Recapping The Challenge: Frank's Departure

Adam Hatlak, one of our writers here is as big of a Challenge fans as I am. We want to expand our coverage a bit so we are doing a recap blog post on Friday. He will basically have three to five takeaways each week talking about things that happened on The Challenge.

Somewhat of a slow episode this week which happens from time to time with The Challenge seasons, but there are some things worth talking about.  

Frank: We touched on this last week, but I'm sad to see Frank go. I mentioned that he seemed to be much more calm this past season, but it really didn't set in until I saw a clip on the After Show (commercial during basketball) where a few of his cast mates said it was karma, and they showed a montage of how Frank had treated people the past few seasons. I think this was a new and improved Frank this season, and due to the shape he was in, he could have won it if he was healthy.

The Draw: With Frank gone, TJ said there would be four draw cards, but only three people drawing cards. If nobody flipped a kill card, everyone was safe, if someone drew a kill card, an elimination would still take place. I'm definitely skeptical about that one. I'd wager that if that fourth card was flipped, it too would be blank. They don't want to deal with an imbalance of guys/girls for the rest of the season. Since Frank's elimination happened so quickly, I wouldn't have been opposed to seeing Dustin come back, since their elimination round was so recent. (First, I haven't watch yet, but I wouldn't have minded Dustin back either even though I don't really like him seeing as he added drama to the house with the whole Jessica relationship. It would have been good TV. - CT) 

Production: Something seems to be missing this season. It's been a good season, but slightly lackluster. It seems like the episodes are incredibly short, and there is not much action. They could have built the drama of Frank leaving a bit better, as it seemed like we just found out he wasn't feeling better, but that he was going to try to stay, but then he had to leave.  It all happened so sudden. Additionally, I think it's a mistake to not have huge team challenges right now. One of my favorite aspects of the Free Agents twist was that it could be a reminder of the older challenges where there were teams of 10-12 people. Instead they've still been splitting people up which doesn't get you a great read on how good these players are because their teammates could be the ones dragging them down. 

Charlie.