MTV Trifecta: Stranded with a Million Dollars - Week 6

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

It's the last night of March and as you all prepare to turn that page to April, it's time for us at DCBLOG to take you on our weekly journey through the MTV Trifecta. Coming up in the next few days, the Camilinator returns to The Challenge, the doctor is in the house on AYTO Second Chances, and two compelling In-Depth stories. But first, we begin this weekend with Stranded with a Million Dollars, and the beginning of the business half of the season.
   Last week, alliances were tested as a deal was proposed that would've changed the game further. There was a demanding journey from one camp site to the next that did nothing but deepen the divide between the alliance of two and the alliance of four. And it's the ladder who then decide to do what they've been doing most of this time: spend more of the money and leaving the two-person tribe to worry that the cash could be limited.
   This week, it's week 6 and it's that Core Four who are in control going into the journey to Camp Six, and just as they have done all season line they continue to keep the food for themselves and refuse to share it with Team Makody. But when sickness comes to the island, two players may be forced to make life-changing decisions that could not only lose them their cuts of the cash, but also their camp control of the game.

Ahead, the second half of Stranded with a Million Dollars begins, as we commence our weekend look at the Trifecta on DCBLOG.

DC WRAP: Challenge Invasion Wk. 7 and AYTO Second Chances Premiere

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

As you all go through those Tuesday blues, welcome back to DCBLOG for the Trifecta WRAP as we review last week on The Challenge Invasion and the premiere of Are You The One? - Second Chances before new episodes air tonight along with Stranded with a Million Dollars.
   Last week in Asia, there were pranks abound in a toilet seat and potato chips causing an uproar with the underdogs. Food was also the center point of the week's challenge that saw plenty of vomiting on our screens, and led to the Barbie Beast adding to her unbeaten elimination record. And after the chaos of the AYTO Season 5 finale and that season's cast losing, there's a Second Chance for three couples from that season and seven other perfect matches as their battle for love and money began again down the ways in Australia, which saw a familiar couple take center stage in the game and familiar faces dominate the house drama.
   Coming up, a review of the past two Challenge episodes (Week 6's review is carried over to this week's Wrap due to our extensive focus on the aftermath of the collapse in the Caribbean) and the AYTO Second Chances premiere, along with fantasy scoring and polls. But you will want to stick around after those for ExtraTime for the latest on the new power couple bringing together two MTV alums who are a mom and a dad, and my thoughts on Madison & Javi. See you after the jump...

DC SocialPulse: AYTO Second Chances - The Premiere

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

& 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  @ TW / IG / YT

It's Sunday night - the end of your weekend and it's time for us to bring you the third and last installment of this week's 'Pulse posts where, so far, we've dissected The Challenge and earlier, Stranded with a Million Dollars. Last week was, of course, that most eventful final act to Season 5 of Are You The One? where that season's cast went into the record book for a most dubious reason: the first cast in the show's history to go 10 weeks without achieving their ultimate goal of lighting all beams at a matchup and gaining their share of the cash jackpot. But now, the focus turns to something new.
   It's Are You The One? - Second Chances, where ten fan favorite perfect matches have arrived not in a tropical paradise, but in the backdrop of one of the world's greatest countries and one of the most renowned cities for a new game that promises to not only bring that great mix of drama and love Are You The One? is known for, but add a whole dynamic to the game that promises to again change the game. From a pair of originals whose biggest moment came three years ago this weekend, to three of those couples who had encountered heartbreak in the Caribbean, and everyone in between, there is a Second Chance coming for everyone in Melbourne, Australia.
   This week, it's the premiere and the ten couples arrive down under as they compete in missions designed to test the strength of their relationship, and it doesn't come easy as each of them try to make their way to the new house, located in the fitting address of 10 Match Road. Almost off the bat, one notorious pot stirrer decides to make a play for last year's most notable player, while the man who singlehandedly turned around his cast into winners makes no hesitation in seeking control of the game. And of course, we have the usual "get to know you" among all of our couples, as well as the revealing of the several twists that promises to again turn this game on its head.
   Coming up, all the action, reaction and interaction from this premiere, the week leading up to it, and more of the aftermath of that chaotic Season 5 finale. And it seems that it's not just about love and money for this entire post, as after the diary on ExtraTime, find out which AYTO original made their MTV return last week... but in the hands of the channel's most popular bromance, Nev & Max.

