It’s been awhile, but I’m back. After almost two and a half hours of the “RW/RR Challenge: The Ruins” airing I have a lot to write about.

First, let’s talk about Wes and all the drama surrounding him. His presence has overshadowed the challenges, so far. In the premier episode of “The Ruins” the audience is hit with a ton of pertinent info. Wes is currently dating KellyAnne, who used to date Cohutta. Wes’ ex, Johanna hooked up with Kenny on “The Island,” but are just friends now.

As far as the game goes, this challenge is very interesting. With each player getting their own cut of the money for each challenge they win – 20,000 per challenge – and players being able to win other people’s money by defeating them in the elimination, adds a new wrinkle to last year’s elimination process.

This year the Champions squad has a single room where they all sleep, whereas the Challengers squad have separate rooms for the men and women. Wes, who has some animosity towards every person on his team, creates a makeshift room away from the Champions.

One of favorite moments on the first episode is when Kenny and Wes are cracking jokes on each other.

Quote of the show: “And you have your mother’s shirt on” – Kenny’s retort about a grey striped wife beater Wes has on.

Kenny also shines when he rants in the confessional about wanting to fight Wes, while looking like Daniel LaRusso from the Karate Kid, headband and all.

Tanya, designated the “Mayor of Crazytown” by Susie, was drunk for majority of the first episode.

As far as the actual challenges, Wes decided that he plans to throw every challenge if the Champions won’t change the way they choose people to go into the elimination round. He is unsuccessful in his first attempt and was chosen to go into the elimination against Chet. Tanya was also sent to the elimination round against my girl, Diem.

Like I said in my previous post, Tanya is a wild card and she shocked the mess out of me when she defeated Diem in the elimination and sent her home. I just knew that Diem – who was seen as a leader for the girls on the Challengers – would last longer than the first episode. Wes was given a run for his money by Chet, but won and still plans to throw the challenges until things are done his way. The Champions plan to nominate him for the elimination, win or lose, until they can get rid of him.

And there’s more to come, so check back tomorrow to see my analysis of the second episode and what I think will happen next.