DC WRAP: The Challenge Bloodlines - Blood Versus Love

BY DC CUEVA                           
> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

DCBLOG welcomes you to another edition of DC WRAP for The Challenge Bloodlines. Though I'm focused on this site's special NFL series here, there's still room for extensive Challenge coverage as well, as we prepare for the season's homestretch.

   Last week, we saw many a DQ in the water, more voting drama, a lopsided veteran showdown in the Pit, and the cast in New York to wrap up the season. We also saw the demise of the returnee's of this season in Abram & Mike, as well as TJ letting the group know of the return to the original paired bloodlines format before the two-team format as well.

   As this site is pressed for time due to both that DC Big Game series and personal matters over the weekend, we'll again be carrying the usual Things to Know episode recap to next week - that means three episodes will be reviewed there just prior to the final pre-final mission. But as for this week, we'll delve into the Strategy Room for a look at where this game stands as we have the sort-of tribe merge with now five teams left in this game. And along with more fan reaction, DC ExtraTime has a baby shower and two members of Team MTV enjoying wedding bells. Join In for all that after the jump.

DC SocialPulse: The Challenge Bloodlines - Blood Versus Love

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

and spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

As much of the United States dabbles in the first big snowstorm of 2016, we welcome you again to DCBLOG's continuing coverage of The Challenge: Battle of the Bloodlines with this latest edition of the SocialPulse. Considering how we began this ride in December, it's hard to believe that we're into Episode 9 and soon we'll be knocking on the door of the final and unlocking that $350,000.

   When we were last in Turkey, the competitors were moved by a guest appearance by Diem Brown's sister Faith and Diem's longtime love CT before the week's mission. As for the game itself, a chance for one team to throw that challenge went awry, and led to Johnny Bananas doing it once again of manipulating competitors - this time being KellyAnne's bloodline Anthony, and leading to his demise.

   This time, the focus shifts back entirely to the game and with six teams left, the attention turns from the house drama to playing for positioning ahead of the homestretch run to the cash. And what would any Challenge be without one underwater? The competitors take to the sea as their test their patience by holding their breath in the sea in their last mission as two large teams. And if you thought the twists were done, then there's more of that at the Pit elimination as well. 
   We've got all the action, reaction and interaction from this week's episode along with the weekly lead-up as well. And for the aftermath, we also have the competitors gathering in New York for the usual postseason activities of taping the reunion, bits for the Clip Show and much more. This also includes highlights of the cast's Twitter Takeover from Wednesday as they took fan questions before last week's episode.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but they are kept uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
- Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, then do not proceed with reading this post. But need not worry...DCBLOG will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

So, join in following the jump for a week in the sea and in the City, Challenge 'Pulse style.

DC Big Game 50: The Week to Gameday

A DCBLOG Sports Special

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

The preparations are in full swing for the Biggest Sunday Night of All and the biggest annual sports & pop culture event in the world's largest media market & global superpower. Super Bowl 50 will be the biggest occasion ever for the National Football League and this year promises to be something special. It's the biggest sports event to be held in a market that's become the region of champions in this second decade of the millennium, and it comes at a time where it's clear which sport is top dog. And fitting enough for this golden anniversary, the San Francisco Bay Area will host this landmark Super Bowl in the golden state of California.

   As we're halfway through its gradual countdown of the twelve teams that made it into the NFL Playoffs down to the two who'll be in the Bay Area come Sunday, February 7, DCBLOG will be presenting a special series of posts covering America's most-popular sport and certain aspects of it as the showcase sports event in this country celebrates the big 5-O, along with college football having just crowned its national champion in Alabama once again. This is the first of two special sports series on DCBLOG this year as later this summer, we'll have posts related to the year's biggest event, the Rio Olympics, alongside our other posts here. And obviously, I'm looking forward to both events.

Today, as NFL Conference Championship Sunday looms, we kick off our DC Big Game 50 series with a look at a week in the life of teams prepping for a typical week leading up to an NFL game. Of course, the build-up to the Super Bowl - or any playoff game for that matter - is something else, but for a regular season game it's still a big deal. From Monday-morning quarterbacking to Sunday game day itself, we'll offer a look into the week-long preparations for teams readying to go into the battle. It's a week full of practices, meetings and the like that gives you a sense that the game you watch is more than one played on the weekend... it's the culmination of all the preparation for 60 minutes of game time spread out over three hours in a day's worth of football.

   After the jump break, DCBLOG will look at the various aspects of a week in the life of a pro football team preparing for Sunday and a battle on the gridiron. This is The Week to Gameday.

DC WRAP: The Challenge Bloodlines EP 8 and RW Go Big Launch

BY DC CUEVA                           
> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

As most of you return to work & school after the MLK holiday weekend, we bring you an abbreviated edition of DC WRAP for The Challenge Bloodlines and Episode 8. As mentioned in the 'Pulse for this episode yesterday, I'll be forgoing the Things to Know episode review for EP8 and move it to next week (perhaps even later) as I'll be devoting energies to my special DC Sports series on the NFL and football as we head towards Super Bowl 50. The first of those DC Big Game posts will come your way this weekend along with the EP9 posts as well.
    As for last week, we had another one of Bananas' favorite ways of doing things on these Challenges as well as a chance to throw a Challenge go awry. And there was another elimination win for a girl who's the early favorite to win my Breakout Performer award once we reach season's end. But all attention was on a tribute to the late Diem Brown in her sister Faith, and the great CT, joining them at the week's challenge. Of course, we'll have reaction from you, the fans, on this week's events plus Winners of the Night as well.

