More like a mini-collection of thoughts this week due to time constraints.  The more I think about it, the more underwhelmed I feel about this seasons makeover episode.   Tim Gunn and Tabitha Coffey certainly worked their magic.   The butterflies are starting to emerge from their Biggest Loser cocoon!  Everyone looked fantastic, and man, am I glad Tabitha won the battle with Rudy over his beard.   My real complaint is that when I see a makeover show, I want the BIG REVEAL.   We didn’t get that this week, as the producers chose to focus the reveal between the players and the surprise guests from home.  And although I love seeing the eliminated contestants dish on Jay Leno, that’s partly why the finale episode is so amazing.  We haven’t seen the players since they’ve been eliminated or make it to the final week on the ranch.  Bring back the mystery!

SURPRISES

• We didn’t see the trainers’ reactions to the younger team doing extra exercise rather than getting sleep during Week 9.  That’s a big reason why Amanda and Shay fell below the yellow line and Daniel went home immediately  Both Bob and Jillian consider proper rest as important to weight loss as nutrition and exercise.   If NBC is reading this, please add this footage to the behind-the-scenes web clips.  Thanks!  :0)

• Rudy’s sister died of leukemia when he was in his early teens.  Jillian flipped out when she and Bob found that out during Rudy’s motivational speech.  Exercise beatdown followed shortly thereafter.  Hard to believe Rudy had never made the connection between his sister’s passing and his weight gain.

• And Rebecca had a meltdown over Rudy’s vote at the elimination.  If I had been in Rebecca’s shoes, I wouldn’t have been surprised.  It’s Young vs. Old at this point.  No reason to expect Rudy to deviate from that.

If you missed the Makeover Episode, check out these stellar recaps from PhillyBurbs and Celebrate Weight Loss. And Alison has a great collection of “Before and After” photos of the final five!

HOW THE ELIMINATED PLAYER LOOKS NOW

NEXT WEEK

(Okay, this week!)  Back to back episodes on Tuesday and Wednesday!  First, financial guru Suze Orman and NFL Hall of Famer Rod Woodson pay surprise visits to the final five contestants on Tuesday night.  Then, are they still winning the battle of the bulge? Contestants from the previous seven seasons return in a 2-hour special Wednesday night.