by Gina Scarpa

 

At the reunion for The Challenge: Battle of the Seasons, it's clear right away that everyone hasn't moved on from what happened in Turkey and Namibia. Ashley feels that all of the fighting was worth it in the end (because San Diego won) but Sam said she just wanted to go home. Zach said that the final was brutal and he never experienced that amount of pain, but Frank takes the first shot of many at Sam, saying it wasn't hard at all because she kept the pace nice and slow.

 

She tries to say that she went for the experience, but that's her team's problem with her. She didn't seem there to win, but Devyn rushes to her defense, saying she volunteered for two elimination challenges and she DID reach the finish line. Fair enough! When Zach continues going after her, saying she tried to quit, Sam walks off set... then returns seconds later. Frank promises everyone that she's not the victim. Of course he's going to say that but then Frank, who is the victim here? You?! No one really comes to Sam's defense, besides the one comment Devyn made. Jonna says she would want her team to push her up the hill and Marie says pushing would be the mildest thing she did if someone was holding her team back.

 

It's not like team dynamics were great anywhere else. Trishelle says that the problems with Vegas was that the girls were supposed to handle the politics but the guys kept going against them. Well, that won't work then! Over on Team Brooklyn, Devyn was quite upset with the comments by her teammates that she was overweight and lazy. She admitted that they most likely would've won the final without her, but it's no excuse to make those comments behind her back.

 

On to the romances and showmances this season! I had heard that Zach and Jonna were still together after the Challenge but I must've had bad info because they have since broken up. Zach says he wasn't ready for a serious relationship. So he cheated, got it. Sarah pulled away from Alton in Turkey because she didn't want the perception that she didn't need someone to help her get to the end. Plus, they're better off as friends anyway. Devyn went right to Kentucky when she got back to see Eric but they ended up calling off the relationship, because they realized they were too different. I could've told her that!

 

When it came time to talk alliances, Trishelle had no problem admitting that San Diego was the best team in terms of both strategy and performance. Nany didn't want to be part of the superalliance because she doesn't associate with people that treat her like crap. Marie and Rob still feel like San Diego stabbed them in the back, but Zach clarifies that it was his decision, not Frank's.

 

Chet correctly assesses that Frank was usually involved with the fighting in the house. Even though he says horrible things, Nany respect that he'll tell you to your face what he thinks of you. Speaking of, Frank had no problem voicing his dislike of Dustin and Alton and let's just say they're not all gonna grab a beer together soon. Marie doesn't remember the drunken fight that sent Sam flying into a potted plant, but she did apologize for it.

 

After some never before seen footage aired, it's clear that this group is able to have fun sometimes. We learn that Trishelle was the makeout queen, locking lips with five different people in the house. After Derek was labeled a sub-par kisser by Frank, Sarah plants one on him and says his lips are very soft. Apparently, there was some photo scandal where JD sent a (semi? fully?) naked picture to Frank, who didn't return the text. Aw, I felt bad that it was brought up. It wasn't part of the show, there was no need for that!

 

And just because The Challenge is over doesn't mean the drama has ended. Frank and Zach have talked a lot of junk, particularly about Sam and Nany. At least some friendships have blossomed thanks to The Challenge. Of course, there's the bromance of Frank and Zach (who hated each other during San Diego) but JD and Devyn have become quite close as well after not getting along at all during Brooklyn. When host Johnny Mosley closes things out by asking if people feel closer, everyone answers yes except Trishelle and Alton. Sam stays quiet but her face says it all.

 

 

(Image courtesy of MTV)

 

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa