The Biggest Loser, Episode 4: Stairway to Heaven

As the show opens, Gary is complaining that Maurice (Mo) stabbed him in the back. He is angry that Mo lied to him when he told him he was voting for Andrea. Gary feels that they lost their strongest player by eliminating Aaron. Everyone is grumbling and mumbling, and the players are decidedly unhappy.

The next morning, trainer Bob arrives and, when he discovers that Aaron is gone, he sighs deeply. Kelly Mac tells us that Bob was surprised she was still there. He is shocked that Aaron is gone and asks Gary to explain. Gary says, "Don't ask me." Andrea tells Bob how it went down. He tells them that he was sick about not being with them, and says that, if he were playing the game, Aaron would still be there.

Bob continues preaching about their lack of commitment and tells them that, with Aaron gone, they are going to have to really step it up. He says that he saw four team players and that Mo isn't one of them. Bob is really irritated that Mo is eating while he is talking to him. Bob doesn't see that Mo is at all committed. Mo doesn't understand Bob's reasoning and wonders why he is being blamed for all their problems.

Bob is going to punish them big-time. He takes them out to an athletic field and orders them to start running up and down the bleacher stairs. One by one they are forced to run up and down while Bob times them. Gary hurts his knee, but Bob doesn't care. Mo tells us that this was the most grueling workout he has ever seen. That's right, I said seen. He tells us that he can't participate because of his bad ankles, so he stands there and watches while the rest of his team goes up and down the stairs in the hot sun. Maurice, baby, it's time for you to go.

Bob tells us that he is trying to identify the team's strongest player. He says that Kelly and Andrea are turning out to be his stars. The day's workout is brutal. After the stairs, they do sprints, some kind of hopping exercise, push-ups, and then they jog some more. Again, he tells Kelly and Andrea that they made a huge mistake in eliminating Aaron. Andrea can hardly stand up, and is crying, while Kelly sobs that she doesn't know what to do.

Not only is Bob testing them physically, he is also challenging them to be strong leaders. Andrea collapses into Gary's arms and continues to cry. He tells her that she is there because she is supposed to be, and Bob agrees. Maurice tells us that the Blue team is in shambles, and that they most likely will be picked off one by one by the Red team. But he warns, "We'll go down fighting."

Now it's time to check in with the Red team. You'd think they'd be celebrating, but, as they prepare a meal, it seems as though they aren't feeling so tip-top either. Jillian says it's been hard to convince the girls that eating more is an effective way to diet. Kelly is having a problem with the "high calorie" days. Jillian is convinced that this is going to work and that she will get results.

All the players are tired and some are beginning to feel the effects. Jillian believes that, even with injuries, there are plenty of things that they can do. Dave has hurt his ankle and Red team's Kelly has problems with her feet. There's no time for coddling on this program, though, and Jillian will find something for everyone to do no matter what their physical ailments.

After a working out all day, the players enter the foyer of the house in which they are staying, and are subjected to another "Food Torture Challenge." Last week it was huge cinnamon buns and phone calls. This week, there is a table stacked high with cupcakes. Everyone reacts appropriately. There is a sign beside the table that reads: "Whoever eats the most cupcakes in 15 minutes gets a sunset dinner at the beach with… a loved one from home." They are certainly tempted, but realize the ramifications - thousands of calories and further punishment from Bob and Jillian.

Gary says that his wife is only an hour away, and suggests that everyone steps back and he will eat one. Ryan immediately jumps in and says he'll eat two. This isn't going to work. They stand around looking at the cupcakes. Maurice says he is ready. The cupcakes are sure pretty, with all kinds of different colors of frosting.

Ryan has come up with a reasonable solution. They put everyone's name in a bowl, and whoever's name is pulled will eat one cupcake and get the dinner. Dave's name is pulled, and he eats the cupcake slowly in front of the others. Maurice says he wants to see his girlfriend really bad. He smells the cupcakes and knows it's decision time. He walks over to the pile 'o cakes and picks one up. For a moment, he romances the idea of eating it, but, in the end, he puts it down and tells us, "I didn't come this far to cheat." Good for you.

David wins the "date" with his wife. He meets her at the Moon Shadow Restaurant in Malibu. His wife, who is absolutely beautiful, walks up to him and they embrace. She sees the difference in his appearance and he tells her that it's a "life-rehab" experience. He tells us that seeing her was a real boost, and has given him the confidence to keep going and not give in.