Living In Reality 7/18/13

The Challenge: Rivals II

The second episode of Rivals II sees the roommates getting more comfortable in their environment. Johnny, as he usually does, gets the hijinks going by gathering a gang of others in ninja costumes and plotting a water-balloon attack on the rest of the house. Meanwhile, CT and Anastasia are still getting to know each other. Diem appears not to care about their flirtations, just noting that Anastasia should be careful about getting involved with CT.

Zach and some others are lifting weights to keep their edge in between missions. Jordan impresses others, namely Sarah, by partaking in the workouts despite sporting a partial left hand. Seeds are being planted between Jordan and Sarah in their talking heads.

Frank, who has an apparent death wish, decides to rattle the bear’s cage by getting in CT’s face. Like Wes, Johnny has to worry about having an unstable partner.

At the next challenge, Cooke’s new partner is revealed to be *drum roll please* Cara Maria…whoopee! Cast reactions ranged from “meh” to “I hate that bitch”. In any event, she’s a significant upgrade from Naomi.

The next challenge is a beach obstacle course. The first section has each team use a long saw to cut through a log. The catch is that they have to maneuver the saw using thrusting motions instead of using their arms. Time bonus are granted depending on when each team finishes.

The second part of the challenge has one partner carry the other partner across the sand in (no way to sugarcoat this) the 69 position. The teams have to navigate through inner-tubes and ropes until they get to a small ball that the top partner has to grab with his or her mouth. From there, that person has to get in a position to drop the ball in a tube near the ground the complete the race.

Hilarity ensues for the guys’ portion of the race. Wes quits during the first stage, figuring that there’s no penalty for last place this time around. Preston bows out despite having the lead after expressing disdain for having his head anywhere near Knight’s crotch. The partnerless CT and Knight create their own impromptu team and mess around for a bit before T.J. kicks them off the course.

Zach and Trey end up winning $1,000, making it two for two in challenges. TJ informs the quitting teams that they will be assessed a penalty at the next challenge. For the girls, Paula and Emily win immunity while Anastasia and Jessica find their way in The Jungle after finishing last.

After some voting, Cooke and Cara Maria are selected to face Jessica and Anastasia. Later on, Anastasia flies off the handle against CT after she comes to the conclusion that he’s a scumbag who’s using her. She gets her fair share of slaps and kicks in before some roommates break it up.

Another Jungle is set to kick off. Apparently, Anastasia is not getting kicked off the show despite getting physical with another housemate. For this elimination round, the teams are suspended above water and have to cut a thick rope with mini-saws to knock the other team down.

Just as the games are about to begin, Anastasia has another meltdown of sorts, as she claims to be light-headed. Obviously, everyone else speculates that she’s quitting. After a few moments, she’s able to get back on and start the elimination round. The pre-game shenanigans don’t end there though, as Cooke takes a tinkle out of nervousness while she’s set up on the swing.

Ultimately, Anastasia’s crazy antics don’t matter, as she and Jessica get cut off by their opponents and sent home. Anastasia has one final moment as she hyperventilates after the grueling jungle. CT discards of Anastasia in his talking head like a piece of toilet paper on his shoe.

Even T.J. fires a shot across the bow at Anastasia, saying “I guess you shouldn’t smoke cigarettes and not eat”. The show ends with Jordan and Sarah getting even more intimately involved. Next week, the house drama will get turned up a few more notches.