   We'll also cover have the launch of the Real World season as well, as the moment this season's champion is determined all eyes will shift to Las Vegas and its March debut. And fitting for Sin City, it's Go Big or Go Home as the thrills just keep on coming. All that, plus a Team MTV reunion after the jump.

DC SocialPulse: The Challenge Bloodlines - "Blood Is Thicker Than Mud"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

and spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

It's the first 3-day holiday weekend of 2016 and on this MLK Day weekend, we bring you another edition of DC SocialPulse as we bring you the journal of Episode 8 of The Challenge Battle of the Bloodlines. We've had quite the season so far with plenty of drama on both the field and in the house, but this week provided us a chance for reflection amidst what we've endured up to this point.

   Last week in Bodrum, Turkey, we had a great Challenge romance come into a rocky road as rumors of cheating by Cara Maria sent Abram into an emotional tailspin. That translated into a most intense elimination that saw his bloodline brother Michael beat Thomas' brother Stephen. We also had a tense After Show as well that saw this great relationship turn sour as well.

   This week, the attention from a game standpoint turns to a 5-time champ and his worries that the strategy of trying to manipulate people is starting to get the best of him. And after what we saw with him a few weeks back, his actions have a huge impact on the week's outcome. But no matter who wins or loses, the week's overarching theme is on fallen Challengers Diem Brown and Ryan Knight with the cast being joined by CT and Diem's sister, Faith in tribute to them.
   We'll bring you all the action, reaction and interaction from this episode here, Challenge week & it's aftermath, plus Powerball, the Playoffs, the Golden Globes and more. This is a busy week in the Trifecta as we also have the season launch of Season 31 of Real World with a bold new twist as well...more on that in our other post here later.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but they are kept uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
- Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, then do not proceed with reading this post. But need not worry...DCBLOG will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

So, join in after the jump for a packed week and an emotional Challenge, 'Pulse style.

DC WRAP: The Challenge Bloodlines - "Blood Brothers"

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

Welcome back to DCBLOG as our look at Episode 7 of The Challenge: Battle of the Bloodlines continues with the DC WRAP recap, as we prep for a big night ahead. This season has seen so much happen that you can hardly believe that we are to Episode 8.
   Last week, the focus shifted to Cara Maria & Abram as the rumors of her cheating on him got him to a boiling point, while a tense mission on a skyscraper and the voting results saw hatred between Abe & Michael and her hookup - Thomas & his twin brother Stephen led to an intense Pit battle. And for the After Show, plenty of fireworks as well as again, Abe's trademark intensity got to him as well.
   For those who want your episode fix in a nutshell with just the night's key moments, dig in to our Things to Know recap. Plus find out who our Winners of the Night are, and see how you, the fans, reacted to the events on a 'Pulse Extra. And after that on DC ExtraTime, what happens when this very show and animation come together? Find out what the results are, plus a look at a touching moment of family first from premiere week of MTV's 35th Anniversary year...all after the jump.

DC SocialPulse: The Challenge Bloodlines - "Blood Brothers"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

and spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

As we enter the second full week of the new year, welcome back to DCBLOG as we present week 6 of DC SocialPulse for The Challenge: Battle of the Bloodlines. And after we brought you a Pulse Extra to look back on the final hours of 2015 & the first weekend of 2016, we provide you with the week's main course as a popular Team MTV romance gets tested in Turkey.

   On New Year's Eve Eve, we had back to back episodes where a veteran/rookie house divide gripped the house and saw the vets break apart a rookie guys alliance in the Pit. Two veteran ladies got into it with a thrown glass and some very unfortunate insults thrown at one another. And once again, we saw the 5-time champion do what he seems to do best on this Challenge: turning his back on the girl who was his partner last season in exactly the same manner a fellow vet did to him last season.

   On Episode 7 last week, the attention turns to the returnee to this Challenge world and his girlfriend. The rumors of her cheating on him begin to get to him, and leads him to a breaking point in his signature insanity. And after a tense mission and the ensuing voting process provides fuel to a hatred between two teams and sets the table for a most intense Pit battle. And as for the week's After Show, it too also offered a lot more drama than is usually the case.

   If you wanna relive all of this week's interaction or just catching up on it for the first time, then dig in. In the abbreviated lead-up for this week (due to the NYE 'Pulse Extra), we'll also have Team MTV's reaction to the premiere of the newest season of The Bachelor, some honest commentary on Teen Mom from the Trifecta's biggest fan, and much more. And after how I saw this week's episode, a special edition of DC FORUM with some important words from yours truly.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but they are kept uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
- Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, then do not proceed with reading this post. But need not worry...DCBLOG will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

Join In after the jump for a fair share of drama and more of The Challenge: Bloodlines...SocialPulse style.

