'Platinum Hit' Recap: 'The L Word'

[Platinum Hit - Season 1 Episode 5]

Eight songwriters remained as they woke up to a new challenge. The contestants got a note under the door of their apartments to go to a special location. The contestants hoped that the challenge was about love and love songs. They arrived at the Ambulatorium and were greeted by Jewel. Along with her was OneRepublic lead singer Ryan Tedder. Jewel announced that this week's hook challenge was to write a chorus for a love song; she noted that the winner would have a "massive" advantage.

With 30 minutes, the contestants ran to different benches and started to write. Scotty wanted to write a story about that first moment of saying "I love you." Johnny was inspired by Jes and vice-versa. Jes was nervous about the relationship coming together so quickly. Sonyae wanted to write a story about loving someone to life instead of using "death" as a theme. With a minute left, Melissa still wanted to find love and be able to make babies while her ovaries were still pumping.

Nick started with "Stuck on You" which still was the same punk-rock style. It doesn't help that "Stuck on You" was never actually mentioned and "Stuck in My Head" was. Melissa wrote "Dizzy" but Ryan thought it lacked content. Jackie's song, "Before I get to you" did not get any feedback. Brian's song "Notice" had some killer lyrics. Scotty wrote, "Love me or not" and put his heart on his sleeve in his performance. Sonyae wrote "LoveMe to Life" and Ryan loved the concept. Jes wrote "It's You" and Jewel asked her about influences and Johnny was giggling in the background. The song was a bit stereotypical on the increasing keys, but Johnny still loved the song. Johnny wrote "Wake Up to You" and Ryan thought that the song did not have a broad enough scope; it was too John Mayer.

Jewel announced that the top three (from three to one) was Jes, Nick, and Sonyae. Jewel announced that the big advantage that Sonyae got was to choose her entire team and pick the other two teams.

Sonyae: Scotty and Brian
Nick: Jackie and Johnny
Jes: Melissa

Jes was worried that Melissa would be distracted. The contestants had a day and a half to finish the song. At the studios, Nick wanted to make sure that the stickiness was still a part of the song. Jackie tried submitting lyrics, but it was not interesting. They created a story of exes meeting one another. In Studio 3 with Jes and Melissa, Melissa tried to contribute things but it was not helping Jes. Jes basically started to write the song herself. Melissa was not sure what she saw in Johnny. Sonyae's group jived really well. She loved both Scotty's melody and Brian's guitar mastery. Back to studio 3, the song was done and Melissa asked a few questions, but the team did not do anything. Jes was not feeling well.

With the day over, the contestants mentally rebooted and were back quickly into the studio with ideas. Brian and Scotty adjusted a few lyrics; Brian wanted to make sure that he puts as much heart in the competition. Sonyae wanted to make sure the relationship would "breathe life" back into the dead parts of a person. Jes was not feeling good, so she lay down and mentally checked out. Melissa did not contribute much while Jes was on the floor.

In the morning, Jes got back up and mentally got herself back together. In Nick's studio, the concept of getting three people into a song was a bit confusing. Jackie wanted to make sure the entire puzzle pieces were together. We got a montage of Jackie talking too much. Nick thought that he was talking a bit too much. Nick mimed shooting himself in the head. Jewel arrived with an announcement: The judges would single out the top winner of the group and that single person would get immunity.

Nick was not worried about winning immunity. In Sonyae's group, Brian and Scotty wanted to make sure that their melody was perfect. Melissa and Jes were still a bit mentally gone throughout the whole performance. With time up, the contestants went to bed. In the morning, Jes was feeling better, but she hoped that Johnny liked the song. Sonyae talked to Brian about outfits and he wanted a pop of color. She rejected him, but at least all three of them matched.

The contestants arrived to a smaller set of seats. Along with Kara DioGruardi and Keith Naftaly was Ryan Tedder. Sonyae started the performances with the group's "Love Me to Life." I liked the combination of Sonyae and Scotty's voice. Kara was swaying in the background, while Jewel nodded in agreement. Nick's team was up next and performed "Stuck in My Head" and Kara was a bit confused. Jewel nodded a bit stoically. Luckily, the group adjusted the title to match the lyrics. Jes and Melissa performed "It's You" and the song was just like a Sara Bareilles song. The harmonies were descent, but the chorus was a bit redundant in the beginning.

As the judges deliberated, the contestants got to talk in the background. Melissa thought she was the sane one, but everyone thought she was crazy. They all ended agreeing that Jes was the most normal.

The contestants returned and Johnny, Nick, and Jackie and Sonyae, Scotty, and Brian placed in front of the judges. They were the top two songs. Sonyae was excited. Kara loved the concept and title of Sonyae, but she needed to get to the chorus sooner. Nick finally got a whole package in his performance. Kara hated the three person concept. Jewel and Keith liked the flavoring of the characters. Jewel announced that the winning team was "Love Me to Life." They talked about whom individually contributed what and each member equally contributed something of performance. The judges agreed that the top person was Sonyae and she was given immunity. The six contestants walked back to the studio and partied.

Melissa and Jes was the bottom. Jes described the process as one of the hardest days for her. She knows that sickness was not an excuse. The lyrics were really immature and really boring. The lyrics were Jes at her worst, except for the one lyric about sentences. The "it's you" section was not a good pay off. Keith called the performance one-dimensional. Jes did the melody and lyric. Melissa was pinned down for not helping. She immediately tried to defend herself. Jes was in tears for not helping. Melissa tried to fight her way back into the show. Jewel asked if she contributed lyrics and Melissa tried to make an excuse that everything was collaborative. Kara pointed out that she needed to be direct; Melissa thought Kara was getting an attitude. Ryan thought that someone that did not contribute should not work together again. Jes needed to make sure her bar was raised.

The two contestants went to the back and tried to explain to the contestants why they're in the bottom. Melissa was called out for not contributing.

After the judges deliberated, Melissa was eliminated. Melissa was upset about her elimination.

Next Week: Live performances stress out Sonyae.