The seven remaining contestants head to San Pedro, California, to the Port of Los Angeles to work as bridge workers. Josh tells the crew that their new job will be bridge painting, and introduces new boss Dave White, who has 20 years experience with CalTrans. He tells the contestants they will be judged on skill, teamwork, attitude and how hard they work. He adds this sage advice, “Don’t look down.”
Dave instructs the crew that they need to listen, ask questions and not rush into anything. Michaela and Ben are okay with heights. Steven isn’t fond of the idea, but everyone knows that this task will have Chris is fighting his biggest demon, his fear of heights. However, when the group asks Chris how he feels, he says he’s pumped to get up there.
They will be working on the Vincent Thomas Bridge, which is over 6000 feet long. First, they’ll have to prepare the steel substructure under the bridge deck for painting. Next, they’ll have to perform a high wire act to clean the lights on the suspension cable nearly 40 stories above the harbor. Last, they’ll paint the suspender ropes on the main deck to prevent corrosion.
To get to the first task, they must cross the bridge using the catwalk more than 20 stories up. Cars race by above and cause it to shake. The wind is also a factor. Before they prep the crossbeams for painting, the group has to stand on the edge of a drop-down grate platform to pull up their supplies from 200 feet below. After a female supervisor demonstrates how to pull the bucket up, Steven goes first and battles the psychological challenge of heights.
The crew prepare cross beams to be painted. It’s a crucial job, because paint is the only thing that stands between the beams and rust. They must clean the debris first so that once painted, it can’t cause the paint to buckle and expose the beams to corrosion. Ben is at ease sweeping 20 stories up, but to the rest of the group’s amusement, Chris clings to the sides.
Despite their clash on the last task, Sandy decides to take the high road and encourage Chris instead of undermining his already fragile sense of confidence. She gives Chris a pep talk and helps him boost his confidence. Chris apologizes to Sandy for what he said about her on the last task and thanks her for helping him out and having his back. To Sandy, the beef is water under the bridge.
To determine who stays in the game, Sandy and Chris must race each other up the suspension cable to change the bulbs on four lights each. At night. They will compete head to head. The person who completes the job the fastest stays in the game. The other will be sent home. Chris is completely devastated that he’s in the bottom two and must face his fear yet again to stay in the game. Sandy worries that Chris is a bottom four veteran and may come back like they’re known to do. She says all the first timers in the bottom went home when they faced a veteran. She also notes that everyone was looking at her like “finally, she messed up.”
Sandy, confident in her footing, races up the suspension while Chris takes his time. Sandy reaches her first light and changes the bulb 28 stories up. Chris becomes frozen at 22 stories, and seeing the lead that Sandy has on him he knows he’s going to lose. Instead of further risking his safety, he gives up and turns around. Even though she sees Chris has given up, Sandy retains her speed and changes all four bulbs. After completing the task, the humbling experience of being in the bottom two and having to fight to stay in the game has her overcome with emotion.
Chris wishes everyone good luck. Bryce teases him, telling him he had a chance to get rid of his nemesis and didn’t. “Damn!” He then tells Chris he’s going to miss him. Steven says he’s really going to miss Chris, that yes, he’s rough around the edges but he really got close to him. Others will miss his humor and unique New York expressions. Sandy says it felt great to get a kiss and a hug from someone who previously had nothing nice to say about her.