As we begin, again if you're joining us out for the first time, welcome on in and get comfortable around this site. DCBLOG offers fans of the MTV Trifecta a unique look at Are You The One?, as well as The Challenge and Real World. The 'Pulse is an signature feature offering a look at the other show that takes place concurrent to the madness of what we're seeing on TV: the social media interaction between cast members, alumni and fans. It becomes equal to the big show as they wrap themselves around the communal viewing experience of watching themselves on TV.
   Presented to you here each weekend as part of our weekly set of posts, these exclusive running diaries are specially designed, curated and pieced together by yours truly in real-time - tweet by tweet and uncensored - to bring the hookups, drama, action and all else to you here. This is a service to all of you fans - both those who just want to relive the action, reaction and interaction in real time, or for the many who might not have experienced the buzz at the time of the episodes' ET airing and want to catch up in these diaries, posted to you here after it airs on MTV wherever you are.
   The Pulse is just part of DCBLOG's Trifecta coverage: with episode Wraps, thoughtful & in-depth analysis, and ExtraTime original stories, we take you beyond the drama to cover the people and the stories that take you beyond the hype, the headlines and the hookups. And it's presented by this long-time MTV fan who loves these shows as much as you do, and now covers them on this blog.

Now, the following are the actual tweets of the cast, alumni and fans as we got to see the premiere, along with the buildup to, and the aftermath of, the premiere and of course episodes 1 & 2.
• 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.

After the jump, act 1 of Are You The One? - Second Chances.

MTV Trifecta: Stranded with a Million Dollars - Week 5

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

It's a Sunday and the first weekend of Spring, and back we are at DCBLOG as we roll along with our look at the MTV Trifecta. And this also happens to be the halfway point of the social experiment known as Stranded with a Million Dollars.
   Last week, six remained on the island after Chris decided to take off, and Alonzo nearly became the fifth to take his leave when he struggled to keep himself on the island. This forced Alex to do whatever he can to keep his alliance together as the gap between alliances increased. And when a $30,000 tent became the key point of interest in the control for power, Cody finds a new ally to join him as he tried to regain power.

   This week as the game reaches its fifth week, alliances are being tested as an attractive deal gets proposed that could change the game further. A grueling journey from one camp site to the next does nothing but to widen the divide between the alliance of two and the alliance of four. And when the attention turns to one of those two, the Campers decide to do more binge-spending and leaving the leader of that two-person tribe to worry that the winnings could be limited when it's all over.

   After the jump, week 5 of our stay in Fiji, plus after the diary a trip into the Strategy Room to see where this game all stands at the halfway point.

DC SocialPulse: The Challenge Invasion - "A Low Down Dirty Shane"

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

& 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  @ TW / IG / YT

It's the last weekend of this month of March, which means its the first official weekend of springtime, Elite Eight weekend of NCAA March Madness and for many of you, Spring Break. And if it is the weekend, than means DCBLOG and our look Inside the MTV Trifecta. Ahead: after the shocker in the Caribbean the battle for love and money begins yet again with something totally brand new down under, while it's the halfway mark for that half dozen still Stranded with a Million Dollars. But first on this late Saturday night (as this is being posted), we kick things off with The Challenge: Invasion.

