by Gina Scarpa

 

Tonight, The Biggest Loser contestants face their first temptation challenge - a Chinese buffet. Usually, most avoid eating but Alison ensures that somebody will dive into at least an egg roll. It's partner's week and members of opposing teams will face off against each other. The winning team will get to pit people against each other and one person will get a two pound advantage. If no one eats though, people will automatically face off against their partner.

 

Cassandra eats one fortune cooking for the black team (for a total of 60 calories) and now controls the game. Her matchups are...

 

Emily vs. Roy
Jeremy vs. Lauren
Joe vs. Nancy
Chism vs. Kim
Chris vs. Mark
Buddy vs. Megan
Gail vs. Kimmy
Cassandra vs. Conda

 

No sooner did Cassandra pair people up that Joe decides he needs to go home. He's missed his family terribly and his brother's elimination last week sealed the deal for him. This of course shocks Bob, who says that no one has ever quit The Biggest Loser. Has he forgotten Rulon already? Bob calls Joe to try to convince him that he's made a mistake, but he doesn't see it that way.

 

During the workout, Cassandra impresses by lifting weights and defeating Conda at a mini-challenge set up by Dolvett. Her prize is a Subway sandwich courtesy of Conda (complete with a commercial by Dolvett). Make no mistake though - these two are NOT friends. After Conda accuses her of cheating, Dovlett sets up a rematch during the last chance workout.

 

For the elimination challenge, teams have to pass water to one another, pour it on a block of ice, and break it to retrieve their prize. It was a close race, with Roy nearly losing it for his team because he didn't hear everyone screaming at him to run for the finish line, but he (thankfully) did and the prize is video chats with the family. A lot of red team members actually end up giving theirs over to their partners on the losing black team instead, feeling they need it more. Buddy, though, takes the cake when he gives his prize to Mark, who gave his prize to Chism. In an episode full of dramatic, competitive behavior, it's nice to see some selflessness.

 

But back to being competitive. During the matchup, Cassandra beats Conda again so that quiets her down... for now. I just want to point out that prior to tonight, Mark hadn't run faster than a 4.2 while, back at home, the aqua team is running at 9.0. Can they get back on the ranch please?

 

Because Joe quit, that matchup is automatically forfeited so the red team starts off the night with one point. Cassandra takes her two pound advantage and splits them between Megan and Gail. The numbers on the scale go as follows:

 

Joe vs. Nancy: -2
Megan: -8 vs. Buddy: -9 

Gail: -6 vs. Kimmy: -3

Jeremy: -11 vs. Lauren: -3

Emily: -6 vs. Roy: -9

Chris: -4 vs. Mark: -8

Chism: -9 vs. Kim: -6
Cassandra: -8 vs. Conda: -3

 

With a score of 5 points, the black team takes the weigh in, but Roy is safe from elimination.  Apparently, there's not much of a discussion about who should go because we jump right to the elimination.  One thing is for sure - the red team isn't unified, with votes being thrown at Nancy, Kim, and Lauren.  Ultimately, the feeling that Lauren was young and without children meant that she didn't have as many distractions at home and didn't need to be there as much as the others.  Would you have voted her out?

 

 

The Biggest Loser airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC.

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

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