When INXS sent Neal home last week, the remaining Rockers got the message: anyone can go and you're only one bad performance away from being eliminated. How will losing the Rocker who Ty called "inspirational," Heather claimed was the "heart of the group" and Suzie described as gracious and kind affect the Mansion's dynamics and mood?

Returning home, everyone looks a little shell-shocked. This was much more intense than last week. But Tara finds a bright spot in the decision -- although INXS had two chances to send her home, the fact that she is still around is a "testament of faith" in her talents.

If Neal's absence makes the Rockers' hearts fonder, J.D.'s presence is having the opposite effect. The negative vibe created by J.D. telling INXS that while the rest of the Rockers have to learn their songs, he's known and loved them since he was a kid, still lingers. When J.D. walks into a room, you can feel the tension rise. "Are you guys cool with me?" he asks, and the stony stares he gets show that, although MiG assures him "we're over it," the truth is, they're not.

Suzie, trying to put a more positive spin on things, says J.D. reminds the Rockers that "this is a competition," but Brandon isn't as forgiving. Privately, he calls J.D.'s comments "inexcusable," adding "you don't need to bring anyone else down to make you look better." He also confronts J.D., telling him in no uncertain terms that he will not "be talked down to" and "belittled." But even Brandon has to admit that J.D. has a "strategy to win." Like everyone else in the Mansion, J.D. wants to be the next lead singer for INXS, and while his approach might be viewed as a little unsettling, he's just "trying to win." Although, as Brandon wonders, "what price are you willing to pay at this point?"

Later that night, the Rockers are reminded that the outside world still exists. For MiG, the hardest part of the competition is being away from his wife in London. The recent wave of terrorist attacks there have rattled them, and MiG doesn't know how he'd react if she was hurt while he's away. All he can do now is put on a brave face and tell her to avoid public transport. "Get a bike," he advises.

The next morning, it's time for the second Rock and Roll Clinic; this time the focus is on stagecraft. For MiG, these clinics are "vital for us to hone our craft." Today's clinic is taught by Tim and Garry from INXS. They're going to critique videos of the Rockers' last two performances. Seeing yourself can be painful, Tim tells them, but it always teaches you something.

Brandon is the first Rocker up for review. J.D. comments that Brandon seems to hunch over on stage as if he's embarrassed about his height -- it's not a bad bit of insight, but coming from J.D., Brandon's going to take it with a huge grain of salt.

Tara hides behind her hands when she watches herself. Marty thinks it's a reaction to seeing herself mutate from "country queen to insanity diva." Tim wonders "when will the real Tara Slone please stand up?" Standing up, or to be more precise, moving while on her feet, is Daphna's problem. Daphna says the long-legged strides she takes on stage are natural. Tim says they remind him of Groucho Marx.

This prompts Suzie to ask if it's possible to move around the stage too much. Garry responds with the most important advice they'll hear all day: don't "overthink" things while performing. "INXS," he says, "thrives on spontaneity."

J.D. is advised that self-confidence can sometimes come off as cocky. Tim brings up INXS's original lead singer, Michael Hutchence, as someone who instinctively knew the balance between self-confidence and ego. Too much of the latter, Tim observes, and "everyone gets turned off."

Ty is again warned that his performances can veer too far into the theatrical. They can come across as "predetermined," Garry explains, and "look unconvincing." Ty doesn't want to be penalized because his comfort on stage makes it look too easy, but next time, he says he will "bring it down to the ground."

When the clinic ends, it's time for the Rockers to put what they learned into practice. J.D. notices the Billiard Room doors are open, peeks in and sees that this week's songs have been posted. He waits outside, and in an attempt to regain the other's confidence, he tells them that he hasn't seen what's available this week, an announcement that has everyone scratching their heads. Brandon tries to give J.D. the benefit of the doubt, explaining that when J.D. gets a few drinks into him, "he doesn't communicate very well."

The haggling over who gets to sing what song is becoming more contentious. It's not just the fear of choosing the wrong song -- the Rockers are also cognizant that ignoring INXS's advice can have fatal consequences. They each have their reasons for wanting specific songs. Told to explore his more melodic side, Brandon immediately zeroes in on Squeeze's "Tempted," calling it a "beautiful song" that would be "really different" for him. J.D. is intent on singing "We Are The Champions." Whoever gets picked by INXS is "going to have to sing huge songs," he says, and Queen's anthem is as big as they get.

Determined to get the song, he pulls Jordis, who has also listed it as her No. 1 choice, aside and tries to talk her into letting him do it. INXS has requested she do lighter material, he tells her, so she should choose something less epic. It's not a bad argument, but J.D. has so little goodwill to draw on that she's suspicious of his motives.

She relents, but J.D. discovers that even when you get what you want, you find sometimes it's not what you need. Singing it, he discovers the song's quasi-operatic melody might just be too much for him. He tries to weasel out of the deal with Jordis, but she's having none of it, and cuts him off. And no one else is letting him off the hook. "Champions" is the hardest song J.D.'s ever had to sing. Lobbying so hard for it, he might have "slit his own throat."

J.D.'s not the only Rocker who can't quite get his voice around his choice. Brandon has problems navigating the melody of "Tempted." In rehearsals, Paul, the musical director of the House Band, advises him to sing from his chest not his head. MiG, stealing a page from J.D.'s playbook, wants to try a new arrangement on The Kinks' "Lola," making the tune "more Miggy." Meanwhile, J.D. tries to talk the band into his vision of a trip-hop "Champions," but Queen's song doesn't look like it can stand up to such a massive attack. Paul tells J.D. it doesn't "serve the song at all." He tells the band it's simply "awful," and if he insists on his arrangement, J.D. could be gone. The biggest problem, Paul says, is that J.D. "doesn't think he can sing it like the original."

He shouldn't expect any sympathy. MiG has some fun at his expense: the former star of the West End production of the Queen musical, "We Are The Champions," sings the song with the house band and jokes that the "others have to learn" this song, while he sings it "because he loves it."

Will J.D. have the last laugh, or has his strategy gone awry? Will Jordis's attempt to lighten up succeed? Was Brandon tempted by a pretty melody? Tune in tomorrow for more on your favorite Rockers.