Biggest Loser 5: Couples, Episode 15 – Another Sign of the Upcoming Apocalypse

Alison then announces that she has one final surprise for them, saying, “Tonight, this elimination is not going to be your decision!” Alison continues by telling them that America will decide who will be the final competitor at the weigh-in. They will do so via an Internet vote.

The stunned responses of all attending echo my own feelings – that this is an idiotic and indefensible twist, and the producers ought to know better. Let the players IN the game PLAY the game!

This twist gives Roger some hope, but I doubt it will change anything. I believe America wants a woman to win, and that will put Roger out of the game because long-range, he’s the bigger threat. We’ll see.

Alison tells the guys that they have one last chance to enter the confessional and make a final appeal to America. Like there’s something about their stories that will be new to us? Ridiculous!

Roger goes first and delivers a low-key appeal that’s folksy but not heavy on content. Mark talks about his journey and says he did this for his family. Their videos are then interspersed, but little comes from either that’s going to matter much. Mark says that whatever decision is made, he won’t feel it’s a wrong one. Roger offers America a hug.

It’s time for all four players to share teary goodbyes with the trainers and cardboard cutouts of their day-one bodies. Kelly is glad the Black Team isn’t extinct. Lord, I’m getting tired of hearing that again.

Alison is next. Alison tells us that as much as it’s about the pounds, it’s also about why you hold on to them. She confides the key question is, “Where did I give up on myself?” Jillian tells her she was always lovable and didn’t know it.

Now Bob talks to his charges. Mark looks at his cutout and tells us, “I didn’t even realize I was that unhealthy.” Bob tells Mark, “What you have achieved on The Biggest Loser is one of the greatest success stories I have seen on this show.” Mark says he’s learned, “Showing emotion is not weakness, it’s strength.” If so, he is one of the strongest dudes in recent memory. In separate cameos, Mark tells us he’s indebted to Bob, but Bob says it’s time for Mark to move on.

It’s Roger’s turn. Roger says he’s still the same guy he was before, happy with his life, except now he’s learned how to live healthily. He tells Bob he respects his friendship and ends by requesting another hug from America.

There’s time left over, so we see another round of “final thoughts” as the players leave the ranch. Roger and Mark both miss their families. Mark says that he spent five months away from his family so he could be with them for another twenty years.

Ali says she had given up on herself and came to the ranch to get back control of her life. She feels she has wrestled and defeated the issues in her life that led her astray. Kelly feels she has gained a sense of confidence and pride in what’s she’s done. Kelly also wants to be the first female winner.

Kelly has some significant ground to make up, as evidenced by the following chart. By playing with those numbers, I’ve determined she needs to shed twenty pounds to essentially tie her with the other three. It’s not impossible for her to catch up, but it’s one heck of an uphill battle!

As we head to the last stage of the competition, here’s how everyone stands:

The players are now delivered to their homes. As usual, the penultimate episode of the season ends as the players are about to enter the front door of their homes.

Next time: The live finale, including tape of events between when this episode was filmed and now. Do we call that “live tape”? The third finalist will be announced. That means we’ll find out who’s been training like a fiend for three or four months with no chance at financial reward… how’s that for a kick in the head? Finally, the consolation prize will be assigned, and a champion will be crowned.

My Opinion: I think this twist makes no sense. It’s also unnecessarily cruel to the one not chosen. In fact, I place this one right up there with the imbecilic idea from Survivor: Palau that a “schoolyard pick ‘em” should eliminate two players on the second day.

Do let me know what you think about it all at the eAddress below.

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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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