The Challenge 27: Bloodlines

[Headspace]

Zach did win a season while being verbally abusive to Sam


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Byrd]

Of the eight people left on the show, we had only seen three of them before this season. None of them have ever won a season, although all three of them have competed in finals. Aneesa has competed on 11 seasons, the most of any woman, and the most of anybody who has never won. Cara Maria has competed on eight seasons, tied for third most (with Diem, behind Aneesa and Robin) amongst people who have never won. Cara has won $63,500 in prize money, though, more than everyone else combined.

I don't really care have strong feelings one way or the other about any of the teams; I think only Cory and Mitch winning would disappoint me since we've never seen either of them before (unless you watched RW: Ex-Plosion, I guess). I think it would be kind of neat if they got eliminated next episode, leaving 5 out of 6 contestants in the final as women. I don't really know who to root for in the final, although Jenna and Brianna winning would be just hilarious enough to make me root for it. If either Cara or Aneesa won, I would be fine with that since they've been to so many without ever winning one.

It seems most likely to me that Cara Maria and Jamie win, based on performance to date. But they also might be the biggest target for elimination at four, so who knows?

One thing I noted from this week's challenge is that the weight ratios seemed really unfair. All of those guys were dying trying to carry 75 pounds, and the women had virtually no problems at 40; it didn't look like it was just because the women are in better shape than the men -- the weakest women (Brianna, Rianna) had no problem with it, whereas every single one of the guys did, regardless of size. Maybe a 60/40 would have been a better ratio. Or 75/50, perhaps.

Also I noticed three members of the Bloodlines cast are returning for next season:

Spoiler: show

Jamie (Cara Maria), Nicole (Nany), Vince (Bananas). Vince, really? Couldn't we not give Bananas yet another ally?

[Headspace]

I hope Mitch and Cory win for fantasy purposes but also they're dynamic is the best.

They were the only two who weren't at each other's throat during the challenge.

I am afraid of Corys knee though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Valisk]

Help me Cara Marie Kenobi. You're my only hope.

So glad someone finally sent Bananas home. I would have been pissed if Cory and Mitch didn't seize that opportunity. Yea, the last challenge was skewed. The fellas were dying with that 75 bag. Was suprising to see Jenna and Rianna get to the puzzle first. Cory and Mitch had an awesome come from behind victory. The whole time I was yelling for them to just quit and conserve their energy for the pit. Shows you how much I know.

For non-selfish purposes, I would like to see Jenna and Rianna win it all. Would be hilarious. If not them, then Cory and Mitch.

[Moss]

When Brianna and Rihanna aren't having any issues with the "heavy" bag you know it's too light for girls.

I don't like the idea of any bloodlines returning for future seasons - I only want people crazy enough to do a season of RW/RR on there. Much less Vince who had some promise as EX NFL PLAYER but he sucks.

I used to not mind Cara but after the Abram after-show and hearing her annoying fake Boston accent "cmon Cuz! we're italians right cuz!?" she annoys me. if you remember back to her earlier seasons, no one else could stand her either and I can finally see why.

Feelings on the remaining teams:

Cara/Jamie: As above Cara is annoying. Jamie is fine but doesn't appear to be much more than a musclehead ("Fuck this puzzle!" *throws puzzle piece*)

Cory/Mitch: Cory is the popular athlete in HS that never grew up but still has the outsized ego. Mitch is earnest and cheesy but he tries hard unless it's underwater.

Jenna/Brianna: Since Brianna's TERRIBLE early performance she seems to actually try and Jenna is a pretty damn good competitor despite her airheadedness. I think I'm rooting for them?

Aneesa/Rihanna: Why the fuck are they here. Aneesa is fat and old and can't do shit except gossip and catch feelings for guys half her age. She only made it this long because veteran. Rihanna is a zero that can't get across fucking monkey bars. In general I hate when teams skate to a final without having to prove themselves a single time in an elimination, so here's to hoping they do in the next episode.

[Headspace]

I don't like the idea of any bloodlines returning for future seasons - I only want people crazy enough to do a season of RW/RR on there. Much less Vince who had some promise as EX NFL PLAYER but he sucks.
.

