The newest twist on The Challenge: Ride or Dies allows eliminated players a shot at redemption, but it will ultimately hurt this season. So far, eliminated ride or die pairs have been sent packing each week after losing an elimination round. Losing eliminations on The Challenge typically means automatically being sent home, with the chance of becoming a champion ending until the contestants return for a future season. Redemption twists are not entirely new, though, as the Redemption House was featured on The Challenge: Dirty 30 and The Challenge: Final Reckoning.The Challenge: Ride or Dies introduced a unique redemption twist at the end of episode 10, when Kenny Clark lost a grueling elimination against Horacio Gutiérrez. After The Challenge: Ride or Dies format failed to deliver for the season's first half, pairs were broken up into two opposing teams led by Faysal Shafaat and Moriah Jadea. Fans and Challengers were under the impression that eliminated Challengers would now be sent home one by one, but host TJ Lavin informed Kenny that he would have a future chance at redemption, as long as his sister Kaycee Clark stayed in the game.
Eliminated Players Could Be Carried To The End By Ride Or Dies
While the redemption twist was definitely unforeseen, it will ultimately harm the season overall by lowering the stakes and allowing weaker Challengers to be carried along in the season. Returning The Challenge veterans like Johnny Bananas already had the opportunity to enter the game later as part of a twist that continuously introduced new pairs into the show as late as week 3. On top of the returning veterans' twist and the team twist, some Challenge fans felt that the redemption twist was unnecessary and created a confusing season. The real issue is how this twist will affect the gameplay.
Although the Challengers themselves weren't aware of the chance at redemption until after being eliminated, the stakes were lowered from the viewers' perspective. Eliminations are the most suspenseful portion of each The Challenge episode, especially in a season packed with former champs and fan favorites. However, with the knowledge that eliminated Challengers aren't permanently gone, eliminations will feel less important, and Challenge fans may not feel as invested in the outcome. Former Challenge champs like Laurel Stucky and Darrell Taylor's eliminations were dramatic moments in the season, but the effect becomes lessened if they could re-enter the game later on.
Another issue with the redemption twist is the potential for weaker players to be carried to the end if their stronger partner stays in the game. Kenny, for example, was considered one of the weakest male players in the house after several average performances in weekly challenges. His sister Kaycee, however, is the reigning female champion and tends to garner winning streaks. If Kenny re-enters the game later due to Kaycee's performance, his potential spot in the final will feel unearned. Despite The Challenge's team format this season, individual players should display an ability to earn their place in the game.
Although redemption twists are nothing new on The Challenge, this season's new rule of players getting a last-chance opportunity has some flaws. Eliminations will likely feel less suspenseful due to lowered stakes, and those who can't prove their strengths by winning an elimination will still get a chance to return if their partner is strong. Fans will have to keep watching The Challenge: Ride or Dies to see how it ultimately plays out, but the constant twists may likely ruin the game's momentum.