Sloppy Schemer: Can Nelson Get Past His Epic Challenge Blunder?

Can a hot seat catch fire? Nelson, already the subject of Total Madness chaos, was forced to find out on the show's most recent installment. Although can he beat the odds and survive?


On tonight's Challenge episode, the Are You the One? export — who's no stranger to fiery nomination ceremonies (kindly refer back to Tori's Purgatory sentencing for evidence) — once again provided enough fireworks to light up a Independence Day beach side.


Nelson, already a target for Purgatory by a handful of females he'd insulted in the residence, noticed himself even more at risk of elimination soon after losing the memory game Decontamination. Because the Tribunal — Bananas, Wes and Mattie — started to mull over potential Purgatory picks for the game's very first double elimination, the rest of the cast sought out to nominate two males also. And soon after Fessy's seemingly inevitable nomination, the home suddenly turned its attention toward Nelson for its second pick.


Routinely straightforward, Jordan began the conversation by declaring that he couldn't vote for Nelson as the two had struck a deal to work with each other. Yet Jordan's message had a unintended consequence, as Kyle, next to vote, mentioned that Nelson had made him the same promise.


Suddenly, like a sole thread that had come loose on a sweater, Nelson's game started to deteriorate. Swaggy, then Josh, then Melissa, then Big T all discussed up to mention that Nelson had promised them the very same kind of safety also, and in just a number of minutes, there was no saving Nelson. Even his best pal Cory knew he was on a sinking ship.


"My man Nelson is getting exposed now Cory mentioned. "And I'm just sitting back attempting to hide my head."


Worse, Kyle and Melissa pointed out that Nelson — a veteran of the game — should have known better than to scheme so sloppily, particularly since the same course of action had exploded in his face in previous seasons.


any time it comes to the politics of this game, it's just a real weakness for him," Kyle observed. "If you go around making the same promise to every person in the room, it's going to backfire."


And backfire it did. Decisively, Nelson was sentenced to Purgatory kicking and screaming, and though he handily beat Bear in Pole Wrestle — a physical game tailor-made for him — it was clear his defenses had been wiped out and that any camouflage he could have once sported had been scrubbed away.


Still, Nelson's got a pretty impressive elimination-round record, so even if he is tossed into Purgatory in the weeks to come, is there still a chance he can survive? Or are his days in the Challenge residence numbered, and is it only a matter of time before Purgatory sends him packing? Share your thoughts, and be sure to check out Challenge Wednesday at 8/7c!