This week, the teams compete in a lively cook-off challenge, with celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito as the judge. The winning team gets a special dinner prepared by Rocco, plus a very desirable "surprise" from home. Also, one team faces a setback when one of their strongest players suffers an injury, and one of the contestants gets a surprise visitor. In the end, another player is sent packing.

Its nearly the halfway point of the season, so the contestants celebrate the occasion with a challenge involving the total of their weight lost to date. Plus, they receive an inspirational visit from their doctor to assess their health advances. There's also a surprise guest trainer Jillian Michaels' mom, a psychotherapist, who helps the contestants begin to understand the issues in their past that have contributed to their weight gain. Then another elimination round leads to a heartbreaking farewell as one more player is sent home.

For the first time in the history of NBC's hit series "The Biggest Loser," the last nine contestants all get a trip home to see their loved ones in the middle of the season. It's a week filled with heartwarming reunions, real world temptations and tearful goodbyes when contestants must return to the ranch.