February 25, 2005 recap

Airdate: February 25, 2005

From the Las Vegas Hilton, it's America's game! The sun will rise soon, and Big Money Week ends...

We'll make sure you have at least $1,000 before you leave, so here's a Toss-Up:

Go!

Blaine solves POPULAR MECHANICS.


Who could clean us out today?
Blaine Ockner (?) (female): Married, wants to open a restaurant in Kalispell, MT; is from Bellevue, WA
Ray Pearson: Operations officer in the United States Air Force, stationed in Nellis, watched Wheel since age 6, is from Gibsland, LA
Sara Sullivan: Journalism major and senior in the University of Arkansas, from Bella Vista, AR

Another Toss-Up award could be yours, but don't bust:

Go!

Blaine solves TAG YOU'RE IT.


But sometimes you want to be "it", like here. The $10,000 is waiting for it to happen!


Sara solves CRAB STUFFED MUSHROOMS.


Well, both tags were won, so maybe this prize will be too! It's a vacation with the African Safari Club on the Kenyan coast (labeled SAFARI) worth $8,500.

Of course, we want to give away some cash too. Hit that Jackpot space!


Ray solves THE ENGLISH & DISCOVERY CHANNEL for the safari.


Another piece of cardboard claimed. Will the streak continue with the Mystery Wedges? Avoid the BANKRUPT, but flip over the wedge with a Scion xA worth $13,973.


Ray sweeps it...sort of.


You might want to risk a possible bust. Here's one more Toss-Up:

Go!

Ray solves ELIGIBLE BACHELOR.


A bit more cash now, and he begins this round:

DING DING! DING DING!

But we've busted for time, so Pat gives the Wheel a Final Spin. Consonants are worth $300 + $1,000 for $1,300 a piece. Ray begins:

Ray: T (x2) ($2,600)
Sara: H (x4) ($5,200)
Blaine: S ($1,300)
Ray: L (x2) ($5,200)

Ray doesn't even let Vanna reveal the left L; he solves HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES.






BONUS ROUND:

Suddenly, Ray was on fire, and now he's in Bonus Land.

He has two friends in the audience!

One final spin of the blue Wheel this week, and he meets up with the triple star. The final puzzle could make or break him:

RSTLNE gives him...

Ray takes chances with HCPO:

He guesses ON for the first word, and unfortunately, it's a shutout this week. He does not solve IN THE BLACK...

...meaning he doesn't snatch the Audi TT Convertible. He still has $18,300 cash and trip.