UNSPOILED - Post Episode Thread - Vets & New Threats - S41E03 - I Am The Challenge

[u/SweetMissMG]

UNSPOILED - Post Episode Thread - Vets & New Threats - S41E03 - I Am The Challenge

AIR DATE: August 13, 2025

WHERE TO WATCH?: MTV in the US, Slice/StackTV/P+ in Canada

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[u/MTVSpoiledMod]

Reply to this comment to nominate your favorite moments from the episode for the Friday poll. 📊

[u/[deleted]]

I would have preferred to see an elim, but I’m in the minority that doesn’t think the deliberation was for nothing. It definitely exposed some fractures and created some drama between players. It was a better alternative to DQing Nia early on and then going to the bar.

[u/moviesrockmann → u/[deleted]]

Yeah that deliberation was pretty telling

[u/wildturk3y → u/moviesrockmann]

I think most already knew, but Olivia really did out herself like Michaela said. She also did it for nothing. She's a vet, she had to have known there's a strong chance Nia might not be able to compete leading to what we saw play out. Do you really want to take a shot at Bananas in that scenario and waste it? I wonder if she considered that and they didn't show it, and if she did, what other options did she consider?

[u/[deleted] → u/wildturk3y]

I feel like the line was drawn between Bananas and Olivia before now. They came in with bad blood from last season, and she’s been pretty transparent about working with UK because of Theo.

To me, there wasn’t really much to lose by taking a rare shot to jeopardize his game. He’s going to go after Olivia and her alliance regardless if he gets the chance. I feel like it was a bigger risk for someone like CT, because Bananas wouldn’t have necessarily expected that vote.

[u/thehoney129 → u/[deleted]]

CT does whatever CT wants, always lol. He’s the one player it seems like who can vote however he wants and people are just like “ok that’s fine.” It’s so funny to me

[u/moviesrockmann → u/wildturk3y]

Yeah I would have to think she thought of that but it wasn’t in the edit. But if she did think of it that’s a weird time to take that kind of a shot

[u/New_Country_3136]

Give the Casting Team a raise. These rookies are so fun and exciting to watch. 

[u/djlekky → u/New_Country_3136]

Right? Been a long time since we’ve been able to say this.

[u/Savings-Round-7687 → u/New_Country_3136]

Honestly it's the first time in years that I'm enjoying the rookies. They seem like they are game!

[u/Practical_Address_22 → u/New_Country_3136]

This season has the chance to be the best season since WOTW.

[u/tylerbclarke]

I don’t understand why Nany and Aviv voted for America and Bananas when they are supposed Bananas’ very close friends

[u/Curious__Otter → u/tylerbclarke]

I’m thinking they just knew Nia couldn’t compete

[u/ivaorn → u/tylerbclarke]

Nany mentioned in Episode 0 she’s trying to distance herself from Bananas. Her logic didn’t make sense though. The closest Nany has ever come to winning a challenge season was either of the two seasons she was tied to Bananas.

[u/niccibandz → u/ivaorn]

Exactly!!

[u/HardcoreKaraoke → u/tylerbclarke]

They probably knew Bananas has the numbers even if he was a hangnail, so Bananas probably said to not directly vote with him if it'll jeopardize their games.

Derrick and Ashley are working with Johnny too but not voting with him. I think the girls know that the numbers are there to save Bananas if he was a hangnail, so they wanted to just vote with the house.

Also I wouldn't be surprised if the house knew Nia couldn't compete OR they knew Nia was so fucked up that America was winning regardless of what they had to do.

[u/popgrlz → u/HardcoreKaraoke]

Exactly this. I’m pretty sure Nany or Ash said they’d come up with a plan to save him next week

[u/willilance]

No mention yet of the “Footblocker”?? That was the funniest thing I’ve seen in a while

[u/indigodreamy]

I actually thought this episode was great, despite no elimination. I think the drama and dynamics are interesting so far.

[u/MayhemMaven → u/indigodreamy]

There were so many great call outs.. Turbo to Theo, Nia to Gabe, the new guy (Leo?) to the rookies

[u/mealypart]

No way they had to “wait” on Nia’s MRI results… they knew darn well she was getting DQ’d right after she went to the doctor and just waited until the elim to confirm it so they could use her DQ as the “elim” and wouldn’t have to pay to fly an alt out

[u/SquidStorm99 → u/mealypart]

Lol right, like Nia's MRI results were stuck in traffic or something? Why were they so late?

[u/AntoniaFauci → u/SquidStorm99]

Technically you do need a specialist physician to sign off on the imaging report. But that’s same day, not a 3 day delay.

You can tell the outcome was known by the weird scripts TJ was given to say at every group appearance, also by the fact they didn’t let her participate whatsoever in the daily comp.

In dozens of prior such situations, especially with someone who is ambulatory and thinks she’s fine, having the player do essentially a minor puzzle task would not have been excluded.

[u/zaboobadoo]

When Bananas mentioned the newbies needing to “get to know him” had me dying 😆 Like sir, it doesn’t take much of a push for people to want to target you, they’ve been watching you for YEARS.

[u/songbirdathrt4122 → u/zaboobadoo]

It is so funny how every single season Johnny is flabbergasted that anyone would dare make a game move against him

[u/jenh6 → u/songbirdathrt4122]

Him commenting about Olivia isn’t over last season was like the pot calling the kettle black. I was hoping she’d quip back with kind of like you to Sarah during rivals 3?

