Previously: Despite some early losses, the White Team proved themselves to be formidable competitors, even without the caffeine pills. The Red Team has basically rocked it with the exception of Ruben being eliminated twice. And the Blue Team faced a sad loss last week with Bobby going home.
And hey! Speaking of Bobby, we get an update. He says that he started on the ranch at 358 pounds, and now has lost over 90 pounds! Good for him -- he really looks great. Bobby tells us that being on the show has been one of the greatest moments in his life, but also difficult. Bob legendarily came out to Bobby (and by extension all of us), which inspired Bobby to come out to his father. We see Bobby and his father, who says he loves him so much and that Bobby will always be his favorite boy. Awwwwww! His reaction was a lot more chill than Bobby expected, probably because, deep down, he already knew. Bobby is now out and proud, woo! And he's continuing to drop the pounds at Planet Fitness. Bobby finally feels comfortable in his own skin and is excited to show off his new confidence (and hot bod [I added that]) at the Finale.
We begin the episode proper with the contestants heading into some challenge that involves flaming hoops. The competition is heating up, says Ali, because they're going to singles! And the first person to be burned alive in this challenge will be automatically eliminated. Each contestant gets a non-flame-retardant shirt of various colors, and everyone is generally excited to have reached the singles point of the season. Ali tells the Losers that not only are they individuals, they're athletes. And now they're going to prove it, because the players who make it to the final week on the ranch will be competing in the first ever Biggest Loser triathlon. Whoa! Wouldn't you just WANT to get eliminated at this point? Yeesh. But the winner of the triathlon will automatically get a spot in the finals, and Rachel seems super motivated to keep on killing it like she does.
Endurance is a key component of a triathlon, and the Losers' endurance training will start with tonight's challenge -- the ring of fire. The contestants will have to hold a metal arm in the fiery ring, located 20 feet away. If the rod touches the ring, it lights the fire and the contestant is out. Each contestant will be holding 20% of his/her body weight. The last person standing wins a one-pound advantage, which is a pretty significant prize. The challenge begins and as often happens with these things the design is impressive, but the actual event is REALLY dull to watch. It's just people standing there for ages with their arms hurting. Tanya is first to drop her rod, shortly followed by Tumi. After 10 minutes, Jennifer drops her rod and others start to struggle as well. But they keep going for 25 minutes and it's Hap who succumbs . After 45 minutes, Marie, Chelsea and Matt all drop. This leaves David, Rachel and Jay to battle the challenge out to its dull end. And then before we know it, we're 90 minutes in! Sometimes I get a real appreciation for Ali Sweeney, having to stand outside near flaming hoops for over an hour at a time and think of new, inane remarks to make in an eternally unsuccessful attempt to keep things interesting. Now there's a triumph of the spirit!