No Most Awesome this week because my mom and my sister were in town and I had to show them around the city. Hey, it worked for Landon!
You can tell the editors are getting bored with the season too, because they've started using fancy effects in the bumper sequences between scenes. Instead of "street, people, cars, puddle, lightpost," they are now using sped-up footage of traffic and such. Anyway, Melanie is having her dirty scabies friends over to the house. She interviews that the guys remind her of people from home, and that she likes people with tough exteriors and soft hearts. The guys show off their tough exteriors by throwing a football around inside the house, and doing somersaults into the hot tub, splashing water everywhere, while wearing only underwear. That's just rude. Somebody should walk a mop over and tell Captain Underwear to clean that mess up. Another guy just goes in the freezer without asking and takes a popsicle. RUDE!
Sarah, Shavonda, MJ, and Landon go out to dinner and talk shit about Melanie. Sarah says that Melanie judged Sarah's actions in Fiji, and then turned around and bragged about how her own friends have "pulled knives on people," as if that's something to brag about. Sarah asks why it's cool to pull knives on people, but it's not cool to kiss three boys in one night. Of course, Landon nearly pulled a knife on someone, but let's just pretend that never happened. Sarah concludes, "[Melanie's] one of the most self-righteous people I've ever met."
Back at the house, Melanie giggles and carries on as her friends help themselves to more food from the freezer and throw a basketball against the wall. It always makes me a little bit sad when roommates don't realize that their newfound "friends" are really just in it for the camera time/an opportunity to fuck with MTV. Not a lot sad, but a little. And then I see that Melanie is wearing a button-down shirt unbuttoned to her bra, and a necktie directly around her neck, and I realize that I don't feel bad for her at all.
MJ theorizes that Mel just likes to do the opposite of everyone else, and since she didn't make out with three guys, she's going to go to the opposite end of the spectrum, and hang out with a bunch of guys. Which isn't really the opposite end of the spectrum, so shut up, MJ. The opposite end of the spectrum would be if she, like, became a nun or made out with three girls. MJ interviews that he doesn't feel comfortable around Mel's friends, and that it's not due to "their hygiene or whether they have a hundred tattoos on their forearms." MJ simply doesn't trust them. Which is fine, except that he's getting on Mel's case for being judgmental, and then turning around and doing exactly the same thing.
Shavonda says that the other day she was excited to hear someone come in the front door, but then she saw it was Melanie, and got depressed. Shavonda interviews, "Melanie's personality is what is abrasive and bugging people." Man. How do you insult someone else's personality unless you're sure that yours is perfect? And if you think your personality is perfect, then you are annoying, which means your personality is not perfect. So it's a bit of a Catch-22.
Melanie and her friends leave the house and they joke that they are going to go out and rob some people. I don't know what the point of that scene was, but seriously, that's all that happened in it.
The roommates report back to work. I kind of thought they were done with the job after their proposal and vacation and everything. Laura asks if they are excited to be back, and gets blank stares in response. Willie interviews that they are "slapped in the face with reality" when they go back to work. Laura says that they will be very busy in the few weeks finishing up their playground, and that while the staff is available to help, she would like to see if the roommates can get it done themselves. Landon interviews that he's excited to control a major project from start to finish, from research to ribbon cutting. Laura tells them to work out a schedule that includes a rain contingency plan. Karamo interviews that he can think of a lot of other things to do for the kids than build a playground, and that he wants to be a mentor to the kids. That's fine, but do it on your own time, because it's not what you were hired to do. It's not like, in the real world, you get to start a job in accounting, and then discover that you really enjoy sales, and just say, "Okay, I'm just going to do sales now. That's cool, right?" Laura asks if they have any questions, and everyone is silent.
Karamo sits on a bench outside with Ed, and discusses how hard the workload will be over the few weeks. Karamo says that they'll have "a fifty-eight-hour week," which can't possibly be true. Karamo adds that it's not like they'll just be hanging out in the office; they'll be doing physical labor, constructing the playground. Ed asks if others will be helping them, and Karamo says it's just the roommates. Karamo interviews that the playground comes in many, many parts, and that they have to assemble it themselves.
