Hello. I’m back from DeviantArt, doing art commission and stuff like that. But I have a thought about TDA and it creeps me a little. Without being emotional, can Trent make his TDA team a lot better and if so, is it enough to challenge Gwen’s team? Here, I analyse and grade the team captain original choice and then outline on what’s the best available selection if I'm in charge. Do remember that both are picking based on TDI experience, not the future. So, Lindsay and Harold don’t hold much value as they don’t show much abilties in TDI in comparison to their TDA performance.
So, we go back to episode “Riot on Set” where Gwen and Trent are both team captain. Gwen has the advantage as she was awarded the first pick.
Round 1[]
Gwen Choice: Duncan
Checklist:
- High Placing in TDI? Check.
- Led team to win in TDI? Check.
- Similar interest and knowledge? Check.
- Knowledges that will help the team in certain movie situation? Check.
- Good physical abilities? Check.
- Going to anger the other team captain? Check.
Perfect pick for Gwen.
Grade: A+
Gwen selection in my Draft: Duncan
What more does she want? Duncan fits her team easily.
Trent Choice: Lindsay
Trent has the disadvantage of not picking first so he must pick wisely with his first pick… and he didn’t. Irked that Gwen picked Duncan, Trent picks “beautiful Lindsay” … which is a huge gamble. Sure, she can take over and helps her team win some challenges (e.g. The boat race in X-treme Race). Sure, she has the physical and mental abilities to thrive in TDA since her personality perfectly suits TDA.
But her overall TDI experience is shaky at best as she let herself get manipulated by Heather most of the time and her focus at time of need… well good luck if she’s your only hope. Her beauty can help Trent win some TDA challenges but that’s a huge if. And with the first pick, you want a contestant that will be sure to help you at all time.
Grade: C
Trent selection in my Draft: Heather
So, Gwen want to play with fire by selecting Duncan? So why not Trent play fire too by selecting Heather? Why? Leadership. She may not contribute a lot for her team, but she has leadership abilities, a trait that Trent’s original team sorely lack (excluding Lindsay). If the situation is too much for Trent to handle, Heather will take over and ensures that the team will either win the challenge or die doing so. But there’s a better reason. Which is? Revenge. Hence, Heather is a better pick than Lindsay, although not a good personal one for Trent. But darn it, Trent must win against Gwen. And sometme, you have to do whatever it takes to win.
Round 2[]
Gwen Choice: Leshawna
Another solid choice from Gwen. Not only both are great friends back in TDI, Leshawna has thrived in TDI, highlighted by several moments when she won key challenges by her own. And you do not want to go against her if you challenged/taunted her. Overall, a good team and individual team member who bring stability to the team.
Grade: A
Gwen selection in my Draft: Leshawna
Again, what more does Gwen want? She got 2 power players – Duncan and Leshawna. Both have respect for each other and leadership if required to stand up.
Trent Choice: Justin
Trent picked Lindsay… and then picked Justin. LOL. Is Trent trying to be worse than the Sacramento Kings?
Nothing in TDI suggests that Justin will help the team, especially at the second round. His beauty may come into use in some challenges but come on. Surely, Trent can pick somebody better.
Grade: D+
Trent selection in my Draft: DJ
While he played with fire by selecting Heather, he will play safe and pick DJ next. A reliable, formidable team player who Trent knew and trusted back in TDI. Plus, DJ has the potential to help Trent recover his relationship with Gwen. All of this should be easily enough for DJ over Justin by a huge margin.
Round 3[]
Gwen Choice: DJ
A good pick by Gwen. Like I said before, a reliable, formidable team player who all contestants liked and respected. He may lacks the mental abilities to win some challenges but if motivated the right way (especially via Duncan), he can take over and win challenges for Gwen's team.
Grade: B+
Gwen selection in my Draft: Owen
DJ has been taken and we got Owen, Harold and Justin left. So why not take a winner instead? He has winning experience as he made it to the final 2 in TDI thanks to his kind and funny personality. Owen will be at his best in challenges if foods are involved. I know he was picked very late but with all the upsides highlighted above, it’s kinda obvious that Gwen should pick Owen. Overall, a solid team player who has win experience and will be a beast if motivated the right way.
