Previously on The Real World: Mallory had a crush on Leah's brother, and Leah wasn't happy. Mallory confronted Leah about Leah's shitty behavior, and Leah promised to change. The roommates found out that they would be taking a vacation through Europe. Chris thought the trip would either bring everyone closer or tear them all apart. Nothing like hedging your bets there, Chris.
The roommates arrive in Rome. In a confessional, Mallory says she's excited to see everything in Rome. The roommates arrive at their hotel and then immediately leave in a pack. In an interview, Leah explains that her friend Matt is in Rome, and she can't wait to spend time with him. Wasn't Leah the one getting all pissed off that Mallory was hanging out with her aunt and cousin in Nice? Matt shows the roommates the sights. Christina comments that one fountain "doesn't look anything like the one in Las Vegas." At least she has the grace to laugh after saying it. Ace gets his picture taken in front of the Coliseum. Leah points out where Mussolini used to give speeches. Chris interviews that he feels like he should be wearing a toga while he's seeing all of the ancient ruins. The roommates get a group pictures taken at night.
The roommates all go out dancing. The first shot of the club's interior features Adam "dancing," and I actually say out loud, "Oh, Adam." Like, sadly. As in, "Oh, Adam, are you still thinking you're a good dancer?" Leah has a bandanna on her head. For someone so obsessed with fashion labels, she is a shitty dresser. Who wears a bandanna on her head to go out to a club? Leah is also a little drunk, and she slurs to Matt that everyone hates Chris. The problem is that Chris is sitting about two feet away. Leah could reach out and poke him if she wanted to. If I were Chris, I would be really tempted just to shove Leah over. Chris interviews that he heard Leah telling Matt that everyone hates him, and that the girls sitting near him heard it as well, so they looked at him and he had nothing to say about it, since it's the norm. Matt tells Leah that Chris has been great, so he doesn't understand what Leah is going on about. Leah tells Matt to look at Mallory (who is seated to Chris) and note how much Mallory doesn't want to be sitting there. Mallory looks more like she doesn't want to be near Leah, but maybe I'm projecting. Mallory interviews that Leah is being "really, really mean" and "completely out of line."
Matt tells Mallory that he'll give her his brother's email address. Mallory jokes, "I email sixteen-year-olds." Leah gets all pissed and tells Mallory not to talk about her brother that way. Yeah, don't tell anyone his age! How dare you? Leah says she'll deck Mallory right now. Matt tells Leah that he made the joke, so she shouldn't take it out on Mallory. Leah kisses him on the cheek and walks away. Matt is like, "Holy shit," and Mallory's like, "Tell me about it, brother. I live with her." Just keep this incident in mind later when Leah thinks that none of her other friends feel that she is mean or out of control. Mallory interviews that she feels like a coward because she doesn't confront Leah.
The roommates leave the club, and Leah is loud and drunk. Everyone shushes Leah, because there are apartments and such nearby, and it's late. I'm sure that if those people live in apartments near a club, they're used to hearing obnoxious drunks hooting and hollering at all hours. I don't think that's just an American trait. But still, the roommates are well within their rights to tell Leah to keep it down. Christina interviews that she's been avoiding hanging out with Leah because she is loud and negative. Christina and Simon walk down the street holding hands. Christina cringes as Leah continues to yell; Christina points out that people are sleeping. Simon is wearing a black fedora pulled over one eye, a black leather coat, a black t-shirt, and several silver chains. He looks like a cross between one of the Sopranos and a member of the Smiths. Simon interviews that he hates Leah when she's being loud and not caring what others think. Christina says that she realizes that her culture is very loud. Wow, you just now realized that? Simon whispers back, "I live with six of you. I know." Hee!
The day, men drive noisy scooters and yell, "Ciao!" In the hotel, Christina knocks on a door and tells Adam and Ace that checkout is in twenty minutes. Adam and Ace were sharing a bed! Not that there's anything wrong with two guys sharing a bed. It's just funny because it's Adam and Ace. It would be funnier if Christina opened the door and found Adam all curled up around Ace, who was dead asleep, and then Adam raised his head and shushed Christina. Leah sprawls on the bed and says that she's hurting. Christina keeps bitching at Leah to get up and get packed. Leah wonders why people drink alcohol. Christina says, "They're jackasses, when they have to be on a train for thirteen hours." Eesh. Christina interviews that they are leaving Rome and headed to Zermat, Switzerland. The roommates board the train. Adam interviews that they plan to go snowboarding in Switzerland.
Yodeling music plays. Because it's Switzerland! On the train, Adam, Ace, and Chris sit together and play cards. Adam complains that Leah thinks everything is shit. Christina, Mallory, Simon, and Leah sit together. Christina says that Leah asked for an example of when she is loud, so Christina says that she notices others reacting to Leah's loudness. That's not really an example, is it? Mallory agrees. Leah says she doesn't go out of her way to be obnoxiously loud. Christina tells Leah not to take it personally. Yeah, don't take it personally that we think something about you. Leah should take it personally. Simon says that when he thinks of loud people, he thinks that they don't give a damn about anyone else, and that it's a bit much. When I think of loud people, I think they are self-absorbed attention freaks, which pretty much describes anyone who would go on this show. Leah says she's been told that she's loud before, but not to this extent. Simon points out that no one has ever had to spend so much time with her before, either. Leah interviews that she was born loud, that it's part of her personality, and that she's not changing it because she likes it. That's fine, as long as she doesn't mind people avoiding her, resulting in her having no friends. But since her roommates have told her how they feel, she can't blame them now for avoiding her if she refuses to change at all.
The roommates arrive in Switzerland. Adam voice-overs that he's seen a rift forming between Mallory, Simon, Leah, and Christina. The roommates find their hotel as sad music plays.