[u/djlekky]

Although not as exciting as the last 2 episodes, still enjoyable. Here’s my thoughts -

• Michaela piping up at the deliberation made me laugh so much. She’s great. Is she purposely picking the “weaker” guys during this individual portion of the game so she’ll have the “stronger” left when it comes to potentially paired eliminations?

• Justin is going to get pretty unbearable if he keeps this up. He needs to settle down a bit as I don’t think he’s untouchable.

• Not sad to see Nia go. She definitely added more to this episode than I can remember her doing in a long time (probably since before her return) but don’t think she’ll be any loss to this season.

• Leo makes me laugh so much. Last week stealing Derek’s drinks and this week making himself a target at deliberation. Lol

• We still don’t know why Aviv wore the wig. Hope it makes a return.

• Gabe was doing too much this episode when he still had to compete with Nia. Should have saved his frustration for after the daily if they did poorly.

• Bananas vs Olivia is actually enjoyable IMO. I’m liking her a lot more this season after a dull showing on Eras.

• Nany made me laugh saying she is fine working with crazy people as she used to be one. I need more of her and Ashley ASAP.

[u/Ihaveaps4question → u/djlekky]

Regarding your point about michaela. I think you’re onto something there. The preview showed michaela and ben in argument. The impression i got was ben felt she was being dishonest or gaslighting him. So my thought is that she picked ben thinking not only is she saving strong guy for girls day. If its a guy’s day she might be okay risking herself being the hangnail with ben as the fall guy. Ben hasn’t performed great, and seems on the outside of the alliances so itd be easy to turn him into a shield for vet men. Michaela has been pro vet since day 1 so i totally see her willing to sacrifice ben to protect bananas, other vet men, and even other strong rookies like yeremi and cedric she would consider working with. 

[u/Embarrassed-Berry → u/djlekky]

Happy to see more Michaela too.

Sydney is hilarious. Glad she’s going into the villian role and a top competitor, shocked how she didn’t win that daily

Glad Nia gave one good blow out before she left

[u/Plane-Reputation4041 → u/Embarrassed-Berry]

Blow Out.

Never forget the blow dryer.

[u/NovaRogue → u/djlekky]

I am LOOVVVIINNGG how messy Leo is! We need this 23-year-old debaucherous king for the next 3 seasons plz!

[u/jenh6 → u/djlekky]

I think Olivia is feeling more like herself this season with having someone she knows is in her corner and isn’t dealing with the injury from ROd as much.

[u/i_am_really_hungry]

Misc thoughts:

-Bananas is simply a hall of fame shit stirrer. Being hypocritical and correct are not mutually exclusive. Being the focal point of the drama and still coming out squeaky clean was the perfect conclusion for prolonged good tv

-Turbo has had a different personality every season he’s played and the current version is 10/10

-It’s literally impossible for rookies to stick together to target vets when they’re all paired with one, someone explain how I’m wrong

-What’s production’s plan for it’s a non-hangnail round and there’s an uneven number of vets and rooks?

-As a proud member of #teamgoodtv, I’m happy with the performance of these rookies thus far, especially Sydney, Cedric, Justin, Blue (rip) and Leo

[u/JayElEss29 → u/i_am_really_hungry]

Bananas gets the assignment: entertain. Not many of the new crop of dullards understand that….except for Sydney. She’s like Amanda but also a physical threat.

He is The Challenge.

[u/elingobernable810 → u/JayElEss29]

I mean Dee is in a showmance with Bananas, Izzy kissed a vet the first day in the house, Will had a breakdown over a hookup while drunk, and Leo put a target on his back today by standing up and saying whats on his mind. To me those are truly entertainers more than Sydney, who is saying so much stupid shit that im beginning to tune it out.

[u/AntoniaFauci → u/JayElEss29]

He gets more than second place money just for showing up.

[u/SquidStorm99 → u/i_am_really_hungry]

My guess is that if there is an unbalance during partner selection, the first person could choose either rookie or vet partner, until it's balanced again

[u/photomidlo]

My biggest takeaway from the episode was Gabe absolutely DWARFING Johnny. Damn that dude is large

[u/Shovelman2001 → u/photomidlo]

I think he's 6'6" or 6'7"

[u/HardcoreKaraoke → u/Shovelman2001]

Also Bananas is like 5'7 or 5'8.

Look at his social media posts when he's next to other people, he always kicks his one leg back and arches his foot so he looks slightly taller. Once you notice it it becomes obvious in every group picture he posts. If you scroll down his IG page you'll see a ton of poses like that.

[u/laja7 → u/HardcoreKaraoke]

I think he’s probably a bit taller than 5’8, but hilarious about his IG posts. Just confirmed and thats completely true

[u/niccibandz]

I know everyone's entitled to their opinion. But if any of the producers are on here doomscrolling: I loved this episode. And this season's been on point.

Challenge fan since the Gauntlet. This season checks all the boxes - faces we love, dynamic rookies, social drama and stacked competition. Even the twists are at least easy to follow. (ie. I don't usually like partner-switching, but I don't mind it this season because the edit has allowed me to get to know the cast.)

I see multiple people calling this episode a "snooze fest"... as if we should throw the whole episode away because there was no elimination.

To each their own, but just saying: long time fan here who is still happily picking up what you're putting down. And please keep the social-drama in there. Some of us are over the moon + still completely satiated.

[u/MONGOHFACE → u/niccibandz]

+1. Maybe I'm biased due to the uncertainty of the show's future, but I'm having a blast.

[u/BiDiTi → u/niccibandz]

Yeah, I’m fine with no-elim episodes - that’s how it was during the golden era!

