Welcome to the second episode of The Biggest Loser 2.
We begin this episode with *gasp* a recap of last week. We meet 14 fine, fat folks who will all be winners by the end of their time on the ranch. They are divided into teams of men (blue) versus women (red). We also meet Bob and Jillian, their trainers. Bob will train the women and Jillian will train the men. The men win the first challenge, but the women win the weigh-in by 1 pound and Ruben is sent home due to his lack of team participation.
And now...on with the show!
We join our Losers as they walk up to the house, wondering what their temptation will be. Upon opening the doors to the temptation room they discover 13 covered platters, each with a letter from home next to it. Their instructions tell them “If you eat it, you can read it.” They have 15 minutes.
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They remove the covers to find decadent, delicious food, tailored to the taste of each person. (Break out the super-absorbent towels to mop up the drool, folks!)
The ladies are especially emotional about their letters. (Wait...pass those towels over here now!) “Saint” Mark takes the opportunity to taunt Jen and Shannon rather meanly. Shannon was already struggling with her emotions but Mark’s taunts bring the tears even more. She is a single mom and misses her daughter a lot.
To their credit no one eats a single bite! Bob tells us that this is good preparation for the temptations they’ll face in the real world.
We jump to workout time. Bob stresses to the ladies that they’ll be working on balance, speed and agility. (No foreshadowing there, of course. ) He also tells them that their calories are crucial and that they can’t reduce their calorie intake, it won’t help them lose more weight. Kathryn’s foot is injured and she can’t fully work out. Her team is worried about her impact on the team. (Again, no foreshadowing...)
Jillian also emphasizes balance. Jeff says that balance is what he needs the most and fears the most. (I can’t seem to get away from this shadow!) Jillian calls Nick a renegade and says she’ll help him when he needs it. But if he becomes a problem she’ll address it then. (I’m grabbing my jacket...it’s cold in this shadow!)
As we walk to the challenge we discover that the women are nervous and feel lots of pressure to win. They don’t want to lose twice.
Caroline asks Shannon about missing her family. She then informs them that the winning team gets their letter from home plus an extra 24 hours to work out before their weigh-in.
The challenge this week is to cross a beam from the shore to a platform in the water. If they fall they must swim to the shore and start again. The first team with all members on the platform wins.
The women must sit one person out and they are given time to discuss it. Kathryn is asked point-blank if she thinks her injured ankle will hinder her. She says no. (Of course she’ll be able to race across a beam - she only limps whenever she walks!) Her team wants her to sit out so she finally gives in.
They change into wetsuits (I am refraining from any whale comments at this time) and the challenge begins.
Seth zips over as Suzy tentatively makes her way along the beam. Matt passes Suzy who soon makes it over. Ryan starts slowly across as Mark makes it across before her. She makes it over.
Men have 3 and women have 2.
Nick speeds onto the beam and falls. Jen falls right after that. Andrea makes it over. Pete makes it over. Jeff falls. Shannon falls. Nick makes it on his second try. Suzanne makes it over.
Men have 5 and women have 4.
Jen and Jeff start across. Jen almost falls and sits down on the beam. Jeff falls again. Jen makes it across. Jeff and Shannon start across. Shannon is scared of falling and doesn’t think she can do it. Jeff isn’t giving up. His ankle hurts but he knows his wife and daughters will be proud of him if he succeeds.
And we go to commercials.
We return to see.... Ducks swimming happily near the competition sight. Methinks there’s something fowl going on here.... Duck for dinner anyone?
Jeff is slowly moving. His team is encouraging him to just take it a few steps at a time. Shannon’s team is telling her “we want the letters. We need you” She tells herself to gun it - “If I don’t I’ll never forgive myself.” She puts on a burst of speed and gets across with no problems.
Immediately the women start cheering Jeff on. He says that it didn’t feel like a competition at that point, just everyone wanting him to succeed. He makes it across and everyone cheers happily. The guys are hugging him and all excited just as if they had won. (awww...warm fuzzies)