Special Forces - World's Toughest Test

@alwayscooking thanks for the info! I can't view the vids. I found this one, I'm not sure if it's the same. Unbelievable!

Good luck Hannah! I felt after a couple of epi's and everyone's great posts she'd go far if not win it all.

We’re back!!! #specialforcesfox tonight on Fox at 9pm!! And then there were four…. pic.twitter.com/IvTvrzdsof

— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) February 22, 2023

https://twitter.com/CarliLloyd/status/1628543530133073920

Whew! What an episode!  Their first test, "drown proofing".  This one seriously stressed me out    They're taken to a water hole, had to swim across it with a weighted vest, then their feet are tied, and hands tied behind their back.  They jump in the water, exhale until they reach the bottom, then push off the bottom to resurface, catch another breath and repeat until they're told to stop. Hannah was first up, she struggled a bit swimming with the weighted vest but made it.  The second part, she pushed off the bottom once, and then panicked a bit, and got out of her wrist ties.  She tried again and nailed it.  A lot of it is momentum, I'm sure watching Hannah go, help the other 3 on their turn.  Dwight, Carli and Danny all passed.  Interesting to note, Hannah and Carli had their hands tied behind their back, Danny and Dwight's hands were tied in front.  I'm sure due to shoulder injuries, which Danny's is really hurting him, but having your hands in front would make a huge difference.

Next their put in a hooded hot suit and tied to the wall of a closed container. They were given no instructions as far as what to do or what was going on.  The staff watched them on camera to see if they would take initiative to free themselves and escape in a certain amount of time.  Hannah was the first to figure out how to get free and told the others to do the same.  The staff were impressed by her leadership.  Anyone else watching feel Hannah may have been given a little heads up on this one?

The final phase, they're dropped off in the middle of the dessert at night, they're in teams, Danny and Hannah  Dwight with Carli. They have a very simple map and compass, they have to find 2 different rendezvous points to get to their extract location without being captured.  The enemy is following them and they have dogs.  Hannah and Danny get captured.  Dwight and Carli make it to their extract point, but are still captured.  Before they left on this assignment, they were given a story to memorize,  to explain why they were out there, in case they were captured.  Episode 10 will be prisoner interrogation.

Glad you called out the hands in front for the men and in back for the women. I noticed Danny used his hands in front to provide momentum when he kicked off from the bottom of the 'watering hole', which looked like it had a solid surface bottom - more like a pool! Much harder with your hands behind your back. I was glad Hannah went for a second take and succeeded.

I feel as if everyone - city or country or in-between should learn how to use a compass! When I was in my 20s, I was hiking a 12,000+ peak, above the tree line, when a lightening storm began. Hightailed it down as fast as I could. But, off-trail, had no idea where I was. Fortunately, someone far more experienced had a compass and a map (there were no cell phones then) and navigated us down the mountain. Found an old logging trail which we figured must lead to a traveled road and were 'rescued' - drenched and cold. I also learned ocean navigation after this - just in case!

@alwayscooking omg you should be a writer! I'm hyperventilating at your recap. I cannot imagine doing those challenges and I think that every recap I read. They are strong people, not only physical but mentally as well. I'd be in a puddle of tears.

@Norcalgal thanks for sharing, wow!! Glad you made it out safely.

@GuardianAngel One thing I love about this show is we can imagine our reaction if we were in those situations. Maybe I'm delusional, but I think I could have done quite well when I was younger. Now, I'd probably not even try!

@Norcalgal, impressive job on the 12K+ peak!  I have to admit I was laughing because it reminded me of when my sister and I were backpacking in the Smokey Mtns, Clingmans Dome. We're basically at the top, nasty thunderstorm comes out of nowhere, and I have a tripod sticking out of my pack like a freaking lighting rod. (back in the day of 35mm) I don't think I've ever hauled booty so fast with a 50lb pack as I did that day.  I also got a chuckle from the staff asking the remaing 4 if they knew how to use a map...and no one responded

I do think the front/back hand tying was due to shoulder injuries. So I understand that, but it's notable difference in difficultly.  I have no doubt Danny would have passed regardless.

@GurdianAngel, thank you for your very kind comment, but writing has never been my strong point, and it's been forever since I studied grammar!   I have to say. I have really enjoyed this show, more than I  thought I would.  I've done a lot of backpacking, ice climbing and repelling when I was younger, I understand their fear on some of these tasks.  To trust that all your equipment is going to hold you is a little unnerving at first .  But I also like that this show is just a challenge, you either man up and do it, or you don't.... no drama. I like that there's no price, just the honor of finishing.  Looking forward to next week!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/hannah-brown-adds-another-reality-title-to-her-resume/ar-AA17wz7X

https://www.tvinsider.com/1083739/special-forces-worlds-toughest-test-finale-winner-hannah-brown-carli-lloyd/

Congrats to Hannah & Carli! I only ended up watching one of the later episodes but I'm impressed that the two of them survived past all the guys, who you'd think would have an easier time physically.

@albean99 That's just it ... it's so much more than physical. I knew she would end up doing well because they did seem to emphasize the mental components.

I was shocked...I mean really shocked ... that the strongest guy there, who had rocked every physical component of the challenge just up and quit with only a few hours to go! I know he had hurt his shoulder, but it was the noise they had to listen to that made him go off. Insanity. It's not as if this is a real situation. He knew he was done in a few hours. Made zero sense to me.

Overall,  I think Hannah truly was the best competitor. She was the only one of all of them who never talked about quitting. The instructors or other contestants talked others back down...Carli included. Hannah really took charge at the end. She got them all out when they were all locked in the container,  she did the best with her cover story...no waffling from her. She was also the one who took charge at the end when she and Carli were in the box. She was steady throughout and had a great attitude. She was underestimated by everyone,  including herself. I hope this really gives her the confidence to realize that she can do anything that she sets her mind to.

Overall a really good show. I would enjoy seeing another season.