   Last week, we saw the Champions even things up and saw Johnny Bananas once again put his reputation of pulling off suspicious moves to work, In the house, Ashley and Hunter find themselves at the crossroads when he begins flirting with a fellow champion. And for the week's elimination, Cara Maria added to her impressive record, while in a battle of Challenge heavyweights, Darrell proved why he's a four-time champion in taking down Zach, which also brought to an end his brief rekindling with Jenna.
   This week, the attention within the Underdogs turn the doyen of their group when allegations come up that they have been making deals and forming alliances with more people than they should in this game. On the game front, the players are left with both their mouths to deal with as they are forced to deal with a spicy curry eating challenge where tempers will sure to flare up and plenty of scenes of people throwing up. And what is a no-no when it comes to being a rookie on a Challenge when it comes to facing elimination? One competitor finds out the hard way.

Coming up, all the action, reaction and interaction from this past week in Challenge land, plus some interaction between a new MTV power couple which we will sure elaborate on here this week. And after the diary, ExtraTime will head down to South Texas and Cancun for some postcards of the madness that is Spring Break, including appearances by a parrot and the King of Crunk.

• 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.

More drama with the underdogs, plenty of throwing up, and postcards from Spring Break. After the jump, Week 7 of The Challenge Invasion as we bring you our weekend look at the MTV Trifecta on DCBLOG.

DC WRAP Double Shot: AYTO s5 Finale and Challenge Invasion Wk 6

SPECIAL EXPANDED EDITION
BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

Well, it's both a new week and a new season as spring has arrived now officially wherever you are. But before we proceed into a new week in the MTV Trifecta with new episodes tomorrow and a new series debuting the night after, we have this special, expanded edition of the WRAP to review what was a very entertaining week.
   Last week on The Challenge Invasion, we saw the Champions regain their footing in evening the totals of their bank accounts to $10,000 in the week's challenge where we saw Bananas do it yet again to keep himself out of elimination. And in that Fortress, we saw Cara Maria add to her storied elimination career and Darrell prove why he is a four-time champion, while we also saw Ashley and Hunter's relationship reach some doubts, while the relationship that is Zach and Jenna goes to another level before it reaches a premature end. And, of course, there's that finale and reunion of Season 5 of Are You The One? that's still hard to get out of our minds five days after that we pretty much don't need any more explanation in this lead-in.
   Coming up, we'll again break from format and focus most of our WRAP to that final act in the Caribbean, what happened in the season's homestretch and break down what happened from the Strategy Room, including some thoughts from a past alum who watched last week's chaotic finale and some of the related happenings following the endgame of the finale...our Challenge wraps will return next week with a review of last week's episode included. Along with poll results and fantasy scoring, we'll also look at two couples being given a Second Chance, shall we say. Join us there next.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? Season 5 - The Finale (MEGA)

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

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

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

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

As your weekend is now winding down, it's time for us here at DCBLOG to bring you the main event of this packed week in the MTV Trifecta. It was back on December 8th of last year that the ride began for the 22 newest members of Team MTV (in reality, it began for them in filming last fall), and now just on this, the last full day of winter, we head into spring with the 'Pulse of the Finale of Season 5 of Are You The One?.
   Last week in the Dominican Republic, the house finally got a chance to relax and party up after gaining much needed momentum in getting out of the four-beam zone, but a fight between Derrick and Michael saw the end to the ladder's relationship with Kathryn. In trying to follow in what happened with Carolina & Hayden, the group began to focus more on the game and looked to a house strategy to bring together new couples, even if it took for them to accept the trade-in offer and seeing Shannon follow their heart. In a way, they succeeded: nine beams at the week's matchup.
   This week, it's week 10 and the last chance this house who has been desperate all season long have at love and to win money or to face the harshness of being the first cast ever to lose it all. For one couple who connected early on, Kathryn and Ozzy find sparks yet again, while the man who has dominated challenges all season long, Joey is tasked with being the one who could have the game in his hands. For Hannah, the house tries to open their eyes to the reality of her relationship. And of course, it all comes down to one last matchup ceremony for a chance at the cash.
   Coming up, all the action, reaction and interaction of this final AYTO Wednesday, the Finale itself, the Reunion and all the day-after aftermath. And stick around after the diary, as ExtraTime will bring you the emotional homecoming of a member of the Second Chances cast as he flies halfway around the world to surprise his biggest and most important fan... you'll want to have those tissues ready.