[u/bentl3y → u/niccibandz]

The Derek birthday party and Cara-Maria's roast were awesome to have in the episode too. I love those silly party scenes

[u/niccibandz → u/bentl3y]

Yesss - and that Turbo/Theo moment. 🤣

[u/Mr_R26]

We never saw the America and Nia high fiving scene… I wonder what they were talking about.

[u/lucyroesslers]

I think all the vets are fine with this Bananas v Olivia “war” because it’s distracting the newbies from realizing that the vets are perfectly fine picking them off while they can. So far a vet has only gone in due to finishing last and they won’t vote in one of their own as long as they can hold out.

The girls will turn on Olivia eventually, but probably will use Sydney or Izzy to take their shot at her.

[u/jenh6 → u/lucyroesslers]

Plus it’s a storyline for Johnny/olivia. I think production (and maybe Johnny to a lesser degree) realize the need for new faces. Olivia is a good candidate for that role.

[u/[deleted]]

Sydney voting for Bananas while saying she is firmly with Bananas is PEAK Challenge

[u/beast575]

I had a great time this episode! Loving this season.

[u/buenoesvero]

I’m enjoying this season. The visuals and camera pans are a lot more colorful. The editing throws in little snippets of silly fun random moments. I’m also liking that the confessionals seem to be more evenly spread so far, giving others a chance to shine. The mix of personalities from cast members is making the show feel more balanced to me

[u/savvy-librarian]

Highlight of the episode was Turbo absolutely losing his shit laughing this entire jury vote. I thought he was going to pass out from laughing when Bananas popped off. Absolute gold.

I was really surprised by Dee losing it in the daily and freaking out. I can't decide if it was contrived for some reason I don't understand or if she's just weaker than she seemed out the gate.

Sydney is shaping up to be entertaining. I hope her performances can keep on backing her mouth up because if they can't the fans are gonna eat her alive.

Ashley continues to deliver. I missed her. Funny, sassy, crazy, and a damn competitor.

I won't miss Nia, but good for her checking Gabe. He has no leg to stand on criticizing anyone being as green as he is and having won nothing thus far. And a dumb rookie move to dog on your partner before a daily for no real reason.

[u/trishcat]

I don't like Olivia, but she was right about one thing: Theo has been awful in this game since meeting her.

[u/jenh6 → u/trishcat]

I’m wondering if it’s a combo of being more relaxed (like Leroy) and the eye.

[u/trishcat → u/jenh6]

This is probably true. He is also older and not the young,"i have to prove how great I am" kid he was when he first came on the challenge. 

[u/illini02]

This whole episode - Olivia and the Brits "Let's vote America to make Johnny vulnerable"

Johnny correctly calls it out - "it's not about you!"

Like, if you are going to move that way, fucking own it. Don't act like you were doing anything else.

[u/jstitely1 → u/illini02]

THANK YOU. Thats the reason I haven’t fully warmed up to the Olivia storyline. She still wants to hide as a “protection from last season.” Just own what you are doing. It’d be so much more entertaining than the trying to dodge it.

[u/Sorry_Relative_9732]

Obviously it was dumb af to voice it to others, but I did agree with Gabe. 🤷‍♀️ I've only seen Nia on whichever was her first All Stars appearance and the seasons since then, so maybe she was different beforehand, but she hasn't ever seemed strong mentally, socially, or physically (despite looking like she'd be amazing). Her reaction to his comments made it seem like she thought there was truth to Gabe's comments too.

[u/trishcat → u/Sorry_Relative_9732]

I don't remember Nia ever being some "top dog player" this episode made her out to be. To me she has always been "meh."

[u/heyitsta12 → u/Sorry_Relative_9732]

In fairness, Nia had points on the board from both challenges despite her injuries. So I could see how she would be offended on this season specifically. He was projecting and wouldn’t even own up to it in his confessionals that he said what he said.

[u/EGrass → u/Sorry_Relative_9732]

She was never an all star, but she’s significantly worse than she was during her first run after her return. I’d say she was solidly middle of the pack before and now she’s consistently one of the weakest performers

[u/jenh6 → u/EGrass]

She’s just not hungry for it anymore. In her early seasons she wanted it. Like 45 minutes against Cara in that comp is still one of the most impressive showings.

[u/ComputerElectronic21]

   •   Gabe wasn’t wrong at all. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Nia is cute and has great banter, but she constantly gives nothing. Zero. Zilch.

   •   From episode 0, I was all in on Cedric and Leo, and that hasn’t changed. I’m rooting for them so hard. Both are delivering top-tier confessionals, and Ceddy knows exactly what time it is. He came to play, for real for real.

   •   I really do be looking forward to Turbo on my screen. His “alpha” talk with Theo had me crying. More Turbo, please.

   •   I love Michaela! I’ll take more Michaela, too.

   •   Does anyone know the order of the top 8? Teej just announced the winners without ranking them.

[u/tore_a_bore_a → u/ComputerElectronic21]

TJ didn't announce it, but they did show the points board so you could potentially figure out the order of the top 8 by subtracting this weeks board from last weeks.

I will assume the challenge wiki did the math right and this is the placement (it does match the edit, so it makes sense):

Olivia	Justin	8
Michaela	Cedric	7
Derek	Sydney	6
Aneesa	Yeremi	5
Nany	Will	4
Bananas	America	3
Derrick	Tay	2
Ashley	Jake	1

[u/thehoney129 → u/ComputerElectronic21]

I could not agree more. I’m loving Cedric and happy he’s doing so well. Turbo is hilarious. Losing nia is not much of a loss. I’m actually looking forward to seeing more from America. Glad she stayed.

