With two teams exiting last week, one because of the challenge (Wes and Mandi) and the other because of sheer stupidity (Vinny and Sarah), that couldn’t happen again could it?
It could.
This week’s episode started with a haphazard explanation about Dustin injuring his knee while running up some stairs. The injury required stitches and he was forced off the show right before the next challenge. Per the “Rice Rule” (which is what I am now calling it when anyone is forced to leave a show because of their partner), that meant that the stunning Heather Marter also had to exit. She wasn’t quite as dramatic as Sarah was when she was forced to leave last week but that’s probably because she knows that she will back on another challenge faster than Leroy can say anything about sex.
It was actually sad to see them go as I think that Dustin/Heather have one of the truest relationships on the show and they left far too early. Their chemistry is spectacular and I actually thought they had the potential to go on a challenge-win streak despite their newbie status. Heather is also a friend of mine so from a personal standpoint, seeing them leave because of an injury that wasn’t related to a challenge totally sucked.
The challenge itself was another phenomenal one as the teams were suspended on boards above the ocean and had to answer dumb trivia questions. As soon as they got an answer wrong, they were dumped (totally in the most humiliating way possible) leaving their partner to answer questions until they met their fate as well.
Sample questions included naming Cher’s lover, the father of Britney’s children and Brad Pitt’s ex. There were also some spelling questions which were butchered (I still can’t believe my definition of perfection, Diem, spelled etiquette wrong!
The main notes from the challenge were that Aneesa bit her own lip while falling face first into the water after getting a question wrong, leaving Rachel to fend for herself. Rachel actually did a great job and eventually took on Dunbar/Paula in the final round to determine the game’s top team. Dunbar and Paula pulled out the W.
As for the bottom team, it was a showdown between Abram/Cara Maria and Leroy/Naomi. I was definitely pulling for Abram and Cara Maria. In general, Abram is one of my favorite challenge competitors and I generally like the way that he competes. He rarely participates in the politics of the game and while that is usually his downfall, it’s also quite admirable. Anyway, I got the result that I wanted as Leroy and Naomi fell first meaning they would face a team of Dunbar and Paula’s choosing in the Dome.
Dunbar and Paula (or “Dunp” as I like to call them), were in an interesting position. With Dustin and Heather being eliminated already, they would be forced to put in a non-rookie team. In the same position, I genuinely don’t know what I would have done. I think the best match-up would have been to have Leroy/Naomi face-off against Abram/Cara Maria. With that being said, if Abram/Cara Maria came back, they would with a thirst for fiery vengeance. As a result, I thought the only other option was to put in Ty/Emily (which is what they ended up doing). For those wondering why they didn’t put in Johnny/Camila or CT/Diem, it’s because those teams would have both returned and put them on the block immediately. Attempting to eliminate Emily was the right idea, but come on. There’s no way Leroy/Naomi could do it and now, all Dunp has done is given them the motivation to come back and get rid of them.
The final challenge asked the teams to race and hold onto a pole (insert phallic pun here) and it was slaughter as expected with Ty/Emily emerging victorious.
See ya Leroy and Naomi.
Let’s get to the power rankings.
#1
Johnny Bananas & Camila
The fact that Johnny and Camila weren’t in any kind of trouble despite the fact that they are the strongest team indicates the power that Johnny wields in the house. There’s no way Paula would allow one of her closest friends to go home even if it was a poor strategic move and I think that there are very few teams left that have the guts necessary to nominate this team. As a result, they are sailing into the finale and retain the top spot for the third week in a row.
#2
CT & Diem
If you thought that I couldn’t rave about Diem some more, you were wrong. The hottest girl on the show had an uncharacteristic week (as I thought she would nail the celebrity trivia and that she and CT had this challenge locked up), especially after her ‘etiquette’ miscue, but she is still in a good position. She has also made progress in repairing her relationship with CT and if these two can get on the same page, I think they are the only ones who can take the money away from Johnny/Camila. BTW, CT not being able to answer a question about a season that he was on could be one of the funniest moments in Challenge history.
#3
Mark & Robin
Based on the preview for next week, with Robin saying that she doesn’t want to involve herself in the politicking, I do believe this will be this team’s last time in the bronze position. I also expected Mark to perform better with entertainment questions, but it’s not like he had to. They were safe this week.
#4
Ty & Emily
A jump in standings for Ty/Emily as I thought they did a good job this week. They won their Dome Challenge handily, and while I do believe that tonight’s episode foreshadowed the fact that they will now be thrown in anytime they don’t win, I think they did a good job at at least scaring teams from putting them up. Emily looked stunning during the Dome face-off announcement and I think she could beat most of the teams by herself. While I think that Ty might be an anchor to her, Emily is one of the best competitors I have ever seen on MTV and is stunning. I haven’t given her enough credit, but she just seems like a great person and is one of the few reality people that I haven’t met yet. I hope to one day have the pleasure.
#5
Abram & Cara Maria
I love this team and while I also think they will be in trouble soon, I would never bet against them in a challenge as they are capable of beating any team. Unfortunately, because of the way that politics work on the show, I do think that they don’t have as many allies as the others do and so I believe Abram’s stance of not wanting to frolic and fraternize with faux friends and fake foes is on point. He knows the teams are coming after him and they will be… soon.
#6
Aneesa & Rachel
No change. I don’t think Aneesa’s injury will affect things but based on some of the Dome challenges we have seen thus far, I think they will be in trouble if they have to face off against Johnny, CT or Ty in a strength-based challenge.
#7
Tyrie & Jasmine
Were they even in this episode? With less screentime than Purple Kelly on Survivor Nicaragua, the edit that Tyrie/Jasmine got this week was a total change from last week when they were the focus of attention. For keeping their emotions in check and not making any waves, they have improved their position.
#8
Dunbar & Paula
A curious choice for me to put at the bottom of the list on the heels of this pair being named the power couple? I don’t think so. While they have many friends in the house, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and Emily is out for blood. If Ty/Emily win the next challenge, these guys are in for sure. Even though Paula/Dunbar get to pick the order for next week, I think they are still in trouble.
Another solid episode. I just hope we get to see more of Diem’s brilliance next week.
The Challenge: Battle Of The Exes airs Wednesdays at 10 pm on MTV & MTV Canada