• 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.

It's one last chance for the house to get it all right. We've made you wait all day, and all weekend in fact for it...and it's sure worth the wait. After the jump, its our MEGA 'Pulse of the Finale and Reunion of Season 5 of Are You The One?. Join us there.

DC SocialPulse Extra: Road to the AYTO Season 5 Finale

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language and objectionable 
content 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  @ TW / IG / YT

It is a Sunday - the last one of Winter, and it's spring weather outside for most of you... and we roll along with the fourth of six posts from an eventful week in the MTV Trifecta right here at DCBLOG. Ahead of us, it's the season finale and the reunion for Season 5 of Are You The One?, and later a final recap of that season on the WRAP. But first...

We are offering you a 'Pulse Extra which will lead into that main diary of covering the last episode and the day surrounding that. We're giving you this appetizer of bringing you the lead-up to last Wednesday which, if it was posted on the main post it'll be hard to take for everyone to take in...thus this begins things.
   Here, we'll have the vibe of Team 22 as they await their last chance to salvage money and love in the Dominican Republic, as well as Team MTV watching the finale of another love-fest - and a show my mom enjoys watching, The Bachelor.

• Please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but are kept uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. If you're mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)

After the jump, the Road to the Season 5 Finale of Are You The One?, featuring The Bachelor.

DC SocialPulse: The Challenge Invasion - "Achy Breaky Heart"

*** 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  @ TW / IG / YT

On this Saturday night, welcome on back to DCBLOG as we continue our ride through the MTV Trifecta and a week that saw a lot of big things happen. And after bringing you a preview of Second Chances and a look at Stranded, now the juicy stuff begins as we now turn our attention to The Challenge Invasion where things are now getting into a groove over in Thailand.
   Last week, the spotlight in the house turned to Jenna as she dealt with the man who, at our count, has had relationships with her and three other Real World alums in Zach, along with Cory losing his chance to get close to Kailah and him getting into more words with Shane. The Underdogs finally went with Tony and Kailah to go into elimination where the Fortress elimination was revealed for the first time, and where Sylvia and Shane came away winners.
   This week, there's more love in the air, but this time the attention is on a pair who clicked from the beginning because of their common Southern roots and them winning a challenge, and him flirting with a champion that puts their romance into question. This also happens to be a Champions elimination week as they try to regain their footing after their poor opening challenge. And yes, that man pulls off yet another suspicious move, and champions battle one another in the Fortress.
   Coming up, all the action, reaction and interaction from this past week in Challenge land, including some words exchanged by two who got into it on a rookie's Challenge debut. And after the diary on ExtraTime, in a 12-month stretch that's seen many comebacks in the sports world, the latest one took place in the Beautiful Game in front of a Real World alum with ties to cities that have gone through that joy and trauma... we'll have the visual proof.

• 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.

Romances galore, going in circles, and a barn-burner elimination... it's the 'Pulse of Week 6 of The Challenge Invasion, ahead on DCBLOG.

MTV Trifecta: Stranded with a Million Dollars - Episode 4

BY DC CUEVA                     
■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

As you all recover from the St. Patrick's Day madness of yesterday, last night and earlier this morning, we at DCBLOG have the perfect cure for your Saturday hangover: our posts on the MTV Trifecta. In case you missed it, last night we posted our preview of Are You The One? Second Chances, and ahead we'll look at The Challenge: Invasion and the finale of Are You The One? Season 5. First, start in the islands of Fiji for Week 4 of Stranded with a Million Dollars.
   Last week, seven people remained on the island after the double-elimination of Michael and Ashley, and tensions began to to rise. As stormy weather arrived onshore, Makani decided to go against her former friends, while the rest of the group began to struggle against the elements. Another temptation awaited Alonzo when he found a nice bed & bathroom setup in addition to food, but refused to give in, but the rest of the group began to again binge-buy. But it became too much for Chris, and at episode's end yet another flare gun goes off in him heading home.
   This week, six people remain on the island, and the gulf between a now two-person alliance and a strong Core Four person alliance only increases. With Alonzo struggling to keep himself afloat and threatening to make this a 5-person island, Alex does whatever he cant to keep his fragile alliance together. An item worth $30,000 becomes the key item of interest in the battle for power of the game, and the man who "thrives" on this game finds someone new who's joined his side.
   Join us after the jump for our look at Week 4 of Stranded with a Million Dollars, plus the musical side of one of the adventurers, as we bring you our weekend look at the MTV Trifecta on DCBLOG.

