Ep 1. Don't Sleep!

Awake: The Million Dollar Game season 1 episode 1, Don't Sleep!, is an adrenaline-packed first episode of the series that sets the tone for what's to come in this intense competition. The episode starts with a group of sleep-deprived contestants who are about to compete in a series of challenges to win one million dollars.

The host of the show, James Davis, introduces the contestants and explains the rules of the game. Each contestant is given a sleep monitor that will track their sleep throughout the game. They must stay awake for 24 hours straight and complete a series of challenges to win the prize money. If they fall asleep during any of the challenges, they are eliminated from the game.

The first challenge is a physical one. The contestants must run through a course filled with obstacles, such as swinging pendulums and moving walls. The catch is that they must complete the course while wearing a weighted vest that adds extra weight to their bodies, making it even harder to navigate the obstacles. If they fall or miss a step, they have to start the entire course over from the beginning.

Next up is a mental challenge that tests the contestants' memory skills. They are shown a series of images and asked to memorize them in a short amount of time. Then, they must recreate the images on a blank canvas using paint. The catch is that they are only allowed to use their fingers to paint, and must do so while their hands are shaking from exhaustion.

The contestants' endurance is then put to the test in a physical challenge that involves hanging from a pull-up bar for as long as they can. The catch is that they must also hold on to a thick rope that is burning at one end, and as the rope burns down, they must keep their grip and continue to hang onto the bar. The last person hanging onto the bar wins the challenge.

There is also a group challenge where the contestants have to work together to solve a puzzle. This challenge requires focus, teamwork, and communication skills. Each person is assigned a different role in the challenge, and they must work quickly and efficiently to complete the puzzle within the allotted time.

Throughout the episode, the contestants' sleep deprivation is evident, as they struggle to stay awake and focused during each challenge. Some of them begin to hallucinate, while others become irritable and emotional. James Davis frequently checks in with the contestants to see how they are holding up, and offers words of encouragement when they need it most.

The episode ends with a twist, as the contestants are given the opportunity to earn an advantage in the next round of the game. They are asked to choose between sleeping for an hour or answering a trivia question. Those who choose to answer the question correctly are given a valuable advantage in the next challenge, while those who choose to sleep lose out.

Overall, Awake: The Million Dollar Game season 1 episode 1 is a thrilling and intense start to the series. The challenges are physically and mentally demanding, and the contestants are pushed to their limits. It's clear that this game is not for the faint of heart, and only the strongest and most determined contestants will make it to the end.