The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions—Week 5 MVPs

Hello Rumor Mill!

If this was a Game of Thrones episode, we would have called it a set up ep. It was one of those weird ones where there wasn’t any challenge, just an elimination and a lot of character-driven narrative.

This week was almost like character study of our candidates, and as everyone got accustomed to their new ecosystem in The Oasis, we saw how the pieces fit together. Lots of drama around the Underdogs’ alliance ties. But in the end, Tony and Kailah went home because in the Tuk Tuk elimination, like in house politics, they were not willing to change their methods.

Enough of the breakdown. Who was my MVP this week? Coulda been Shane, coulda been physics (I bet Jesse woulda crushed this one), coulda even been CT’s Buddha-Faced baby…

Josh’s MVP: Johnny Bananas

But for me it was Johnny Bananas. This is what Johnny does better than anyone else. He finds the little fissures others don’t see and burrows deep inside, magnifying them.

Bananas sits back and watches people like Nelson, who doesn’t have two brain cells to rub together, and people like Jenna, who knowingly walks into a bear trap (of love). And knowing what makes them tick, he then catalyzes their demise.

Maybe it’s a flippant comment. Or reminding an opponent of a former love or the personal demons they tried too hard to keep away. Or perhaps just accentuating a rumor, which is what Johnny did this week. And that’s why he is the king. Because at the end of this episode, two of the stronger members of the Challenger team had to go home, while two weaker ones will stay to get shellacked by the Champs.

What won the episode for you, Jill, I mean Jillian?

Hey Josh,

Good recap, although I’m gonna challenge (heh) your first point (“one of those weird ones where there wasn’t any challenge, just an elimination and a lot of character-driven narrative”). I’m starting to wonder if The Challenge is gravitating towards that format permanently, or at least more often than not. I hope I’m wrong. Like America’s Next Top Model, The Challenge is best served with a double dose of physical contests in each episode.

I was surprised to unpack my own personal mixed bag of sentiments, when we bid adieu to Kailah. I have expressed my disdain for her bravada and that side of me was glad to see her salt, then eat her words. On the other hand, Kailah’s superiority complex partly stemmed from her physical abilities, which appeared to be at least bronze-worthy among female Underdog competitors. Sonia Sofia Sylvia (literally had to look up her name, that’s how relevant she is) managed to find the one event in which she could defeat fellow Real World alum. And so it goes in sports and Challenges. Sylvia lives to see another day in The Oasis… and yet, her two elimination victories still haven’t proven that she’s a worthy adversary.

Jillian’s Pick: Laurel

What Josh nailed in his review is that Episode 5 was character-driven. A montage of Zach’n’Jenna’s greatest hits reminded viewers of their first kiss to the fateful phone call that exposed Zach was cheating on Jenna. In present day, their mutual admiration is manifest, and re-coupling seems to be their destiny.

Laurel wasn’t having it.

As if her expression didn’t speak a thousand words, she had this to say:

“Zach and Jenna have chemistry, they’re always going to wanna be around each other, but he completely dogged her on national television, blocked her phone number, and then completely dropped her and all she did was love him. So it’s not right for him to lead Jenna on.”

Know what else is “not right”? If Zach can’t forgive Jenna. Whether the rumors about her hooking up with Bruno are true or false, Zach really doesn’t have a leg to stand on. This is where we leave our ill-fated lovers when the closing credits roll.

—Jillakiss

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