The Biggest Loser, Episode 10: Memories are Made of This

Eleven weeks ago, twelve people arrived at the ranch to vie for the title of “Biggest Loser.” Now, this group has inspired an entire nation, so much so over 100,000 people have started on their New Year’s resolution and are applying for Biggest Loser 2. To prove this point, we see long lines of people at auditions for the second season of this show. Yup, it’s a hit, all right.

Even those who have been eliminated have found that their lives have changed. Case in point – Andrea. We watch as she twirls around in a boutique wearing a designer dress, in a European size ten, which equates to a U.S. size 6. Andrea, who has had her hair cut short, looks fabulous. Even in jeans, she is fit and trim. She’s kept up her exercise program and says, “Hey, Dre is here to stay.”

Lisa, who was eliminated on the last episode, has also continued her workout program. She says she loves buying clothes and going out dancing and “going crazy.” We see her prancing down the street in a mini-skirt, holding hands with someone! She looks great too. The plan works if you work it.

Voiceover man, who sounds suspiciously like trainer Bob, walks us through some clips of the teams working out, and we see some of the challenges and temptations. Tonight, all four will go home, but only three will be in the running to win the dough. Who will it be?

As the show opens, the four remaining contestants are leaving the elimination room. They are all somewhat stunned, and Kelly says she really doesn’t trust Ryan for voting Lisa off. Ryan says that he did what he had to do, even though he feels bad about it. Gary says he was sad to see Lisa go, but that he feels good about standing by Maurice.

Trainers Bob and Jillian arrive. Calling Lisa a “big force,” Bob is surprised at how quiet the house is without her. Maurice understands that Bob and Jillian may be shocked that he is still in the game, but Bob actually seems pleased, and calls Mo a “master manipulator.” But Bob is a little irritated that Mo hasn’t done his cardio work, and says that if he wants to see double digits this week, he’s going to have to do it on his own.

The group goes outside, prepared to work out. But they are surprised to find a sign saying “Role Reversal Day – Train the Trainers.” They have all day to make their trainers sweat, and they get right to it. Kelly tells Jillian that she will need a ponytail holder, rather than a clip, and then they are off and running, literally.

The group gets together to plot the trainers’ workouts. Bob thinks it’s funny because he doesn’t think his team knows what to do. On the other hand, Jillian says that her team knows exactly what to do, and seems a bit nervous about this little experiment. Sure enough, they put Jillian on the treadmill, and Kelly starts screaming at her to keep it going. Jillian is not doing all that well. Bob, however, is running at the maximum of 12 miles per hour.

The torment continues. Bob can’t believe that Mo remembers everything he ever said and did to him. He finally breaks while he is lifting weights, and is amazed at how well Mo and Gary do. Gary gets down and does some pushups with Bob. To wrap it all up, Bob and Jillian do a hideous weight walk, followed by a jog.

That night, it’s payback time. It’s the trainers’ turn to work them, and revenge is definitely sweet – at least for Bob and Jillian. Jillian says, “If you’re gonna bring it, you’re gonna get it.” Kelly won’t give Jillian the satisfaction of throwing up, and Mo pushes himself to the limit on the treadmill. Yup, these guys are working harder than ever.

The next day, they all walk to the gate, together. They reminisce about how hard it was the first time they walked up to the house. Maurice says it almost killed him. Now, they are all running back from the gate to the house. He says that he could never have imagined that he could have run to the house. Gary says that he is in the best shape of his adult life, and that he is ready to take it to the next level.

Ryan realizes the difference in their attitudes and their bodies. Kelly also sees that the changes are both physical and psychological. We see before and after clips of them all as Bob tells us that they were all on a track to death. He feels that the show is saving peoples’ lives. I believe that may well be true.