Warning: This page contains spoilers for the December 29, 2022, game of Jeopardy! — please do not scroll down if you wish to avoid being spoiled. Please note that the game airs as early as noon Eastern in some U.S. television markets.
Here’s today’s Final Jeopardy (in the category Gods & Goddesses) for Thursday, December 29, 2022 (Season 39, Game 79):
Each morning she began her ride in her chariot across the sky ahead of her brother Sol, or Helios
(correct response beneath the contestants)
Today’s Jeopardy! contestants:
Rachel Cohen, a consultant from Denver, Colorado
|
Emily Kawaler, a bioinformatician from New York, New York
|
Ray Lalonde, a scenic artist from Toronto, Ontario, Canada (10-day total: $285,100)
|
Andy’s Pregame Thoughts:
Yesterday, Ray Lalonde became the 16th player in Jeopardy! history to win at least ten games. All of the previous fifteen won game #11. On the one hand, that’s not a particularly promising statistic for Emily Kawaler or Rachel Cohen. On the other, it’s a chance to make history.
I would also like to take this time to remind Jeopardy! viewers: comments regarding a contestant’s mannerisms that they have no control over are completely inappropriate in any forum. It has been reported on that Ray has suffered spinal cord damage that often prevents him from being able to stand still. By commenting on (and mocking) him, you only serve to paint Jeopardy! fans as a whole as a callous, insensitive group that lacks compassion towards others—and it needs to stop.
PSA: The best way to keep COVID-19 at bay (and keep Jeopardy! producing new episodes) is for everybody to get their vaccinations as soon as they can, including any boosters as recommended. When wearing a mask, please ensure that your mask covers both your nose and your mouth.
Are you going on the show and looking for information about how to bet in Final Jeopardy? Check out my new Betting Strategy 101 page!
(Content continues below)
Correct response: Who is Aurora (or Eos)?
More information about Final Jeopardy:
(The following write-up is original content and is copyright 2022 The Jeopardy! Fan. It may not be copied without linked attribution back to this page.)
The Roman Aurora (Greek Eos) is the Greco-Roman personification of the dawn; her daily chariot ride across the sky was said to bring the dawn.
One important point here: the fact that both Sol and Helios were mentioned in the clue leads me to believe that the show is prepared to accept either the Roman name Aurora or the Greek name Eos on this Final. If you said either name at home, give yourself credit!
We have many new offerings at The Jeopardy! Fan Online Store! Proceeds from the sale of the “Doctor Oz’s Fast-Acting Snake Oil Elixir” T-shirt are being donated to The Trevor Project:
Game Recap:
Jeopardy! Round:
(Categories: Along The Mississippi; Classic Flute Rock; You’Re Wearing Your Food; 3-Named Writers; Sheer Misery; Don’t Get…)
For the first time in his entire run, Ray missed a Daily Double! That put him behind the eight ball through most of the opening round; meanwhile, both Emily and Rachel played very well!
Statistics at the first break (15 clues):
Rachel 5 correct 1 incorrect
Emily 2 correct 0 incorrect
Ray 6 correct 1 incorrect
Statistics after the Jeopardy round:
Emily 10 correct 1 incorrect
Rachel 9 correct 1 incorrect
Ray 8 correct 1 incorrect
Double Jeopardy! Round:
(Categories: The Comedy Of Eras; Break The “Code”; State Of The Heart; TV To See In 2022; The House Of Power; Rings Of Dragons)
Rachel got to the first Daily Double; unfortunately, she dropped $4,000. Then, she didn’t seem to want to find the third—Emily eventually found it and took a small lead! While Ray did re-take the lead for a couple of clues, Emily battled back to take a slim lead going into clue #61! Scores going into Final were Emily at $14,200, Ray at $13,200, and Rachel at $11,800.
Statistics after Double Jeopardy:
Emily 19 correct 2 incorrect
Ray 18 correct 2 incorrect
Rachel 19 correct 4 incorrect
Total number of unplayed clues this season: 12 (0 today).
Rachel and Ray both went for Eos. Unfortunately, Emily went for Luna—and that means Ray is now an 11-day champion! He goes for win #12 tomorrow after surviving a scare.
Tonight’s Game Stats:
Looking to find out who won Jeopardy! today? Here’s the Thursday, December 29, 2022 Jeopardy! by the numbers:
Scores going into Final:
Emily $14,200
Ray $13,200
Rachel $11,800
Tonight’s results:
Rachel $11,800 + $11,000 = $22,800 (Who is Eos?)
Ray $13,200 + $13,200 = $26,400 (Who is Eos?) (11-day total: $311,500)
Emily $14,200 – $12,201 = $1,999 (Who is Luna?)
Scores after the Jeopardy! Round:
Emily $5,200
Rachel $4,600
Ray $1,200
Opening break taken after: 15 clues
Daily Double locations:
1) 3-NAMED WRITERS $800 (clue #9)
Ray 3000 -3000 (Emily 200 Rachel 0)
2) STATE OF THE HEART $1600 (clue #16)
Rachel 13000 -4000 (Ray 8000 Emily 8000)
3) THE HOUSE OF POWER $800 (clue #24, $5200 left on board)
Emily 9600 +3000 (Ray 11200 Rachel 10200)
Overall Daily Double Efficiency for this game: -100
Clue Selection by Row, Before Daily Doubles Found:
J! Round:
Ray 3 4 5 2 1 4*
Emily 3
Rachel 1 2
DJ! Round:
Ray 3 4 5 3 4 5 5 4 5 2
Emily 3 5 2 3 2*
Rachel 1 2 3 4 4 4* 1 2 1†
† – selection in same category as Daily Double
Average Row of Clue Selection, Before Daily Doubles Found:
Ray 3.69
Rachel 2.27
Emily 3.00
Unplayed clues:
J! Round: None!
