Cheaters Never Prosper - Average Joe 4: The Joes Strike Back, Episode 4by Hildee Weiss
This week’s episode begins at a roller derby arena, where the Joes face off against the Jocks. Poor Anna says she doesn’t understand the rules but we will soon find out that there are no rules in this competition. “The average jo(k)es have no chance of winning,” warns Carson. “We’re going to be dishing out some pain tonight!”
There is quite a bit of pain dished out indeed. Arthur is knocked over by a hunk donned in black. But he’s so sure that Anna will see through those bullying, womanizing pigs and go for someone real like him. Clay tries to avoid getting knocked out by using his size (or lack, thereof) to roll right past the men in muscles. He compares the experience to Nascar but fortunately for him, his fenders aren’t quite as bent as those of Jeff Gordon. Anna is impressed with Josh the Joe’s competitive streak. In his confessional, Josh admits that he will do whatever it takes to get a date with Anna. Carson brags that two Joes will be going home tonight in an ambulance. My guess is Artie and Gino, who is seeing stars after “taking it up a notch” and falling flat on his face. Artie sighs that Anna is making him fall for her all over again … literally. Carson faces off with Nathan, who refuses to back down. In the end, the ump takes points away from the jocks and the Joes are declared the victors! Ever the spoiled sport, Carson assumes that the ump must have been an average joe himself.
After admitting that she is proud of her average Joes, Anna picks two guys – one from each team – for a one on one date. She picks Carson for the first date because she wants to see who he really is. Carson is equally suspicious of Anna’s motives and sincerity. They head for a vineyard, where they taste wine and swap their first impressions of one another. Carson confesses that he thought she was stuck up and in the game for the wrong reasons. But after hearing Anna’s shpiel about being single for the first time in years and really, really liking these great guys, he has a change of heart. And Anna realizes she misjudged Carson by thinking he was cocky. After all, he did show a tender side as he opened up about his girlfriend cheating on him when he was 15! Aw shucks, folks … Anna really digs this new Carson.
Back at home, Carson convinces his fellow jocks and Joes that he is indeed a changed man. “I am man enough to admit that I was wrong,” says the former skeptic.
As Anna and Josh take a boat out and watch the sunset, Anna wonders if Josh is as into her as she is into him. Josh, meanwhile, wants to show Anna his passionate and confidant side. Anna takes him down to her messy bedroom for what should be an unveiling of Josh’s newfound passionate side but he’s more interested in passing around Nathan’s love note. A word of advice, Josh: playing postal will leave you lonely on those Saturday nights!
Fortunately, Josh makes good on his word and wins Anna over with his words of appreciation for the beautiful things in life. His instincts tell him that this thing between them is real and so they kiss. A lot. Things are looking mighty good for the once upon a time shy guy. “I have found someone I could possibly spend the rest of my life with,” declares the jubilant Josh.
Anna later reads Nathan’s letter in which he declares that no matter what happens between them, he has enjoyed knowing her. He signs the letter as a friend, because that is where it all starts, doesn’t it?!
It’s time for the elimination pool but wait … a strange looking woman shows up and introduces herself to the Joes and jocks as the cocktail waitress from the previous night. Some of the jocks look too hung over to remember while others cringe at the thought of someone other than Anna picking them for another date. Truth be told, it is Anna and she has set up a sting operation to see who is really in the game for her. With the help of a Hollywood special effects artist, Anna has become “ordinary” looking and gasp, she’s even put on a few pounds! And this is coming from the lady who didn’t want anyone who plays games…
Flashback to the previous night, when the guys have been told to enjoy a night out at a Sunset Boulevard bar. The bar is hidden with cameras, with Anna watching their every move. At first, Anna is excited at the prospect of being around the guys without them realizing she was there. At 10:30, a bunch of models are sent in to flirt with the guys and test their devotion to Anna. A disinterested Rocky walks away from the girls after a few minutes. Arthur and Josh hang out together at the bar, where Arthur admits that his affection belongs to Anna. Anna is clearly impressed by the dedicated duo.
As for the hunks … the new and improved Carson is too busy taking his shirt and pants off to notice Anna. Craig is playing a game of saliva swap with one of the models. “The flirting went out of control,” Anna declares. “All it took was a few hours for them to betray me.” Anna feels hurt the most by Brad, with whom she had felt a connection but alas, no one on one date. She doesn’t understand how in one moment, he can be telling Anna how beautiful and smart she is and then he’s caught caressing the behind of a total stranger!
Anna reveals herself at the elimination ceremony, announcing that she is going to enjoy sending some of the guys home tonight. She has seen everything that went on last night and in fact, went home crying. As she rips her face off, Anna is heard in her confessional declaring that she hates how guys tell her that they know how to treat a lady and then they’re caught on a boys’ night out. There are latex peelings all over the poolside as Nathan says it best, “that was pretty damn good!”
Anna has four tickets to Tahiti to give out and six guys are going home:
Craig – he disappointed Anna by getting it on with a complete stranger.
Carson – the Carson from last night was not the Carson she went out with.
Brad – he feels bad for hurting Anna but “hey, it happened.”
Clay – he would have loved to get to know Anna better.
Nathan – he didn’t put himself out there enough.
Gino – why is it a surprise to him that he’s leaving?
As we are treated to one last image of Chris Carson, he predicts Arthur the winner in the end. “I never thought I would say this but I’m rooting for the average guy.”
The bus departs as Anna looks forward to Tahiti with her new foursome. It’s hardly a surprise when Nathan is left on the bus, admittedly excited about his make-over. He realizes that he needs to stop being the scruffy Joe and build more self-esteem. With a new wardrobe, a new smile and fresh-as-a-baby face, Nathan is ready for a second chance with Anna!
You can e-mail Hildee Weiss at HildeeW@SBCGlobal.net
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