Michael’s personality is starting to grate on me.  I started feeling ambivalent about him during the last two episodes, but this one put me over the edge.   Is it the humor?  I used to love his fun expressions, especially the “I can see my abs” after the first weigh in.  The in-your-face jumping around after each win?  Not so much.  Looking out for yourself is much, much different then trying to SCREW the rest of the players.  Isn’t there a happy medium somewhere?

CLIFFHANGER:  LAST WEEK’S ELIMINATION

When we last left our Dynamic Duo, Cheryl and Darrell were balancing the faux Olympic torches on their heads.  Cheryl pulled a Tara.  Supreme confidence and focus.  After more than 10 minutes, Darrell’s torch tumbled, sending him home immediately.

HOW THE ELMINATED PLAYER LOOKS NOW

Broke my heart to see Drea so sad about her dad’s departure.  But when you meet Darrell’s wife, it’s clear that he has the support team at home to continue dropping the weight.

TEMPTATION CHALLENGE

Cookies!  And lots of ‘em, in addition to other calorie-laden treats!  It’s the time we deliciously anticipate all season:  Blue vs. Black.  Before announcing the actual challenge, Alison explains the prize – the winner will choose the teams AND the person who gets immunity this week.    Alison asks who will participate.  Some players don’t want the power because they know it will cause drama in the house.  Others, put off by the sheer volume and smell of the cookies, don’t see the wisdom in potentially eating thousands of calories.  Drea and Michael are the only two who decide to play.  The game is a big old Concentration board.  They’ll pick two boxes at a time, hoping to match the items behind the cards.  No match = picking player has to eat a cookie.  Match = opponent eats whatever’s inside the box.   They’re looking for the Golden Tickets.

Drea’s on an early roll, racking up matches while Michael stacks up the calories.  But as luck would have it, Michael ends up matching the Golden Tickets after eating over 2000 calories!!!  Michael takes the power very seriously, saying it’s the first time he’s put his own well-being ahead of others.  What that really means?  He wants to stay in the game as long as possible.  And boy does he stack the deck!  The smaller women (Cheryl, Stephanie, Drea, Ashley, Sherry) and Sam end up with Jillian on the Black Team; the larger men (Lance, Koli, Daris, Michael) join Miggy and Sunshine with Bob’s Blue Team.  Michael selects O’Neal for immunity and because there’s an uneven number of players, he’ll train alone this week.  After the weigh in, he’ll join the losing team the next week.

The Black Team players are really pissed.  They don’t like the perception that they are the weaker team.  They know Michael is playing the game.  He asked them who they wanted to train with, then did the opposite in most cases.   Stephanie feels betrayed, as seen in this confrontation that didn’t make it to air.  No one’s more angry than Jillian.  She calls Michael’s actions completely unfair and unprecedented, then apologizes, saying it resurrects her inner “fat kid” pain.    But remember:  no one does underdog like Jillian.

TRAINER TIP

Time to get out that Brita!  Bob reminds us that clean water is instrumental in weight loss.  Filter with the Brita pitcher to improve water quality, then put the water in a washable, reusable container to reduce waste.

TEAM CHALLENGE

The teams have to hoist their team banners up the side of a Burbank building.  The prize – letters from home!  With the exception of Sunshine and O’Neal, the players haven’t heard from home in almost two months.  The Black Team gives it their all, working handily as teammates but they are easily outmatched by the pulling strength of the Blue Team.

LAST CHANCE WORKOUT

Bob warns the Blue Team not to take anything for granted.  Yes, they have sheer size on their sides.  However, Bob knows that without complete mental and physical focus, anything can happen at the weigh in.   Meanwhile, Jillian is on edge.  She’s got to get the most out of her team to prevent disaster on the scale.   And a funny thing happens as her team starts working out.  They are completely in sync.  They seem to be channeling their anger at Michael into impressing Jillian with their determination.   It works.  Although she’s beating them up, she’s dishing out the praise after every workout segment.

WEIGH IN

O’Neal has immunity, so he’s the first to weigh in, followed by the Blue and Black Teams.

• O’Neal – 9 lbs
• Michael – 15 lbs
• Sunshine – 7 lbs
• Miggy – 4 lbs
• Koli – 10 lbs
• Lance – 5 lbs
• Daris – 7 lbs

Blue loses 2.7% and 48 lbs.  Black needs more than 39 lbs.   Is it possible for them to pull the upset?

