Netflix's The Mole season 2 aired its first five episodes of the reality strategic competition series on Friday, June 28, 2024. The show started with 12 people who competed in challenges, strategized, and deceived one another to win money, while one tried to keep their true saboteur identity under wraps.
While adding money to the prize fund was essential, so was surviving the elimination. After each challenge, the contestants were given the opportunity to win an exemption card, which would get them out of taking the quiz that determined the cast members' future on the show.
In episode 4, Michael won an exemption and was safe from the upcoming elimination. The exemption round took place after the Gala challenge, during which the contestants earned $10,000 out of the $30,000 that was up for grabs. However, they could further increase the prize fund during the exemption task.
Fortune cookies decide who gets exempted in The Mole season 2 episode 4
The second exemption round of the season began in episode 3 and concluded in episode 4. After the heist task, the contestants met with host Ari Shapiro to indulge in street food; however, there was more to it than met the eye.
As the season 2 cast sat down, the host told them it was the last time the 10 of them were enjoying a meal together, as it was the last one before an upcoming elimination quiz.
"In a moment, you'll take the elimination quiz. But first, here is your next mission. There are ten of you here, and I've arranged for you to have fortune cookies. Five contain cash for the pot, and five contain exemptions," Ari said.
The Mole season 2 host explained that in each round, the contestants would vote players and their cookies off the table until only five players remained.
"Make it all the way to the end with cash, it'll be added to the pot. But make it with an exemption, and you'll sit out the next elimination. It's a simple game of truths and lies," the host added.
He added that if the group voted as a team, they could add up to $50,000 to their pot. The cast expressed their views about the mission. Neesh said he was excited, as it gave him a chance to observe his cast members and see how good they were at lying. Meanwhile, Ryan said that although she wanted the exemption, there were several people she didn't want to get it.
Sean expressed concern about the upcoming elimination quiz. He told the cameras:
"Five people keep exemptions, and I'm not one on the receiving end, my odds of that quiz go horribly low. That's not good. I don't like that feeling."
The Mole season 2 cast members selected their cookies and read what their slips read. Although five cookies contained exemptions, everyone noted they pulled the cookies containing cash, and the deliberations began. Michael was confident that he would be able to sniff out the liars.
Deanna, Melissa, Michael, and Q claimed their slips contained $5,000, but Ari noted that two were lying. Neesh, Sean, Muna, and Hannah claimed to have $10,000, but Ari revealed only two cookies contained the cash. Tony and Ryan both claimed to have $20,000, but only one was being truthful.
The Mole season 2 contestants started voting, and the final five were Michael, Hannah, Neesh, Tony, Q, and Michael. Since Michael had the exemption, he was safe from elimination, and since there were four contestants with cash in their cookies, the season 2 cash prize increased by $45,000, bringing the total amount to $60,000.
The Mole season 2 will return next week with another batch of episodes on Friday, July 5, 2024, on Netflix.