Trent Choice: Beth
Finally, Trent got it right and picked Beth. Not the best choice but she will help the team win some challenges with her determination, something Trent’s team sorely lacked.
Grade: B+
Trent selection in my Draft: Lindsay
Beth is a safe pick. But Trent should take the risk and pick Lindsay instead. Like I said before, she has the physical and mental abilities to thrive in TDA since her personality perfectly suits TDA. Her TDI resume is shaky though, suggesting that she is a huge wildcard as she can either help her team win or lose by a huge margin at important moment.
But in comparison to other contestants available, Lindsay has the highest potential to help the team win challenges without really hurting the team a lot… excluding repeatedly asking the question “Where’s Tyler?”.
Overall, a huge risk-reward characters but worth it over the safety of Beth.
Round 4[]
Gwen Choice: Heather
An interesting pick, to say the least. Gwen picked Heather “to keep the enemies closer”. And I can agree with that. Like I said, Heather doesn’t fully help her team but the last thing you need is her controlling your opponent team and using her manipulative ability to beat you. A gamble but a valid reason from Leshawna to say the least.
Grade: B
Gwen selection in my Draft: Izzy
Heather is out so Gwen will take a gamble but a worthwhile one which is Izzy. Why? Physical abilities. Man, she has high athletic ability which will be enough to win challenges alone. Issue? Her erratic behaviour. Thankfully, Gwen’s team has Leshawna. And she will put Izzy in her place and help the team in zthe challenges… some of the time and if it’s involved with Chef Hatchet.
Trent Choice: Owen
It’s kinda amazing that Owen is still available. Owen made to the final 2 in TDI… and yet nobody picked him at all! Why not? If properly motivated, nobody could stop him at all. A steal for Trent.
Grade: A
Trent selection in my Draft: Harold
Owen is gone. Between Harold and Justin, it’s a no brainer. You might as well have some chance rather than no chance at all. Hence, Trent will pick Harold. Who knows? Harold has some tricks up his sleeves and can emerge victorious in key moments out of nowhere. Not bad when he’s the 2nd last contestant Trent picked.
Round 5[]
Gwen Choice: Harold
Harold is left. Nothing Gwen can do.
Grade: Invalid
Gwen selection in my Draft: Justin
Last option and Gwen hopes Justin can help the team… somewhat. True, his beauty will stun Trent’s team at some moment but honestly, has he done anything worthwhile for his team back in TDI? Hopefully, Gwen, Leshawna and Duncan can motivate Justin to contribute more.
Trent Choice: Izzy
Izzy is the only one left. Nothing Trent can do.
Grade: Invalid
Trent selection in my Draft: Beth
Last contestant but Beth is a good one. She may have been manipulated by Heather in TDI but if she has one good qualities, it’s her willingness and determination to support her team cause. And Trent will need that as his team sorely lacks determination if not motivated.
New Team[]
| Captain | Gwen | Trent |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Duncan | Heather |
| 2nd | Leshawna | DJ |
| 3rd | Owen | Lindsay |
| 4th | Izzy | Harold |
| 5th | Justin | Beth |
Who's better now? Trent's or Gwen's team?[]
It’s kinda obvious. Gwen has 2 friends who has leadership, friendship and willingness to support Gwen via Duncan and Leshawna. Plus, she has 3 ultimate wildcards who can help the team win at any point as Owen, Izzy and Justin have different strength (Owen in food challenge, Izzy in athletic challenge, Justin in beauty challenge). In comparison to the original 3, those 3 are not consistent but the potential to win is higher. The key thing is that Gwen’s team has leadership. Without leadership from Gwen, Duncan and Leshawna, the team will be lost.
For Trent, his team hasn’t improved a lot. All he done is bring stability to his team. Via DJ, he will provide emotional support and help to other members, especially to Trent. Via Heather, she can lead the team if Trent decides not to. Hence, Trent’s team has a better chance to beat Gwen’s team but not a lot.
So, what do you think? Do you think Trent’s team has the potential to upset Gwen’s team? If so, why? For me, Gwen’s team is just too strong for Trent’s team for reason provided above. But that’s just me.