Finally, a sweet 16er to make us proud. Marissa has shown the most heart and class of all the exiled cast. Unlike some of the others, Marissa is not really a spoiled brat, just a typical sheltered teen. She reflects the struggle kids face when their parents make life too easy and comfortable. One day they have to go out into the world and kids that have never had to rely on themselves are easy targets for people willing to take advantage.

Marissa was ‘exiled’ to the remote hills of India in hopes that she would finally learn how to stand on her own two feet. At the beginning of this episode, Marissa lacked the confidence and self-reliance needed to make the transition from child to adult. Like Chelsi from a previous episode, Marissa had trouble doing the simpliest tasks for herself. But unlike Chelsi, it was obvious that Marissa really wanted to do well. She actually did all the chores without complaints and never displayed an attitude towards her new family. I really felt for her when she cried. She wasn’t crying because things were hard and she wanted to go home. She cried because she realized that she couldn’t do things that she should be able to and didn’t want her host family to think she was stupid.

Marissa did really well and I wish her the best.

See the full episode.