This is the eighth in a series of “The Challenge: Rivals 2″ team previews that will lead into the first power rankings of the season. Next up: on to the men teams
SARAH and TRISHELLE
Where did we last see them? Both Sarah and Trishelle were last seen courageously competing and eventually losing in the finale of Battle of the Seasons to upstarts on Team San Diego.
The Rivalry: On Battle of the Seasons, some tensions flared up when Sarah’s fleeting flirtation with Alton caused Trishelle to be leery of Sarah’s true intentions. Like the professional poker player that she is, Trishelle had to make a strategic assessment of Sarah, and, in my opinion, she wrongly diagnosed her as manipulative and conniving. This led to one (maybe it was the edit?) contentious conversation that has now become a RIVALRY!
Rivalry Meter on a scale of 1-10 (where 1 is a Leroy and Mike from Rivals I “Rivalry? They’re actually really good friends” rivalry and 10 is a Kenny and Wes from Rivals I “they have hated each other for years” RIVALRY) – 3, best Rivals I comparison: Cara Maria and Laurel
Highlights and Commentary from MTV bio:
“Sometimes opposites attract, but that’s hardly the case with these two savvy vets.”
“Savvy vets” is my line, but no worries.
“SoCal surfer girl Sarah is the picture of kindness and Zen, while Trishelle is a whirling dervish of drama that knows no boundaries.”
Whether accurate (in part) or not (more just strange), way to hit up the written word, MTV Bio writers! Sarah is the “picture of kindness and Zen” and continues to be a competitor we all can root for. A “whirling devish” is apparently a “dervish whose ecstatic actions include ecstatic actions and dancing” and, in case you also did not know what a “dervish” is, a dervish is “an ascetic Muslim monk noted for devotional exercises involving bodily movements.” With that in mind, Trishelle is apparently a “whirling dervish of drama” and this makes little to no sense.
“Sarah explains, ‘After seeing the way she handles conflict, I get why we’re rivals. We are polar opposites.’”
Sarah just gets it. These two are not the most natural of pairings, but I think their differences could be an asset to this partnership.
“While most folks see Sarah as a comforting, mature presence in the house, Trishelle isn’t buying her nice-girl act, noting, ‘What rubs me the wrong way about Sarah is that she’s so upbeat in a very weird way that I think is phony.’”
This feels a little like production was fishing for a little conventional drama and Trishelle (“the whirling dervish” of it, apparently) knows how to deliver. Most people do see Sarah as a “comforting, mature presence in the house” and Trishelle will be able to recognize and appreciate how Sarah’s more above board game methodology has its clear benefits.
“Rivals II marks Sarah’s seventh Challenge and she is determined to change her fate and finally notch a win, but look for Trishelle to make a shocking decision that sends ripples through the entire game.”
What shocking decision doth though speak of? Of the many tidbits collected in these women bios, perhaps this is the most titillating. What type of shocking decision “sends ripples through the entire game?” and even more so, how does this effect Sarah? I could not be more ready for next Wednesday night.
“Can these two put their animosity aside? Or will Sarah’s Challenge curse rear its ugly head one more time?”
I wouldn’t exactly call it a “Challenge curse.” She has made it to a few finals, she was unluckily paired with Vinny (a completely wasted Exes season) and Katelynn (not the strongest of partners on Rivals), and has competed her heart out otherwise. Yes, they can put their animosity side and let us hope that Sarah’s seventh Challenge leads to her first win.
Best-Case Scenario: After a strong showing for both on Battle of the Seasons, a finals trip and an opportunity for a win is very much in play.
Worst-Case Scenario: Trishelle’s “shocking decision” forces a premature end to their game somehow.
The Verdict: Sarah could not be more due for a win, and, after many years away from these festivities, Trishelle has come back all the wiser. This tandem has endless potential and is in a good position, with potential alliances and challenge success in mind, to have a long run in this game. One thing remains clear – Sarah will give all of herself to make it happen and if she again falls short, it won’t be from a lack of effort, class, or grace.
Other team previews:
David J. Bloom can be reached on twitter @davidbloom7 and writes about MTV’s “The Challenge,” pop culture, and the NBA for Bishop and Company. His weekly “The Challenge: Rivals 2” power rankings will begin the week of July 10.
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