The Biggest Loser-Couples: "Walk It Out or Talk It Out"

Well, last night "The Biggest Loser-Couples" took a very interesting turn. Jillian's team, under her strong and kind leadership, looked deep within themselves to find the root cause of their obesity. They touched on nerves long deadened by trans fats, and what they unlocked will most likely serve them well in future weeks. By contrast, Bob's team, now comprised entirely of men, many of the macho variety, decided that looking deeply into their issues wasn't for them, and quickly high-fived themselves right into the elimination room!

Here's what happened.

In past posts, we expressed concern over Jillian venturing into territory for which she had no credentials--like psychotherapy. She must have read our blog, because rather than trying to help her team deal with their issues herself, she called in an expert, her mother, an experienced therapist who cares about people's mental health like her daughter cares about their physical health. (Hmmm...maybe that new show we've been hypothesizing about will be a reality show featuring Jillian and her mom...mental health, physical health....Oprah....are you listening?)

Side note: When Jillian introduced her mom, she squealed in the voice of a four year old, "Mommy." It was too cute not to mention.

OK, back to the show. And to what really proved to be compelling television. Jillian's mother, through a winning combination of kindness and expertise, got the black team to talk about the pain in their lives that triggers their eating. She helped them to see the connection and she offered them support and insight, both of which were welcomed and appreciated. This should have a profound and lasting effect on the black team's success, both on the show and well after.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Bob's team was feeling pretty disjointed after last week's nasty deception which resulted in Jackie's elimination. Her son Dan was left to pick up the pieces, and while Bob was supportive to him personally, he did not make any effort to bring his team together to mend their feelings. (We suspect Jillian would have made them talk.) So Dan, feeling very much the outsider, called the group together and they all talked and resolved to work together and they seemed to really achieve that, thanks to Dan. And no thanks to Bob.

However, the weigh-in--that incredibly tense and defining weekly experience--proved difficult for both teams. Jillian's team went first and racked up decent totals, but two of the five people had very low weight loss. This put smug smirks on the faces of the macho-therapy-trashing-we-got-this-in-the-bag-group of men. Oops. Lost by a pound. Bummer.

Lucky for Bob's team, Trent, the incredibly sweet but impossibly homesick ex-football player (pictured here) wanted out. He has said repeatedly that he was in this only to lose weight and change his life for himself and his family. He had little interest in the money or the game-playing. He also wanted to get proper medical attention for his bad knee, which often caused him to do poorly on the challenges. So he volunteered to leave, and after many conversations and much emotion (hence, the two hour show!), the team agreed to let him leave.

The impact of this week's episode will likely be felt in weeks to come. And one therapy session, no matter how powerful, does not a life change make. However, this is reality television. And the therapy was sincere. And even if Jillian's mom opened just a little, a door that had longed been locked in each of these contestants, surely Jillian will make certain they walk over that threshold with their heads held high.

And then Bob's team might one day realize that if they don't "talk it out" the only place they may "walk it out" is in the elimination room.

(c) NBC Universal.

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