DC SocialPulse Extra: New Years 2016 with Team MTV

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language and objectionable 

content for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

As we wrap the first full week of 2016. DCBLOG is warming up for a big month ahead. Tomorrow, we'll have the action, reaction and interaction from this week's drama-filled episode of The Challenge: Battle of the Bloodlines on the main edition of The 'Pulse and a full recap on DC WRAP to follow as we edge closer to Episode 8 and yet another Challenge vet returning. And later this month, a special series of football posts to coincide with Super Bowl 50 and the NFL Playoffs.

   First however, we have another 'Pulse Extra as we conclude this first week back to work & school following the winter break with a look at how Team MTV rang in the New Year of 2016. And again, we'll feature tweets from the entire MTV family - reality & scripted and in America & internationally - as they waved farewell to 2015 and welcomed 2016 around the world. And following that on DC ExtraTime, we'll look at how one section of Team MTV got to celebrate New Years, from as north as Canada to as south as Mexico.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)

So, following the jump, it's New Years 2016 with Team MTV, SocialPulse style.

DC WRAP: The Challenge Bloodlines - Episodes 5 & 6

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

Welcome again to DCBLOG as we review last week's Double Shot of The Challenge: Battle of the Bloodlines. After getting into a number of episodes that didn't end with a kind of resolution at the end, we finally got back on track with a couple of good episodes.
   The entry of Cara Maria's boyfriend Abram and brother Michael have turned the game into a whole new season as their entry has caused more than a ripple effect on the game. Last week, we had two episodes that saw a betrayal, two showdowns between veteran & rookie guys and two veteran girls, and Double Dare comes to Challenge world.

   We've got a lot to bring you on another extended edition of our Things to Know recap with key moments from Episodes 5 & 6, plus Winners of the Night as well. And how did you, the fans, react to last week's events? A DC SocialPulse Extra will have you covered. Join In after the jump.

DC SocialPulse: The Challenge Bloodlines - Episodes 5 & 6

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

and spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

As you all go back to work and to school following the long weekend and Winter Break, welcome on in to the Week 5 edition of DC SocialPulse for The Challenge: Battle of the Bloodlines. Over the weekend as many of you put away your Christmas decorations for another year or less, we brought you a Team MTV holiday special to put you in the holiday mood one more time. And as we settle into 2016, there is a whole new game in store as we've crossed the halfway point.
   Previously in Challenge land on Christmas Eve Eve, the game changed quite considerably with two teams being sent home by way in injuries and a third being eliminated in a standard elimination. We also had the entry into the game of Cara Maria's boyfriend Abram as he & Mike entered to replace one of those two injured teams. And we saw veteran Aneesa confront rookie hookup Cory when she eavesdropped on a conversation with some harsh words.
   Last week on New Year's Eve Eve, as a belated holiday gift to Challenge fans, we are offered two back-to-back episodes as a way for the big wigs to make it up to us for the past three episodes concluding without resolution. There, the same kind of house divide that we saw when the show last went to the same Bodrum, Turkey house three years ago emerges as that of the veterans and some hot-headed rookies comes to a showdown. We also see two veteran ladies getting into it at the club over one's allegiance and leading to some very unfortunate insults. And after a tense mission that saw one of the teams buckle under pressure, we witness yet another back-stab - this time by a veteran who knows this feeling all too well.

   If you wanna relive all of this week's interaction or just catching up on it for the first time, then dig in. In the abbreviated lead-up for this week (due to the Christmas 'Pulse Extra), we'll also have some of the vibe in the last few days of 2015. And on DC ExtraTime afterwards, additional thoughts on one of my year-end awards recipients from my Reality Debrief on Christmas.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but they are kept uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
- Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, then do not proceed with reading this post. But need not worry...DCBLOG will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

Join In after the jump for a Double Shot of The Challenge: Bloodlines...SocialPulse style.

DC SocialPulse Extra: A Team MTV Holiday Special - 2015

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language and objectionable 

content for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

Happy New Year to all of you wherever you are, and welcome to a brand spankin' new year on DCBLOG, as our coverage of the MTV Trifecta enters its fourth calendar year. Ahead here, all the action, reaction and interaction from this week's Double Shot of back-to-back episodes of The Challenge: Battle of the Bloodlines on the main edition of The 'Pulse and a full recap on DC WRAP to follow. But first...
   As the busy holiday season is winding down this first weekend of the new year, we'd thought we would kick off our posts for 2016 with something special. Of course, we just celebrated Christmas and New Year's and get you in the mood one more time from the merriest of holidays and for the journal & recap of Episodes 5 & 6, we'll be presenting how Team MTV celebrated the holidays in the lead-up to Wednesday's Double Shot.
   And in recognizing the welcoming nature of this MTV fan - best symbolized by giving one of my DCBLOG awards to someone outside of the three shows I follow most (more on that later on), this post includes not only the Trifecta but all other shows - reality & scripted, domestic & international - as they marked the Christmas holiday weekend this past week. From side comments to presents to even an engagement, we have you covered.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)

So, following the jump, join us for the holidays with Team MTV, SocialPulse style.