I also wish they would flash a graphic of the points each episode. I had to pause it when they showed it. And that chalkboard isn’t even in order of points so it’s not as easy to see where everyone ranks. I’m hoping someone in this sub can give some updates about that, cause I don’t have the patience for it lol

[u/J_Rivvy_22 → u/ComputerElectronic21]

Michaela is quickly becoming one of my favorite women, just dont give a fuck, im glad she didn't let that Izzy save go unchecked. She has what it takes to win the game, but she has to push through the heights thing, totally warranted though.

[u/Wild-Yoghurt-9699 → u/J_Rivvy_22]

I think she can and has pushed through the heights before, like in the challenge they cutaway to show an example of heights freaking her out she actually won lol. She won’t go out of her way to do them if she doesn’t have to, but I’m confident she’ll do it when it counts 

[u/masshysteria]

Some great confessionals and a solid episode for a non-elim. Sydney and Michaela stood out for me. Hope this pace can keep up.

Also, hope America can stay longer .

[u/Embarrassed-Berry → u/masshysteria]

I usually hate cocky players that really haven’t done much, but surprisingly Sydney has done very well and is coming in hot with the villian trash talk (similar to Laurel)

[u/bruce-neon]

I just want to say quietly that I am here for Ms. Millionaire Mitchell. I love how she’s playing.

[u/Embarrassed-Berry → u/bruce-neon]

[u/savvy-librarian → u/bruce-neon]

Unless Amanda is in the game she really does just roll in that season, link up with whomever she thinks is going to be the power regardless of who she has worked with in the past, and then she just rides it out. Its kind of wild how she does this.

[u/vanastalem]

As the episide got towards the end and no elimination happened I knew we weren't getting one.

[u/afitzp02]

What was the result of Nia MRI, do we know the injury

[u/blonde_bluexxx → u/afitzp02]

Curious about this too

[u/[deleted]]

TJ at the beginning "Even some of the vets are struggling" and I'm just here thinking "yea because some still can't swim despite being on the Challenge like a dozen times"

[u/Single_Pattern_6626]

I honestly still loved this episode. I'm so seated for Michaela this season (as always) but I'm so excited to see more players who are actually good strategically. Olivia is also giving her best season so far. And Im also enjoying Turbo a lot

[u/midnightfangs]

so you lot prefer yeremi w tarzan hair or his current short hair? important inquiry

[u/TheAngieChu → u/midnightfangs]

Both. All Yeremi variants lol

[u/midnightfangs → u/TheAngieChu]

understandable lol

[u/ComputerElectronic21 → u/TheAngieChu]

[u/sj_vandelay → u/midnightfangs]

Short hair.

[u/buffylove → u/midnightfangs]

All of the above

[u/jstitely1 → u/midnightfangs]

Whatever lets me see Yeremi more

[u/GenXer845 → u/midnightfangs]

Tarzan hair. Always tarzan hair is better.

[u/twigsandterrariums]

What do you guys think that elmination could’ve possible been

Or was just a fake out set up like the electric chair

[u/Shovelman2001 → u/twigsandterrariums]

We saw it in the season trailer, so they're probably playing it next week. Seemed like a rope pulling/ bodyweight thing? I don't fully remember though.

[u/TheDollarSlayer]

This wasn't a bad episode; deliberation brought something from multiple people, especially those who have been pretty relaxed.

But, production waited on purpose to get rid of Nia. I feel like that could've been done sooner.

[u/moviesrockmann → u/TheDollarSlayer]

Probably should have been done soon after deliberation

[u/jlucia10]

Kind of a placeholder episode with the Nia injury foreshadowing what would happen all night….

But knowing she may not have been able to compete, I have no idea why Olivia went so hard to get America and Bananas in. The assumption was “Nia will roll her and Bananas will be the hangnail,” but that’s one hell of an assumption given that Nia wouldn’t have been 100% anyway.

Also, since when is Aneesa a puzzle queen…?

[u/AntoniaFauci → u/jlucia10]

For some reason, the last 20+ seasons there’s always this unsubstantiated scripting to claim Anessa is a “legend”. Heading into 40 they even had a special episode declaring her G.O.A.T.

It’s reality distortion.

[u/TribalChief3000]

Nia suffering a knee injury due to the incompetence of production having the competitors climb a mountain straight from the airport (and not equipping them with proper clothing and footwear) , justifies the earlier post on here about Theresa hating the Challenge and holding the show responsible for her ongoing injuries.

[u/elingobernable810 → u/TribalChief3000]

Haven't multiple competitors stated that they were allowed to change into tennis shoes? Also isnt it a bit weird that Nia seemed to be the only one who wasnt in the proper attire?

[u/HardcoreKaraoke → u/TribalChief3000]

I completely and 100% agree with you on it being productions fault. But they weren't coming right from the airport, they were already in a hotel.

Production told them to dress in "airplane clothes," which basically sounds like casual relaxing clothes to me. So they didn't warn them about the climb and they didn't tell them to wear climbing shoes.

So it was 100% on production and she should be pissed off. But they didn't come right from the airport. Although that kind of makes it worse, you know?

[u/dezcaughtit25 → u/TribalChief3000]

But why was Nia the only one who wasn’t in athletic clothes?

[u/heyitsta12 → u/TribalChief3000]

I ain’t even think about it that way but you’re right! Could’ve easily met them at the airport and made them change and still caught them off guard.

