Fugitives of Love

Laterrian/T woos Kathy, but Kathy proves hard to get. Meanwhile the troopers attempt to evade capture by Deputy Dawg and his posse--even as they struggle to promote Howard Johnson hotel chains.

Analysis

About a month ago I made a passive prediction, that James and Folly would be this season's "hot item". Well after four weeks of lukewarm romantics I'm not so sure anymore--nor am I sure that Laterrian/T and Kathy will replace them on the eye anytime soon. Sure, the producers throw you the worm on a hook deal with the endless innuendoes, back and forth flirting, and the far-off-the-mark cast predictions--but I wouldn't bite just yet! In fact, I'm not going to dive too deep into Laterrian/T and Kathy's connection because it looks like we're in store for part II next week.

Here, Kathy introduces us to her current fling Reed who she misses sooo much; and given her habit of not being able to go without a man for more than two weeks, I'd say she's due to stray anytime now! While on their way to presumingly Georgia (although the constant Shasta with horns--no horns shots suggest otherwise--looks like the editors are doing a fine job so far), Laterrian/T and Kathy engage in some trivial road trip flirting, but Kathy stresses that she and Laterrian are just friends. T (jokingly) proclaims that he has NO hidden agenda to hook up with Kathy what-so-ever.

So after a long day's drive, the troopers make a mandatory stop in some unknown Georgia town just to give B-M's sponsor, Hojo's another shameful plug (that's 4 so far, wanna shoot for 5 next week?). And as if Hojo's marketing bombardments weren't bad enough, we were also given another torturing segment of the Roadgimmick, who orders the kids to head north to Toccoa for an appointment at City Hall (I tell ya, his antics are getting worse everytime I see him!).

Meanwhile, we get more LT/K flirting when LT attempts to vy for K's attention by reciting, "A Woman Waits for Me" by Walt Whitman. LT goes on to profess that he doesn't use this type of charm on your average random ass one night stand... Walt only deserves the best! Apparently, it was enough to momentarily hook Kathy who gushes about LT's deep charisma. Then Bumpkin chooses this moment to utter Yet Another arbitrary quote: "Laterrian and Kathryn? I don't know... I think there's some chemical equation going on between them, but it's all hide N' go seek, it's all hide N' go seek!" Ya, I have no ideal what he's talking about either! Keep'em comin' Bumpkin.

Then all of a sudden, the show slams the brakes on the Kathy/LT connection when Deputy Dawg and his posse show up at the crack of dawn to arrest the drowsy troopers. As it turns out, this is just another mission where the troopers are labeled "fugitives on the run from the law". Deputy Dawg informs the kids that they'll be paired off into three teams (Folly and James, Kathy and Laterrian, and M'saada and Bumpkin) who must navigate through the thick brush, creeks (or if you fancy Bumpkin speak, "criks"), and steep hills to reach their ultimate goal, the look-out tower at some near by power plant.

All it takes is for one team to make it to the tower and they immediately score $6,000 bucks; however, if no team makes it, then they walk away empty handed. With that said, DD gives them an enthusiastic sign off with, "If I were you I'd haul butt right now!" And with that the troopers begin their pointless endeavor; and when I stress "pointless" I mean why don't they get it over with already and just forfeit? Given all the manpower, dogs, choppers, and the fugitives' futile efforts to evade capture (oh ya, like having a camera buff and buff mic guy on your tail would actually help you keep a low profile) the odds were stacked against them like a brick wall!

Furthermore, if it's the fugitives' objective to reach the look-out tower, then why does the posse have to exhaust unnecessary resources (choppers, dogs, etc.) when all they have to do is just stake out the tower and wait for the fugitives to come to them?

I won't go into details, but suffice it to say the troopers' eluding tactics consisted of a lot of grade school style frolicking in the leaves from James and Folly, moving hide-and-go-seek with Bumpkin and M'saada, and a quick game of Strip Poker by Laterrian/T and Kathy. When the chase finally ends, the troopers walk away with their tails between their legs; but as a consolation Deputy Dawg invites them to sing along with him to one of Toccoa's favorite hits, "I Fought the Law and the Law Won". But mercifully the show take off on the Kathy/LT connection before singing can commerce... and it appears that things have changed...

While at a local RV park, Kathy informs a prying James and Bumpkin that if she wanted some butt she'd be after James; furthermore, she reveals that Laterrian is good-looking, but not that good-looking (ouch). Of course this goes against everything B-M has tried to conjure over the last 30 min (I'm surprised they even aired it). Then Kathy goes on to pull a 180 when phoning Reed to urge him to live up the single life to the fullest. So was Kathy trying to throw the local gossip circuit off the trail while secretly in favor of having a discreet relationship with LT? Stay tuned...


NEXT WEEK: Kathy gets an unexpected visit.


Jump straight to "Love, Lust, & Lies". Or go back to "Mission Impossible: Get Shorty".

Viewer Rating	Results
Q: How do you rate Fugitives of Love? (of 52 respondents) 14%   5 - Excellent. 17%   4 - Above Average. 48%   3 - Average. 17%   2 - Below Average. 2%   1 - Far Below Average. 2%   0 - I'd Rather Watch Informercials.

• Leslie (Real World: The Big Sleazy)
• Adam (Road Fools: The Maximum Stupidity Tour)
• (The Producer Boys)
• Kim/Stee (Mighty Big TV)
• Ragin (Phat Tuesdays: Real World New Orleans)
• Dish (Real World/Road Rules Web)
• Mrs. Filthy ("Real World" Reviews)
• Road Kill/Real Fake (Tubescan)
• Jill (RW New Orleans)
• Ashley (Real World/Road Rules Hot Spots)
• Kelley/WildGuy (Road Rules Online)
• Guest Reviewer (The Real World Blows)
• Mario (The Real World Road)