Next week is the season finale of this run of The Biggest Loser. But before we can get there, they had to perform the hardest task of their entire lives; a full 26.2 mile marathon. All this while spending 30 days at home. But this isn't the going home before the finale trip. This 30 days culminated in another weigh in before the finale. And the revelation that only three of the final four would be competing for the quarter of a million dollars.I've really found myself enjoying the gameplay this season, especially the Ronfather's maneuvering to keep his son Mike in the game. The fact that he somehow managed to keep himself in the game to this point is equally astonishing. In fact, considering his extensive injuries and the sheer number of times he's fallen below the yellow line, I think we need to give him credit for being one of the shrewdest players in the game. But let's look at all four of our finalists.
Helen ("The Spirit")
Helen is the wild card and has been since the beginning. It was odd to me when she and her daughter chose her to stay instead of Shanon, but I guess competitively, it was the right move. It just didn't make sense considering that Shanon had already gone home once and wasn't doing nearly as well as Helen in the weight loss department. That said, Helen has a tremendous spirit and has found a joyous love of life that is fun to watch. She's so small now that she could surprise everyone with an upset victory, as her raw numbers can be so much smaller to pull big percentages.
Ron ("The Mastermind")
What can you say about Ron? Even at the end, when he and Mike both fell below the yellow line and had to plead to America which one of them should compete in the finale, he was pushing for his son. Ron is carrying a tremendous amount of guilt over the obesity of both his sons, and this is his way of trying to make up some of that to Mike, by doing everything he can to help Mike win and turn both of their lives around.
Mike ("The Heart")
Mike is one of the most compassionate players in the game. He gave away his dream vacation and grocery prizes. He's definitely got the drive to try and win the top prize, but he wouldn't have made it this far without the Ronfather watching his back. Of course, at 18 he should have his dad behind him. The fact that he's now committed to helping brother Max also lose weight shows that he has a good heart and is always thinking of others. It's a tremendous thing to see in someone so young. He's definitely a sentimental favorite to try and win.
Tara ("The Drive")
Tara is a machine. She had no one on her side and people have wanted her out of the competition since the beginning. Her relentless drive in every challenge has lead her to a ridiculous amount of victories. I know people don't like her online, but I've never understood why. She wants it so bad you can feel it, and I don't even know if its the money as much as it's just the self-confidence she's found in herself. Tara's my pick to win, and according to Alison she's the one to beat right now. She's still heavy enough that she could put up some big final numbers if she keeps her focus and doesn't allow her own mind to sabotage her progress.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-07-2009 @ 2:22PM
JPN said...
Ron is scum. He lied right to Kristin's face about not knowing that Mike was going to vote her off for no reason other than to save face. He obviously thought his off-camera (but on-microphone!) conversation wouldn't be on the show. It's not Survivor, so why lie? I mean it's great he cares so much for his son but that was just unnecessary.
I'd love for Helen to win, and I think I want Tara to win (3 women in a row!) but I hope Mike wins. Could be really cool.
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5-07-2009 @ 2:45PM
jesouhaite said...
I've been rooting for Tara since day 1, so she would be my first choice to win but I definitely would still be happy if either Helen or Mike won.
Though Ron has overcome a lot to get into the final 4, I don't think that he deserves it. He just comes off as too manipulative where as the other 3 genuinely seem like amazing and genuine people.
All I know that I am much happier with this final four than I was with last years. I was so happy that Michelle won since she was the only one with heart.
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5-07-2009 @ 3:35PM
SadOldMan said...
Ron is a dirtbag. Tara is a machine. Love, love, love Tara.
I hope Ron was voted in as the people's choice for the third finalist. He'll lose, and the brown team goes down the drain.
I could take Helen winning.
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5-07-2009 @ 3:41PM
Barkin said...
1. Ron's manipulation is, um, manipulative. But it's for the sake of his 18 year old son. That's a huge contrast with last season, when the manipulators were in it for the money.This time, it's a dad trying to do what's best for his kid. I don't think it's fair to fault Ron for that. Did he do right by Kristin? Maybe not. But he did it for Mike, so I think it's ultimately forgivable.
