Summary
Highlights
Michael and Mackenzie introduce the ultimate shopping center scavenger hunt with five categories: bounciest ball, food with most calories (under $5), item closest to 14 pieces, country flag farthest from the US, and heaviest item (under $10). They have 30 minutes, and only one item can be purchased per store, except for the flag which can simply be photographed. Michael heads to Target first due to its varied selection, while Mackenzie goes to Five Below for a bouncy ball and then Ross/TJ Maxx for other items.
Michael focuses on finding the food with the most calories under $5 at Target. He considers Oreos, calculating their calorie content, and also briefly looks at ice cream. He decides on Golden Oreos, believing they fit the criteria. He also attempts to find a country flag in the international foods section but has no luck.
Mackenzie visits a surprisingly clean Five Below to find the bounciest ball. She tests several balls discreetly before settling on one she's confident about. She then moves to Ross, where she considers various heavy items. Rejecting a large pot for being too expensive, she identifies a bottle of baby formula as a potential heaviest item under $10.
Michael realizes his Golden Oreos are over $5 due to tax, forcing him to reconsider. He opts for Reese's ice cream for $4.99. Both contestants express anxiety about the ticking clock, with Michael noting 13 minutes have passed and Mackenzie realizing she's spent 18 minutes. The flag category proves unexpectedly difficult for both.
Mackenzie finds a heavy candle at Bath & Body Works that's on sale for under $10, securing a win for the heaviest item. As time runs short, she shifts her strategy, acknowledging she needs to gather the remaining items quickly without extensive planning. She also considers what stores might have a country flag or easily countable items for the 14 pieces challenge.
With little time remaining, both contestants become desperate to find a country flag and an item with approximately 14 pieces. Michael searches through books in Barnes & Noble, considering atlases and travel guides without success. Mackenzie also looks for items with 14 pieces, settling on a pack of cashews, guessing the quantity. They both acknowledge the extreme difficulty of finding a flag in the shopping center.
In the last minute, Michael frantically searches for anything resembling a flag, even contemplating an American flag if it means getting a point. He makes it back to the starting point just in time, but Mackenzie arrives a minute later. They begin to review their finds, starting with the bounciest ball, where they both bought similar items from Five Below, leading to a bounce-off.
The contestants compare their items. For the bounciest ball, Mackenzie's ball proves slightly bouncier, winning her the category. Michael wins the 'most calories' category with his Reese's ice cream over Mackenzie's caramel corn. Both fail to find any country flags, resulting in ties for that category. For the 'closest to 14 pieces' category, Michael has a pack of cashews that he claims to be close, while Mackenzie has 'nothing' in her brain. Michael wins this point. Finally, for the 'heaviest item' Mackenzie's laundry detergent significantly outweighs Michael's pickle candle, giving her the win. The challenge ends in a tie, or a win for Michael if Mackenzie's late arrival is counted as a penalty.