With that it's the first Blue versus Black challenge. Each team will have to lift their team-colored banner to the top of a building. A very tall building. And they'll be doing it from the roof. The team that wins today's challenge gets letters from home, which is exciting to everyone. O'Neal gets to pick which team he wants to be on, and chooses Blue to be with Sunshine. The Blue Team is thought to have a great advantage. Indeed, they have a whole bunch of strong guys pulling on a rope. The Black Team seems to be working well as a unit, though, and start to catch up to Blue. The grit! The determination! The grimacing in slow motion! But then, not so much. The Blue Team wins by at least six stories. The Black Team is bitter and sad.

The Blue Team open their letters and there is sobbing and happiness. Lance gets a photo album with pictures of his kids. Miggy learns that her fiancé has lost 30 pounds. Michael gets a photo of himself at his thinnest from his friend Francesca. Daris also hears from a friend, and is touched by all the supportive people cheering for him at home. O'Neal hears from his son, who sends a funny card. The Blue Team bonds in their happiness and invincibility.

And then, it's my least favorite time on the show: visits with Dr. H. We get to hear how the contestants' inner ages have changed. My cat, Nula, hates this part, too, and just jumped off the couch and coughed up a hairball to indicate her unhappiness. Ashley learns that her current real age is 49, rather than the 57 it was seven weeks ago. That's still not close to her actual age of 27, but things are looking up. Sam's previous real age was 51 (as opposed to his actual age of 23). Now his inner age is 46. Sam had to stop smoking and drinking. Smoking is bad for you, but I think drinking actually promotes health. This is something I need to believe, so don't email me to tell me different. Red wine! Antioxidants! Etc.

Then we're back in the gym for the last chance workout. Jillian tells us that she has to do everything possible because all the odds are stacked against her team. Maybe she's actually wearing a full-on wig in those interviews. Whatever it is, I want it. Bob doesn't want his team to be a victim of its own hubris, which has happened in seasons past. Jillian is playing every trick she has, including some judo maneuvers. If they lose, she wants them to do it knowing that they've given their all and the situation was just impossible. The Black Team sure is motivated, and are working hard and well.