• Andrea – 5 lbs
• Cheryl – 4 lbs
• Sherry – 6 lbs
• Sam – 8 lbs (the power of the black nail polish!)
• Stephanie – 8 lbs
• Ashley – 10 lbs

CELEBRATION!!!  Wow.  Congratulations to the Black Team.  Michael laments “It should have been us.”  Good realization for him, since he’s got the highest percentage of weight loss on the Blue Team, ensuring his own immunity.    When Blue Team gathers to discuss their elimination decision, the obvious choice is Lance or Miggy, simply based on the numbers.  Lance can’t vote for himself and most of the others question whether Miggy’s stress level will hurt or help the team in the long run.  Survey says, “HURT!”  Miggy gets the boot.

HOW THE ELIMINATED PLAYER LOOKS NOW

Miggy looks refreshed and happy!   The power of meditation.  And an at home visit from your new Biggest Loser family.

NEXT WEEK

The Black Team may have won the weigh in….but they didn’t make any friends on the Blue Team.  Goliath’s out to get them with a vengeance!

Since I’ve been out for a few weeks dealing with a medical issue (no worries, everyone’s on the mend), I’m not quite caught up with my Biggest Loser recaps!  Gail, Paula and Season 2’s Pete Thomas aptly fill the void.

Quick thoughts:

• Delighted to see individual competition.  It’s the whole reason each person is there…for him or herself.
• If you want a trainer, stick with Bob and Jillian.  The Olympians aren’t mean enough!
• Biathlon challenge was my favorite so far this season.  Reminded me of paintball, dodgeball, all the fun games.  Plus, some insight on how the players think strategically.
• What a bizarre elimination cliffhanger!
• Completely bewildered by Melissa.  Was she intimidated by the game?  Or is it a team approach to win both the at-home prize and grand prize?

HOW THE ELIMINATED PLAYER LOOKS NOW

She’s done quite well at home.  Not at all surprised to see her boxing!  But I think Jillian’s initial assessment at the ranch was correct.  Something doesn’t add up here.

NEXT WEEK

Who folded under the faux Olympic torch:  Cheryl or Darrell?   Teams reform…into Blue vs. Black!

Patti, 55, is a small business owner in Layfayette, CA.   Overweight for most of her life, she still remembers the taunts of childhood playmates.   But that pain pales in comparison to losing her father unexpectedly at 55, the same age she is now.  She fears that if she doesn’t lose the excess weight, her own life will be cut short, leaving her family devasted.   Patti doesn’t want to be an overweight, unhealthy companion to her husband.  She’s ready to break the cycle and become fit, healthy and energetic.

29 year old Stephanie is a radio sales executive in West Hollywood, CA.  Like her mother, she’s been battling extra weight for most of her life.   Her job requires long hours and frequent social outings, leaving her little time to hit the gym.   Work is also her excuse for not having time to be in a relationship.  However, she admits that she is afraid a potential love interest will reject her because of her weight.   As a former athlete, the thrill of competition motivated her once.  She’s hoping that same spirit will help her kick the pounds, once and for all.

BROWN TEAM – Brothers

James, 30 is a human resources director living in Orlando, FL.   As the youngest kids in a large family, he and his identical twin are used to competition.   While they used to stand out as scholars and athletes, the twins now gain attention because of their weight.   His size makes it difficult for James to do activities he once loved, like dancing with his wife or taking long walks.   He wants to have a family and live a long healthy life.

His brother John works in Orlando as a senior marketing manager.  A number of John’s relatives have died prematurely and he can no longer deny the obvious.  He may suffer the same fate if he doesn’t get his weight under control, which would mean leaving his family without a husband and father.   John has lost almost 160 lbs in the past, but couldn’t keep it off.   He regained all 160 lbs, plus 40 more.   John hopes the competitive nature of the show will be the game-changer for himself and his twin.

BLACK TEAM – Father and Daughter

Darrell, 46 is a machine operator and mechanic from Ann Arbor, MI.   Always the largest in his family, Darrell’s love for food started early.    Oversized portions plus a lack of exercise has kept him heavy his entire adult life.    Darrell’s quality of life has diminished because of his weight.   Living a full, healthy, fit life means that he’ll need help sticking to a diet and fitness regimen.

Darrell and his daughter Andrea, 24 are very close.  As the 4th and 5th generation to carry on obsesity in their family, they are teaming up to change their family legacy.    Andrea works as an executive assistant in Ann Arbor.   Although overweight as a child, she was also athletic and didn’t start gaining weight until after high school.   Her family equates food with love and eating healthfully has always been a challenge, especially at family events.   Andrea is finally ready to break the cycle of weight gain and improve her health.  She knows this will change her life – and her dad’s future.