Now Tyler and Ryan have to have A Big Talk. Ryan is dismissive of Tyler's "inner turmoil" in an interview, so it's all the more cringe-y to watch Tyler talking to Ryan about how he likes him That Way, and Ryan's kind of like, "...That's nice" in response, and then we get another Teary Tylerview about the situation, and then Ryan says that yeah, they made out drunkenly a bunch of times, but he doesn't want to lead Tyler on, so...that's...kind of that. Ouch. Tyler expresses his frustration and is "real with" Ryan about his feelings, but Ryan holds the line: they can make out, but that's as far as it's going between them. He explains that he's selfish and a control freak in relationships, I guess trying to soften it; then, in an interview, he says that Tyler is used to getting what he wants, but Ryan is not something Tyler is going to get. Double ouch.

More commercials -- seriously, why bother making it an hour long if you evidently only have 35 minutes of show? That Gatorade ad is practically a family member, I've seen it so many times -- and then TJ is back to walk us through another overly complex Challenge, in which one of the guys from each team has to sit in a rope swing. The swing is tied with twelve ropes, and the teams have to swing the guy around to solve a puzzle with pieces that fit into the tops of poles. (...I know.) The first team to get six pieces wins; the girls will get a digital camera, and the guys will avoid going into the Gauntlet.

Strategizing about guys' weights and how to team up to do the puzzle. Janelle wants to win, Evan is feeling the pressure, and so on. In the swings, it's Ryan for the Rookies and Adam for the Veterans. Air horn. CT compliments Adam's puzzle-helping stylings, and the Vets take an early lead. The Challenge looks pretty fun to do, but is dead boring to watch in spite of the editors' best efforts, and the Vets win again -- which prompts yet another Dee-Snider-homage moment in the form of scary-clown Robin's "pack it in, Rookies, we own you" interview. Seriously, she looks like a freeze-frame of Sven from Ren & Stimpy. Whatever you've done to your face, girl, I hope you kept the receipt, because that shit is wrong.

The Rookies are pissed at themselves and each other, especially Tyrie and Derek, one of whom is probably up for elimination now.