MTV Trifecta: Countdown to AYTO Second Chances

BY DC CUEVA                     
■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

It is St. Patrick's Day, the first weekend of NCAA March Madness and, for many of you, Spring Break. And wherever you are, it's likely you'll be enjoying these next few days to party down, watch hoops and bring on the spring. And it's time for us at DCBLOG bring you our look at this week in the MTV Trifecta, where coming up we'll delve into the chaotic final act of Are You The One? Season 5, a can't-miss elimination on The Challenge: Invasion, and Week 4 of Stranded with a Million Dollars. And it's so big and momentous a week we have here, it'll take as many as six posts from now until Wednesday to dissect it all. But first tonight, we kick off this busy weekend with our milestone 400th overall post here on this site, and a look at something brand new.

In our nearly five years covering, documenting and writing on the MTV Trifecta - spanning the majority of these 400 posts since our first one back in spring 2013, a show has emerged onto the scene that has joined a longtime love of The Real World and a new passion of The Challenge to create the affectionate name of the Trifecta. Its name is Are You The One?, and it has brought MTV's signature blend of reality TV into the world of romantic reality dating shows. The result has seen five memorable seasons of this show, many romances spawned during and after the show with epic hook-ups and breakups, and a whole lot of drama that's made it TV's guiltiest guilty pleasure.
   Well, as you probably know, I am one of Are You The One's biggest fans and has had the pleasure of following this journey from the very beginning back in the winter of 2014. And the enormous success of that show, as well as the advice given to MTV by a very good friend of mine who's established himself as a top-notch insider in this profession covering this TV ecosystem, has spawned a new spin-off that will begin in five days from now when Are You The One? - Second Chances debuts. Ten fan favorite couples from each of AYTO's five seasons will be making their MTV returns this coming Wednesday for a second chance at love and cash in a whole new game where it's all about love and all about them. Think, this is their own version of The Challenge.

Coming up, we'll be looking at the couples who will be given a second chance at love, an in-depth look at what happened to each of them on their original seasons (and in some cases, what happened when they made the splash into the world of The Challenge), and what to expect on this game. This features twists aplenty which will make things even more interesting than sending in someone to the Truth Booth or watching some lights go up in the night sky.
   So once again, put your name tag on, get yourself comfortable and join in with us after the jump as we look ahead at Are You The One: Second Chances... the latest saga in our ongoing coverage of the MTV Trifecta on DCBLOG.

DC WRAP Double Shot: The Challenge Invasion Week 5 and AYTO s5 Ep. 9

BY DC CUEVA                     
■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

As you wrap up this Monday night after you just saw the finale to the Bachelor, time for us at DCBLOG to prep you for this week in the MTV Trifecta by looking back at last week before we head into Week 6 of The Challenge: Invasion, Week 4 of Stranded with a Million Dollars, and the Season 5 finale of Are You The One?.
   Last week, the Underdogs deal with in-house turmoil before finally going for Shane and Kailah to battle Tony and Sylvia in elimination, which saw the Road Rules vet and KC native win, plus Zach and Jenna renewed their love affair. And on Are You The One?, the group traded in their first truth booth and also rode on the back of a D-I basketball player to garner nine matchup beams.
   Coming up, along with fantasy scoring and polls, we'll recap the past two weeks in Thailand and head into the Strategy Room for a look at where the AYTO cast stands going into the win-or-go-home week 10. All that, plus nuptials and a tech flashback awaits on the WRAP.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? s5 - "Between a Rock & a Love Place"

