No thread yet? OK, I’ll start.
Did one of the 'Bama moms just call the other one fugly, or what?
I thought she called both of themselves that, or at least was jealous that the Barbies have more of it. But then the Bama Mamas didn’t wonder if they wear wooden shoes in Finland.
Note to contestant applicants: Learn to drive a stickshift, and take rappelling lessons.
I’ve never taken a rappelling lesson that discussed headfirst as a realistic option.
btw:
Any possibility this was a TBC leg because they couldn’t get Phil to Finland ahead of the teams?
The headfirst rappeling put me in mind of the old Batman TV series…
That is a very interesting question, aktep. I hadn’t thought of that. But I was under the impression that the route is planned ahead of time, including which leg is a double-length leg.
I expect that there’ll be more bunching on the plane ride to the second half of the leg (which Wikipedia says is in Ukraine). Even so, I very much want to see Team Alabama go home as they’re not only a weak team, but they aggressively cut in front of the entire taxi queue! Compare to the other team (Rob & Kim?) who asked and begged, and were allowed to cut in front.
Oh, they got him to Finland alright. They just couldn’t get him out of the mud. 
Please spoilerbox information about unaired legs. Thank you.
There have been instances where legs were changed around a bit (one I recall was because they country they ended up in had strict laws against public begging so they had to make it elimination instead of an NEL) but I’m not familiar with a case where a leg was changed into a TBC because of Phil’s travel issue. Phil has said before that in many instances he travels on the same planes as the teams.
I for one was totally fooled about this being TBC because they did not do the usual “find Phil” clue which was always the dad giveaway. Clearly everyone was expecting Olympic Stadium to be the Pit Stop, at least one team even said so. I actually kinda thought this might be a NEL to take it into a four-team final leg, but wasn’t sure if the math worked out right.
Nice little HoYay! moment with one of the models spanking the other. I still can’t tell them apart, or the BQs, or the *lyns.
Looks like the *lyns are pretty much fully aware that the alliance is over but the *wins are still kinda clinging to it a little more.
It reminded me of the Clerks cartoon. I was just waiting for the flower pot.
The mud reminded me of the swamp from A Neverending Story which depressed me (Yeah. I cried when the horse bit it and so did you.).
I want to like the 'Bama moms, but damn can they be…well, unlikable. Quit bitching and start racing.
Loved the mineshaft challange. Found myself shouting “Go with the clevage!” when some teams were chiseling the limestone the hard way. My landlady already thinks I’m weird, so I’ll be okay.
From the previews:
The 'wins realize that they are on a RACE. Also, Phil has bad news about the tooth fairy.
Oh, and the second that Rob started to say “I didn’t think it would be so hard to carry you”, I absolutely knew what her response was going to be. Dumb, dumb, dumb Rob. Dumb.
Didn’t he say that it was easier to carry her than he thought? Either way, her response was awesome.
::: checks tape :::
Yep, he said “I didn’t actually think I was going to be able to carry you as easily as I did.”
And, apropos of nothing, tonight was the first night I thought the models were at all hot. Something about their arms was doing it for me.
Yeah, I reversed that. :smack: I still knew that it was so completely the wrong thing to say…
About twenty to nine I knew this wasn’t going to be a full leg – something about how teams were still searching for the roadblock tweaked my spider senses.
That being said: C’mon Cho brothers! You’re in a race! Get off your asses and quit moping around being content to be in last place. How did two people so clueless about the name of the show survive into the final 5?
Those Barbies should be ashamed of themselves for having their arms hanging out. 
Do the Bama Bitches think this is 1906?
Actually, either one of the models or barbies did say “find phil” it was later that R&K said “Pit Stop.” It was a dead giveaway - which made it less interesting as you knew they were all pretty close and no one was going home.
They also said that the Barbies’ breasts were hanging out. Dammit, I must have missed it. Must get Tivo.
The return of the TBC leg! To my mind, this episode didn’t really reveal much about the individual teams, so you’ll see that everyone’s holding steady in the…
Taxi Assessment
Stuck in the Desert and Officially Detained - or, Philiminated with extreme prejudice.
Bilal & Sa’eed and Vipul & Arti and Kellie & Jamie and Duke & Lauren and Tom & Terry and Peter & Sarah and David & Mary - Pretty much no chance at all to make the final three.
Flat Tire - or, not likely to get anywhere soon.
No one this week. Hey, if you’re final five, you’re not really in this category.
Stopping for Gas - or, not broken-down, exactly, but not a good sign.
Lyn & Karlyn - (holding steady) - Unless something goes bizarrely wrong (which, let’s face it, isn’t exactly unusual), only one of Lyn & Karlyn, Erwin & Godwin, and Rob & Kimberly are going to make it into the final three. Lyn & Karlyn look like the weakest, physically, of these three teams. But they don’t quit, and they’re not exactly apologetic about RACING.
"Rapido! Por Favor?" - or, making meaningless ineffectual comments from the back seat, but in no immediate danger.
Erwin & Godwin - (holding steady) - This team has already hurt itself by aligning with Lyn & Karlyn and David & Mary. Erwin & Godwin clearly gave more to the alliance than they got. Hopefully, they’re slowly realizing this (and the previews imply they finally do). They could coast into the final three if they just Race for themselves.
Rob & Kimberly - (holding steady) - This could be a strong team, but Rob seems to have more and more of a problem controlling his temper, which causes the team to make critical mistakes. If they actually get into the final three, that’s what will ultimately kill this team.
In the Passing Lane - or, ahead of the pack, but not quite comfortably.
Tyler & James - (holding steady) - This team looked pretty good this episode. They’re comfortably in front and stayed that way the whole time. A shoo-in for the final three, and if it comes down to a footrace, they’ll likely beat the other teams.
Cruisin’ with Earl - or, drivin’ on the shoulder, takin’ shortcuts, and generally kickin’ butt.
Dustin & Kandice - (holding steady) - Dustin & Kandice also looked pretty good this episode (as they have for the last three), particularly since they made the first train. They lose some points for getting lost and allowing the other three teams to catch up (or did they? Tricksy, tricksy editors!), but Dustin & Kandice still look like the team to beat.
Next week: I bet we finally see a Yield. Plus: TANKS!! How cool is that?
[sub]Props to Mullinator and his Raj Ratings.[/sub]
I thought the emails from home were a nice touch. I mean, I hate the obvious product placement, and the task itself was kind of stupid, but at least it was worthwhile in some way. And as much as I loved David & Mary, I’m kind of a little bit glad that they were already gone, because if I had to watch them breaking down when they saw their kids, I would have lost it a little bit, I think. As it was, Lyn & Karlyn practically had me in tears. Those kids are cute!
Hey! I saw these people in the Senate Square in June! How cool. 
What was her response? I was putting my son to bed at that point.
I know I’ve said this before, but Rob makes me very uncomfortable. His temper isn’t over-the-top like Colin or Jonathan, but he has this slow simmer that makes me squirm. And the way he holds Kimberlly just a little too tightly…ewwww.
In terms of real things to get critical about…man, those 2 have no sense of direction at all.