That said, we see the group returning to their digs in NYC after their eye-opening journey to Morocco. The consensus seems to be that they all have a new found appreciation for life and each other. Many of the housemates hope that this trip will allow them to bury the hatchet and enjoy the rest of their time together. For awhile, it looks like that just might happen. "Awhile" here translates into roughly 22 minutes of edited peace, also known as episode 10. After next week airs however, all bets are off.

For Mike, the trip to Morocco has inspired him to not be fearful of speaking his mind or being himself (mainly around Coral). So, he resolves to do just that, and be Mike at "level 10" instead of Mike at "level 6," whatever that means. Just exactly how many levels are there anyhow? At any rate, after Mike decides to "unleash" himself, they cut to him crawling on the floor and acting just plain silly. Apparently this is what Mike at level 10 is all about.

Mike's "friend with benefits," Sarah is coming to visit. Mike is psyched to see his friend, but he's more psyched to know he's about to get some. Meanwhile, on Planet Newfound Appreciation, Kevin talks about how his having cancer made him appreciate life more and Malik echoes his sentiments- not the cancer part, just the appreciating stuff.

Mike thinks Central Park is beautiful. Not only that, but there's a zoo RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY. No kids, it doesn't get any better than that.

Now for the cliffhanger you've all been waiting for. Rachel is talking to her mystery boy on the phone. You know, the one who kissed her and calls for three hours at a time? The one we all were lead to believe might be Blair? Alas, Bunim and Murray tricked us again and instead Rachel's beau is this never heard of before dude named Gabe. Upon hearing the guy on the other end of the line was Gabe and not Blair I let out a collective sigh. I don't know why it mattered to me so much. I really do need to get a life.

Anyway, Rachel met this guy Gabe at the Warped Tour a few months back. Apparently Gabe is the lead singer of the band Midtown and Rachel just LOVES musicians. (Right there with ya babe.) As Rachel puts it, "Everybody looks ten times better with a guitar around their neck." At first the other girls in the house think she's just a random groupie (hello, a groupie that he talks to on the phone?!) and so they are somehow shocked to find out that Rachel actually knows the guy and even kissed him once upon a time. Suddenly the, "let's all listen to Rachel's story" factor was turned up a notch or two.

Lori puts Gabe and Rachel's relationship in perspective for the viewing public. "Her attraction to him is pretty much fueled by his reciprocation." Well, obviously! That's how most normal courtships begin! Then again, Lori might be clueless in this department, given the evidence thus far.

Friends with benefits Sarah shows up and she brings along a girl named Michelle. Mike exclaims, "It's been a while since I've seen girls from Ohio... and I LOVE Ohio girls." Well sure, most guys would love a girl who came with fringe benefits, no matter what state she was from. Kevin playfully mocks Mike when the girls arrive, calling him ‘Michael' in a voice that eerily sounds like Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie. This is the funniest thing Kevin has done on camera thus far. It seems he might have a personality in there somewhere after all.

Upon introducing the Ohio girls to the house members, Coral actually formulates the sentence, "Hi, how are you guys?" I guess her copy of "Seven Ways to Be A Nicer Person Since Visiting a Third World Country" finally came in the mail. Coral repeatedly encourages the girls to go "crazy" while they are in New York. Mike decides to try out his standing up to Coral attitude in front of the Ohio girls. There's some nonsense about whether the girls should wear black or color when they go out. What it's really about however, is Mike vs. Coral.

Gabe calls and tells Rachel he is going to be in the city for a show. He then calls back and tells Rachel that he will call her after the show because it's sold out. All the girls think it pretty rude that Gabe didn't attempt to get Rachel a ticket, since he obviously had gotten one for himself. Rachel, not wanting to ever think the worst of someone, says it doesn't matter really because it just means she will wait around a little longer.

While bar hopping with the Ohio girls, Mike tells them that the guys in the house are like his "bros," and that it was guys vs. girls at one point. Umm yeah...try last week!? Wise one Michael tells the ladies how it is- "The more nice you are, the less respect you get." Well put my child.

Gabe finally meets up with Rachel and he tells her that he thinks she should know that he has a girlfriend and that he hopes he didn't lead her on. Hmm...now how would Gabe think he did that? By kissing her once and then calling her for three hours at a time? For keeping in touch with her after she moved to New York? By attempting to meet up with her numerous times? Nah, probably not.

Kevin asks Mike if he wants some alone time with Sarah and if so, the guys will vacate the premises. Mike tells Kevin that it's ok if he stays and that they will give them a show instead.

Rachel meanwhile decides that Gabe was too good to be true and that things like that don't happen to her anyhow. Lori feels everyone in the house has dates except her and Rachel. But technically Rachel kinda had a date, so I guess that just leaves, well, her. Rachel feels like she is missing affection, while Lori feels she is missing out on much more. Lori wraps up the Gabe Rachel saga by saying, "You know when someone's not available. It's just like, "oh, ok-whatever.'" Well yeah, for some of us at least.

Mike tells us like it is- "You can have sex with your friends and still have good relationships with them." I'm gonna go out on a limb and agree with Mike, especially if the person you just had sex is getting into a cab heading states away. I think that's particularly helpful when maintaining space in relationships.

Lori wants to know how far he and Ohio girl went. What are we- in grade school? Do you want him to break it down by bases? Mike assures her they did the deed. He also proudly says that he had been voted the most likely to, "get some ass" first. He does not disappoint. Both Kevin and Lori tell Mike they are proud.

Mike and Rachel are walking through the city. We cut to them seemingly in mid conversation. Mike says to Rachel, "When you have sex for the first time, can you call me?...You can call me when it's going on or if I'm there, let me know." IF I'M THERE?! I'm assuming he meant if it happens while they live in the house. Please God say he meant while they are living in the house.

Janet Branagan is a freelance writer and pop culture addict from New Jersey.

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