Unbelievable

I got a chance to watch the Fresh Meat 2 finale with Yasmine and Kim last week. Despite the week day and a late hour, they sucked it up and we tore through both the final episode and the reunion. I think we all know who won at this point and I have to say that Landon (and Carley) totally deserved it. Nobody else had to go through more, nobody else got screwed over more often, and nobody else almost died on an Exile.

What is intriguing at this moment is who'll return for the next Challenge. As you've no doubt noticed, the reunion show only had maybe two thirds of the cast. While most of the missing members were kicked off early, it seemed like this was a likely preview of what was to come next season. We could sense the newbies trying to stir up drama and make a spot for themselves for the next run. Case in point: Mandi going crazy on Wes and calling his ass out for being weak sauce during their Exile. Mandi really wasn't part of the show at all -- aside from being reamed by Jenn's tirade -- but this showing might have locked her up for next season.

Other surefire returnees: Carley, Pete, and Vinny. Other than that, I think maybe Noor, outside shot Theresa, and someone random like Sandy or Luke. And I hope Cara Maria returns but I highly doubt it.

For some reason, every girl seems to hate Laurel. While I sort of sideways knew this before, seeing Kim and Yasmine rag on her in person was an eye opener. And then when George confirmed that she found Laurel totally annoying, I thought I was on a male island. Is Laurel really childish and immature? I don't see it really. I kind of like her haughty do-all attitude and making fun of the other girls. She's an absolute lock to return so it'll be interesting. And there's no way it'll be another partner challenge so Eve and Laurel can finally face off. They need another super powerful girl in the mix though -- Kim suggested Kelly Anne as a sleeper, which might be interesting.

Offically I'm sick of both Wes and Kenny. I'd say bring Evan back but I actually got kind of sick of him last season so maybe all three should be jettisoned. New blood MTV, we need new blood!

Did you see the Kenny/Wes 7-11 commercial? We thought it was a spoof at first but it's actually running in the real world! Like I saw it a few times after that night. I can't imagine either Kenny or Wes have enough cachet to pitch real products but here they were. Incredible!

Victor, do you remember us trying to figure out who this pair was in this photo (shown from reverse during the season teaser). We thought it was Wes and Mandi, thus confident they would go far. Instead it's Landon and Carley, virtual from behind and a far away angle body doubles!

It shows that maybe overanalyzing the trailers doesn't work out well, although that's the fun. I think the new make out and additional rules added a lot of fun to the game but maybe we can tweak it some more next round? To be discussed!

Oh right, before I forget, even though the official tally isn't out yet, it looks like HT takes another big win home. Two seasons in a row and in dominating fashion each time. The odds here are incalculable. I'm gonna need another From the Master's Mind part two. HT, I kowtow to your skills and am excited to dethrone you next time around. Rumors are George edged me out by a point for third place. What?! Am I really just bad at this game?