Melanie goes to Drinker's Tavern and hangs out with her scabies buddies. She interviews that she likes a bar setting more than a club setting, and that she likes the people there too. Melanie consumes many alcoholic beverages and then heads home.
Once home, Melanie is really obnoxious. Or, more obnoxious than usual. She babbles to her roommates about how much she loves her friends at Drinker's, and being drunk, she doesn't pick up their body language telling her that no one is interested, and that she's being annoying. Melanie says, "They're just like, 'We're just gonna chill, and be mellow, and be stupid, and be Drinker's people.' And that's just what happens." Wow, I can see why she loves them so much. They like to chill! And be Drinker's people! What's not to love? Willie chows on some chips and ignores her. Willie interviews that he has noticed Mel's "annoying quirks," but that he stays away from her. Melanie starts in with Sarah about how awesome the people at Drinker's are. Sarah humors her. Sarah interviews that Melanie likes to talk about how she hangs out with people with piercings and tattoos (and scabies) as if that makes her a really cool person, but that Sarah's not buying it. Sarah concludes, "[Melanie] definitely has a stick up her ass." Willie, who might be a little drunk himself, moans, "I love Sarah!" Melanie tells him to shut up, and Sarah makes a neck-wringing motion behind Mel's back.
Melanie has moved on to Shavonda and MJ, and is gushing some more about how great her friends are. Shavonda is wearing the shortest shorts ever, and sitting cross-legged, and it's just not a good look. MJ asks why Melanie said they're not allowed in there. Melanie denies saying it, so we get a flashback of Melanie telling MJ that she doesn't want her roommates to go to Drinker's and ruin it. MJ interviews that he thinks things have come to a head with Mel, and that someone needs to say something, so he's going to take the bullet.
MJ points out that the roommates aren't allowed to hang out with Mel's friends, but that Mel brings them all into the house anyway. Shavonda asks why Melanie needs to go out and find more friends when she hasn't even made an effort to get to know her roommates. I've never understood this whole "We're roommates, and we have to bond and hang out together every minute of every day" thing. It's horseshit. Shavonda concludes, "We're supposed to be your family." Actually, you're not. Mel already has a family. You're supposed to be the six people she fights with for the viewers' entertainment. Melanie gets right up in Shavonda's face and claims to have given a lot of herself to her roommates, and particularly has asked Shavonda about Shaun a lot. Shavonda thinks that's just one part of her really complicated life. Yeah, because there's Shavonda's relationship with Landon! And her fear of people with disabilities! And...not much else, really. She's pretty boring. I can see why Melanie doesn't have much to say to her.
Shavonda completely loses it and starts speaking a mile a minute as she says that she didn't want to get into it with Mel, but now it's on. Shavonda thinks that Mel is a know-it-all, and pulls out the old "everyone in the house agrees" argument. Shavonda adds, "You talk too much and you like the sound of your own goddamn voice." Look who's talking, motormouth! Shavonda says that she listens to people, because that's what mature people do, and that it's stupid that she and Mel can't be friends because they have a lot in common. Shavonda yells, "I physically can't be in a room with you for more than five minutes because you don't let me fucking talk." The ironic thing is that Shavonda has been talking for about five minutes straight, and Melanie hasn't said a word.
Shavonda tells Melanie, "Do not come at me, and accuse me of shit." Melanie denies accusing Shavonda of anything, and asks, "What did I accuse you of?" Shavonda keeps talking over Melanie (because she's a mature listener) as Melanie drunkenly repeats, "What did I accuse you of? What did I accuse you of?" Shavonda says that Melanie questioned her motives for even being there. Melanie is shocked, and asks MJ if she really said that. Shavonda knows she doesn't have a leg to stand on, and starts to leave. Earlier, Melanie did ask Shavonda if she'd tried to bond with the roommates, but it was in response to Shavonda's accusing Melanie of not bonding with her roommates. It wasn't really an accusation. It was a question. But Shavonda? She's a listener. And she listens to her own footsteps walking right out the door, because she's "said [her] piece." Shavonda keeps repeating, "We're done," and she struts out of the room with her stupid Hooters shorts on.