*** 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  @ TW / IG / YT

As you all enjoy your Sunday, why not take a few moments out of this first day of Daylight Savings Time to have some time with us, DCBLOG, as we bring you the 'Pulse of the penultimate episode of Season 5 of Are You The One? from the Caribbean.
   Last week, an issue that's been hampering the house's road to 11 beams was brought up yet again by host Ryan Devlin in non-matches staying together, refusing to separate and leading the host to lose his mind yet again. But one pair who followed the order to move on after a previous non-match was Hayden and Carolina, and they returned from the eighth Truth Booth a Perfect Match, and giving the house something to smile as well as movement in the matchups.
   This week, the group finally lets loose in the house by way of achieving some much-needed momentum, but a fight during a house party between two guys may force the end to one of theirs' relationships with one of the girls. The group begins to take the game seriously by opting to go with strategy to tear couples apart and even consider taking, for the first time all season, the offer that could jeopardize their chances. And this also forces Shannon to choose between strategy and heart.
   Coming up, all the action, reaction and interaction of Episode 9 of this season, plus the group's weekend in L.A. to tape this coming week's reunion. And after the cast tweets on ExtraTime, a deeper look at the man who you saw on the After Match wanting to try his luck in the AYTO house, and why he might have an edge in casting thanks to having met two friends from the Trifecta.

• 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.

Another house fight, strategy talk, adventures in L.A. and a Teen Dad...join us after the jump for the 'Pulse of Are You The One?.

DC SocialPulse: The Challenge Invasion - "The Mile-High Club"

*** 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  @ TW / IG / YT

And welcome back yet again to our weekend look at the MTV Trifecta at DCBLOG, where earlier we saw yet another person Stranded with a Million Dollars leave the island. Now, we turn our focus a little westward to Thailand and The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions. And if you're lucky enough to still be up out east for this post...props to you for hanging in there -- although you do need to check you clock & see if you did adjust it for DST.
   Anyway, last week saw the big reveal of the season's twist where T.J. Lavin brought on the Champions team of Bananas, Camila, Laurel, C.T., Darrell and company, which of course wrenched the plans the twelve Underdogs had on winning their first crown. But that didn't rattle them a bit as with a uneven advantage saw them beat the veterans in their first showdown. But it's after that mission that it begins to unravel for the group, as a civil war broke out within their camp on who they should put into elimination to face Sylvia and Tony.
   This week, the Underdogs finally decide who to put into elimination, which also sees the reveal for the first time the venue where the battles in the last-chance saloon will take place, the Fortress. Meanwhile, attention turns to the Barbie Beast and the man who's been in love ever since we first saw him on our MTV airwaves, while a player wets her bed and dousing the chances of getting close to her guy, and another one gets raged up when things don't go his direction.
   Coming up, all the action, reaction and interaction of Week 5 of The Challenge, plus something has Cara riled up...we'll share you her latest rant as well as a birthday. And following the cast tweets on ExtraTime, who could become the next big thing in music? We'll introduce you to a girl group from Britain who has eyes on being that next breakout act, and the link they have to a Real World alum who has both a strong musical pedigree and an extraordinary resume.

• 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.

Thor and a sweetheart rekindle old flames, a trip to the Fortress, and the Real World meets teen pop... join us after the jump for Week 5 of The Challenge.

MTV Trifecta: Stranded with a Million Dollars - Episode 3

BY DC CUEVA                     
■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

It's the weekend - which means if you're anxious for some sun you'll rejoice to where you will get to spring forward one hour ahead later tonight...and it also means it's time for us at DCBLOG to bring you the week in the MTV Trifecta. Coming up, that Challenge sweetheart known as Barbie Beast rekindles her love affair with Thor, and it's crunch time in the Caribbean for AYTO's Team 22. But we kick things off with week 3 of Stranded with A Million Dollars.

