Last week, was NFL week, as current and former ‘ballers like Tim Tebow and Eric Dickerson dropped by to both compete against and motivate the contestants. The Black Team pounded out monster numbers for the third straight week, but their margin of victory wasn’t as pronounced this time, as the Blue Team’s Mike was able to not only avoid a third straight trip to the Elimination table, but to score himself a couple of Super Bowl tickets. The Red Team, which hasn’t been able to catch a break since the season started, sent home Patrick, who grudgingly volunteered to do so. Twelve remain.
This week saw several noteworthy former contestants visiting this year’s crop. Hannah, one-half of the powerhouse sister-team that came in #1-2 last season (losing to her sister Olivia), showed the Black Team it was possible to achieve everything she wants in life, and she looks great (and blonde!), and gave them a short lesson on nutrition. There was also a terrific moment when Hannah walked into the gym to confront her ten-foot-tall likeness framed on the wall, flexing her guns. Also, Season Ten finalist Adam joined the Red Team on a hike, and the Blue Team was joined by last season’s “supermom” Marci, who looks fan-TASTIC now.
This week’s challenge: On a lonely stretch of dirt road, the contestants are given an “all-weather” challenge, where they would pass a box from one teammate to the other, running to the front of the line as soon as it was passed. They would do this in the hot sun, as well as simulated “wind”, “rain” and “snow” (a giant fan, mud and packed ice). The team that wins gets letters from home, which is always a big incentive one month into the show. Not surprisingly, it came down to another showdown between the Red and Black teams, and not surprisingly, the Black Team continues their unbeaten streak, edging out the Red Team by only a few seconds. The good news: all three teams finished, and so Alison decided to let them all partake of their loved ones’ letters, with the Black Team getting a bonus of having video chats from home.
This week’s drama/revelations/breakthroughs: Right from the outset of the episode, following the emotional departure of Patrick, Ramon took it upon himself to step up his game this week. And it’s something he needed to do… 33 pounds in three weeks may seem like a lot, but not on this show, as the Black Team have proven. He proved his mettle by carrying fifty pounds of weighted sandbags on a mountainous five-mile hike. Dolvett took some time to brighten the spirits of Courtney, who needed convincing that even the small amount of weight she’s lost so far is an accomplishment worth celebrating.
Speaking of the Black Team, Gentle Bob gave the team a lecture on not being afraid of the foods they love as long as they practice moderation, and Joe realized that the words were aimed mostly at him. Joe, if you remember, is a home-health therapist, and much of his drive-thru-junkie behavior was done in secret. On the Blue Team, a fire seems to have been lit underneath Bonnie, who has had a rough go of it so far this season, dropping only 14 pounds in three weeks; she found a stamina she never knew she had, which was great to see.
And now, this week’s numbers:
Black Team (Bob)
John - lost 9 pounds (-79 total), -2.4%, now stands at 366.
Jennifer - lost 7 pounds (-48 total), -2.42%, now stands at 282.
Antone - lost 8 pounds (-66 total), -2.06%, now stands at 381.
Joe - lost 6 pounds (-47 total), -1.95%, now stands at 301.
Sunny - lost 4 pounds (-36 total), -1.63%, now stands at 241.
Total - 34 pounds lost (-2.12%).
Red Team (Dolvett)
Ramon - lost 11 pounds (-44 total), -3.42%, now stands at 311.
Vinny - lost 8 pounds (-44 total), -2.05%, now stands at 382.
Courtney - lost 3 pounds (-33 total), -1.21%, now stands at 244.
Jessica - lost 2 pounds (-35 total), -0.90%, now stands at 219.
Total - 24 pounds lost (-2.03%).
Blue Team (Anna)
Bonnie - lost 7 pounds (-21 total), -2.92%, now stands at 233.
Mike - lost 5 pounds (-41 total), -1.83%, now stands at 268.
Becky - lost 2 pounds (-26 total), -0.91%, now stands at 212.
Total - 14 pounds lost (-1.91%).
So the three teams finish within a hair’s-breadth of each other, but the Black Team ends up winning the weigh-in for the fourth straight week. One pound more from the Red Team would have given them the win, and two pounds less would have sent the Red team to elimination for the second straight week. That’s how close it was. As it is, the Blue Team will now have to send home their third player in the first month of the season. Not looking good for Anna’s crew.
Kudos. To Ramon, for stepping up and being the leader that he so wants to be, and to Bonnie, for having her best week yet.
Elimination. This situation with the Blue Team is not unlike a regular scenario they used to have on Survivor, back when that show only sent two people to the Finals and not three. Back then, when there were three people left, one of had Immunity, just as Bonnie does this week (as the highest-percentage-of-weight-lost winner); Mike and Becky can only vote for each other, so Bonnie had the onus of casting the one and only meaningful vote. That vote was for Mike. Which sucks, but at least he’s leaving with Super Bowl tickets.
Standings. Not surprisingly, the top three losers of the season are all from the Black Team, led by John (-17.75%), Antone (-14.77%) and Jennifer (-14.55%). Following them are Jessica (-13.78%), Joe (-13.51%) and Sunny (-13.00%).
Update. Since returning home, Coach Mike has dropped a further 29 pounds, making it a grand total of 70 pounds lost since setting foot on the Ranch. At a much-healthier-looking 239, he now has the energy and stamina to lead the Snider High School (of Fort Wayne, Indiana) the way a coach should. Which is to say, not from the sidelines. At 62 years young, he and his wife Christine have a new lease on life. That’s just terrific.
Next week: Sunny goes home. And Bob goes with her. Should be interesting.
