Beast Games Season 2 Episode 4 has landed on Prime Video, and while a lot happens, one decision made by Player 21, aka Ethan Healy, already has viewers talking.
The first three episodes of the competition series dropped in one go, introducing us to the 100 strong and 100 smart players who are competing to be the sole winner of a whopping $5 million prize.
There are plenty of other ways to win money along the way, including the Captain’s Bribe, which saw one contestant bag $1 million (at the cost of their teammates).
Another opportunity emerges in this week’s episode, which sees 10 players heading to Survivor island for the ultimate reality TV crossover.
Why did Player 21 drop out of the challenge?
In Beast Games Season 2 Episode 4, Player 21 chooses to drop out of the Get a Grip challenge and the reason is simple: he receives a $50,000 bribe from MrBeast. But it’s left viewers baffled, as he could’ve stayed on and potentially won a $1.8 million island.
You see, the Survivor crossover sees 10 players heading to Survivor island and taking part in a series of games. There’s no risk of elimination from the show, but only one contestant can bag the luxury island.
The 10 players are whittled down to just five after the first relay challenge, and the remaining five take part in the infamous Survivor endurance test Get a Grip, whereby they have to cling onto a pole for as long as they can.
The last two remaining go through to the final Tribal Council, where the other eight players decide who gets the island.
Player 162 (Tyler) and Player 118 (Nick) are the first to let go, leaving Player 566 (JC), Player 148 (Ian), and Player 21 (Ethan). Here’s what’s interesting: both JC and Ian are struggling, whereas Ethan looks quite comfortable on the pole.
Plus, if Ian slips, then Ethan has an even better chance at winning, as JC was a villain in Beast Games Season 1. But MrBeast decides to make the challenge more interesting by wheeling in a $50,000 bribe – if they take it, they’re no longer in the running for the prize.
Ian and JC convince Ethan to take the cash, and after some thought, he agrees. Ultimately, he chooses the safe bet instead of the risk.
When MrBeast asks why he took it, Ethan replies, “I mean, it’s guaranteed money. That’s really all I wanted coming into this. $50,000 is still great, and I have a shot at $5 million.”
It’s worth noting that Ethan is a chess coach, so he knows how to strategize. Yes, he lost the island, but he didn’t want to risk going home empty-handed.
Beast Games Season 2 viewers debate decision
Even though his decision is logical, it’s left viewers at home baffled. Taking to Reddit, one simply wrote, “Ethan whyyyy. Bro could’ve easily won $1.8 million.”
“For real the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen,” said another, while a third added, “Exactly what was he thinking and that too just for 50k. That’s crazy when his opponent would be JC who already stole money in Season 1. That has to be the single dumbest decision.”
One pointed out that he declined the $100,000 bribe in the first test, which saw 10 contestants choosing to self-eliminate and swap places with an OG player from Beast Games Season 1, in exchange for the cash.
“Bro declined 100K to eliminate himself in bringing back OGs but accepted 50K when he had 33.3% chance mathematically, and 100% technically (as IAN was almost about to fall, and vs JC it’s a sure shot 8-0),” they wrote.
However, others are giving him the benefit of the doubt. “I think he just couldn’t believe that he has a good chance of getting the island, and convinced himself 50k is what he deserves and should take,” said one, to which another replied, “Imposter syndrome at its finest.”
A third highlighted the fact that there’s all the chance he could’ve been up against Ian, who has a family and therefore a higher chance at winning over the voters. “I think he thought he would face off Ian and he doesn’t have a better story than him,” they said.
You never know – he might go on to win the $5 million.
Where is Ethan now?
Ethan launched an Instagram page to promote his appearance on Beast Games Season 2, which has two posts so far. The first, shared on December 11, states, “I am so excited to finally announce that I am contestant #21 on Season 2 of Beast Games on Prime Video.”
“Mark your calendars for January 7th! Did I win $5 million?”
The second, on January 10, states, “175 down, 24 more to outlast. I am locked IN, but my smart allies are dropping one by one…”
According to his LinkedIn profile, he works as a chess coach for Magnus Chess Academy, which offers online and in-person chess classes, camps, and tournaments for scholastic players.
Prior to this, he worked as an academic tutor and also took an internship as a software engineer.
2 million Ukrainians evading mobilization, another 200,000 soldiers AWOL, new defense minister says