The Biggest Loser 2, Episode 8: Look At Them Now!

Most of the numbers were a little lower this week – but any loss is a good loss! Dr. Jeff wins the weekly title of “Biggest Loser” and will no doubt (since we didn’t get to see it) hoist a flag. Immunity-wise, that title no longer means anything, though.

The players all come together to discuss the situation. Channeling her husband no doubt, a weepy Andrea makes the appeal that she doesn’t want to stay in the game as a pawn who is easy to beat. If that’s the case, she wants to go home. In case there was doubt, Mark says he wants to stay.

God, more quitters in reality shows – come on, get some Canadians on these shows, we won’t quit!

In a series of cameos, we learn that Matt wants his friend Mark to stay. Matt thinks both Mark and Dr. Jeff won’t vote for him, so he’s going to go a lot farther keeping them around. Contrarily, Shannon thinks that if Andrea is eliminated, “Suzy and I might as well kiss this game goodbye.” It will be interesting to see how that team votes.

Everyone files into the Elimination Room. Dr. Jeff casts the first vote for himself, and although he knows Mark is a threat to win, he didn’t care for it that Andrea was ready to quit. It’s a vote for Andrea.

Suzy casts the Seth/Suzy vote for Mark, because he’s a threat. Usurping Caroline’s job, Mark says, “One and one!”

So Matt and Shannon have the deciding vote. Matt is visibly upset, so you know where this is heading right away. He tells us they couldn’t agree how to vote, so as a team, they finally decided to vote out Mark. Matt starts to blubber, and everyone knows this was hard for him. Mark tells him, “Don’t worry about it,” several times. He says he understands that Matt had to do it, and they’ll be friends after the game.

Matt says, “I lost 87 pounds, I’m leaving here a winner as far as I’m concerned.” He had the highest percentage of weight loss to date. Mark has a big hug for all the men, especially Matt. We’re not sure if the “dirtbags” partake or not. If so, it isn’t shown.

Mark reminds us that last week he said, “You have to play the game,” and continues, “So for me to be mad at Matt, that would be hypocritical.” He admits that he never expected to make such deep friendships at the ranch and promises he’ll be between 190-200 pounds the next time we see him.

The next scene is Mark arriving home. There’s a warm reception. He finds a letter Matt slipped into his suitcase, apologizing again for voting against him. Mark says, “Matt, I forgive you, man.”

In more current footage, we see Mark zipping by impressively on a bike. He’s gone from his initial 358 pounds to a healthier 228, for a total loss of 130. He looks good. They rerun part of his audition video, showing him in his squad car with his gut right up to the wheel. Now, there’s what looks like well over a foot of gap. Also, his bulletproof vest fits properly. One can’t deny, he’s done a great job of taking control of this aspect of his life.

Next Week – no more teams; one will face their biggest nightmare; and a weigh-in that will leave you speechless. Well, last week they said, “a favorite goes home,” and we lost Mark instead of Suzy or Matt, so grain-of-salt that info.

My Own Thoughts: What an interesting juxtaposition we have, cops eliminated in both Survivor and Biggest Loser this week. Only one thought the other contestants were “dirtbags” and likened them to the street scum he meets in his job. I’m impressed by Mark’s weight loss and his friendship with Matt, but it pretty much ends there.

I got some other interesting mail last week. Several thought my opinions of Matt were too high. Interestingly, going into this week he was the contestant most people thought would win on the NBC site poll, with 29% of the vote. Suzy and Dr. Jeff were second, both at 14%. Mark had 7%. I know that “think they will win” is not the same as “most popular,” but as a rule people don’t vote in the network polls for people they don’t like.

I will admit that Matt is less pleasant when he’s not winning. He didn’t do well at makeover this week, but he was only hurting himself. His treatment of Shannon and her daughter after they lost the challenge more than made up for that in my eyes.

Well, that’s it. Join me here each Wednesday for a recap of all the action, sprinkled with my own reactions and opinions. Readers, lots of things going on here, I’d be interested in your opinions – let me know what you think at the eAddress below!

Brian lives in Toronto where he can be reached at uncle_bto@rogers.com. He’d like to hear your opinions and promises to respond to all serious email.

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