The Biggest Loser 5 Episode 11

Bernie took the bullet for his partner Brittany and was voted off in episode 10 after he offered immunity to her rather than taking the more logical approach.

Now that we’re down to the final 6, it’s obviously time to… go back to the final 8. All 14 previously eliminated contestants are back, and two of them will get a second chance.

Paul says he doesn’t know why he’s there, but the rest of them are fired up, except Bette-Sue who would rather see her daughter Ali come back. Neill claims he’s no longer a lazy whiner. Jackie notices a big difference in Dan, then he reveals the tattoo.

The women are up first.

Jenni: 229 pounds (-38, 14.23%)
Mallory: 175 pounds (-42, 19.35%)
Amanda: 158 pounds (-46, 22.55%)
Ali: 167 pounds (-67, 28.63%)
Bette-Sue: 212 pounds (-49, 18.77%)
Jenn: 206 pounds (-48, 18.90%)
Jackie: 182 pounds (-64, 26.02%)

Ali is the woman who will be returning to the show, and well deserved. This time last year, Kae was at 29.33%, and she had a lot more time at the ranch. It would have been very interesting to have seen Ali’s transformation unfold on screen, though if she stuck around any longer the first time we would have been stuck with Bette-Sue as well.

The men are up next.

Lynn: 345 pounds (-64, 15.65%)
Curtis: 281 pounds (-100, 26.25%)
Neill: 262 pounds (-55, 17.35%)
Trent: 331 pounds (-105, 24.08%)
Paul: 233 pounds (-70, 23.10%)
Mark: 195 pounds (-90, 31.58%)
Bernie: 195 pounds (-88, 31.10%)

Mark returning to the show is as I’d expected. Not good news for the black team because it’s now 4 blue team members. He chooses to train with his team and Bob. Ali is over on the other side training with Jillian, but she’s not really solidly with either side, whether she’s wearing a black shirt or not. Of course, considering the competition, she’d be wise to take out the blue team boys as quickly as the opportunity presents itself. It also does mean, however, that she’s an easy target by her side if she has a bad week.

This is an interesting preview of things to come. Bernie’s currently got a commanding lead for the $100,000 at home prize. His only real competition would be if Mark or Dan or possibly Ali get eliminated.

Mark coming back has certainly helped to lift his team’s spirits. He quickly tosses his black shirt in favor of a blue one. On the other side of the spectrum is the black team. Ali didn’t particularly help them any, and she’s clearly their biggest female threat. What’s worse is they’re sitting around crying about how Bernie’s gone, which has Jillian worried. Jillian’s happy to see Ali, and Kelly hopes she’s the shot in the arm they need. Unlike Mark, she will continue wearing her original color.

While waiting for Mark to cook dinner, the old black team is sitting at their table, while Ali sits at the other table with the blue team boys.

The black team has a defeatist attitude, and it ain’t getting any better. Watching Jillian workout with Ali, the looks on their faces say it all.

Maggie has been eating because she’s depressed as a result of them going backwards. Has she learned nothing the past 10 weeks? How does she expect to keep the weight off if she just gives up this easily? Brittany doesn’t appear to be in that same situation. Instead, she’s whining half the day.

The challenge is to be human generators. They will use bicycles to convert their exercise into energy to light up lightbulbs. Only one person wins the reward. One person gets an extra vote, which will in theory give that side the chance to control the game (granted, two girls will probably be on the bottom, so that’s moot). Mark finishes first, followed by Dan, Jay, Roger, Maggie, and then Brittany. Ali and Kelly are eliminated. The others will all go on to more of the same in round 2. Mark again finishes first, followed by Dan, Jay, and Roger. The girls are out. Mark again finishes first, followed by Dan. They go to the final round. After Mark won the first three rounds, Dan manages to pull out a win and take the reward. While they pretend he’ll vote against the guys to create drama, it’s way too early for him to turn.

When asked at the weigh-in whether there’s a clear winner in the group, Brittany’s response is that it’s not anybody’s game because the girls have a slower metabolism and blah blah blah. It’s not fair. It’s just not fair. Allison asks if that means you give up. A fair question. Jillian responds that she should just “Leave the ****ing girl alone.” Allison wants Jillian to explain herself. Jillian says Brittany knows it’s impossible for her to win, and it’s not fair. I would have hoped Jillian would be above this enabling.

Ali: 160 pounds (-7, 4.19%)
Mark: 188 pounds (-7, 3.59%)
Dan: 207 pounds (-4, 1.90%)
Roger: 251 pounds (-8, 3.09%)
Jay: 209 pounds (-5, 2.34%)
Brittany: 172 pounds (-2, 1.15%)
Kelly: 202 pounds (-4, 1.94%)
Maggie: 184 pounds (no change)

A fitting result. The two girls who threw in the towel are below the yellow line. Despite the game supposedly being over already for the girls, Ali, whose weight loss is up there with the best of them this season, is the biggest loser of the week. Jillian is not happy about this being pointed out.

And that’s how this week ended. Apparently they couldn’t fit an elimination into two whole hours.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another recap of The Biggest Loser: Couples episode 12, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on NBC.