The Biggest Loser

As the realities of a sequestered life on the ranch set in for the 13 remaining contestants, they are tempted by an opportunity to receive comfort and a touch of home. Presented with a room full of their favorite food items, the contestants learn the only way to read a letter from their loved ones back home is to eat from the array of high-calorie treats. Just like their new eating style, the two teams' physical challenge requires balance to cross a balance beam suspended over water.

The battle of the sexes continues as the 12 remaining contestants must overcome injuries and trainer disputes. Another food temptation tests their resolve; they have to decide if they want "the gravy train" or the next physical challenge, which requires the teams to travel up and down the aisle of a moving railroad train.

The teams hit the road for the ultimate temptation town: Las Vegas, where the trainers teach skills for a hotel stay ranging from eating right when confronted with a buffet, to finding ways to workout within their hotel rooms. A card game that offers the chance to win up to $5,000 comes with high stakes - losing their trainer for the rest of the week. The team challenge for the opportunity to choose who sits out at the next weigh-in and to win a return trip to Vegas with their families consists of a relay race in the hotel swimming pool.

A team's spirit drops as its number dwindles, and their trainer hopes a pep talk from a surprise visitor from the past can make a change. However, even the effect of the visit on the team can't prevent a storm of personality clashes, which boosts the confidence of the opposing side.

The miserable performance of one team during previous weekly challenges spurs them to not only work harder during work outs, but to work harder on the teammates relationships with each other. Faced with the challenge of an exhausting uphill climb, the red team follows Jillian on one of its most dangerous workouts to date. The week's victories and frustrations culminate in the most emotional weigh-in yet!

Every competitive reality series has a twist somewhere, and this tension-filled episode presents the remaining eight players with a new way to play. Following a shake up in the teams' composition, former adversaries find themselves aligned against common enemies in the beachside challenge. Later, even the weigh-in has a surprise; ultimately leading to the most shocking elimination to date.

The lucky seven remaining contestants receive Beverly Hills-style makeovers before participating in a professional photo shoot. But the great news that develops at the pedicab race is the surprise visit of family members who become precious cargo in the human-powered vehicles. Winning the race not only earns immunity at the weigh- in, but also means that contestant may spend the evening with their respective family. The amazing weight-loss by the players continues.

The six remaining players learn that all teams are dissolved so they can all go head-to-head against each other in competitions. This week's temptation puts each of the trainers atop dunk tanks. And the challenge has contestants using a giant "jump rope machine" with a flimsy "rope" that easily breaks if stepped on. Also, one contestant surprises the group with a new look, and two of them have a showdown.

The guys open up and share their dreams before all five remaining contestants take on a nightmarish endurance challenge. By wrapping their arms and legs around a one-foot diameter tube suspended before them above a swimming pool, they hang on as long as they can. The last one to fall makes a splash as the winner of this event.

During the last episode taped at the ranch, the final four contestants discover how far they have come in terms of weight loss and exercise by doing the same workout from their first day at the ranch. For their challenge, they have enough quarters to equal the weight they have lost since the first episode placed on their backs. Weighted with coins, they must scale the side of the building, and then make a second trip up the side minus the extra weight. The contestant with the most improved time between the climbs wins, and even gets to keep their quarters.

After weeks of training and careful eating, it comes down to choosing "The Biggest Loser" in this special two-hour, live season finale. Only three contestants remain in the contest to see who has the biggest percentage of weight-loss. The winner will be chosen during the live portion of the telecast.