What's great about this season of The Real World: Brooklyn is that MTV didn't just fill the house with a bunch of lazy, party animals who like to fight and say ignorant things all day long.  Gone are the days of the Hollywood cast and instead, we're treated to 8 people who care about politics, making a difference, and letting their voices be heard.  It's almost Election Day on tonight's episode and there are roomies on both sides of the political spectrum.  While most support Obama and are hoping to see him emerge victorious, Chet and Scott are the only two who feel that McCain would do a better job leading the country.  Putting their political differences aside, the entire group heads out to watch the election results but as Obama begins winning state after state, and the crowd is worked up into a frenzy, Chet and Scott decide to bail early while the rest stay to celebrate.

Of all the Obama supporters in The Real World house, Ryan is one of the most excited for the new president.  To him, Obama represents a long needed change, especially when it comes to the war in Iraq.  Having already served, Ryan is hoping to head to college when the show finishes filming and get on with his life.  Still, he doesn't want to forget his military ties so he begins getting involved with several veteran groups, even marching in a parade.  He visits a center to speak to someone about PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and very candidly discusses how many of his fellow soldiers don't want to admit that they have a problem once they return from Iraq or Afghanistan.  Admitting that you have a problem says that you're weak, Ryan says, and sometimes, even he is guilty of hiding what he is really feeling or thinking.

While playing a laid back game of pool with Scott one afternoon, Ryan gets the phone call he has been dreading.  His brother is on the phone and tells him that the army has sent him a package: he is being recalled for active duty.  He'll have to report for duty in February and complete some training.  Ryan is immediately panicked and upset - with the recall being part of Operation Freedom, he knows that he will surely be headed back to Iraq in early 2009.  Scott sits with him and comforts him after the phone call and Ryan says that his parents couldn't even call him to give him the news.  He'll now have to figure out how to break the news to his roommates and, worst of all, his girlfriend, who he promised he would never leave to go back to the military again.

To read the answers to your burning questions about Ryan being recalled for active duty, check out his exclusive interview with RealityWanted HERE.


The Real World: Brooklyn airs Wednesday nights at 10pm ET on MTV.

(Image courtesy of MTV)