This episode of “The Floor” reveals what last week’s whale, Mack, ends up doing next. The pool of contestants is now at down to 50. Among them is an expert in Shakespeare who studied at the Globe in London.

Mack earned 19 pieces of the floor last week. Host Rob Lowe recapped that Mack’s most recent piece of floor was acquired at the end of the episode in which he didn’t have to say a word! Mack didn’t even have to open his mouth because his duel challenger knew NONE of the answers to the “Pop Stars” category.

On a New Roll!

As a result, Mack’s opponent went home, and Mack inherited her State Flags category from that duel. The question at the top of the show tonight, asked would Mack go for another duel? He decided to play again, choosing to duel the category of Military held by Lauren.

Lauren grew up in a military family and went to a military high school. Mack said he was out to gain another Time Boost, heading into the rest of the game. The duel required them to name a person, item or place. Mack destroyed Lauren in this duel and got another chunk of floor! He needed one more win for the Time Boost.

The Beginning of the End!

Pictured (l-r): Mack vs. Paolo in Gems duel. FOX

Mack went for the Gems category held by Paolo, who explained that he used to go to Rock and Mineral shows with his grandpa when he was little. Paolo credited his grandpa for teaching him everything he knows. Meanwhile, the contestants on the floor were sure Paolo would be able to win the duel.

They were right! Paolo was able to defend his category, gain Mack’s floor and knock out Mack for good. Wow! How did Mack choose a category he wasn’t confident in? Paolo was unwilling to reveal his “poker face” or strategy.

Inheriting A LOT of Floor!

Pictured: Sharday dueling Virginia. FOX

Paolo said he worked in a greenhouse for three years. Yet, chose “Kids Shows” to duel against Sharday and he was betting that she doesn’t know as much about kids shows as he does! Paolo was unable to beat Sharday at Kids Shows. That meant, Sharday inherited State Flags. She decided to go back to the floor. Only problem, she now owned A LOT of floor, making it really hard to be inconspicuous.

Besties Dueling!

The Randomizer landed on the Shakespeare category owned by Talia. She only had two neighbors to choose from.  Her choices, “Best Sellers” or Sharday with “State Flags.” Talia chose Best Sellers category held by Jayna (her “bestie” btw). Talia said she tried to study State Flags, but it just wouldn’t stick. Jayna had to say goodbye to her friend Talia after beating her in their duel.

A New Threat Has Arrived!

Jayna went back to the floor, hoping someone would challenge her Shakespeare category. The Randomizer chose elderly player Virginia for the next duel. Her choices were Global Monuments, State Flags, or Periodic Tables. Virginia chose the State Flags category held by Sharday, who wasn’t thrilled to be back dueling again!

It was the first time we saw Sharday really get rattled, when she could not keep up with State Flags and lost out to Virginia. That made Virginia in the lead for the $20,000 AND she kept her original category of Flowers.

Virginia went for “Holistic Spirituality” held by Trevor next. She said she’s a trained chaplain and is interested in “anybody’s spirituality.” They had to identify the item or practice in this category. Virginia won this duel, and had to make another decision – to go again and possibly get a Time Boost, or go back to the floor? She decided to take a breather and return to the floor. She said she’s starting to feel her age. But, knows she has a huge target on her back now.

Wait For It!

The Randomizer chose Cristian with the “D.I.Y.” category.  He happened to be neighbors with Virginia (who has Flowers)! He went for State Capitals, held by Robby, to duel against. Robby was stumped when shown the shapes of states with stars as the capitols. He stated he didn’t think it would “be like this” because he studied names, not shapes! AND lost!

Cristian stayed and played, choosing to take on Virginia for an attempt to win the $20,000 for the night! Of course Virginia was shocked, and dragged herself back up to the podium for another duel.

What’s At Stake?

Pictured: Rob Lowe, Virginia. FOX

They were dueling for 42 pieces of the floor and $20,000. Cristian had to take-on “Flowers” against Virginia in order to win it. Virginia took over, won that duel, and the $20,000. However, she inherited the D.I.Y. category. We have to wait until next week to see what Virginia will do next, as her co-contestants cheered and chanted her name…”Virginia, Virginia!”

NEXT WEEK: another pair of besties are challenged; Virginia will of course have to defend her massive territory; and a cute duel happens with “puppies” as the category in one duel.

“The Floor” airs Wednesdays at 9 pm PT after “The Masked Singer” on FOX.