Mallory, Simon, and Christina have a good shit-talking session in their room. Mallory says that Leah's negativity is contagious, and that she doesn't want to be around that. Simon wonders if it's too late to make a difference. Mallory thinks they should at least try to do something about it. Mallory interviews that they've all been hurt by Leah, and that Leah doesn't see it. Simon says that sometimes the things that annoy him are just part of someone's personality, and that he thinks pointing them out would hurt the person. Simon interviews that he doesn't want to hurt Leah. Mallory says that she can tolerate a personal trait, but that Leah is maliciously rude, and inconsiderate, and that there's no excuse for it.
The roommates go to a store to pick up snowboarding equipment. I hope they are just renting it or whatever. Although, can you rent a jacket? Maybe they are getting all this stuff for free. Ace interviews that he can't ski because he has a bad knee, and that it sucks to hear about everyone else doing it. Simon asks if they are all snowboarding, and Leah says that she's going to ski. Simon interviews that they will all try their best not to die. Simon worries that he's going to kill himself, and asks Leah if they can all snowboard as a group. Leah whines that she doesn't have the proper equipment. Isn't that why they are in a store, picking stuff out? What a lame excuse. Everyone says that they are in the same boat. Christina interviews that Leah feels insecure when the others hang out together. Christina struggles into her boots. Simon appreciates the fashion aspects of his boots. Everyone gets outfitted and waits outside for Simon. Leah says, "I can't wait anymore. I'm going to poke the shit out of Simon with my poles if he doesn't hurry the fuck up." Finally, Simon walks out and he looks pretty cool. Simon interviews that he's not a skier or snowboarder, but that he has to try it once.
On the train or tram or whatever, Mallory and Christina talk about how much fun this will be. Mallory thinks that seeing Simon on a snowboard will be the best part of the trip. The roommates spot the Matterhorn and express excitement. Mallory, Simon, and Christina sit together, while Leah sits by herself. They reach the top of the mountain, and Adam goes for a run. He seems to know what he's doing, but I don't understand why he has his jacket sleeves pushed up, because it makes him look dumb. Christina helps Simon get his snowboard attached to his boots. Christina interviews that Simon looks good on a snowboard, as long as he's sitting down. Simon tries to go down the hill and immediately falls. Mallory interviews that this is her first time snowboarding. She also falls immediately. Mallory heads right for a giant rock and wipes out. Christina tries to instruct Simon and Mallory. Simon wipes out again and says that this is "the funniest thing [he's] ever done in [his] life." Mallory does a face plant. Christina wipes out. Well, at least they're having fun.
The roommates go out to dinner, but Chris decides to stay home and check his email. Leah asks whether Chris is coming, and when Ace tells her that he isn't, she does a silent fist-pump. Bitch. Mallory interviews that if Leah isn't willing to see why the others are upset, then there's nothing they can do. Mallory adds that if three people were upset with her, she'd want to know why. Didn't they already tell her why on the train, and she basically didn't care? Christina, Simon, and Mallory walk together while Leah hangs all over Ace.
“ Basically, Mallory is saying that Leah has bitchface. ”
Chris, Ace, and Adam play pool. Chris talks about how he couldn't just tell Leah to get lost when she came to him crying. Adam interviews that he can't read Leah because one minute she hates Chris and the minute she's hugging him. Chris asks what Adam would have done in that situation. Adam claims he would have told Leah that he wouldn't help her, because they don't have a good relationship. Chris interviews that Leah is in the same position he's been in before, so he can relate. But Leah put him in that position! I don't think he should have told her to fuck off, but he didn't have to be so nice to her. He's a better person than I am. Chris says that maybe Leah was using him as a substitute friend.
Leah sits at the computer. Mallory is standing right there, but they don't speak. Leah interviews that she's not ignoring Mallory, but that she's not engaging with her either. Is this junior high? Who doesn't speak to people when they're mad, for more than, like, ten minutes? Mallory and Leah finally talk. Mallory says that she wants things to be good, like they used to be. Leah says that she does, too. Mallory interviews that she wants resolution with Leah, but that she knows Leah is bitter. Mallory says that she loves being around Leah when she's happy and positive, but that sometimes Leah gets mad and it's scary because she has so much anger. Leah asks if Mallory thinks she likes being upset. Actually, I do think Leah likes it. Remember how happy she was to have a good reason to be mad at Chris? Mallory says it's hard to approach Leah, because she can't see things. Leah asks how Mallory knows that. Mallory says she's tried it. Leah is all, "When? How?" Leah totally doesn't listen and then gets all defensive. Leah interviews that Mallory is afraid of her and uses the excuse that Leah is unapproachable, which Leah doesn't feel is true. Whatever, Leah. Do you want people to fear you?
Leah asks what's so difficult about her. Mallory says that it's how Leah comes at her, and that Leah's not understanding. Basically, Mallory is saying that Leah has bitchface, and that it makes her unapproachable. Leah claims to be shocked that Mallory feels that way, despite the fact that it's exactly the same thing Mallory said in their discussion earlier this season that we saw in the previouslies. Leah says that this has never come up before, and no one has ever said that she's not understanding. Mallory says she's putting herself out there. Leah interviews that she doesn't know why Mallory is doing this, and that it's pointless, and that it's just Mallory talking and talking to make a moot point. Mallory says that she feels like Leah won't be okay with her. Leah bitches that it's totally fine, and walks off.
time: Christina and Ace fight. President Bush gives his speech about Iraq and Simon and Leah argue over United States intervention. Also, Leah seems to blame Saddam Hussein for the September 11th attacks. Which hardly makes her unique.
Over the credits, we get to see the roommates sledding in Switzerland and wiping out, which is awesome.