard, 709 points
Eleventh place: Owen, 705 points
Twelfth place: Sanders, 702 points, 1 win
Thirteenth place: Kitty, 693 points
Fourteenth place: Lorenzo, 662 points
Fifteenth place: Ennui, 658 points
Sixteenth place: Tammy, 649 points
Seventeenth place: Geoff, 640 points
Eighteenth place: Jen, 620 points
Nineteenth place: Jay, 619 points, 2 wins
Twentieth place: Stephanie, 585 points
Twenty first place: Junior, 574 points, 2 wins
Twenty second place: MacArthur, 539 points
Twenty third place: Mary, 536 points
Twenty fourth place: Jacques, 513 points, 1 win
Twenty fifth place: Miles, 475 points
Twenty sixth place: Rock, 421 points
Twenty seventh place: Brody, 418 points, 2 wins
Twenty eighth place: Pete, 417 points
Twenty ninth place: Spud, 360 points
Thirtieth place: Chris, 341 points
Thirty first place: Ellody, 273 points
Thirty second place: Izzy, 272 points, 1 win
Thirty third place: Tom, 261 points
Thirty fourth place: Gerry, 242 points
Thirty fifth place: Carrie, 203 points
Thirty sixth place: Dwayne, 178 points
Thirty seventh place: Leshawna, 171 points
Thirty eighth place: Josee, 154 points
Thirty ninth place: Mickey, 139 points
Fortieth place: Devin, 114 points
Forty first place, Dawn, 81 points
Forty second place, Lindsay, 18 points
Authors note: Something that the Total drama animators are a little bit inconsistent with, is the dominant hand of several of the characters. There are multiple characters that write with both their left and right hand. You could argue and make a claim, that those characters are ambidextrous, but it hasn't actually been determined to be canon. My head canon about Harold being left handed, is probably not 100% canon.
A lot of people seem to think that Owen's shirt, is a reminder to the audience that Total drama is a Canadian show. But given how much Owen loves things that are sweet, he could just be expressing his love for maple syrup. Keep in mind, that Canada is not the only country that has maple leaves.
As always, if you have an idea for a challenge in an upcoming state or a prize for a future challenge winner, feel free to let me know in a review.
Thank you for reading and please have a great day.