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

Over five minutes have passed when Jay tries unsuccessfully to adjust his stance, and he and Roger hit the drink first. Just after the ten-minute mark, their teammates follow them in with Dan taking a nasty whack on the ribs. So the underdog Black Team wins another one!

Alison informs us that the announcement of who’s getting immunity doesn’t have to be made public now. She adds that even though they are immune, the two to be named will still have their weights count at the weigh-in.

The Black Team meets to discuss the result. They have a negative mindset about the weigh-ins, as Bernie isn’t sure they can lose big again. Maggie goes one farther, telling us, “You can’t have two good weeks in a row.” “Can’t?” Nonsense! This team needs the help of a sports psychologist!

Bob meets with his team and he is not impressed that they didn’t win. The boys aren’t worried because they are sure they will win the next weigh-in. I guess it’s good to be confident.

Trent says he’s not into the game play aspect of the show, just the weight loss. He begins talking about his family being the reason he’s here and begins to weep, and the rest comfort him (in the most manly of ways, of course). Bob smiles – he likes his team again.

Meanwhile, Jillian hears these same results. She suggests they pick names out of a hat for their own immunity, because she doesn’t want anyone to feel less important that any other. “Everyone is equal?” – that’s Communism!

Sure enough, the names go into a hat, and immunity is won by the most vulnerable of them all, Maggie. In a solo moment, Paul opines that Maggie doesn’t have a chance to win, implying that giving her this immunity is a waste.

Somebody tell me why the trainer is deciding how the teams should play the game? Two weeks ago, after comforting Kelly, Jillian said it wasn’t her place to tell them how to play. What changed? If they lose, they will have to split up another couple… and I’ll have to recap more wretched “sad and lonely” footage!

During the next day’s workout, Jillian notes that Maggie is upset and pulls her aside. It’s nothing current, but rather some old problems. Maggie is upset that she’s sure that other people don’t want a fat friend. It also comes out that her dad left when she was young. We don’t see an attempt at resolution right now.

Jillian feels that if the reasons behind their weight gain are not addressed, the weight will come back. Jillian realizes she needs to get some special help. This segues to her mother coming into the house. Since the only name we ever hear her called is “Mommy,” that’s her name as far as this article is concerned.

Besides being Jillian’s mother, Mommy is also a psychotherapist. I’m thinking they need someone with “game play advisory” skills more, but after all the “Dr. Phil” moments of the past few weeks, I guess her skills are also necessary.

Meanwhile, Bob tells us that he doesn’t push therapy on those not seeking it. He offers his team a choice between therapy with Jillian’s mom, or a hike. Privately, Roger is distrustful of Mommy’s confidentiality. It’s unanimous – they’ll hike. Dan says they have a slogan, “We want to walk it out, not talk it out.”

I’m not going to recap the therapy. Suffice it to say that some Black Team members bring up some painful personal issues. At the end of it all, everyone feels better, be they a walker or a talker.

Later in the day, the former Yellow Team is talking about their situation. They feel they are the two outsiders in their team of five. They have the most weight to lose, though, and ought to be kept in the game if the vote is guided by strategy instead of emotion.

Back at the gym, it’s last-chance workout time. Both teams are giving everything they have to give. In one unusual clip, Bernie’s having an Ultimate Fight with a duffle bag. I think he’s ahead on points, but I doubt the bag is about to tap out.

Maggie thinks the Blue Team have turned into a bunch of jocks and does a funny impersonation of a typical member. And as if on cue, Roger compares his teammates to a football team and tells us what position they’d all play. He’s got Dan out at wide receiver, while the other four are in closer formation.

Alison meets the teams in front of the big scale wearing an attractive black dress with a loose tie at the front of the neck. But first, it’s time to announce who wins immunity. It’s Maggie and… Jay?!?! Maybe they want to keep a lower loser in the game, but what happened to protecting their buddy Dan?

During the weigh-in, someone from the Black Team is shown weeping (often Kelly), or admitting in an interview that they were sure they were going to lose. We get this between almost every person. Even Jillian is expressing doubts. This is getting old fast. At any rate, here’s how the weigh-in went.

The difference is one mere pound! That’s enough to dry Kelly’s eyes.