2. Helen annoys the crap out of me. She seems like a remarkably self-centered human being, and she has continuously made decisions in the game out of respect for game play and for protecting her own ass. Again, this is reality TV, so I don't think you can fault her for that. But that doesn't mean I have to like her. I just think her "spirit of life" routine is a load. She's in it to win it just like the rest of them. She sent her daughter down river early on and she always chose to vote off her biggest threat. (I can't get that scene out of my head where Helen is telling Tara how fun it is for her to "have the power.") So I guess I put her and Ron in the same boat. They both play the game, and they both got as far as they did as a result. Which brings me to...
3. Mike and Tara have both gotten this far on hard work, and on behaving like human beings. Tara doesn't get too caught up in the game... she just works hard. Mike is selfless and likable. They've both come the furthest, and are in the best position to really change their lives. So that's why (a) I placed my vote for Mike over Ron, and (b) I hope Mike or Tara kicks Helen's butt.
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5-07-2009 @ 5:58PM
deebopalula said...
I agree with you on most points (except that I like Helen) but ultimately I'd like it to come down to Mike and Tara. I love how vulnerable they both let themselves be throughout this experience and they both grew as a result.
Maybe the difference between Ron/Helen and Mike/Tara is the difference between age/life experience and youth/naievety. The former led the players to incorporate shrewdness into the game, the latter led Mike and Tara into giving 150% in order to win outright.
"Tara is a machine" is so definitive of Tara's performance that it's almost like a mantra and I'd love it if she wore a t-shirt with that slogan in the finale! The only reason I voted for Mike in the above poll is because Tara must have accumulated so many prizes by basically winning nearly every challenge, but in actuality, I'm not sure how far ahead she came out in those terms so at the end of the day, may the best young man or young lady win!
5-07-2009 @ 10:32PM
starky22 said...
Helen annoys me no end. She's totally "over the top" with the melodrama, not to mention totally manipulative to keep herself in the game. As for Ron, it's admirable that he loves his son and wants to do right by him, but in becoming the voice of reason, he saved his own butt as well. He lost my respect when he lied to Bob and Allison about his involvement in getting Kristen ousted. I'd be okay if Mike won, because he's truly worked hard, but I've admired Tara from Day 1, and really hope she wins it all. She stayed focused all the way through and deserves the big prize.
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5-09-2009 @ 12:11AM
Darlene said...
Ron should win
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5-07-2009 @ 11:56PM
Darlene said...
Wouldn't everyone be surprised when Ron wins. I know he wants his son to win, but Ron has been steadfast at losing weight. He has gone through hell trying, most of his life, to lose weight. He had his mouth wired shut, for God sakes. Diet's and had gastric by-pass done. he feels guilt for leading his son's down the fat path! Now he just wants them to be healthy, and not have to go through what he has. He has a bad knee and shoulder, and is still there.
That count's for something. He is there for himself as well.
Why can't someone be selfish for once in there lives. He has probably been eating to cover up his feelings, we overweight people know what that's all about.
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5-08-2009 @ 10:59AM
Lynn said...
I get a strong feeling from Ron that he'll go back to his old unhealthy ways once the show airs. He played the "game" for his son. In all his responses he points completely to Mike. He is never emphatic about what the show has done for HIM, only Mike. Commendable, but sad.
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5-08-2009 @ 11:10AM
Jacq said...
Tara should win it all. Her drive and determination has been a true inspiration for me. I've rooted for her throughout the whole show and I'm not stopping now. Go Tara!!
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5-08-2009 @ 1:29PM
C. Hernandez said...
"I don't even know if its the money as much as it's just the self-confidence she's found in herself."
Please. Tara doesn't have self confidence. Every week is "Can I do this?! I don't think I can!! ... OMG, I did it...Oh Noes! I ate pita chips -- FAIL!!"
I admire the in-challege drive that keeps her winning, but I can't stand her.
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