Melanie makes a phone call to her dad. She sobs, "My roommates hate me and I want to go home." He tries to get her to calm down and tell him what's going on. Melanie says that her roommates don't understand her, and that they make her feel like a horrible person. He asks why they think that, because it doesn't make sense. Melanie says she came home and they accused her of not listening or caring about them. Her dad asks where she had been, and Melanie says she was at her bar. Hopefully, at that point, Melanie's dad realizes these are just emotional drunken ramblings. Melanie whimpers, "I just don't want to live with people that hate me." Her dad says she needs to decide whether she wants to stay there. After much, much more crying, Melanie's dad says, "If you hate it there that much, then come home." Mel whispers, "Okay!" Yeah, I'm so sure that's going to happen. She's not going anywhere.
Shavonda goes and talks to MJ about her blowout with Mel. Shavonda says that it really bothered her when Mel got in her face, and MJ mimics how Mel was weaving her head around. In a confessional, Shavonda says that she's tried deep breathing and walking away to avoid yelling at Mel, but that it couldn't be helped. Yeah, Melanie forced Shavonda to scream and yell at her. I get that Melanie is annoying. I just hate that Shavonda is avoiding taking responsibility for taking out weeks of frustration on Melanie. Since Shavonda is so "mature" and such a great listener, maybe she could have talked to Melanie in a more calm and sober moment. MJ urges Shavonda not to back down from what she said, and Shavonda promises that she won't.
The day, the phone rings. Melanie stumbles out to answer it, and it's her boyfriend Andy. Melanie says she tried to call him last night, because she was upset when Shavonda and MJ said that everyone hates her. Melanie interviews that she was taken aback by what they said, and felt like all of the roommates were ganging up on her, even though only two of them were speaking at the time. Melanie tells Andy that her friends have always said she was a good listener and a good person, but now she's doubting herself. Andy asks if she respects her roommates. Melanie says that she did until last night, and now she's wondering why she's bothering to hang on. Andy tells her that staying will show her strength, and that she shouldn't let her roommates make her feel alienated. Melanie interviews that her roommates don't understand her the way her friends and family do. Andy tells Melanie that he loves her a lot, and that he has faith and respect for whatever she decides. That's a pretty good boyfriend, right there.
Later, Willie, Sarah, MJ, and Shavonda head to work. Willie says that he can't believe they're blowing off a three-hour workday. MJ interviews that Karamo, Melanie, and Landon decided not to go to work, and that their boss probably won't be excited about that. Sarah says that the people staying home will just sleep. Willie says that he didn't go to a day of weed-whacking, but that this is different, because they would only have to go for three hours. It's totally not different, Willie, but it's nice to think so. However, they did get a lecture from the boss since then, about being there on time and such, so the missing roommates should really know that skipping is not a good idea.
Landon takes his mom and his sister (who looks exactly like Landon with a wig and a deeper tan) on a tour of Philadelphia. Landon interviews that he's not going to work because his mom and sister are in town, and that it's the only day he would get to see them. He explains that he cleared it with Laura first, and that she was cool with it.
The working roommates show up on the site and talk to Laura, who is pissed that Melanie and Karamo blew off work. MJ pretends to be surprised that Melanie and Karamo didn't clear it with Laura first. Willie lies that they said they did. Nice cover job, guys. MJ interviews that Laura is very disappointed, and MJ can understand that it's disrespectful. Laura sits down with the roommates who showed up and reminds them that they need to be there, every time. Which they are. Preaching to the choir, Laura.
Some other day, Shavonda answers the phone at home, and Laura tells her that the truck with the playground equipment arrived early, and they need to unload it immediately. Shavonda rallies the troops. Everyone runs around grabbing their shoes and bags, and they head out.
The roommates arrive at Northern Home and start unloading the truck. They grab boxes and plastic parts and spread them all out on the lawn. In a confessional, Willie says he's excited to start building the playground, knowing that in a few weeks the kids will have a place to play.
Once the truck is emptied, Laura calls everyone together. She says they did an awesome job unloading. Then, she points out a Nissan XTerra behind her, and says that the roommates get to use that while they are at work. They also get the use of two cell phones, but can only make work-related phone calls on them. Laura reminds everyone that they need to be there every day, and can't blow it off. Karamo interviews that Laura feels disrespected and upset. Laura tells them that if they are late or don't show up this week, they will be fired. Landon interviews that if any of them gets fired from the job, he or she has to leave the house.
