Upside Down and Inside Out

You know why this young season has been exciting so far? Everything feels familiar yet slightly off kilter. For example, who would have guessed that Evan would be afraid to jump off the ledge? Or that Tyler would similarly freeze? Or that Evelyn and Paula would win back to back Challenges? And while crazy CT is (finally) back, it was interesting watching him take a backseat to all the histrionics.

Watching the dynamics play out between old foes and new teammates has been fantastic. Like Theresa and Camila said during their interview, this format will likely create deeper bonds between the rivals. It's pretty astounding how quickly former enemies will band together versus everyone else. Just last season, Theresa was bitching Camila out for really no reason, and now she's getting up in other people's faces to protect her favorite Brazilian. I don't see any sort of bad blood between each pair -- excepting arguably CT/Adam, who are spiritually on different sides but physically kicking everyone's ass.

And what about Laurel? For some reason she seems to have tapped out of the game during the past two weeks. She's incommunicative, she sulks in the her bedroom or on a couch, and hasn't really taken control of the game as we know she's capable of. Where's the Laurel that was schemeing in a notebook from WK1? I mean, she's not even getting drunk and making out, what gives? After their WK3 Jungle victory, I'm really curious if Laurel and Cara Maria will overcome their big sister / little sister relationship and Laurel will grow to appreciate CM's strengths.

Let's talk a bit about Theresa and Camila's "let's pretend to quit, then fight" ploy. I was starting to get angry that Theresa was thinking of quitting. See, I've recently developed a crush on her and didn't want her to go out like a loser. Seeing Theresa give up after barely a slight was too much for me. As it turned out, she and Camila were just trying to game everyone. Brilliant! Except they were facing off versus, arguably, the top female team in the competition.

The question they raised though was deep: is it better to really quit or to pretend to quit, fight, and then lose anyway? I wish they had tried this tactic versus someone more susceptible to letting their guard down. While Laurel and CM did kind of fall for it, they are too good at the Challenge to be taken by this sort of strategy. I do applaud Theresa and Camila for trying something to give them a bit of an edge.

I really do think Paula was right, that throwing in two strong teams will give her and Evelyn a much better chance to win. So yes, that's the most surprising thing from the season so far: Paula is running shit. Let me say that again: Paula is using logic and running shit.

Hey Katelynn, you are "deathly afraid of heights and don't do well with water?" Why are you on this show again? And seriously, way to swim hard guys. Mike is wailing, coughing blood, got kneed in the nuts, initially goes the wrong way, and he still outswims Brandon, Ty, and Leroy. That's pathetic guys. Learn to doggy paddle or something. Mike is officially my new favorite male after his ridiculous crying sounds. I don't know if he had any actual tears but he should get some bonus points just for that pathetic whimper.

Points we should be adding next season: blurcle, blood, and reading the clue. We woulda racked up some major ones this episode! I can't wait for episode four, otherwise known as "When the guys try to screw CT and he eats their faces off anyway."