In an interview, Maven explains that his mom has bone marrow cancer, and has been hospitalized. Maven got an email from his aunt, explaining that his mom isn't doing well, and he knows that it's serious. While they eat dinner, Josh asks Maven what he's going to do. Maven says he doesn't know, because if his mom is in trouble, he doesn't want to put the show ahead of her. On the other hand, if she's going to be fine, he doesn't want to give up the opportunity. He wishes he could just leave for a few days and see with his own eyes how his mom is doing. Josh says that he can't give Maven an honest opinion, because he doesn't want Maven to leave. As they finish the meal, Josh semi-jokes that if Maven wants to leave, Josh will go with him. Later, Maven talks to his dad on the phone about his conundrum. His dad doesn't seem to know the situation with his mom, so I'm guessing that they're not together anymore. Anyway, Maven still isn't sure what to do.

House of Pain. Maven talks to Al Snow and Big about his situation. Big asks what Maven is thinking. Maven explains that he couldn't live with himself if something happened with his mom and he wasn't there. Al Snow reveals that Maven has an option to go home for a few days, but Maven has to make that decision. Big emphasizes the importance of family. What a no-brainer! I would totally go. I don't know why they are making such a big deal about it. I guess Maven could be worried that he would miss some important lesson while he was gone, or lose some ground to the other contestants, but let's face it -- Chris-tian is clearly going to be the next one cut. I'm sure everyone knows that. Maven tells Al Snow and Big that he feels like he has to be with his mother. Cut to Maven in the airport, as he voice-overs that he's kind of scared to see his mom, because he doesn't know what kind of shape she's in.

Big walks into the Casa de Contestants as Chris-tian voice-overs that Big uses the Fridays as "a scare tactic." What Fridays? Do they do something special on Fridays? Have I missed this? Apparently, they go on an outing each Friday, and the mud wrestling was one of those. This week, they are all going indoor rock climbing. However, it's a contest of some sort, and the winner is the person who gets the highest on the wall. As the various contestants try to climb the wall, Big explains that this relates to their training because it requires concentration, intensity, and control of your body. Suddenly, there's a dog running around the gym. What the hell was that? This whole segment is confusing me. Josh does the best, with his Chaka-esque (from Land of the Lost) climbing abilities. For the second part of the contest, they have to get the fastest time while climbing to the top of a different wall. Harvard Chris has shorts on that are practically hot pants, and I see way too much of his thighs while he is climbing. In an interview, Taylor compares Josh to Spider-Man, and Nidia says that Josh's confidence is growing. Big announces Josh's winning time, and Josh tells us that he won a pair of Nike sneakers. Josh heads to Foot Locker to pick out his shoes. The salesman says "Foot Locker" about ten times.