Dueling Idiots: Week 5

On MTV’s Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Duel 2 it is often tough to find contestants you actually want to cheer for. In the first 5 weeks of this challenge I’ve been blessed with two worthy folks in Ruthie (RW: Hawaii) and Isaac (RW: Sydney). Damn you all to hell MTV they are now both gone and I’m left with a show full of backstabbing jackasses.

Foreshadowing can be a bitch and purposeful foreshadowing even more so. As the group celebrated Brad (RW: San Diego) and Eric’s (Fresh Meat) birthdays, Isaac passed out and was violated. Superboy-Prime Landon (RW: Philly) swooped in and cut Isaac’s big toenail that he had been growing for weeks. When Isaac discovered this he vowed vengeance and I just knew my man crush was heading home. Thankfully Isaac went out with a verbal bang. His choice to make this all about the toenail was inspired. Clearly he knew he’d never make it to the final given the clique of folks in charge of the game so he figured he’d go out Isaac-style and take on Landon in The Duel. It was close for a bit but being that Isaac does not have super strength and can’t fly, Landon eventually prevailed. While I’ll miss him I’m glad Isaac went out on his terms.

Unfortunately the same can’t be said for his partner Ruthie. Predictably she was thrown into The Duel after refusing to play the kiss ass game and for just being an intimidating competitor to the other girls. Ruthie smartly chose racist, twig, and rookie Kimberly (RW: Hollywood) but then forgot to bring her brains to the event. Kimberly outsmarted Ruthie, first time for everything, and soundly beat her. One wonders if her heart just wasn’t in it after seeing Isaac lose, but either way it was a damn sad thing to see.

Other quick observations on this week:

• I would bet there’s some footage on the editing floor where Kim tries to figure out, “what Ruthie is” ethnicity wise.

• Kudos to Brad (RW: San Diego) and Tori (RR: Viewer’s Revenge) for recognizing how ridiculous the game is and also their argument about following “the list” or not. While I gave them crap for forming a relationship founded on a challenge show, I was really impressed last night.

• If I have to cheer for someone, I guess I’m pulling for old man Mark (RR: Season 1). While he may old enough to be some of these kids father, I’m really enjoying him kicking ass old school style.

• Evan (Fresh Meat) is still an ass but watching him drop Diem (Fresh Meat) after she jibber-jabbered during the challenge was by far the best moment of the ep.