Biggest Loser 5: Couples, Episode 9 – Vegas, Baby… Vegas!

It’s last-chance workout time. Bernie seems reluctant to hit the heavy bag with much effort when Brittany is holding it, which also annoys Jillian.

Jillian sets the treadmill at 14 miles per hour for Brittany, looking for a 15-second sprint from her. Brittany tries, but cannot get there. Once, with two seconds left, she pulls out. Finally, she gets it… and to be honest, Jillian is right… the problems were in her head, not her feet.

Alison meets the teams in front of the big scale to announce the weigh-in results. Jillian thinks her people need to lose eight pounds each if they are to be successful. Dan, however, feels “unstoppable.”

We see the usual “day one” shots of each player as they mount the scale, and it’s clearly evident how far everyone has come since then.

Before Bob’s team stepped on the scale, he expresses the opinion, “…with all four of them, after the week that we had, I would not be surprised if these guys lost… one or three pounds.” Nice, Bob, really supportive!

Here’s how the weigh-in went:

Most everyone is amazed that Mark only lost a pound. Bernie tells us he sees this result as “justice being served.” That could be taken a few ways and I’m not sure exactly what his point is. Does he mean their win, or Mark’s failure?

A couple of the guys are close to losing 100 pounds – Dan needs another nine pounds; Roger needs five.

As the weigh-in is complete, Alison runs through her announcements. Bernie is the Biggest Loser of the week and will get a prize next week. Members of the Blue Team are the ones up for elimination, and, as the biggest loser on the losing team, Dan is immune from elimination.

The trainers are sent home and as usual, the teams have an hour to talk before voting. Two weeks ago Mark promised to take a bullet when his time came, but aided by a defective memory, he’s now resisting it. Luckily for us, that old tape is aired now, and it supports Roger’s view. Roger is sure he’s about to be tossed under the bus.

The brothers talk. Mark feels he’s giving up on himself. He’s also afraid to leave his baby brother alone in the game. Jay reminds him that he’s now 31. In a cameo, Mark realizes he’s the smallest member of the team and if he stays in the game and doesn’t do well next week, he’ll feel bad for Roger. They (especially Mark) break down completely.

The team meets again and while all bawl to the point of me having no clue what is being said, Mark throws himself on his sword. It’s agreed that even Jay must vote for Mark. To his credit, Mark finally apologizes to Roger for making this an issue. The boys weep like Mark is being executed by scorpions.

The last chance strategy hour (never more mis-named than this week) is over, and Alison assembles the Black Team in the elimination room. All votes are for Mark. Even Alison gets on the border of being weepy after Jay finishes!

The do the “Pride” chant one last time, and Mark is gone.

In post-elimination video, Mark admits he’s going to miss working out with his brother. He says he came wearing size 44 pants and now fits into a 32. He feels better than ever and is targeting the eliminated-player prize.

Arriving home the next day, Mark sees most of his family, then takes his daughter to surprise his wife at work. Nice. Mark admits he’s happy to be home and resuming his life.

In more current video, we find out that Mark now weighs 195 pounds, a loss of 90 pounds from his first day at the ranch. Only ten pounds away from his goal weight, he now exercises daily.

I must say, that image of them ice-skating on curling ice is mighty disturbing. Wait, it’s a combination hockey/curling facility… which is even MORE disturbing!

My Opinion: I will admit to being surprised at how well the Black Team has done, I really did expect them to be almost extinct by now. I don’t know if they are going to the “Individual” phase of the game or not next week. If so, to be able to use the advantage they have, they need to run some good weeks together. I’m sure Jillian will keep them hopping!

What do you think? Join me here next week for a recap of all the latest action, sprinkled with my own reactions and opinions. And let me know what you think about it all at the eAddress below!

More at home with popcorn than push-ups, Brian can be reached at uncle_bto@rogers.com. He’d like to hear your opinions and promises to respond to all serious email!

More at home with popcorn than push-ups, Brian 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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