Here's bloodlines I would be ok with returning:

Cohuttas cousin
Shane
Mitch
Jamie
Mike


Show will need a new set of cast since they don't do RR anymore. CT, Bananas are mid 30s. Wes isn't the same. Ev, Kenny, and Evan aren't coming back. Theresa has a kid. Sarah is married now.

So I'm ok with some bloodlines that were competitive, crazy, and/or normal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Moss]

Here's bloodlines I would be ok with returning:

Cohuttas cousin
Shane
Mitch
Jamie
Mike


Show will need a new set of cast since they don't do RR anymore. CT, Bananas are mid 30s. Wes isn't the same. Ev, Kenny, and Evan aren't coming back. Theresa has a kid. Sarah is married now.

So I'm ok with some bloodlines that were competitive, crazy, and/or normal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah that's true - I would rather not use them but it may be necessary.

You left out Raphy/Dario!

[Byrd]

Cohuttas cousin
Shane
Mitch
Jamie
Mike

I have actually started enjoying Brianna lately. I'm with you on Cohutta's cousin, and the other guys you list are OK, but there's so many new people that just blend together this season. I've finally figured out which one is Mitch and which one is Cory, but I don't actually recall which one is a Bloodline and which one was on the show; same with Tony and Shane. Vince is a disappointing zero, I'm annoyed they're bringing him back. Nicole struck me as a JV version of Nany who was mostly memorable for her terrible makeup. Definitely want to see Mike back, and I'd be fine with Jamie and maybe Kelly Anne's cousin, he seemed cool.

I hope they retire the Bloodlines format, but if they ever do bring it back again, I want two things.

1) Every returning player needs to have appeared on the Challenge at least once before. No "vets" from the most recent RW season or AYTO that most of us have never seen before. Every team should have one player Challenge viewers are familiar with. 50% new people to show is the cap, IMHO. 60-70% like this season had is way too much. If any team other than Cory & Mitch is eliminated this week, 2/3 of the finalists will be rookies. That's OK if it happens organically, but this format kind of shoved it down our throat.

2) Compete with your bloodline, not against them on opposite teams. I understand the potential for drama they were after, but the format they used was terrible, and led to people actively not wanting to win challenges. If you really want to find a way to compete against your Bloodline for drama, do it head-to-head in an Elimination, meaning only one of them would be going home, if they could figure that out somehow. Problem with that is one of the players would defer to allowing the other to stay way too often.

3) If Bloodlines come back for future seasons, don't put them on the same season as their original partner. Bananas is going to have himself plus Creepy Uncle Vince on his team to start next season; not like the guy needs any help.

[jinkazama]

Damn.. Marry me already Cara Marie

[Moss]

Cara MariA

[jinkazama]

lol I noticed it when I was finished but too lazy to change it so instead I sit here finding myself typing out a long explanation.

[Byrd]

I'm looking forward to the final, it's the first one in a major urban area. So no mountain climbing or white water rafting. Probably lots of running through crowded streets full of Germans. Should be fun.

I'm totally rooting for Jenna and Brianna at this point; the unintentional comedy scale of them winning this would be off the charts.

That said, my prediction for winning: 1. Cara Maria & Jamie. 2. Cory & Mitch. 3. Jenna & Brianna.

It's worth noting that of the six remaining contestants, four are rookies, and Jenna's only been on one challenge before. I always found myself rooting for rookies before, but this season, it felt almost forced upon us between Bloodlines and the new people.

I also think it's interesting that Jenna's been on two challenges, and made it to the final in both. At least this time, she's shown she actually can win competitions.

[Byrd]

So, fantasy-wise, it looks like this currently:

Valisk 470 (Cara Maria left)
Headspace 435 (Cory and Mitch left)
Tyven 395 (Jamie and Brianna left)
Xno Kappa 395 (Jenna left)
Byrd 350 (nobody)
Moss 195 (nobody)

I ran some projections, based on scoring for the final only. This doesn't include any extra points for the final (i.e. puking, yelling, coitus, etc) that might happen, just final scoring. It also doesn't include any scoring for the Shit They Should Have Shown Show, which may or may not happen.

