Spoiler Alert: Do not read if you haven't yet watched Part 1 of NBC's The Biggest Loser Season 14 Premiere.
After an action-packed and emotional two-hour premiere Sunday night, NBC's The Biggest Loser returned with the dreaded second week, a week historically plagued by frustrating plateaus after the dramatic dips seen on the scale after the first few days at the ranch.
While the stars of Sunday night's episode may have been Sunny, Lindsay and Biingo, Jillian Michaels took center stage during Monday's show. All three trainers brought their teams to custom-designed outdoor workout centers, where Jillian's intensity boiled over, as she told her team she'd never had a team get so "womped" and that it looked like there'd be another contestant from the white team sent home at the second weigh in. While her loyal fans tweeted their desire to train with such an intense motivator, Jillian's Biggest Loser contestants weren't equally moved. "I'm terrified of Jillian, the intensity she can bring is paralyzing," said Pam, 43, an executive assistant from New York City. One of the most unintentionally telling moments came when Pam, nearly giving up on her workout, said to Jillian, "I can't even finish the bear claws." "A bear claw is a donut," said Jillian. "A bear crawl is an exercise."
The contestants then met with Dr. Robert Huizenga, who, in no way parsing his speech, discussed many of the health risks linked to obesity, including sleep apnea, diabetes and clogged and stiffening arteries.
Next, it was time for a football-inspired challenge, with the sweetly inspiring Antonio Gates, an 8-time NFL pro-bowler with the San Diego Chargers. The contestants had to compete with their teams in four various events testing speed, agility and strength for a prize for one of the teens losing weight along with this season of the show. The winning team's teen will receive a visit from their favorite NFL player at school, as well as $5,000 for their school from the NFL's Play60 campaign to encourage kids to move more.
Speaking of the kids -- we found out in Part 1 that they wouldn't be weighed or eliminated, but that doesn't mean they won't be evaluated. All three were put to the test, asked to complete a number of fitness tasks to exhaustion or in a certain period of time and compared to the scores of children their age at healthy weights, including sit ups in one minute and a timed mile run. (Biingo, who showed up with a broken foot from an unlucky fall in a game of basketball, was excused from the run.)
When it came time to face the scale, many of the contestants feared the new "red line" automatic elimination system and the infamous week 2 curse, although most seemed to escape its wrath. And even though Jeff didn't lose any weight this week, it was hard-working Nate who was ultimately sent home. Even Jillian, who had been so hostile earlier in the episode, couldn't help but get teary-eyed at the departure come too soon. "He's a pleasure," she said of Nate, and reassured him he would be fine. "I couldn't have asked for a better trainer, or a better human being," he replied. A snippet of Nate's life after the show reveals that he's since lost 60 pounds and gained the confidence to propose to his girlfriend. (She said yes.) He plans to lose nearly another 60 before the two tie the knot.
Did you watch? What do you think of the new season so far? Tell us in the comments!