Laura speaks to Karamo alone. She says that he's been late twice, and then didn't show up, and didn't call to say he wouldn't be there. She's issuing a written warning, and says that if he's even a minute late from here on out, he'll be fired. Karamo scoffs right in her face, and Laura tells him it's not funny. Karamo agrees that it's very serious, and takes the paper from her. He says patronizingly, "Thanks, Laura." As soon as she's out of earshot, he mumbles, "Give me a break." Yeah, how dare she treat this like a real job? It's not like they're getting free room and board, plus a paycheck, plus bonuses, plus free use of a car, plus national television exposure. Oh, wait. They totally are. Shut up, Karamo.
Back at the house, Melanie talks to Willie one-on-one. She says that Shavonda told her that everyone in the house felt the same way. Melanie interviews that she wants to talk to each person in the house, and wants to finish out the experience and get to know her roommates. Willie says he doesn't have any serious issues with Melanie, but that he also doesn't disagree with the group's consensus. He thinks Melanie has a way of putting in her opinion that makes the other person feel judged or unimportant. Melanie says that she's passionate or harsh about her opinions. Willie says he knows she doesn't do it intentionally, but that it still bothers people. Willie interviews that Melanie has a good heart, but she needs to grow up a little socially. Willie suggests that Melanie put a little more effort into her interactions, but says that they all love her and want her to stay.
Melanie goes to Sarah . She says that she's been upset all night, and Sarah says she knows. Melanie says that Willie told her how everyone feels. Sarah protests that her feelings are hers alone, and that she thinks she and Melanie have a deeper relationship. While Sarah is talking, Shavonda totally walks into the room (the door was closed) and makes herself at home. Melanie says that Sarah feels like Melanie negates everything she says, but Melanie doesn't mean to judge her or appear uncaring. Sarah interviews that she wants Melanie to stay, because she believes that Melanie can change.
Melanie says that she felt attacked. Shavonda finally speaks, and says that Melanie got in her face. Melanie doesn't remember it. Shavonda explains it. Melanie says that she knows drunkenness isn't an excuse, but that she doesn't really remember what she said. Shavonda apologizes for yelling, but says she won't apologize for what she said, because it was real. Shavonda interviews that the ball is in Mel's court, and that Melanie knows what she needs to do. Melanie tells Sarah and Shavonda that she will work on it, and that she hopes they can be patient with her, because it's hard for her to change. Melanie concludes, "Twenty-two years of being like this and no one having a serious problem with it." So that makes me thinks Melanie still doesn't think there's anything wrong with the way she acts, and is instead turning it around and making it her roommates' problem. I think Mel has always hung out with people exactly like her, and that they always agreed, so she's never had to deal with this type of conflict. Mel interviews that she knows change is good, but that it's hard to realize in the moment sometimes. Mel and Sarah hug.
The roommates show up at Northern Home and don their toolbelts to get to work. Willie whines that he wants a toolbelt, and says he wants "a YMCA moment." MJ interviews that they're assembling the playground, and that he's never used a socket wrench this much. The roommates struggle with the assembly as Laura supervises. She walks up to speak to Landon alone about missing work. Landon interviews that he knows Laura had to make an example out of them. Landon tells Laura why he missed work, and adds that he was ready to take the consequences, if need be. Laura says that she's proud to have Landon on staff. Landon interviews that he's working toward a degree in landscape architecture, and he hopes that Laura will give him a recommendation at the end, and honestly be able to mean it.
Laura tells Landon that she's proud of him. Karamo overhears the conversation. Karamo interviews that he's never looked up to Landon, but that seeing his dedication in building the playground has given Karamo a whole new respect for Landon. So, does that mean Karamo doesn't want to slit Landon's throat anymore?
The cell phone rings, and then the roommates have to go to a company that will be donating money to the Northern Home project. The whole rest of the episode is basically a commercial for a financial institution, and I know the shows have to pay the bills, but it's ridiculous to the point of absurdity when the roommates are praising the company. Anyway, the point is that, in addition to the donation, upon completion of the project, the roommates will get $1000. Because they haven't been given enough free shit yet. Damn.