If Cory and Mitch win, it's all over, Headspace wins this thing by over 100 points since he has both those guys, Valisk will have a narrow lead for second, regardless of who finishes 2nd/3rd, but it will be close enough other points might matter.
If Cara and Jamie win, Valisk will certainly have a good lead, although Headspace (if Cory/Mitch finish 2nd) or Tyven (if Jenna/Brianna finish 2nd) will be close enough that additional final or STSHS points could push them over.
If Jenna and Briana win, second place matters. If the finish order is Jenna - Cara - Cory, Tyven will have a small lead before extra points. If the finish order is Jenna - Cory - Cara, Headspace will have a small lead.

I think it's worth noting that not only did my team suck despite me showing up for the draft, Moss picked up my second half of the draft, meaning I drafted the worst two teams. Nice to know that no matter what happens, my top 5 picks were worse than Valisk and Xno's second five; at least they were better than my second five. So this is what it's like to be the Cleveland Browns. Valisk (Headspace) and Xno (Tyven) can take some solace in knowing their JV squads did better than mine; it's also possible, I believe, that I will be the only drafter to have a better first half of the draft than second half.

Weird season, all around.

[tyven]

Can't believe I'm gonna win

Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk

[Moss]

Cara gets more annoying every episode now. I knew it was bad when I found myself rooting for the giant turd Aneesa

Cory and Mitch will probably win - Cara and Jamie have a huge weakness for puzzles and they seem to get frustrated easily. Cory and Mitch have a good big brother/little brother dynamic that serves them well.

I'd be fine with Jenna and Brianna winning too but I don't see it happening

[Valisk]

Pissed that my JV team is right on the heels of my varsity squad. I fucked up when I picked Camelia's sister Larrisa instead of Cory with that pick. Totally kicking myself now.

Aneesa is bipolar as fuck. Either that or she's a fake individual. Hugging and smiling in your face one minute, blowing up and attacking your character the next. She's a weird one.

Mitch and Cory seem to have the best chance. They won the last 2 challenges and are rolling in momentum. I also find it interesting that all 3 gender combinations are being represented. Male/Male, Male/Female, and Female/Female. Should be entertaining.

[Byrd]

Bill Simmons on Juliet Litman's podcast talking about the Challenge, prior to the finale.

Jump to the 21 minute mark if you don't want to hear about The Bachelor.

[Headspace]

STRAPGATE


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Byrd]

Spreadsheets are sent out. I didn't realize it was a two episode final until there were only 10 minutes left to go in the episode, and they'd only visited one of the five sites in Berlin. Scoring-wise, I scored it like a normal episode with everyone getting survival points, and I gave Jenna and Brianna "Winning a Challenge" points.

Totally rooting for "The Simple Life," as Cory or Mitch called them. Thrilled to see they won the first leg.

The bag discrepancy is again a problem. Guys shouldn't have to carry more than twice as much as the women. I think a 3:2 ratio would be more applicable. Or make everyone carry 50% of their body weight or something. In both this, and the challenge two weeks ago, the gender ratio was tilted in favor of the women.

I'm concerned that again, they're just going to announce a time after the final is run and everyone is standing on the mat. In situations like this, they need to just stagger the final stage, so someone is crossing the finish line and knows they've won when they finished. Having TJ announce a winner on the mat is very anticlimactic. Hopefully that is not what happens.

One more week for scoring, then maybe a STSHS show. We'll see.

[Byrd]

Tentative Final Standings:
Valisk 585
Headspace 565
Tyven 550
Xno Kappa 445
Byrd 350
Moss 195

I say tentative just in case there's a Shit They Should Have Shown show, because it's certainly close enough things could change if it's close enough.

Top Contestants:
Cara Maria 305
Cory 255
Jamie 210
Jenna 200
Mitch 180
Brianna 165

This was my least favorite season in recent seasons, though, I'm hoping next season is better. Fewer rookies, for sure. If nothing else, it makes a lot easier to keep score if I know who the hell everyone is.