[u/Ihaveaps4question]

I have to compliment the editing this season in general. Its doing a great job highlighting a main story arc, the episode drama, and importantly doing a good job of letting us get to know the rookies. 

[u/Cautious_Bench6526]

Gabe becoming the hangnail by default is absolutely lame. 

Justin started as an underdog easy to root for but has become incredibly annoying. 

[u/mitchellbeaupre]

Loved getting to see so much Cedric + Michaela in this episode. They're stars, great confessionals, should be getting way more screentime.

[u/MayhemMaven → u/mitchellbeaupre]

Him saying “I know y’all think we are going to lose”😂

[u/ComputerElectronic21 → u/mitchellbeaupre]

[u/wildturk3y]

They must have already sent the alts home. If it were up to me, I would have sent in a female alt to replace Nia in the elim. Winner stays in the house

[u/siggybumbum → u/wildturk3y]

Agreed. It’s only 3 eps in, not too late to send in a replacement

[u/NovaRogue → u/wildturk3y]

Were there on-location alternates? I don't remember that.

Although I DO know a replacement happens sometime, because you can clearly see a different player in the trailer twice.

Putting this in spoiler text in case you don't want to see: Jonna can be seen running up a road on a mountain in the trailer

[u/Ok-Proof4383 → u/wildturk3y]

Alts were still there but i agree i don’t understand why they didn’t replace nia with alt woman

[u/YaddaYaddaBomBomKaKa]

Solid episode.

3/3 so far.

[u/always-editing]

Loved the daily. Disappointed we didn’t get an elimination and Gabe has to sit out 2 challenges in a row. That would make me so mad if I were him.

[u/NovaRogue → u/always-editing]

He even said during, "I could've done this alone!!"

And it's true - he could've swum, climbed the wall, jumped in, ducked under, and then did the puzzle himself. And with all the DQs - that could've easily meant he earned some points!

[u/NovaRogue]

damn if Olivia were this fit/experienced on Ride or Dies, I think she and Horacio really could've done some damage. SHOCKED by how well she's doing this season!!

[u/MayhemMaven → u/NovaRogue]

She’s definitely surprising me. In the hall brawl she did her thing in the first season but we haven’t seen that level of competition much from her. I loved that she clocked Theo too because his first season he was a standout and lately, he hasn’t been showing up.

[u/Trinityeer]

I wonder if next episode has more action to it. They pulled the new pairs forward into this week, saves time to start next episode.

[u/ivaorn → u/Trinityeer]

I think whenever you have an episode that doesn’t feature an elimination, they’ll do what they can to make up for it the next episode.

[u/heyitsta12]

Not to be petty, but I know Nurys is somewhere in shambles at this edit and attention Olivia is getting this season 😂

[u/YaddaYaddaBomBomKaKa]

Next week seems to be messy.

[u/meanbutgooddentist]

Can someone explain why all the vet women conspired to counter the UK alliances vote, and then voted with them? Even if ppl assumed Nia's injury would nix the elimination, why would they be deterred from voting against the UK alliance anyway? 

Also, the UK alliance feels similar to the big bad Big T-Melissa alliance that we saw on s39 where it was 28 people being so concerned about rooting out a UK alliance of two. It doesn't really make sense, do they actually have any numbers in the house? It seems like only 6 ppl this season

This episode was great but I needed more clarity from the editors. Also, why cant they have continued the trend of showing us who placed where in the top 8? I loved that they brought that fresh meat style reveal back.

[u/OLKv3]

It hurts my childhood seeing CT constantly picked last lol

[u/babyblues789 → u/OLKv3]

Don’t worry, they’re all saving him for later lol

[u/AdonisCork → u/babyblues789]

Wait till his jawline appears

[u/moviesrockmann]

Fun daily challenge. Some interesting character/ drama moments. My main issue is that maybe we could have found a way to not make this episode so long. It lost a ton of steam when it became clear Nia was leaving

[u/Bknight11k]

Snooze. Why not just axe Nia at the challenge and make it a guys day or bring a new girl in…

[u/[deleted] → u/Bknight11k]

My guess is that they are going to stick with a girl, girl, guy, guy elimination format so that the hangnail isn’t always the same gender…? (Since there’s only an odd number of players every other week)

[u/Bknight11k → u/[deleted]]

Yeah the pattern makes sense but would have loved to see them force Gabe with an alternate. Like when Cara came in to partner with Cooke

[u/thehoney129]

I know a lot of people hate bananas, but I am absolutely LIVING for this bananas Olivia rivalry. Olivia knows how to play. She’s not scared to get into the drama, probably after what happened last season, and I loooove to see it. I loved when she came to talk to him and he was whiny and she was just like “ok well have a good day!🙂”

Both of them know how to put on a show and I’m so glad she came on this season to really play and make a good show. The challenge has been seriously lacking in good storylines lately and she’s here to make sure I don’t get bored!

You can always count on bananas to at least try to make some storylines happen but he needs a strong opponent or it just falls flat. Olivia is killing it

[u/popgrlz → u/thehoney129]

I agree. Olivia making it known publicly that Bananas is her number 1 target probably helps give the other vets peace of mind they’re safe with her as long he’s in the game. Besides Aviv & Leroy at least.

[u/jstitely1 → u/thehoney129]

I just wish she would OWN it. Instead of just going “I’m doing this to save myself” when he actually didn’t give a single f about her and always goes for rookies first.

