The Challengeseason 41’s premiere episode saw a twist that the veterans and rookies didn’t see coming, andone polarizing vet’s game may have started crumbling before it even had the chance to start. ThroughoutThe Challengeseason 41’s premiere, the Vets & New Threats teased in the show’s sub-title were prepared to take each other on in a major competition.
With the rookies and veterans in the game getting paired up duringThe Challengeseason 41launch special, they were surprised to be put into groups from the jump. Regardless of the shock, some rookies were snatched up quickly, while others were left on the board for the end of the selection. Once the pairs were set,the Challengers went straight into competition.
WhileThe Challengeis often a game of physical ability, the social strategy that comes into play from season to season tends to be a vastly different side to the game than anticipated for new players. With veterans like C.T. Tamburello, Johnny Bananas, and Derrick Kosinski in the mix,the rookies can anticipate a strategic social game that may already have one veteran out to dry.
Johnny Bananas Always Dominates The House’s Social Strategy
Sometimes, He’s Too Domineering Early On
Throughout his time onThe Challenge, Johnny Bananas has long been someone who turns to social strategy over competition. He’s a strong physical competitor and can usually pull out a win, but he rests on social dominance when he can and tries to gain power from season to season. After pairing up with rookie andSurvivorwinner Dee Valladares,Johnny took the season’s first win.
Gaining points for a later point in the game and the power to save one pair from being voted into elimination,Johnny found himself wielding powervery early in the game. While this wasn’t what Dee wanted,the long-timeChallengeveteran had the ability to put himself in a position of power, which is typically where he likes to be. Creating connections, Johnny’s domineering personality took over.
Johnny Tried To Orchestrate A Specific Elimination Battle
He Wanted An Outcome He Couldn’t Control
After winning power, Johnny went to work to figure out who he and Dee would choose to save from elimination, and further, who would go up against Rogan O’Connor, who lost the competition with Adrienne Naylor. Rogan, one of the British cast members of the season,was openly aligned with others like Theo Campbell and Jake Cornish, which led Johnny to consider their fate.
Ultimately, in a show of good faith Johnny and Dee decided to save Theo and his partner Izzy Fairthorne from potentially being thrown into elimination, but hoped to vote Jake into the ring. With some ofThe Challengecast members playing along, Jake got a few votes much to the chagrin of his partner, Cara Maria Sorbello. Eventually,Justin Hinsley was chosen to take Rogan on.
Johnny’s Target Left The Game, But He May Be Coming On Too Strong
His Fellow Challengers May Not Follow His Lead
While Johnny was hoping that Rogan would have to go against his closest ally Jake in the elimination, Justin took on theEx On The Beach UKstar instead. Though it wasn’t the match-up Johnny wanted,Rogan was still the first cast member eliminated fromThe Challengeseason 41, which was Johnny’s best-case-scenario outcome. Even so, his game could be on the line.
Johnny making the decision to tryand put two of the UK alliance members into elimination rubbed a lot of the cast the wrong way, especially when there were votes for both Jake and Justin floating around in the end. WithJohnny trying to wield his power and make things go his way, he could find himself a sacrifice toThe Challengegods soon.
