This season is so different from the first season with men vs. women. The whole feel of the game is just different. On season one, we were all mixed in and working out together we got to see the work ethic of each other right away. We all understood that sending someone home was hard to do but it has to happen and not at the time when everyone agrees on. That's the game.
As far as Mark telling Andrea that he thinks the women are the stupidest people he knows, Mark just isn't ready to understand the game. He implied that Jen should have stayed while one of the remaining girls should have gone. But he doesn't control the game and he has yet to feel the pressure of eliminating someone for strategy reasons. Mark just doesn't seem to be able to keep his emotions or his comments in check and eventually I think that will come back to hurt him. Meanwhile, he seems to at least be making an effort to patch things up with Shannon… who doesn't seem to be too receptive to him at this point. We only get to see such a small portion of what goes on. After being cooped up with these people for so long everyone starts to get on each other's nerves. Personalities start to clash and eventually feelings are going to get hurt.
Caroline's surprise visit to tell the teams that they will be split into duos didn't go over too well. Just by the look on everyone's face you could tell no one was happy about this new direction the game has taken. I remember when season one went to individual competition the excitement and new aspect of the game, at least for me, was welcomed. Caroline told the cast that at the next weigh-in the team with the lowest percentage lost would be up for elimination. This added change makes things quite interesting and I think will make everyone to continue to step up the workouts.
I know I keep bagging on Mark but he said some things to the girls that I can't even believe. He told Caroline that he works with dirtbags and he doesn't want to team up with one but is now forced to. That was very harsh and I know I wouldn't forget a comment like that and I know the girls won't either.
The temptation was very interesting because with your participation you have the opportunity to win the power to choose the teams. Only one person wins while the others get to eat whatever is on their tray. All but Shannon and Doc go for it and they both have their reasons for not wanting to be part of the temptation.
Pete won and choose the teams. He really seemed to be the best person for the job and as I look back on the show, so far he and Doc seem to be the most even-tempered. Pete asked everyone their opinion regarding the new teams and then went to figure it out for himself. I believe he made some heartfelt choices in the teams and really did a great job pairing everyone up. Of course as in life you can't foresee where the decisions you make now will lead. And you can't change the choices you made previously, so just go with it and make the best of it. Pete's fine character shined through all the way to this episode. As he explained, he could have stacked the teams in his favor but felt the greater responsibility to help others. In these times we need more people like Pete around.
Mark was feeling pressure because he felt that Andrea wouldn't pull out the numbers needed to sustain them. But of course he felt that he would have a big weight-loss number this week and that will see them through. I gotta give Mark this, he doesn't lack self-esteem.
As the week rolled on you could slowly start too see that the teams were not only getting along but were actually starting to like each other. The new bonding process had begun. Pete's plan was working out just the way it should have and everyone was doing just fine.
At the challenge teamwork seemed to be not as important as popularity and I can't really determine how they chose the strategy they went with. The bucket runners sure got in a good cardio workout while the holders tested their upper body strength. But in the end it seemed like a popularity contest more than anything to me. It was kind of fun to see the men hanging around. The prize of going to Hawaii was nice to win, but more importantly the winners would get immunity. Seth and Suzy won and immunity was theirs.
Matt found out that his uncle passed away. Matt along with his family made the decision to stay on the show and keep going as they all felt it was the best place for him to get healthy. I respect that decision and am happy to see Matt is still giving it his all. My condolences go out to Matt and his family.
The last chance workouts are getting more intense as everyone wants to drop that last minute pound. The teams are now working out together and Bob and Jillian are as determined as ever to get those pounds off them. The men got a little taste of Bob's spin class and Seth found out that he loathes spin bikes. I know how you feel about that! Bob is an excellent spin teacher and when he removes the seat on your spin bike you know you're in for a tough road. I too hate the spin bike but then again in season one's first individual challenge I won the opportunity to see my family and gain immunity by flexing my spin powers. And wow what a calorie burn.
At the weigh-in the tension seemed high even though the teams are now joking around with each other and have really bonded with each other the past week. It was nice to see that Pete's plan really made a difference. Unfortunately Pete and Doc lost the weigh-in and were up for elimination. I am just curious to know had Seth and Suzy not had the immunity where there thier percentage would be and where they would have been ranked since Seth lost nothing this week.
On the heels of his uncle's death, Matt really wanted to get a message out there to everyone and he told people to go get checked out by a doctor. Think of your family members that will be affected by not going to a doctor.
When people ask me how to lose weight and get healthy I say the same thing over and over again.
1. See your doctor.
2. Join a gym. (and go daily).
3. Hire a trainer.
Doc and Pete really seem to be great guys, as I look back on the show I never once heard a bad word from them about another player. You should both be proud of the way you conducted yourselves on the show. Before the elimination Mark's emotions were running high and he hated that he had to send one of these guys home. Now he has to choose and is placed in the same position as the ladies have been in. After the choices they made he considered them "dirtbags" but now the shoe is now on the other foot will the ladies think the same of him?
So it came down to the elimination where the true nature of the game rears its ugly head. The game itself. When it's all said and done the person you will send home is the one you feel is the biggest threat to you in the game. At the beginning of the episode Mark was so upset the girls sent home their biggest loser and now he is faced with sending someone home. He went with the person he considered to be the bigger threat to himself even after Doc asked him directly to vote him out. It's a tough choice for Mark as he has really bonded with both of these guys but his longevity in the game came first.
Pete,
YOU ARE THE MAN! When you went home to your wife. WOW! You got me there. I had to rewind that like ten times because I couldn't get enough of how happy you and your wife looked together. I want to say, in my opinion, by far you have made the most incredible transformation between season one or two so far. You are right to say you have left with more than you came with… which actually turns out to be less. You have inspired me to keep making new goals and keep reaching for them. I am sure you have inspired many people around the country.
After I dropped a lot of the weight, Caroline would say to me, “Hey Gary I know your dad.” Meaning she thought the weight loss made me look way younger. Well when I saw your dramatic loss I actually had to rewind the tape because I didn't realize which one was you. You look like a big kid . Congratulations Pete you have done well. Keep it up and I will be proud to shake your hand at the finale.
Gary