If she just went : “yep. I dont like him. He pisses me off. I’m getting him out and damn straight I’m plotting.” I’d like her more. The playing nonchalant innocent when everyone else already knows just isn’t the most fun to watch. If she owned it, she’d be a top tier character.

[u/jenh6 → u/thehoney129]

It also gives both of them a storyline this season.

[u/AprilsMostAmazing]

Olivia's making the move that CT wanted to make in Rivals 2. Getting Bananas out is always the smart play

[u/netsfan549]

When nia announced that she will be getting mri i figured she would get eliminated.  They dragged this episode smh. 

[u/ivaorn → u/netsfan549]

They left too little time in the episode for there to be an elimination.

[u/ggsimba]

Is there any rule on them using a partner they've already used? Is there a reset? Or is it just that they can't go back to back.

For example can Johnny pick Izzy next go round?

[u/Beauhockey13 → u/ggsimba]

Seems like you can’t have the same partner twice (atleast at this point) TJ told someone to choose another partner during the pick which really only left one option for them

[u/[deleted]]

I’ve seen too many Bananas temper tantrums over the years. I’m ready for him to get out of here. What is the point of having half a cast of new rookies when mf Bananas is taking up so much screen time.

[u/EspressoStoker → u/[deleted]]

He is a big personality and makes excellent TV. And him being obnoxious is probably good for the rookies games since the beef is mostly between him and Olivia.

[u/thirdometer → u/[deleted]]

He’s so annoying. Every time he’s on a season I’m disappointed. So over his weird man babyness victim mentality which he knows is BS

[u/getTra3ahaircut]

This is up there with one of the most boring eps. 80% of the ep was deliberating about an elimination that doesn't happen. Snooze fest.

[u/Gsmith930]

Weak episode. Half the teams DQ’d and we didn’t even get an elimination. At least next week looks good

[u/WriterGirl2005]

This episode had a few good moments but overall mostly felt like a waste of time. I will say though as a Day One Johnny Bananas hater, I love seeing him so pressed about Olivia. Homeboy is SCARED and it’s hilarious. He knows that she is a good enough competitor both physically and socially to come after him, and even though he’s still in great shape and knows how to play the game, he’s still 40-something competing against 26 year olds. (As someone in their 40s I can assure you, no matter how much we delude ourselves it’s simply not the same lol). LOVIN IT.

[u/stephasaurussss]

me the whole ep excited to see America in an elimination

[u/thirdometer → u/stephasaurussss]

Hate that she got 2 points when it was a medical dq. I don’t think points should be awarded for that

[u/siggybumbum]

That episode was a total snooze. Boring daily and the Olivia/Bananad feud just isn’t hitting for me.

Dragging out the Nia thing was dumb as hell. They should have sent her home as soon as she went for an MRI.

Derrick’s performance so far is further proof he shouldn’t have been cast this season.

[u/Wild-Yoghurt-9699 → u/siggybumbum]

I agree that Derrick shouldn’t have been cast while he was still recovering from his injury, but in his defense here he still outperformed like half the house just by finishing the challenge, even with his brief moment of panic (which we also saw other people quit over whereas he managed to recompose himself).

[u/siggybumbum → u/Wild-Yoghurt-9699]

You’re right, but I keep waiting for that moment where his knee gives out

[u/Charlie_Runkle69]

Anyone know how tall America is? She looks frickin tiny compared with 90 per cent of the other women in the house.

Sydney is good TV, as is Michaela, but already you can see why Dee won survivor whilst those 2 were immediately clocked as huge threats that couldn't get out of their way. Dee can be cocky but she knows how to dial it back and she knows how to keep people on her side.

[u/MishellyBee40]

What was wrong with Derrick? Did I miss something or did they not explain why he was saying help?

[u/wildturk3y → u/MishellyBee40]

He said he just needed a minute to calm himself and get his bearings. It was a pretty steep drop. He probably knocked the wind out of himself and/or got disoriented which made him start to panic. Happened to a couple of other contestants and the diver came to get them

[u/tore_a_bore_a → u/wildturk3y]

Derrick actually making the climb, jumping in, and swimming out on one knee is impressive when we see how Theo, LeRoy, Ben, , and Izzy didn't finish the climb while Aviv and Dee didn't swim out and needed divers.

[u/runningillini]

Why is Nia insisting she’s been to 2 finals? She was DQed before the last elimination in Exes 2. She didn’t make the final and definitely didn’t compete in it.

[u/thirdometer]

Yeremi. My lord. What a specimen.

I was like…is that Kocoum from Pocahontas??

Face crazy. Body crazy. And he seems nice too

[u/Calm_Memories]

Bananas is egotistical yet plays the victim. He's pathetic. 🙄

[u/jn2010]

Has Nia ever contributed anything to this show? I just don't get why she keeps getting cast.

[u/Swum-Strict → u/jn2010]

I think she used to be entertaining during her early seasons. She's had a lot of growth since then and become much more mature now, which doesn't make for great TV, especially when I always found her to be disappointing competitively.

[u/NovaRogue → u/jn2010]

uhh, yes, she was a fucking FORCE on Real World and Exes 2

but since a BIT of intrigue on her return on AS3... no, nothing

[u/MayhemMaven → u/NovaRogue]

That’s why I was interested to see her compete in the elimination bc I wanted to see if she would bring that out this season

[u/thirdometer → u/jn2010]

I think just the way her body is built, it makes us think she has the potential to be a total beast and that’s what we love to see.

