As the competition continues, Chima is swinging and bouncing wildly at the end of her rope, but refusing to let go, even as her tiny form gets dragged over the giant diploma. As night begins to fall, she finally drops off at 2 hours, 22 minutes. Now it's down to Michele, Jeff, and Russell, none of whom is ready to give up.

Two and a half hours in, the grid has come to a stop, and everyone's just hanging there. Jessie takes advantage of the lull -- and the temporary absence of most of the other losers -- to mouth to Russell to offer to put up Ronnie if Jeff drops out. Russell whispers that to Jeff, who whispers back, that they'll talk about it when Michele drops.

Later, when the spinning and the raining has recommenced, the diploma has started to tatter after the beating it's taken. I mean, seriously, each houseguest only feels one hit, but that diploma feels every single one. Michele slips off her swing, but she can't even fall properly; her pants are tangled somehow and she's left hanging upside down by them, looking like the only way down is without trousers. The spinning stops, and Jessie gallantly comes up with a towel to wrap around her waist while Kevin holds her steady and Ronnie cuts her down with a set of bolt cutters at 2:41. That's Michele: always ending with dignity.

It's down to Russell and Jeff, which means it's going to be more about negotiation than endurance at this point. Russell maintains to Jeff that he wants Ronnie out, and will take Jeff's advice on the second nominee. Russell asks everyone else for privacy to he can make a deal. After everyone else goes inside, Russell tells Jeff that what he really wants is a letter from his dad, who apparently almost died during recent neck surgery. Jeff makes Russell swear on his dad to protect Jeff and Jordan. Russell twists around awkwardly to look Jeff in the eye and give his word. That's Good enough for Jeff, who lowers himself down at three hours, 38 minutes. Russell's the new HoH, and he Diary-Rooms that he has great respect for Jeff, and "anyone who can compete at my level."