   Last week, the group was forced to race to their second camp site for $100,000 and lost not only one person in Bria, but two others in Ashley and Michael when both announced their exit. After opting to save the cash in week 1, exhaustion, hunger and rain started to take their toll on the remaining adventurers, and when the chance finally comes for them to refuel, alliances began forming. And the campers finally found out about Gina's temptation that cost them $15,000 without notice.
   This week, with only seven people left in Fiji, tensions among the group begin to rise. As a dangerous storm bears down on their camp, Makani decides to take a stand against her former friends, meanwhile Chris and Alonzo struggle against the elements. There's another temptation awaiting one of the remaining adventurers, while the group is also offered incentive to buy as much food and supplies at half off. But will another one bit the dust too?

   After the jump, our diary and review of Week 3 of Stranded with a Million Dollars as we take flight on our weekend look at all things MTV Trifecta.

DC WRAP Double Shot: Challenge Invasion Wk. 4 and AYTO s5 Ep. 8

BY DC CUEVA                     
■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

It's Tuesday, which means it's time to help refresh you on the week that was in the MTV Trifecta last week before we commence this week's activity on The Challenge and Are You The One?, as well as Stranded with A Million Dollars too.
   Last week, the Champions invaded The Challenge much to the Underdogs' surprise but them having the hand numbers wise gave the newbies the win - only for turmoil to take over in who to put into elimination. And on Are You The One?, we had our second Truth Booth Perfect Match of the season as the group finally achieves some momentum, even if Ryan Devlin is letting them have it.
   Coming up, we'll be doing things a little differently around here, as in addition to offering fantasy scoring and polls, we'll take a trip into the Strategy Room to look at where Team 22 stand as they enter the final two weeks of the season. And afterwards, find out which latest big shot in the sports world is now on Team Kailah. See you after the jump...

DC Sports: Hoosier Hoops Hysteria

BY DC CUEVA                     
■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

We at DCBLOG hope you are enjoying the beginning to your week and our MTV Trifecta coverage. With this week's three Pulse diaries already posted and our WRAP still to come, we have something extra here to tap into something we cover sometimes on the side of our extensive MTV coverage in the sports world, which also taps into the Trifecta.

The calendar, as of last week, has just turned a page to the month of March, which means that the attention of sports fans bored with the end of the football season since last month's epic Super Bowl will soon be awakened by the sight of a simple utensil known as a bracket. Furthermore, there's the noise of cheerleaders and school bands, and the action in the arena that, come two weeks from now, will become the biggest event in this country.

   And for a member of the current cast of Season 5 of Are You The One?, he has been in love with the sport his whole life, and with what has just happened to him on last week's episode it gave us here at DCBLOG the chance to share you his fandom.

On this hybrid of our ExtraTime franchise for our signature MTV Trifecta coverage and our Sports posts we do on the side here, we will look at the fascination the state of Indiana has with the sport of basketball, and offer a look at one of those who shares that Hoosier Hoops Hysteria.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? s5 - "Relationship Rehab"

*** 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  @ TW / IG / YT

Hello again, and welcome back to DCBLOG's continuing coverage of the MTV Trifecta. And as you wind down this first weekend of March, and as things are now picking up in both Thailand and in Fiji, we are also entering the homestetch of an Are You The One? season that feels like it was only yesterday that it began down in the Dominican Republic.
   Last week saw the annual big-time house party take over the house as a Dominican Republic Carnival gave the group reason to get down and dirty. The tension between Alicia and Hannah boiled over as were the many love triangles in the house. Meanwhile, Hayden finally listened to what everyone in the house and us at home have been wanting him to do in moving on from Gianna for the sake of the game and see Carolina. And the group had to deal with non-matches, which even riles up host Ryan Devlin.
   This week as they embark on the last third of the quest for the cash, those non-matches continue to plague the house as tension erupt in those who aren't matches continue to stand their ground and refuse to separate and threaten the group's chances at the cast. And while the girls' exes don't live to the expectations of the house when they come into town, finally things get serious between that aforementioned new couple in the house, which may end in one of those moments we've seen in the past of two words changing the course of the house's direction.
   Ahead, all the action, reaction and interaction of this eighth week in the AYTO house, plus their anticipation towards a Reunion that's been taking place over the weekend down in Southern California, as well as days-after reaction to Tuesday's Invasion of The Challenge Champions. And then on ExtraTime, you'll travel with a member of last season's cast to the venue of that Challenge season and a popular vacation ground for Team MTV.