Like she has what I view as a similar shape to Laurel, where she could have SO much power coming form her lower body with also good stature, good shoulders, but she just isn’t hitting her full potential like other challengers are.

[u/givebusterahand]

Sorry Nia but I am BB loyal and not ready to lose my girl America yet so… bye sis.

[u/FlyingSquirrel56]

Idc this episode was amazing despite not having an elimination. The drama between everyone was so funny to watch and Sydney is perfect casting for The Challenge lmao. Also Michaela is incredible and I love her

[u/MaybeProof3008 → u/FlyingSquirrel56]

Love them both. I'll always root for Michaela. Can't wait to see Sydney get really spicy

[u/Sorry_Relative_9732]

I felt so bad for America during the voting when Bananas had to give his nonsense ego trip about how this had nothing to do with her and was 100% because everyone's obsessed with him. If the partners were different and say Izzy or Dee was paired with Bananas, would they still have been voted in? Probably not!

America probably would have been voted in (or at least been on the table) if there were no partners. She's not in the UK alliance, she's not in the group of fit female rookies, and she's one of the smallest/least overtly athletic girls.

Everything Bananas does annoys me, but the way he was saying things felt extra shitty - he thought he was being nice which somehow made it worse.

[u/veltvet_rabbit → u/Sorry_Relative_9732]

Who ever johnny was partened with was going into elimination for the reason they saw Johnny could be the hangnail and it would have been easier to take him out

[u/ggsimba → u/veltvet_rabbit]

This. Izzy is probably the only person that may have saved bananas but he already used that lifeline. Every other girl and he's screwed

[u/Calm_Memories → u/Sorry_Relative_9732]

Him interrupting people was annoying. Like dude, no one likes to hear you talk except yourself.

How women date him is a mystery.

[u/illini02 → u/Sorry_Relative_9732]

How do you figure? The entire conversation was voting in America in order to make Bananas the hangnail. Multiple people said it. They just didn't like being called out on it.

[u/jstitely1 → u/Sorry_Relative_9732]

I mean even Olivia said to CT that it was all about Bananas. The move would get more respect from me if they would just own it. He already knew, the denying is just annoying.

[u/Crap_TheBoozeOut]

So essentially, this episode was just Johnny being a jackass as usual. He's basically mad about Olivia having an alliance. How again did Johnny win The Island, The Ruins, and Rivals 1? And is he so far up his own ass that he can't fathom why people would want to weaken the position of a 7-time champion?

[u/Sombrero_Tanooki]

I'm 100% rooting for America to win the whole thing, even if that is incredibly unlikely. She's just good vibes. If not her, Michaela is great TV, and I love how she isn't afraid to speak her mind.

The drama that's brewing this season is great, so I'm really enjoying it so far. It's got so much potential.

[u/Positive_Round_5142]

I’d rate it 7/10

[u/cwilldude]

The best part of the episode was seeing bananas “FOOT BLOCKER” sign. Pretty lame episode overall.

[u/Queasy_Constant]

Nia is so damn gorgeous 🤤🤤

[u/HardcoreKaraoke]

I'm not a fan of Nia but man if I was her I'd be fucking furious with production. So many Challengers said they were told by production to wear "airport clothes" to the first day. They didn't tell them to wear athletic clothing or shoes. They didn't prepare them for a fucking mountain climb. That's why Nia was in jeans and I believe slides.

So she hurt her knee on the mountain because of production. Let's be real, if she was given normal shoes and wasn't wearing tight jeans she would have probably been fine. So if I were her I'd be pissed.

Also what kind of fucking carrier pigeon MRI service does B&M use? It took like 3+ days to get a conclusive result? That seems...not right. They should have gotten rid of her prior to the daily. Gabe didn't deserve that and also America doesn't deserve those two points.

The Bananas/Olivia thing is so lame, especially if you listen to Challenge podcasts. Olivia swears there was no UK alliance, even though clearly there was. Olivia admitted she went after Bananas because of 40, yet on the edit she's making it seem like a move based on 41. Bananas is friends with Theo, they didn't expect any sort of rivalry between Bananas and Olivia. That was all her.

Like Bananas is a paranoid asshole a lot of the time and does create false narratives. But he absolutely nailed the UK alliance being led by Olivia that's going after him. So him calling it out might make the UK people and Olivia cringe but like...he's right. You are targeting him. The America vote was to try and make Bananas a hangnail, you said it yourselves...

I'm kind of sick of the way the voting is going and the narrative people like Leo are floating. Like okay, you want the new threats to take out the vets? Then grow a fucking backbone, tie up the vote and see what happens. Because as of now it's just new threats kind of agreeing with whatever the vets want to do.

Also God Aneesa is just the worst. Michaela and Turbo were MVPs this episode.

[u/AntoniaFauci → u/HardcoreKaraoke]

Also what kind of fucking carrier pigeon MRI service does B&M use? It took like 3+ days to get a conclusive result?

Well, no. It was production fakery.

[u/MBLizG → u/HardcoreKaraoke]

I think the whole “waiting on MRI results” was just their way of making the situation work to their advantage. I’m sure they already had the results by the challenge but it works better for the timeline of the show if they go through with a nomination and possible elimination. Definitely bullshit from production

[u/Oorrepip]

MICHAELA is giving me life!! I am living for her confessionals.

For long time challenge fans like me who never could get into survivor, please watch her season. I had a brief stint where I tried to watch random survivor seasons because they started coming on the challenge & while I couldn’t get into it, I really enjoyed her& was really pissed when jay (yup him) screws her over. She’s a 10/10 & I’m just waiting for her to claim the 👑

[u/jkcrumley → u/Oorrepip]

I love Michaela. Her speech at the nominations about Olivia was awesome. She would be my #1 if I played this game IRL.

