That sequence of Mark & Bopper completing the final tasks and talking about their kids hewed so closely to the stereotypical TAR Exeunt Montage that I was instantly suspicious that this was a non-elimination leg. Phil’s pause after telling Mark & Bopper they were in last place pretty much confirmed it.
Taxi Assessment:
Stuck in the Desert and Officially Detained - or, Philiminated with extreme prejudice.
Misa & Maiya and Dave & Cherie and Elliot & Andrew and Kerri & Stacy and Joey & Danny and Nary & Jamie - Already eliminated.
Flat Tire - or, not likely to get anywhere soon.
Mark & Bopper (down from “Rapido!”) - It’s getting near the end of the race, but Mark & Bopper have to deal with Mark’s bum leg and Bopper’s heat exhaustion and completing an extra task and starting with what looks like a pretty substantial time deficit. It could have been far worse, as the director obviously gave Bopper extra points for trying; if he hadn’t, the additional penalty for not completing the task would almost certainly screw them next week. As it is, Mark & Bopper really need a bunching point and/or an enormous screwup from another team and/or some U-Turn drama to survive next week. With only four other teams in the race and the likelyhood that they’ll be in the same place next week (avoiding ant transportation bunches), I think their chances are slim.
Stopping for Gas - or, not broken-down, exactly, but not a good sign.
Brendon & Rachel (holding steady) - Brendon & Rachel are back in the top three, and pretty easily despite some manufacured drama from Rachel. Still, that manufactured drama is distracting, and probably exhausting even when it’s commonplace in one’s life. On the other hand, Brendon & Rachel have a pretty good shot at making the final three: Mark & Bopper will likely be eliminated next week, and Brendon & Rachel have beaten Vanessa & Ralph in seven of the nine legs. I’m keeping Brendon & Rachel ranked here, though, because I just don’t think it’s likely that they’ll win it all, even if they do get into the final three.
"Rapido! Por Favor?" - or, making meaningless ineffectual comments from the back seat, but in no immediate danger.
Vanessa & Ralph (holding steady) - Vanessa & Ralph land on the mat in fourth place and just after Art & J.J. This team has been remarkably consistent over the last four episodes in finishing one step out of last place and no better. I know the point of the first eleven legs is only “do not come in last,” so coming in second-to-last technically fulfills that requirement, but I really can’t see Vanessa & Ralph stepping up their game enough to seriously challenge Art & J.J. and Dave & Rachel in the last episode.
In the Passing Lane - or, ahead of the pack, but not quite comfortably.
no one right now
Cruisin’ with Earl - or, drivin’ on the shoulder, takin’ shortcuts, and generally kickin’ butt.
Art & J.J. (holding steady) - It’s amusing to see even Mark & Bopper, who Art & J.J. apparently don’t have any beef with, explicitly point out that Art & J.J. are being big whiny babies. Their placement on this leg was perhaps unduly influenced by a difficult Roadblock, but they’re not looking so dominant as they were four or five episodes ago, when they led the rest of the teams on every task for almost three entire episodes straight. Art & J.J. still look like they should easily wind up in the final three, and there all they have to do is beat the other teams at the very last task.
Dave & Rachel (up from “Passing”) - Dave & Rachel easily cruise to their fifth first-place finish on the race after a nearly flawless leg. More tellingly, they’ve finished ahead of Art & J.J., the only serious competition, for four straight legs. It also seems like Dave has been been less of a dick recently, and although that might be a result of their good performance rather than a cause, it still helps to be focused on inter-eam competition rather than intra-team bickering.
The person picking music was in full snarky form this episode. 