I felt uncomfortable using the phrase “bro” when I had just brought up Gus’s race.
Should we even be talking about this? 
Another great Assathan moment: When he cajoled the cabbie to hurry up and the cabbie politely informed Assathan that they were at a red light, what could he do?
I was thinking this same thing. . . As I watched, I couldn’t believe that they basically dumped them is Dakar. I would have been a bit nervous and standoffish also.
I wonder how many of you all that are bashing the crap out of her have been to an African slum, at night?
The Assathan moment that made me laugh…
Victoria: (in the cab) Vife! Vife! [or something like that, meaning I assume, “faster”]
Jonathan: (trying to help) Beep! Beep!
Victoria: Not beep, beep, you idiot!
It was “Vite! Vite!”. Victoria supposedly speaks six languages, but she wasn’t shown busting out much more than basic tourist phrases there. Hera said more in actual French than she did.
That wasn’t exactly a slum. By American standards, maybe, but I doubt it. If I was alone, and found myself in another country, at night, and I didn’t speak the language, I would be a little nervous, but I would also be kind to the locals, hoping that they could help me out of the situation. I would not antagonize them, just for being who and what they are. However, Kendra was not alone and I doubt anyone would’ve harmed her while she had a camera aimed at her.
Those of you who think Kendra acted rationally, maybe you should go down to the local homeless shelter and see if they need some extra help. Just a thought.
Ahhh. Thanks.
She did better than Myrna last Race. She would have been saying “Fast-o! Fast-o!”
With a liberal amount of "Bellisima!"s thrown in as well.
Man, I miss the dwarf. She had spunk. But this episode just shows that there are still too many teams this season that are dull, insipid, and flat. Kris N Jon, Hayden and Aaron are making no impresion on me whatsoever-- I have to wonder, how much of that is their own personalities, and how much of it is pedal-to-the-metal editing?
Since we had a non-elimination this week, next week there will be only one task that needs cash, and a small amount at that. MJ & Don need cash for the ferry, and everyone will probably have to take a cab to an airport, then find cars waiting for them and have to drive all over creation. Navigation is not Bolo and Lori’s strong suit, so either they or Gus N Hera will be eliminated.
I don’t really feel bad for the cabbies who got ripped off. I bet those prices are inflated ten times the normal local fare just for the rich Americans.
I agree that nitpicking for 3 dollars was petty, but I have no sympathy for the cabbie who agreed to 30 dollars at the start of the cab ride and then wanted 40 at the end.
But only if they’re in Russia.
Y’know, I’m bored and easily amused, so I’m totally going to rip off Mullinator and his Raj Ratings for the Apprentice. Sorry Mully!
The Taxi Assessor
Stuck in the Desert and Officially Detained - or, Philiminated with extreme prejudice.
Avi/Joe - Consider yourself lucky: first-eliminated reality contestants are easily forgettable, but I certainly remember you, You’re Jewish! And from New York!
Meredith/Maria - Lesson learned: master basic skills before appearing on TAR. Driving a stick. Navigation. Things like that.
Lena/Kristy - How sad to be defeated by Lady Luck in a race of skill (and, seriously, they need to visit a casino, 'cause they’ve got a store of unused good luck due them after this). I’ll toast to their memory every time I unroll a bale.
Flat Tire - or, not likely to get anywhere soon.
Don/MJ - It’s unfortunate, but the Amazing Race is a young person’s game. An older team could do passably by racing on their wits, but with the wrong Detour choice two episodes in a row, this team isn’t scoring high in that category either. Fatigue has already set in, and that means more mistakes. Don’t expect this team to get lucky three episodes in a row.
Stopping for Gas - or, not broken-down, exactly, but not a good sign.
Adam/Rebecca - A team with Issues, and Issues that seem to be creeping out into the open as the stress increases. Voted most likely to Crack Under Pressure.
Beep Beep - or, ineffectually making noises from the back seat, but in no immediate danger.
Gus/Hera - A truly mixed bag, and thus stuck here in the middle. Gus seems amazingly competant at times, and utterly lost at others. Doesn’t seem very excited to be here, but doesn’t get upset when things go wrong either. Could be a surprise in either direction, but I worry about Gus’s penchant for walking. Instead of, y’know, racing.
Freddy/Kendra - Slipping. Kendra exhibits early fatigue symptoms. Will she recover and jump up a notch next week, or break down completely? Odds are on a downgrade in the future.
Lori/Bolo - On their way up, and indeed nearly In the Passing Lane. They started out rockily in episode 1, but seem to be getting steadily better. Expect an upgrade next episode if they continue working well as a team.
In the Passing Lane - or, not too bad, just not top-speed.
Hayden/Aaron - Were Cruisin’ last episode, but stumbled a bit here. I’m curious to see the team dynamic of they wind up in danger of elimination. Still look like a strong team, though. Can they pull it out? Can Hayden keep them in? Tune in to find out!
Johnathon/Victoria - It truly pains me to place this team here, but two second place finishes in the last three legs is nothing to sneer at. I can only hope that Johnathon will at some point have a meltdown of Broken-Ox proportions, but it looks like this team is in it for the long haul.
Cruisin’ with Earl - or, drivin’ on the shoulder, takin’ shortcuts, and generally kickin’ butt.
Kris/Jon - What can I say? Two firsts and two second place finishes – and last week’s second place was essentially a tie for first. A big mental mistake at the beginning of this episode, but the consequences were bunched away, and hopefully they learn not to be so complacent in the future. Odds-on favorites for the final three.
Sorry, that didn’t not come out the way I meant it. I do think Bolo looks a little larger than “normal” even for a natural, dedicated bodybuilder, but some people are like that. My mother-in-law is an amateur bodybuilder, and so through her I have met some people who are “enhanced” and some who are not. From what I’ve seen the “natural” guys do not get as big as Bolo – but then again, my experience is decidedly limited. Still, it is unfair to assume that Bolo is or was a steroid user, and I’m sorry for (even unintentionally) making that implication.
Great Ratings, Zut!
Will look forward to them every week now.
Damn, zut, now I’m going to have to pick whose groupie I want to be – yours or Mullinator’s.
Oh dear, zut, you missed the “Putting the Wrong Gas in the Diesel Tank”. Good stuff, though.
No, he didn’t.
Excellent work Zut. I actually like Amazing Race a whole lot more than the Apprentice but hadn’t felt sufficiently inspired to do something like this. You now have an obligation. Doing this really changes how you watch the show, in a good way.
Heh. Thanks all, particulary Mullinator, who created the winning ratings format. It’s good to be schooled by the best.