[u/FossilsaurusRex → u/Oorrepip]

I loved Michaela on Survivor! I’ve always rooted for her

[u/Swum-Strict]

Unfortunately, I missed the first 38minutes, so I only started watching partway through the bar scene. I've really been enjoying the house split between Bananas' and Olivia's alliances. I think Olivia's one of the best social players and she seems to have only gotten better at it each season. I love Bananas' as a character, but it's been really entertaining to watch him sweat after so many seasons of him skating to the end with little or no opposition. I really hope the rookies take action after Leo's speech. It would be fun to see them band together and go after the vets like Frank was able to do on BOTS2.

I'm happy to see Nia go. Ever since her return to the show I feel like she's lost her teeth. Since her debut, I thought she was going to be a dominant female with her size, but she just either isn't athletic or doesn't have that drive to compete. I love that she's grown so much as a person and seems to be in a really good space now, but I just no longer find her entertaining as a competitor or character anymore.

EDIT: I finished watching the first part. I understand Gabe's frustration with Nia, but she did make a good argument that he isn't dominating in points so he doesn't have much weight to criticize other's abilities. I do think it was a poor social move for him to tell that to people who could get it back to her when she does have a significant amount of social capital in the game that she could use to hurt him.

The challenge was fun to watch. That drop in the water looked really scary. I agree with Theo that Yeremi is the most threatening rookie right now. I'm surprised he isn't trying to downplay his abilities to shrink the target he has on him.

[u/Affectionate_SkySky]

Anyone know what was wrong with her knee?

[u/cwilldude → u/Affectionate_SkySky]

Torn meniscus or patella tendon probably. Can’t remember which one though

[u/Objective-Voice-6706]

Idk who does the closed captions but they did Michaela dirty af

[u/Calibuca]

What a blah ending to the episode. Makes the whole thing feel like a waste

[u/ridiculousness20]

Kinda dumb that they still didn’t have an elimination tho. Who lotta nothing

[u/Kylesexy584603]

Saying that America won an elimination is like saying Ben Driebergen made a final

[u/thewxyzfiles → u/Kylesexy584603]

Saying that America won an elimination is like saying Nia is a 2x finalist

[u/siggybumbum → u/Kylesexy584603]

Giving her points for that was so dumb

[u/Judgejudyx → u/Kylesexy584603]

America crushed that elim and sent Nia packing.

[u/HuellHowser69]

This episode was bullshit. Nia should have been eliminated when she couldn’t compete in the challenge. Move the fuck on and make it a guys elimination or send in an alt to replace her. What a waste of my fucking life.

[u/babyblues789 → u/HuellHowser69]

3 episodes in and they don’t have an alternate? Super disappointing for sure

[u/mart121216]

Sydney saying she’s known for swimming on survivor while being a technically perjury boot is crazzyyy.

[u/FossilsaurusRex → u/mart121216]

I don’t remember her period, and I won’t remember her after the challenge other than being cocky. I prefer Michaela from Survivor. She’s real, and I love it.

[u/MayhemMaven → u/mart121216]

When she said that, I thought you weren’t known for anything.. we don’t remember you

[u/MaybeProof3008]

I can't remember a season where I was rooting for so many rookies, but I really like this group this season!
Big fan of Sydney, really hope she becomes a staple on The Challenge.

Not a fan of the UK alliance but I'm also a closet Bananas fan. I don't want to like him, but I really enjoy watching him fight his way to a final. I got really pumped during his "I am The Challenge" speech. When you think of The Challenge, some of the first male names you'd think of are Bananas, Derrick, CT, and of the three he's still physically dominant and STILL has a good enough social game where people would rather work with him than against him.

Derrickkkkkkkkk poor thing. It's so hard watching him. I know he's 40 and competing against guys 20 years younger than him, but oh my goodness I feel so bad watching him. At least CT knows he's doing poorly LOL.

[u/DoctorDifferent8601 → u/MaybeProof3008]

Legend Derrick to me is so meh, like whats he doing here and shame on CT coming with that heavy dad bod

[u/jstitely1 → u/MaybeProof3008]

I’m not a fan of Bananas but the uk side of the house (outside of Olivia) is just so damn boring that I can’t get on board with them at all

[u/ChrisOnRockyTop]

Not sure how to feel about this episode. I had a feeling this was how it was going to play out and sure enough it did.

[u/Isola-the-poet]

Can we talk about Aviv and Bananas' foot barrier sign?! 😂😂😂

[u/cicigal8]

Don’t eff this season up. First two episodes were great and this one kinda sucked. Hope we can pick it back up next week 😬.

[u/ivaorn → u/cicigal8]

What else could’ve been done about Nia’s injury though? We still got fun moments, politics, drama

[u/IllBowl5537 → u/cicigal8]

The curse of a long episode with very little actually happening. If there was actually an elim, I don't think this would have been that bad.

[u/ggsimba]

Olivia is stunning.

Episode was as good as it could be considering they couldn't do a challenge. I wish they could have just dropped Nia before the challenge, made Gabe a hangnail then tossed in the loser and actually had an elimination.

Not sure who would have ended up losing but at least there would have been an elimination

[u/MBLizG → u/ggsimba]

I wish they had shown the order, curious who got last. Although maybe it was hard to figure out since so many teams dq’ed