Biggest Loser 5: Couples, Episode 7 – Are You A Walker or a Talker?

Last time: Things seemed to happen in pairs. The Black Team rose up to out-cook and out-sweat the Blue Team (hopefully not at the same time). Mark ate chocolates to win a temptation, then found out his leg is damaged (again, probably not related events). Jackie’s week started strong, as one of her elder sons came on a reward visit. However, her week came apart when an alliance vote sent her home, leaving her son an orphan (in the game, that is). Jackie played the game hard, maybe harder than she had to, but she left with her head up.

As a refresher, these are the surviving teams. For now, original relationships and team colors are still indicated.

This is trainer Bob’s Blue Team:

These is trainer Jillian’s Black Team:

Action begins shortly after the last elimination. Dan feels betrayed by his teammates because they swore they weren’t going to vote him out. That’s not exactly what they said; the brothers said they would let the mom-son team know if they were going to vote against them. It’s a minor point perhaps, but hey, I’m here to nitpick.

Dan gets some support from a strange place… some of his opponents on the Black Team. Brittany does an interview wherein she points out that although the brothers like to talk about playing with integrity, their actions belie those noble intents. Dan walks out, followed shortly by most of the Black Team. Bernie stays to probe for remorse, but he comes up empty. Mark and Roger decide that they don’t care what the other team thinks. Finally, somebody said something smart!

The next morning, Dan is still sniffling that Mom is gone and he spent a quiet and lonely night. He’s decided that to get even, application of the always-effective silent treatment to the rest of the Blue Team is called for. Yup, that will just CRUSH a sensitive guy like Mark!

When Jillian comes into the house, her team asks her if she can train Dan. Aah, no. These folks have no clue how to play the game! Jillian suggests her team needs to stay away from the other team’s drama and focus on their own game. She’s sure Bob will take care of Dan.

When Dan meets with Bob later, Dan is STILL upset at being lied to. Does he not remember drinking water in an attempt to drive out the Black Team in six-versus-one week? Dude, you got to get a grip! At any rate, Bob tells Dan he’s not alone, because he’s there for him. Dan later realizes that Bob’s there for the other four as well.

Moving on to one of the few cheery moments in the whole darn two hours, it’s time for Bernie to claim his prize as the most recent “Biggest Loser of the Week.” The traditional choices of family, luxury, and game play have returned, and he opts for the latter. Bernie opens his envelope and reads, “50% off at this week’s challenge?” This makes no sense to him – or me – at this point.

Dan moans about being alone again. I am SO not looking forward to seeing this scene repeated five more times this season!

Dan announces to us that he has a plan. He’s going to lie to his teammates and say that he understands why they did what they did, because he knows he needs to form some kind of bond with them if he’s going to stay in the game. This can’t work… he’s the fifth wheel on a double date right now.

Dan calls a meeting with his team and expresses those faux-thoughts. The others accept what he says as a true peace offering. Mark says Dan is more mature than they were last night, and apologizes for how things were handled. Jay agrees they handled it incorrectly, and he’s sorry, too. Roger tells Dan he’s important to the team, and he’s “the light of this house.” His buddy Trent agrees.

Later, Trent and Mark say all is well on the team. However, Mark adds that if they lose again, it’s probably Dan who’s going home… and laughs.

The next day find our gang by the lake on a chilly day, where Alison has assembled the teams for a challenge. From their five players, two pairs from each team will participate. Each pair must support an amount of weight equal to what they have lost. The action takes place over the refreshing water. When the weight goes in, so will the players.

Bernie gets a break due to his “Gameplay” prize, so his contribution to his pair’s load is only half of the 60 pounds he’s lost. He’s not sure that’s so great, because he thinks he has poor balance and isn’t that anxious to take part.

The winning team will be the last one standing. They win the right to give immunity to two people, one from each team!

The two not playing are Kelly from the Black Team, plus big Trent for the Blue Team, who fell into the pool in six-versus-one week. The teams (with their weights) are paired thusly: Dan and Mark (130 pounds), Jay and Roger (107 pounds), Paul and Maggie (85 pounds), and Bernie and Brittany (62 pounds). Alison explains this is all about balance, teamwork, and endurance.

Mark adjusts his footing and Alison comments, “Mark looks like he’s about to fall in. Come on, Mark, you got to hang on!” He turns to her and with a degree of disgust responds, “I’m not falling in, I’m readjusting here. Don’t be so dramatic, this isn’t a soap opera.”