A very linear leg this time, full of bunching points. It’s exciting when one wrong turn at the end can spell disaster, but I’d rather the first 40 minutes of the episode count for something.
Taxi Assessment
Stuck in the Desert and Officially Detained - or, Philiminated with extreme prejudice.
John Vito & Jill - Already gone.
Kevin & Drew - (Down from “Flat Tire”) - Aw, man. Drew just looked like he did not want to be here. I don’t think he threw the race or anything, but being that sick and tired in the second leg is not good. Last place could have gone to any of three different teams, but I guess I’m glad Kevin & Drew got the boot – they don’t look like they could have made it through another episode. (By the way, check out the official CBS recap. They call Kevin’s performance at the beginning , where he ties the tow rope to himself, a “Darwin Award moment in the making.” Hee hee.)
Flat Tire - or, not likely to get anywhere soon.
David & Mary - (holding steady) - I don’t know what people do down in coal mines, but apparently it doesn’t involve working on anything mechanical or using heavy equipment. Seriously, they sucked at this Detour, and they sucked at navigating (although, to be fair, I give Mary credit for a good performance at the Roadblock). And then Mary is suddenly suprised at the end when people are Racing! Instead of! Helping! I mean, what’s up with that? Why would people on the Amazing Race be so darn competitive? That’s so unexpected! So anyway, David & Mary turn in out another bottom-of-the-pack performance, which will likely be their last bottom-of-the-pack performance, if you see what I mean.
Stopping for Gas - or, not broken-down, exactly, but not a good sign.
Uchenna & Joyce - (holding steady) - A terrible Roadblock performance by Joyce – that’s not a bad thing in and of itself, since time spent on the Roadblock didn’t really matter this episode. But I wonder if the stress will expose some faultline in their team. They place solidly in the middle at the end of the leg, but I’m keeping them ranked here for now.
Charla & Mirna - (holding steady) - Drama! Always drama! Was it Dustin & Kandice who observed that this team’s normal operation ranges from over-emotive to histrionic? Anyway, true it is. A poor Detour choice for them, I think – do you really want to work on a giant tire when one-half of your team is a petite woman and the other half is a little tiny person? I do admire the fact that they actually pushed through and finished, but they don’t seem to be aware that all the drama takes time that they wouldn’t otherwise be spending.
Teri & Ian - (down from “Rapido!”) - Not a great showing this episode. Ian’s work on the Roadblock was a little sketchy, and being unable to find the SUVs after the Detour? Oh, come on. A little more Sherlock Holmes and a little less Inspector Clouseau would be appropriate, Ian.
"Rapido! Por Favor?" - or, making meaningless ineffectual comments from the back seat, but in no immediate danger.
Eric & Danielle - (down from “Passing Lane”) - Not really a bad leg at all for Eric & Danielle, but I’m amusing myself by shuffling the rankings around, and they’re the most obvious team to take down a peg. Eric’s performance at the Roadblock wasn’t all that great, and they’re clearly a step behind the lead teams.
Dustin & Kandice - (holding steady) - A good performance on the Roadblock (not that it mattered, the leg layout being what it was). They fell behind at the Detour – I think they should have chosen the other option, but, hey, that’s an easy call when I’m sititng in my recliner. They also had a near-disastrous navigation mistake at the end, but luckily four other teams followed them, and Dustin & Kandice were the first to make the correction
In the Passing Lane - or, ahead of the pack, but not quite comfortably.
as a disaster just waiting to happen, but if they can keep focused they could easily win it all.
Joe & Bill - (up from “Rapido!”) - A good leg for Joe & Bill, with nothing much to say about them. An oopsie on the who needs to drive the loader, but at least they figured it out right away and it dodn’t seem to cost them much time. Apparently they have what it takes to just edge Eric & Danielle and Uchenna & Joyce, so keep that in mind in later episodes.
Danny & Oswald - (holding steady) - This team (along with Rob & Amber) could have had real problems at the beginning with the flight delay. However, it wound up not mattering when they overtook a bunch of teams at the Roadblock (and then everyone got on the same flight afterward, so it really didn’t matter). But a great Roadblock performance, a great Detour performance, and no problems navigating – a fabulous leg for a couple of fabulous guys.
Rob & Amber - (holding steady) - I think the gravel-dumping Detour was slightly quicker (especially when teams screw up the lug-tightening), so this team stayed ahead of Danny & Oswald by dint of choosing the right Detour. But a very good leg overall. Oh, also – yeah, yeah Rob. You’re stirring the pot, yes you are. Your basic idea here is sound: if other teams are constantly thinking about Rob & Amber instead of Racing, then they make mistakes. But, Rob, if you are constantly thinking about what other teams are thinking about… You can fill in the thought yourself.
Cruisin’ with Earl - or, drivin’ on the shoulder, takin’ shortcuts, and generally kickin’ butt.
No one yet, but you have to admit that Danny & Oswald and Rob & Amber are looking awfully sharp. One more good finish and I’ll move those teams up here.
Next week: More drama, courtesy of Charla & Mirna. Big surprise.
[sub]Props to Mullinator and his Raj Ratings.[/sub]