• 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.

The exes arrive, Ryan Devlin goes nuts again, and a love triangle gets settled... It's the 'Pulse of Week 8 of Are You The One?, straight ahead.

DC SocialPulse: The Challenge Invasion - The Champions Arrive

*** 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  @ TW / IG / YT

Welcome back once again as we roll along with our view at the MTV Trifecta at DCBLOG, where earlier we brought you a look at two more people quitting the island of Stranded. And now late on this first Saturday night of March we are offering the main course of The Challenge, where now Season 29 of the show has officially begun with the Invasion finally taking place for real in Thailand.

   Last week, it was the last chance saloon for the six remaining underdogs who had yet to punch their ticket to the paradise known as the Oasis. As expected and though it would not be easy, Shane took that week's last challenge, and was joined there by Amanda. This left Anthony, Nelson, LaToya and Sylvia to go up and down a flight of stairs in the fastest time to gain the last two spots into the Oasis, which Nelson and Sylvia won, and broke up his budding relationship with LaToya. The group then moves into the Oasis with no idea of what awaited them.
   This week, T.J. Lavin tells the Underdogs that if they want to be champions, they would have to beat the Champions, as that group of Ashley K., Bananas, Camila, Cara Maria, C.T., Darrell, Laurel and Zach arrive to the displeasure of the twelve Underdogs who had anticipated the easiest road they can ever get to their first title. And it's after the first challenge with the champions in Thailand that the real show takes place, as a civil war takes place within the newbies of who they should decide to put into elimination.
   Coming up, all the action, reaction and interaction of Week 4 of The Challenge, plus we'll also have a look at how team Trifecta got to see last week's Oscars including, of course, the now-infamous Best Picture flub. And continuing our theme of looking back at the people that made this odyssey possible, afterwards on ExtraTime we'll catch up with a Road Rules alum who's now become one of the top comedians with his own podcast.

• 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.

The Underdogs meet the Champions... join us after the jump for the 'Pulse of The Challenge Invasion.

MTV Trifecta: Stranded with A Million Dollars - Episode 2

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

It's the first weekend of March, which means if you're in South Padre, Texas like a few of our MTV friends are, then you're about to begin the madness of Spring Break. And it means that we're here to bring you the week that was in the MTV Trifecta, where ahead - the Champions arrive on The Challenge as the Underdogs feel the pressure of the veterans, while Team AYTO finally shows some progress in their quest for love & money, among other things. But first, things are heating up down in Fiji for those adventurers Stranded with A Million Dollars.

Last week, our group of Alex, Alonzo, Ashley, Bria, Chris, Cody, Eilish, Gina, Michael and Makani arrived in the South Pacific with just their clothes and with money in hand. Along with the usual first impressions that come with any premiere of an MTV reality TV show, they also learn about the items on offer if they decide to use them, but ultimately decide to keep the cash and the elements get the best of them. Cody emerges as villain of the group, and then one of them decides to call it quits.

   This week, the group is faced with a $100,000 race to the second camp site and along the way, they encounter a major loss en route to the site. After opting to save the cash last week, hunger, exhaustion and rain begin to take their toll on the adventurers. When the opportunity comes to finally get a much-needed refuel, alliances begin to fracture, and the rest of the campers finally find out about the temptation Gina had that cost them some of their fortunes and may have her look from the outside in.

After the jump, we look at Episode 2 of Stranded with A Million Dollars as we kick off our weekend look at the MTV Trifecta.