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Last week, the Hunks arrived. This week, we start wondering if we can send them back.

The Hunks Make Themselves Known

The Hunks entered the house, and immediately started trying to take it over -- rearranging rooms, throwing stuff outside, stripping the beds. Most of the Joes hung back and took it in stride (as the Hunks exulted, Nathan Griffin mildly pointed out that they missed a shoe), but Dante Alighire took the battle to the Hunks. He brought his bags back in from outside (objecting to their having touched "personal property" -- sounds a bit like a producer rule to me), attempted to move the Hunks' property, and confronting the meanest, nastiest Hunk of them all, Chris Carson (known as Carson).

As Carson and Dante squared off, Dante stared at Carson. "You want to get out of a bad situation, do something crazy," thought Dante. And he gave Carson a quick kiss on the mouth.

Genius. Sheer genius. Josh Nachlas asked in disbelief, "Did he just kiss him?" Nathan laughingly responded, "Yeah, he did. And it was great!"

Hunk Michael Pugliese didn't think it was so great. "I'd rather have someone head butt me or punch me than kiss me," he said. (Volunteers? Anyone?) And Carson, of course, did not think it was great either. He blustered and complained and yelled and swore. In interview, he remarked that "it took every ounce of pride, of courage, of self-control and just respect for the people around me" to control himself. Congrats, Carson -- all your pride and courage got you up to the level of basic jerk. Or maybe it was something else -- Carson also remarked that "if this wasn't on TV, believe me ... the situation would have taken a different turn." In other words, pride and courage and self-control and respect for others is only important if the cameras are on.

Back to School

Not only did the Hunks move into the house, but they moved into the competition. The Hunks and Joes met up in a gymnasium to compete for bragging rights and for Anna's attention.

First competition was a wrestling match. While little Jason Marcus (by his own admission, 125 pounds, mostly bone) surprised everyone by beating the Hunk he was paired against, the other Joes did not fare as well, as Josh, Nathan, Clay Ellis, Arthur Apicella, and Gino Cafarelli all went down. Last up was Dante and Carson, in a big rematch. Dante tried to shake hands, but Carson would have none of that (maybe he took offense at Dante's statement that it would be fun to compete with Carson). Once again, I was sucked into the editors' manipulations, getting all emotional about Dante's victory ... only to have my hopes cruelly dashed when Carson barely escaped Dante's pinning him and instead ended up pinning Dante. At least, I hope, Dante, a guy who was looking to feel love, was able to feel the love from his fellow Joes as they cheered him on. One-nothing, Hunks.

The second competition was a Sloppy Joe eating contest. Rocky Fain was concerned: "We are on a very strict protein diet." The Joes dug in with a will. The Hunks, led by Evil Carson, when it was their turn to eat, simply stood up and applauded the Joes, conceding victory. Carson saw this as "a slap" to the Joes that would embarrass them. Clay saw it more clearly -- "I thought it was a little bit chicken of them to just get up from the table and not compete." One-all.

The third competition was -- what else? -- Dodgeball. After all, the Joes were screened for their Dodgeball abilities in the first episode. The Joes were psyched. The Hunks were pumped. Arthur remarked, upon seeing the Hunks shirtless, "My body is a finely tuned American-made sedan. Their body is a finely tuned, highly waxed and polished Italian-made sports car." In the end, it was a slaughter. Clay put up a good fight, but the Hunks were victorious.

Hunk Date 1

After the competition, Anna picked one hunk to be her date, and she selected Rocky. In interview, she explained it was because he stood out as being polite during the wrestling match, as though he wanted them all to be one family.

During the date on the yacht, though, Anna seemed anything but familial with him. She was giddy and excited and nervous to be with him. Although she was nervous that he was a dreamer -- she prefers men with goals -- she was very taken by him. "When he looks in my eyes, it's like he's looking into my soul," she marveled. He was handsome, passionate, and aggressive. While she didn't know if passion would last, she sure appeared to be enjoying it while it was happening. And for his part, Rocky was sure that it was "meant to be" that Anna would be his.

Hunk Date 2

The next day, Anna met the Hunks at the beach for a beach volleyball game -- and for a little private time with each of the Hunks. Afterwards, Anna chose Josh Abston to have a private date on the yacht.

It turns out that Josh and Anna have a lot in common. They're both from Las Vegas, and they knew some of the same people even though they'd never met before. Upon finding out that bartender Josh doesn't drink, Anna said she felt bad about having stereotyped him as a party guy. (Considering that Josh said that he got sober eight months ago, I have the feeling that nine months ago he probably fit the stereotype pretty well.) Anna also admired the way that Josh was able to open up and be vulnerable -- even telling her about his background in ballet.

Josh and Anna had a nice date, ending with a "perfect" kiss. But back at the house, things weren't that perfect. Carson and Mike came back in swearing that Anna was a fake. (I'm sure that was unrelated to Anna having called Carson on his "tough guy" facade.) This upset all the Joes, but no one was more upset than Arthur. Unfortunately, Carson and Mike preyed on Arthur, chipping away at his confidence, all under the guise of trying to "help" him. As Hunk Greg Duke said, "Carson, he's a predator. He goes after people. And he finds their weakness. And it really destroyed Art." Hunk Brad Gatie said, "When it comes down to it, Mike and Carson, I commend them on their psychological strategy."

Fortunately, Art had some friends to talk some sense into him. Clay pointed out that everyone who'd met Anna before had found her to be genuine, so why was Art listening to guys who had barely met her? And showing that Anna is not without discernment, Hunk Rocky was out talking with Arthur too, and encouraging him to trust his own experience instead of Mike and Carson, who didn't even want to date her. (I'm glad to see there's at least one Hunk that I can feel kindly towards.)

Eliminations

This week, Anna was required to eliminate two Hunks, and two Joes.

Here are the four who were eliminated this week:

• Hunk Michael Pugliese. Mike was not at all disappointed to leave. "I got exactly what I wanted," he exulted to the camera. His only concern was that if Carson won, Anna might "end up tagging along or something with us." (I guess Josh Nachlas had it right when he pegged Mike and Carson as the true great romance.)

• Joe Jason Marcus. Jason was surprised that he was leaving. But Jason never had the opportunity for a one-on-one, and at this point, you need to have something that makes you stand out to avoid elimination.

• Hunk Greg Duke. Greg was also surprised that he was leaving. "I was pretty confident in the way that I look," he said, bewildered. He found it a "shock to your ego" to be rejected based on his looks. Live and learn, my friend!

• Dante Alighire. Anna was in tears, as she announced that the last person leaving was "a beautiful person, and I don't think there are a lot of people who understand him." Dante whispered, "It's me," right before Anna confirmed the truth.

The Makeover

This week's makeover was Dante. He met with a life coach, who helped work with him on his penchant for stepping over boundaries and demanding attention (even if it's negative). "I hope that he can just surrender a bit," she remarked wistfully, poetically, and somewhat accurately.

Dante also had a spa treatment (including getting his back waxed -- ouch!) and a fashion makeover. Most extreme of all was the dental work Dante had done. It took eight hours and nineteen veneers, and starting out the dentist wasn't sure he could get the job done. But he did, and Dante's teeth were vastly improved. Overall, Dante's makeover was a success, but I don't think it was dramatic enough to make him a true contender upon returning to the game. Still, it can't help but give him a boost in other dating situations.

Average Joe: The Joes Strike Backis on Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, on NBC.