So this whole episode pretty much had all the teams spaced out by the same time margin, with only a little switcheroo at first place and at last place. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a good solid bunching point. I’m not a big fan of arbitrary bunching, but when the lead teams have been on cruise control for four episodes straight, it’s time to shake things up.
Taxi Assessment
Stuck in the Desert and Officially Detained - or, Philiminated with extreme prejudice.
John & Scott and Lisa & Joni and Wanda & Desiree and Danielle & Dani - Outta here.
David & Lori (down from “Rapido”) - Y’know, I think the killer fatigue from the last episode really affected them this episode. True, they started out second-to-last, and there sere no bunching points this episode, so they never got a chance to catch a lucky break. However, it seemed to me that their hearts just weren’t in it this episode. Not that they gave up or anything–just that they didn’t push, y’know?
Flat Tire - or, not likely to get anywhere soon.
No one this week.
Stopping for Gas - or, not broken-down, exactly, but not a good sign.
Fran & Barry (holding steady) - Again, a solid leg from the old folks. A couple weeks ago, I would have bumped them up a place. However, the competition’s stiffer now, and all the poorer teams have dropped away. Fran and Barry are performing up to their potential (unlike in the first couple weeks), but potential alone won’t carry them to the final three. TAR is a young person’s game.
Ray & Yolanda (holding steady) - They did do just enough this week to pull ahead of David and Lori, and in some sense that’s all that matters. The decision to navigate on foot, although it seemed questionable to me at the time, looks in retrospect to be a smart idea. However, they’re still the weakest of the remaining teams, due in part to their navigation skills.
"Rapido! Por Favor?" - or, making meaningless ineffectual comments from the back seat, but in no immediate danger.
Lake & Michelle (holding steady) - In the middle of the pack, and I didn’t learn anything about this team that I didn’t know before, so they stay put.
In the Passing Lane - or, ahead of the pack, but not quite comfortably.
Joseph & Monica (holding steady) - Whoa. Ugly fatigue breakdown, and if anything that’ll be the death of this team. No one else seems to have had a problem finding the fishmonger. I think Monica spooks easily, and when she does Joseph can’t really handle her. This team has been in no real danger yet, so things might get… interesting when the competition gets fierce. Still, they seem less likely to crash and burn than any team behind them, so I’ve still got them tentatively penciled in for third place.
Cruisin’ with Earl - or, drivin’ on the shoulder, takin’ shortcuts, and generally kickin’ butt.
Eric & Jeremy and BJ & Tyler (holding steady) - Another week, same two teams make the top two. Makes it really easy for the handicapper. Extrapolation of past performance has these two teams battling it out in the final episode for the million bucks.
Next week: Gotta be a non-elim? And when the Hell are we gonna see a Fast Forward?
[sub]Props to Mullinator and his Raj Ratings.[/sub]