By Maureen Francisco

 

As soon as I heard Val's voice, it brought me back when I was in the pod: the closed space, the bright lights, and the heat.

 

The contestants opened their eyes to find themselves in their pods and a thick chain draped over their bodies.

 

We met the contestants for the first time:

 

Pod 1: Nick Leland, Camp Counselor
Pod 2: Rommel Gargoles, Martial Arts Instructor
Pod 3: Kelsey "Kelso" Thorn, Student
Pod 4: Courtney Hill, Dance Instructor
Pod 5: Todd Ranck, Bartender/Game Show Contestant
Pod 6: Rhonda Lucero, Entrepreneur
Pod 7: Bea Henington, High School Teacher
Pod 8: Erik Shaw, Artist
Pod 9: Liberty Freeman, Children's Party Entertainer

 

The contestants first challenge was to unlock themselves by figuring out the four-digit combination on the lock to their chains. They all knew that their birthdate was not the code as it was set to that combination.

 

#9 actually figured out the combination first, 9999, but failed to pull the lock. She eventually realized what she had done fifty-one minutes into the challenge, while #4 figured out the code within 4:38.

 

Val then asked each contestant what made him/her strong?
#4 showed us her missing tooth because of a gymnastic fall.
#6 attributed being a mother on why she's tough stuff.
#2 is a five-time world karate champion.

 

Well, we do eventually find out just how strong these contestants are in the treatment: can they sweat the small stuff? The contestants wore a plastic suit as they exercised doing yoga moves or watching a workout video. The Solitarian with the fewest amount of liquid at the end of the treatment had to leave the show.

 

As I was watching the contestants spoon or scrape the sweat off their body, I wanted to hurl. It was absolutely gross! Typical Solitary stuff.

 

#8, Erik, had no problem collecting his "man juice" off his body. Halfway in the challenge, he led with six vials filled with sweat. #3, #4, #6, all women, struggled with this challenge as they had a tough time perspiring.

 

At the end of the "human sprinkler" treatment, #8 collected the most sweat, twenty-five vials.

 

#4 (gymnast) and #6 (the mom) found themselves in the bottom two. Unfortunately, it was #6 who was the driest guest and was forced to leave her pod.

 

Here's the twist. Just when the contestants thought they have ONE less person to compete against for the $50,000 prize money, a Solitary veteran returned. Tyler, known as #7 and runner-up of season two replaced #6. And, the game now has nine contestants again.

 

Twenty-four hours since the guests set foot in the pod, they received a phone call from their loved ones, bringing many of them to tears, especially #1.

 

Well, one of them would be joining their family and friends soon as the Solitarians had to participate in another one of Val's treatments: BARFtending. The person who hit the red button or who vomited first had to leave the show.

 

Val randomly chose a number.

 

#7 mixed a drink: coffee and chocolate syrup. Her strategy was to make her concoction enjoyed by all. Everyone downed the drink just fine.

#9‘s tasty treat was a condiments cocktail: ketchup and mustard.

#5 created a "south-of-the-border drink" with pickles mixed with refried beans. At this point, I was convinced someone was going to puke. #3 came pretty close.

 

But, it was #1 who couldn't stomach the drink and hit the red button first.

 

With this first episode behind us, this season contestants appear to be competitive and tough. I see #2, the martial arts instructor, going far along with #9, the contestant who revealed she died three times. Liberty was born premature, suffocated from smoke inhalation, and hit by a truck. If I had to guess about who will quit first in the next treatment, I'm placing my bet on #7 as she made a delicious treat for everyone to drink rather than get down and dirty and mix an unsettling potion. We'll find out soon if I'm right.

Read Solitary 4.0 Recaps, Solitary 4.0 Cast Interviews, News and More At The RealityWanted Solitary 4.0 Homepage

Find me on Facebook and be sure to visit me on www.maureenfrancisco.com.

 

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