The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions—Week 6 MVPs

Soooooo,

Did anyone else whoop out loud with delight at tonight’s episode, or was that just me? The whoop obviously occurred when Darrell bested Zach (who wants everyone to know he’s totally NOT a douchebag, by the way) at an awesome throwback elimination, but really had everything to do with the simple joy of watching an episode of The Challenge that harkened back to days of yore.

Episode Recap: Champs Gonna Champ

It was a classic, lean episode: challenge, deliberations, elimination, peppered with juuust the right amount of “drama” throughout, done. No big blowout fights, no catty backstabbing. Just good ol’ fashioned competition, with an emphasis on the vets doing what they do best.

Johnny was the only one who managed to think “two steps ahead” and get himself another shot at the day’s best score, CT outperformed him but lost for his lack of foresight, Johnny threw Cara into the elimination, and the rest of the team rightfully threw in the weaker players. It was like watching a well-oiled machine, and I honestly loved every second of it.

And that elimination! Oh, that elimination. Obviously Ashley K. was the weakest link on the vets’ team from the start, and she didn’t stand a chance against Cara Maria, who has appeared in a formidable 9 challenges to Ashley’s paltry 2.

Meg’s MVP: Darrell

The real treat of the night was Darrell vs. Zach. Although technically both champions, in any other season this matchup would have been hyped as a classic vet vs. rookie situation. Darrell may have been out of the game for a little while, sure, but before losing in his two more recent appearances, the dude went 4-for-4 in straight Challenges. Zach, on the other hand, just made his fifth appearance and has only seen one win. To me, all this makes Zach the Goliath to Darrell’s David, as CT put it, in sheer size only. Darrell has consistently proven what a strong competitor he is, and he reminded us all of that tonight. Call me sentimental, call me old-fashioned, but I just loved seeing him calmly, quietly, cooly show up and do his thing. Darrell was hands down this week’s MVP.

Let’s give it up for the Champions,
Meg

Hi #Squad,

Subbing in for Josh here with a confession: I secretly guilt-hate-watch The Challenge every week right alongside you guys. In 2006 I gave up watching MTV for Lent, but this show brings me back.

And I agree with Meg—last night’s episode gave us every reason why to watch. The Champs being Champs. Bananas being obviously smarter than everyone. A heartfelt non-frontation between Jenna and Zach. And you already know who my MVP is.

Kelaine’s MVP: Cara Maria

Cara Maria. Always and forever. Because, as Bananas put it, all she’s been doing since she got to The Oasis is “eating raw chicken and doing pull-ups.” That’s how I want my competitors: with Salmonella, Hot Topic teenager red hair, and delts for days.

The elimination between Cara Maria and Ashley K was over before it started. Why? Because here’s how Ashley summed it up before stepping into the circle for battle:

“Cara Maria’s tough. She’s pretty. But I’m taller…”

Those are three distracted, non sequitur thoughts that have nothing to do with how she plans to rip a pole from her opponent’s death grip. And when American treasure TJ Lavin (pause for angels singing) asked for her reason for being in the competition, Ashley K said something about proving it to herself and then, I presume, went back to collecting photos for her Pinterest board.

Lady. What are you doing? Get your damn head in the game!

I’m also going to throw out a hypothesis here. In The Challenge, love is not your friend.

Love is the enemy

While your make out partner gives you a natural ally in house votes, it seems like an unnecessary distraction from the gamesmanship and ultimately complicates things when a team gets down to bare bones. Perhaps I’m projecting, but it seems like love can only work against you. This week, we saw both Zach (❤️s Jenna) and Ashley K (❤️s Dario) go home. Last week, we saw Kailah (❤️s Cory) and Tony (❤️s Chachi… just kidding,❤️s his kids) sent packing. Coincidence? Or evidence that I’m a mad genius?

YOU DECIDE.

Happy shamewatching!
Kelaine

…and that’s our word. @ us, bros. And don’t forget to bone up on last week’s ep!