DJ! Round: None!
Total Left On Board: $0
Number of clues left unrevealed this season: 12 (0.15 per episode average), 0 Daily Doubles
Game Stats:
Ray $16,200 Coryat, 18 correct, 2 incorrect, 28.07% in first on buzzer (16/57), 3/3 on rebound attempts (on 5 rebound opportunities)
Rachel $15,800 Coryat, 19 correct, 4 incorrect, 36.84% in first on buzzer (21/57), 1/1 on rebound attempts (on 3 rebound opportunities)
Emily $12,000 Coryat, 19 correct, 2 incorrect, 33.33% in first on buzzer (19/57), 1/1 on rebound attempts (on 4 rebound opportunities)
Combined Coryat Score: $44,000
Lach Trash: $1,400 (on 2 Triple Stumpers)
Coryat lost to incorrect responses (less double-correct responses): $8,600
Ray Lalonde, career statistics:
280 correct, 32 incorrect
23/26 on rebound attempts (on 41 rebound opportunities)
41.31% in first on buzzer (259/627)
15/16 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $41,100)
9/11 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $20,273
Emily Kawaler, career statistics:
19 correct, 3 incorrect
1/1 on rebound attempts (on 4 rebound opportunities)
33.33% in first on buzzer (19/57)
1/1 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $3,000)
0/1 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $12,000
Rachel Cohen, career statistics:
20 correct, 4 incorrect
1/1 on rebound attempts (on 3 rebound opportunities)
36.84% in first on buzzer (21/57)
0/1 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: -$4,000)
1/1 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $15,800
Ray Lalonde, to win:
12 games: 80.056%
13: 64.090%
14: 51.308%
15: 41.076%
16: 32.884%
Avg. streak: 15.014 games.
Today’s interviews:
Rachel does triathlons.
Emily really enjoys watching niche sports.
Ray remembers watching the Art Fleming version with his mother.
Andy’s Thoughts:
- Ray moves to #12 all-time in terms of regular play winnings on the show.
- Today’s box score: December 29, 2022 Box Score.
Final Jeopardy! wagering suggestions:
(Scores: Emily $14,200 Ray $13,200 Rachel $11,800)
Ray: Standard cover bet over Rachel is $10,401. (Actual bet: $13,200)
Emily: Standard cover bet over Ray is $12,201. (Actual bet: $12,201)
Rachel: If Ray and Emily make cover bets, they’ll fall to $1,999 and $2,799, respectively. Limit your bet to $8,999. (Actual bet: $11,000)
Become a Supporter now! Make a monthly contribution to the site on Patreon!
Contestant photo credit: jeopardy.com
When commenting, please note that all comments on The Jeopardy! Fan must be in compliance with the Site Comment Policy.
If you are going to quote any information from this page or this website, attribution is required.
Whew! This was a fantastic game. Ray was very lucky to escape. Both of his opponents could be worthy of second chance consideration.
Like Emily, I was thinking moon goddess, so I too said Luna. Didn’t occur to me that there was a goddess of the dawn – and I’d thought Aurora was the goddess of stars! Time to brush up on my Greco-Roman mythology…
Since she had a lead on Ray going into Final, I expect there’s a good chance we’ll see Emily again for second chance. That was one hell of a battle between all three and both Emily and Rachel should be proud. Who shouldn’t be proud are the twits nitpicking Ray’s mannerisms as if he can control that. Seriously, I saw that headline, and I was disgusted. The more negativity that small portion of the fandom generates, the more covfefe we have to deal with. Ugh.
Wow, that’s what I would call a real nip and tuck battle with lead changes and correct responses of 18, 19 and 19. Everybody got close to one-third of the responses correct. Happy to see Ray pull it out in the end but everyone was in it to the end.
I went to Aurora immediately for final and had “Sleeping Beauty” in mind when I thought of it. (I seem to recall that was her name along with Briar Rose at some point.)
I checked and you were correct about Aurora/Sleeping Beauty. By associating “dawn” with “waking up”, maybe I can now remember which Disney Princess Aurora was 😀.
Really haven’t watched in a while but did come across an article from CTV mentioning you and the site just now so later will watch what I have on my DVR from this week.
I noticed Ray’s mannerisms as he swayed back and forth from the beginning. Before I knew anything about why he does that, first, it is none of my business, nor to complain about it. But I understood that he must have had an issue. About 12 years ago, I developed knee/leg issues. And after surgery and 28 PT sessions, when I stood up, I swayed back and forth for a certain number of years. Eventually I stopped. Now for those naysayers of Ray’s who are bashing him online…STOP IT. People complained about Mattea, leave her alone. EVERYONE HAS MANNERISMS. LEAVE ALL JEOPARDY CONTESTANTS ALONE FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO JUST ARE SO UNHAPPY THAT THEY HAVE TO BASH SOMEONE.
Didn’t get much discussion, but Ray got away with an overbet if I’m doing my math correctly. Rachel also overbet, but Ray gave up his advantage over Emily on a triple stumper. Not used to wagering from behind I suppose.
I think Ray’s bet was defensible. He knows he probably needs respond correctly to win the game and he likely feels good about the category. He’s probably not that concerned about the difference between second and third place at this point, and wins a couple of thousand more if he does emerge as champ. It also gives him another out in the unlikely — but possible — scenario where Emily underbets.
My knowledge of all mythology is weak, so even with the clue leading to the correct response.
I once commented on Ray’s seeming constant “fidgeting.” We now know that there is medical reason behind it. I stand with Andy. It’s time to stop commenting on it, and to focus on Ray’s playing style. which features no signature gestures or, phrases. Just solid, methodical play.