"No excuses", episode 2

Thoughts

The Mike issue is a weird one.

Firstly, Conda was obviously biased against him, for whatever odd reason. I remember very well seeing that thing last week where Mike called out, "Go, Tank!" in support of Jeremy, and Conda instantly took offence and started spouting off about how much she hated Mike.

Right off the bat I thought that was really odd in a few ways. Mike sounded quite sincere in his cheering, so I thought it was very strange that Conda would be mad about it. (Wouldn't you consider it a nice thing if someone cheered on your brother?) I did wonder a bit about Mike cheering for someone on the other team, but I took it at face value because you often do get individuals bonding with people that are supposed to be their competition, just because they hit it off as part of being in the house. So I really had to wonder what on earth Conda had against Mike. Based on her general bitchy demeanor whenever she was interacting with Mike, though, I would guess that the problem was at least 50% on her side. So far, I don't like her much (although I do think Jeremy seems really nice).

However, it was also clear that the Red Team as a whole thought Mike had been slacking off this week. And when your whole team thinks so, it's a big hint that maybe the problem is you and not them - very weird that Mike professed to have had no idea that people thought this way. So either the producers are manipulating people behind the scenes to create Teh Drama, or Mike is pretty clueless and in denial about a lot of things. (Or perhaps a combination of the two.) And if you're perceived as the slacker, that's generally the kiss of death if your team loses the weigh-in. So, Mike needs to work on his self-awareness and communication a helluva lot more. It is a real shame that he couldn't have built more of a relationship with Joe before leaving the ranch, although he seems to be doing fine at home. I also really hope he kicks the nicotine habit.

Also, about the 3.8% bet thing? Dumb. Ass. I'm with Buddy - clearly neither Kim nor Kimmy had ever watched the show. An average of 3.8% is a monumental ask at the best of times, but week freakin' TWO? No chance. And I can't believe Kim taunted Joe and Emily about it. Her competitive streak makes her kickass in the gym, which is great, but I think carrying it outside of the gym like that, it makes her kind of repellant.

Milestones achieved:

• Mark dropped below 275lbs, as predicted
  
• Megan dropped below 250lbs, as predicted
  
• Cassandra dropped below 225lbs, as predicted
  
• Buddy hit the 25lb mark of total loss, as predicted
  
• Joe moved from super-obese to morbidly obese, as predicted
  

Potential milestones for next week:

• Conda could drop below 275lbs
  
• Emily could drop below 250lbs
  
• Chris could drop below 225lbs
  
• Joe, Jeremy and Chism could hit the 25lb mark of total loss
  
• Buddy could move from super-obese to morbidly obese
  
• Chris could move from morbidly obese to clinically obese
  
• Kimmy could move from clinically obese to obese