Naked and Afraid: Global Showdown Season 1 Episode 8 Running Diary!
Episode Name: Sharp Spears, Broken Spirits
What’s up, everyone! Great to see you again. Did you have a good 4th? Fireworks, BBQs and beers? Or are you like me and you stayed inside wondering when your neighbors are finally going to run out of energy?
Ready to see who goes home? I think Team Australia’s time is up, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Frank and “Is it time to complain yet?” Teal go home. Who do you think is going home?
Welcome to the Naked and Afraid: Global Showdown Running Diary! Let’s get to it!
– “If I fail, I’m letting an entire country down.”
– “I’m not just out here for myself. I’m representing an entire country.”
–So dramatic!
–Team Australia spills their water. Not good!
–Frank and Teal look like they’re in the lead, but it could just be the edit.
–Teal starts to complain. Shocking.
– “It’s almost like the world holds its breath.”
–Ok, calm down a little.
–Is Team Australia about to win this challenge?
–Teal continues to complain.
–Honestly, can both teams lose? Please?
–Team Australia wins! Good job by them!
–In what can only be described as one of the biggest upsets in N&A history, Team Australia takes out USA South. What a challenge!
–Teal grabs the pot of (almost) boiling water and dumps it on Frank’s head.
–Not really, but you know she was thinking about it.
–Frank and Teal go home. I won’t miss Teal. Frank is cool, though.
–That jerky stash did not look appetizing.
–What is Gabby crying for?
–Do these people really think they’re playing for their country? This is a reality TV show! It’s not like they’re in the Olympics.
–Day 26.
–Team Mexico takes their canoe out to the lake so that they can catch some fish.
–Team Brazil makes an appearance.
–Rene says some stuff.
–Marina says she’s sick and tired of Rene. I don’t blame her.
–Day 27.
–Scroll time!
–Three and a half mile trek in the heat.
–Catfish corral challenge.
–Make some spears.
–Spear each other in the gut.
–(Just seeing if you’re paying attention.)
–Brazilian Pocahontas works in the sun while Rene cools off in the shade.
–She doesn’t seem too happy with her partner right now. Trouble brewing in paradise?
–USA East finishes their corral first. Not a surprise.
– “Cordage.”
–Team Mexico is falling behind. They need to hurry!
–Commercial break notes.
–I’m thinking of creating a running diary for The Challenge, which is about to start a new season. That’s a show that needs a running diary.
–Back to N&A.
–Mexico finishes their corral. Good job by them.
–Time to make some spears.
–Rene screws up his spear and blames Marina for asking too many questions. Leave Brazilian Pocahontas alone!
–Matt gives lessons in spear making.
–They’re really dragging out this spear making scene. Let’s get moving already.
–I’m asleep.
–”Cordage.”
–Team Australia’s spears look absolutely menacing.
–Matt and Gabby get their fire started first.
–I don’t buy it for a second that those catfish swam into their corrals that quickly. Those were planted! Are they even alive?
–Teams Australia and Mexico are next into the corrals.
–Team Brazil is last. For now.
–Team Mexico makes the smart decision to stay out of the corral so that they don’t muddy the water. Will that decision result in a challenge win?
–They get their first fish. Looks like they’re in the lead.
–Matt can’t see anything.
–Can Team Australia catch up?
–What about Team Brazil? I don’t have a lot of confidence in them.
–Marina’s spear broke. It’s just not working out for them.
–Pablo catches his fish. Team Mexico wins! Great job by them!
–I’m telling you, Mexico is going to win this whole thing.
–Matt and Gabby finish second. Good job by them.
–And Team Australia, again, goes to the elimination challenge.
–It would be a crazy comeback if Australia continued to survive and somehow won this whole thing.
–And Team Brazil will meet them in the elimination challenge.
–I wouldn’t call Team Brazil a “powerhouse.”
–Rene is a dick. I’m so over that guy.
–Marina’s spear is absolutely mangled.
– “I either fight or die,” Rene says. I know which one I’d rather he do.
–Team Australia cleans their fish.
–Matt and Gabby have a fish feast.
–Team Mexico enjoys a meal.
–Nighttime.
–Here comes the rain.
–Rene speaks.
–Team Australia shares a rainy shelter.
–Looks like their shelter isn’t going to hold up though, as it partially collapses on them due to the rain.
–Day 28.
–Team Australia is absolutely filthy. They look like they’ve been sleeping outside in the rain!
–Alexa seems about done with all of it.
–USA East and Mexico seem to be in a good mood.
–Matt and Gabby talk about Team Brazil’s personality problems.
–Marina is so done with Rene.
–She’s got a great attitude though. She’ll make me a great wife.
–Scroll time!
–I really wish they wouldn’t make the elimination a cliffhanger. There’s no way they finish this challenge before the episode ends. What’s the point of that?
–Some type of fish trap challenge. Ugh.
–The narrator says some stuff.
–Marina is cold.
–I bet Team Australia doesn’t have enough rope.
–Team Brazil is behind.
–Team Australia doesn’t have enough rope, but I don’t have a lot of faith in Brazil right now.
–Team Brazil’s rope broke. I blame Rene.
–And the episode ends on (another) cliffhanger.
–Are they worried that people are going to stop watching if they don’t end the episode on a cliffhanger? What’s the reasoning behind that?
I think the “Next Week on Naked and Afraid” preview just spoiled the winner of this challenge, but I won’t say what it was that makes me think that. I could be wrong, as maybe the brief clip they showed was from a previous episode and I just don’t remember it, but I don’t think I am.
How difficult is it to not spoil the episode? The editing department for this show is just hands down the laziest bunch of people on earth. I can’t think of who else would be at fault, if not them.
So much filler this episode. It’s really just too much.
Episode Grade: B- (or C+).
What did everyone else think? See you next time on the Naked and Afraid Running Diary!
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Posted Jul 6, 2026, 9:03 PM UTC