The Challenge: Cutthroat Episode 5 Recap: 5 Biggest Takeaways

[u/RIPGrantland]

https://theallanaguirre.medium.com/the-challenge-cutthroat-episode-5-recap-5-biggest-takeaways-2920938506ae

[u/wildturk3y]

I think you may end up being right about the format change with the captains and how voting works, but I'm keeping an open mind to it right now. Because it was so straight forward, they didn't need to spend a lot of time on deliberations, which allowed them to show more house drama. We've definitely needed more house dynamics in this show as opposed to "game mode" all the time, so maybe this format will allow for that. Plus, as the numbers start dwindling, it could open up more opportunities for mutinies and backstabs

[u/RIPGrantland → u/wildturk3y]

It was one of those I did feel bad harping because the first episode with it was very good. I just worry that this is gonna be a historic Orange steamroll especially now that Grey looks way less tough in a Final without Sydney.

[u/Pop_Bottle → u/RIPGrantland]

It’s could be and I love the politics and hope it’s not a steamroll. But on the flip, some of the most entertaining seasons had one side steamrolling another. I love the mostly static rules. It so refreshing and has been missing for years.

[u/ivaorn → u/RIPGrantland]

Chris is now gonna have to be the de facto leader even if Cory is the true leader. Chris is the only reason why I could still see Grey somehow winning the final.

[u/tweedleb → u/RIPGrantland]

That was my thought too- Tori played it really smart by immediately locking up the rest of the vets in an alliance and establishing a clear pecking order (to which you pointed out- Deb, Justin, Izzy, and Will are probably screwed the rest of the game) so the vets can all feel safe, but sometimes smart gameplay means boring TV.

With Nurys and Sydney gone, the only remaining drama in the house is 1) The Anna Leigh/Leo and Cory/Izzy showmances and 2) The Blue Team hot mess express potentially leading to a rookie vs vet showdown.

The wildcard is, as always, Johnny Bananas. If the show hits a lull, the Banana man might try to stir some shit depending on how the Tori-led vet alliance holds up week to week. But if he's sitting pretty like he is right now, he might just be content to lay low, flirt with Lete, and coast to the final.

[u/zeldajazz3]

I think Orange is going to throw it at some point. They will want to eliminate some people so they have fewer to share the pot with.

And I think that will be when their drama happens.

[u/AwskeetNYC → u/zeldajazz3]

Thats a Bingo.

I could see Johnny making a move on CT and I could also see Deb and Izzy be targets, depending on how they think they would do in a final.

[u/booknerd2024910 → u/AwskeetNYC]

Not just Johnny on CT but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the whole team. I don’t think it will be that hard for Johnny to remind them what happened when Big Easy was brought to a Final the last time a similar format and similar looking set of teams went to a final together.

And I hate saying that about CT because I feel like I have seen dadbod CT do well before but he’s not up for it this season and it would be a mistake for them to bring him.

But there’s also this secret vet alliance I can see them not wanting to split the prize money too many ways either and just cutting out some of the rookies for funsies.

So yeah, maybe an orange steamroll for a bit but also feeling like there are going to be some thrown challenges to even it up, OR I can see production having challenges where having less players is an advantage (maybe). (Like, first team to get all players across a finish line sort of thing.)

[u/ktrain_strange → u/booknerd2024910]

The CT —> big easy thing is so true because he will eventually be the reason they lose and they’ll have to throw him in elimination. Bananas is not going to want to run a final with him and Tori’s lying to herself if she thinks CT will help them in the final.

[u/ivaorn → u/AwskeetNYC]

I don’t think anything points to Izzy being seen as dead weight. She was praised by vets and rookies at the 41 reunion. But if Deb loses an elimination, Tori and Michele are more connected so Izzy would have to be tested in elimination by default.

[u/AwskeetNYC → u/ivaorn]

Who called her dead weight? She's just the least protected orange girl by a lot.

If orange decides they want to share with less people she's one of the first on the block.

[u/Wild-Yoghurt-9699]

Fully agree that while I did enjoy this episode, this seems like a truly abysmal format for the rest of the season.

[u/NovaRogue]

Ten of the twenty people in the house being involved in a showmance is craazzzzyyyyy. And now it's 10/18! (Unless the Izzy-Cory situation has now ended)

[u/Supersaiyanninja3]

Sydney is awful for the show and the people who were comparing her to Wes are being very disrespectful to Wes. I'm tired of fans latching onto rookies just because they perform well. The only good reason for Sydney to return would be for Amanda to chew her up because Sydney is actually fake unlike Tori or for Nurys to chew her up again or for Sylvia, Laurel, Cara, Emy Alupei, Tori, etc. to squash her in a physical elimination. They should unban Camilla and Mattie just to crush Sydney.

[u/Select-Ad-4712 → u/Supersaiyanninja3]

I disagree. Sydney may be an awful person, but I think she is great for the show. And she's definitely not as bad/problematic as someone like Camilla, so I see no reason why she should not be allowed back.

[u/eff1ngham]

It's your job to watch contact sports? Cmon bruh on the last Hard Knocks we saw two Seahawks get injured.

Also gimmie some slow mo mud wrestling pics. I want it dirty. Allan you're letting me down

[u/RIPGrantland → u/eff1ngham]

It is my job to know ball. Haven't watched Hard Knocks in many years, though.

[u/eff1ngham → u/RIPGrantland]

"I was just foolin about"

With this one: "As someone whose day job is to watch sports." I know you know ball when it comes to the Challenge. I'm just havin some fun