Michelle Durand on Endurance 2
For some reason, every time I rewatch Endurance 2, I grow to appreciate Michelle more and more. As a game player, Michelle didn't do much, and didn't do well in the challenges to start with. But as a character, she really stands out.
Even during the partner selection, Michelle believed that she would make it to the final three, which wasn't a clear bet when she was partnered with Tyler. He wanted to go home within the first few days, to the point where he got Orange sent to the Temple of Fate twice in a row. Surprisingly, Orange survived both, and laid low under the radar as the rival alliances clashed with each other.
Michelle didn't do anything herself, but didn't make herself a target either. Instead, she stood out as a beacon of optimism and hope, and while she didn't communicate with Tyler as much as they should, she provided a source of motivation. When Tyler commented that they would suffer the same fate as Yellow (going home after failing to win a mission), at which Michelle replied that they wouldn't and she would stay in the game. And in Aqueduct, Orange did just that when the won and ended up taking control.
While Tyler made an amazing gambit with the Samadhi, Michelle also helped with her friendship with Annie. From what I've seen, they weren't really with the main group (Jenna, Keetin, Calley), and Annie listened to Michelle when she vented about Tyler. Despite an earlier promise to Brown, Purple ultimately gave Orange all their pieces upon their elimination.
Michelle's little bit of hope radiated throughout Endurance 2, floating above the otherwise frenzied competition. Motivated by the need to win for her mom, she pushed hard in the challenges and worked with Tyler as much as possible. There's a bit of sweetness in her personality, when mixed with determination, brings out a fascinating character.
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silly doodles of the Orange Trio! they are friends (that are a little awkward!)
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Chelsea Myers on Endurance 1
One thing which stands out with Endurance 1 was how the editing allowed for more of the secondary contestants to shine. And that is how Chelsea, a quiet girl who wasn't expected to make it through the first elimination, ended up being one of my favorites.
Despite her small stature, she ended up making it through Timeline, and ended up being on the Orange Team. She and Skyler mostly stayed on the sidelines and didn't have a big impact on the series, as they were pretty middling in missions and were, like the Green Team, on the outs of the Red-Yellow-Blue alliance.
And yet, we got to know Chelsea quite well! We remember a lot of her in relation to others: the rock people, her friendship with Layla, her crush on Max, her hope they might win "Knotted Up" with the Samadhi, and her discussing with Lana about Sabrina. Though her arc with how she opened up at the beginning was endearing to see, and solidified most of what made e1 special.
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