The Big Leap Season 1 Episode 8 recap: A leap of love

This week on The Big Leap season 1, Justin and Reggie struggle with being gone from the show, while Wayne attempts to get everyone to bond by throwing a mandatory lock-in. Brittney and Paula both reach their breaking points, and Julia and Monica grapple with their love lives.

Read on to learn what happened in The Big Leap season 1 episode 8, “Big Dumb Life.”

The Big Leap season 1 episode 8 recap: Life after the Leap

This week, we got to see a little more of Justin’s past, learning that he has always loved dancing and even performed in the street to earn some money as a kid, which he used to buy a speaker so he and his mother could dance around the kitchen together.

Unfortunately, those dreams have had to be put on hold, as he’s now working at his father’s gutter cleaning business while he’s injured. Being back in his dad’s house isn’t good for any of them — Justin thinks the house is depressing, and his family feels stressed by his presence. The cast FaceTiming him rubs salt in the wound, seeing all he’s missing out on.

When Justin helps his dad after a fall, however, the two share a heart-to-heart, reminiscing about his mother. Justin pulls out the speaker he bought her, and they listen to one of her favorite songs. Justin’s dad tells him he’s glad he’s here with him and is thankful that the world is more accepting of people like Justin nowadays. He encourages him to talk about his mom whenever he wants.

Monica shows up at Justin’s dad’s house the next day, saying the show is offering to pay a crew to help him with his business if Justin can come back to the show. Justin’s dad supports the idea, and Justin is ecstatic, imagining himself dancing with his mother again.

This is also Reggie’s first week without the show, and his transition back into football isn’t exactly a smooth one. There are a few new, young teammates who haze Reggie so he can prove he still has what it takes. With pressure from his coach, Reggie reluctantly goes out to a bar with them, where he runs into his ex Marissa. Marissa is still interested in Reggie, flirting hard, but Reggie rejects her, saying he’s committed to Gabby now. Although nothing happens between them, we see some producers snapping photos of Reggie opening the car door for Marissa. We can’t imagine that’s going to lead to anything good.

The Big Leap season 1 episode 8 recap: Locked in

Justin and Reggie’s absences don’t only affect them — the morale of the remaining cast is off now, too. Wayne seeks to rectify this by throwing a mandatory lock-in, with activities that include everything from contact improv to drawing their feelings.

Nobody is a fan of these games, and Brittney sees this as her chance to get back on everybody’s good side, locking Wayne in a stairwell so they can all be free. They take Nick’s credit card and head to a convenience store to buy drinks and snacks, dancing around and having a good time.

The fun, however, is short-lived, as when they come back to the studio, they must deal with an angry Wayne. Hurt, Wayne yells that he’s the only one who truly cares about them. They all feel bad for the way they treated him, pleading with him to come hang out with them. Wayne accepts their invitation, and they all go around and talk about their greatest fears — what’s holding them back. Brittney admits that she’s her own worst enemy, tearfully apologizing to Gabby for ruining her life. She genuinely enjoyed hanging out with her and feels awful. Gabby accepts her apology, and the two hug.

The Big Leap season 1 episode 8 recap: Leap of love

Love is in the air this week — no matter how much some people want to avoid it. The sound guy Linus is still trying to woo Julia, giving her gluten-free brownies, but she rejects all his advances, as she’s not ready to be in a relationship so soon after her divorce. But after dancing with him — and some encouragement and heart-to-hearts with the cast — she changes her mind, agreeing to have dinner with him.

Paula officially learns that her cancer has relapsed but struggles with telling Mike. Though Mike is optimistic, positive she can beat this, Paula knows in her heart this is going to kill her. She doesn’t want to pollute the time she has left and decides not to get treatment, instead living her life to the fullest for the remainder of her time. Though they are originally planning a small getaway, Mike proposes they take a big trip instead, and Paula tearfully agrees.

After a high Monica outed their relationship last week, she and Nick have to talk to HR and disclose that they’ve been having sex. When the HR woman starts telling him she met her husband on a TV set, Monica panics, assuring everyone that this is not a serious relationship and won’t be forever. Nick is interested in making it real and taking her on a proper date, but Monica refuses, and the two end it. However, after Nick tells Monica the news about Paula, Monica has a change of heart, proposing that they help each other through this time.

What did you think of the episode? Comment below!