The Blondes had no concept of the irony of how they were bragging they could keep up with all these teams while they were following one of them.
They were basically guaranteed to not come in last this leg though. And while the million is the big prize, thousands of dollars in cash and prizes on the way is nothing to sneeze at.
You know the “final three” alliance is bad when they make me feel bad for Rachel. She’s come so far (or paid off the editors so well) since her first season and they’re being complete asses. Seriously, it’s a competition.
I agree, with the lead they had their strategy to keep first this leg was solid. They had almost a zero chance of being eliminated so why not go for the bonus cash.
The Cowboys strategy could have used a bit of work but it didn’t seem like they even listened to the task descriptions, just used their express pass and headed out without pausing.
I was struck by the editors sense of irony - Leo and Jamal going on about how much of a gentleman Dave is and how well he’s raising Connor and then we switch scenes to Dave running down a hill and commenting on how horrible Rachels looks are. Yeah, gentleman. We all show different faces to different people and the cameras are a great way to show all sides to all people. I wonder if they’ll realize it when watching themselves.
“The Box!” :smack:
The taskmaster could barely keep from laughing
Dave and Connor were the only team smart to re-read the clue and get a hint about carrying the firewood. But it took them awhile.
Which is good if that were a gap that would matter for more than 15 minutes. But since almost every leg starts with a bunching point, making the 2nd place team finish an hour farther back in 5th place is usually meaningless. It should be used as a hedge against your own screw ups and so really should be used to put as big a gap between you and last place as possible.
Which wasn’t a fact that they knew when they were making their decision.
The $15,000 cash for the leg was a nice bonus but also something they didn’t know would happen. Could have been a jet ski or a semi-crappy resort vacation (from my point of view, most of the vacations they give away aren’t of the style I prefer). Bu regardless, I’d argue the math of chasing $15,000 while increasing the risk of losing $1,000,000 doesn’t make sense.
That said, I continue to be amazed at players getting their feelings hurt at the use of game elements. And I also really hate it when teams overtly help each other, I really wish that would be against the rules.
I caught the “I was just telling Conner this morning that she is scary looking” WOW that was catty for a 60 year old man to say. Well she is sometimes but for it now to be forever and ever on film to be replayed for generations…wow. To be a fly on the wall at the wrap party finale when everyone has seen the taped show…must be a hoot.
Aren’t prizes on shows like these almost always offered in cash form too? In essence, every 1st place finish is actually a cash prize too–it’s easier for everyone to do it that way than to book them a trip or ship them a jetski
Considering what a huge sponsor travelocity is, it wouldn’t surprise me if the trips really are take-it-or-leave-it trips, with no cash option.
Yeah, and then couldn’t keep up with the team they were following.
Seems like Dave’s victim-hood is always waiting to rise to the surface.
I think everyone was disappointed to not see the Cowboys do the ride-the-donkey task. I know I was.
I don’t think “always” is right, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that were the case. But regardless it doesn’t change the issue that I don’t see how the reward remotely justifies the risk with the knowledge they have and the uncertainty about the upcoming tasks and their ability to perform them.
“**Almost **always”
Anybody seen zut? Are we going to get a Taxi Assessment this week?
You’re both half right. They are travelocity gift certificates so you can change to a destination of your choice but you must book travel through travelocity to use them.
(Source: A couple of the winners on an Amazing race board, sorry no time to search the cite this morning :D)
zut hasn’t posted since 4/14, so someone else might want to do the taxi assessment.
StG
What? No way.
Agreed, that would have been a better play for the Cowboys.
I think Brenchel made a good decision on who to U-Turn if they had to U-Turn somebody. There was ZERO chance they were getting eliminated this leg no matter what, so if you’re going to use it, at least get something out of it. A (much) better chance at first is absolutely the right move.
However, I think it was dumb to use it at all. When there is no chance you’re going to be eliminated, don’t U-Turn anybody because it will inevitably lead to butthurt whining and burned bridges.
The Cowboys made their plan at least the leg prior, if not before. It was a weakness not to at least see what the Detour entailed. They could’ve stormed through the donkey challenge and used it at the scriptorium, which seemed like a pretty slow and painstaking task. Still, starting 45 minutes behind Brenchal, I guess the idea was to get as close as possible, and they did.
StG
Yikes! I was on a business trip, and didn’t get an opportunity to actually watch this episode until this morning. Apologies to any [del]fans[/del] casual readers out there. So, without further delay, here’s the…
Taxi Assessment:
Stuck in the Desert and Officially Detained - or, Philiminated with extreme prejudice.
Natalie & Nadiya and [del]Bopper[/del] Mallory & Mark and Joey & Meghan and Margie & Luke and John & Jessica - (already eliminated)
Flight Time & Big Easy (down from “Stopping”) - The Globetrotters come in sixth for the fifth time in a row, and out they go. At the beginning of the season, I thought they’d do much better than they have, but they’ve been pretty consistently coming in behind the remaining five teams this whole season, and this episode was no exception. In fact, the Globetratters started out only a minute behind Leo & Jamal, who wound up getting U-Turned. A competent team would have roared on by, but the Globetrotters got so lost that they didn’t arrive at the Detour site until just about the time Leo & Jamal were finishing the second Detour option. I’m not sure exactly what happened, but they deserved to lose.
Flat Tire - or, not likely to get anywhere soon.
No one
Stopping for Gas - or, not broken-down, exactly, but not a good sign.
Caroline & Jennifer (up from “Flat Tire”) - Now that we’re down to the final five, I’m moving Caroline & Jennifer up a notch. They’re even more clearly the weakest team left, but it’ll only take a couple lucky breaks for them to sneak into the final three. They’re still not so good at navigation, so I still see them as long shots to make it to the final three, but it’s certainly not impossible. They’re teamed up with Dave & Connor now (much like they teamed up with the hockey brothers a few seasons ago), so that team might pull them farther than they would get alone.
“Rapido! Por Favor?” - or, making meaningless ineffectual comments from the back seat, but in no immediate danger.
Brendon & Rachel (holding steady) - I’m a little amused that artiste Rachel had to do two manuscript pages, while most of the other teams (apparently) got it on the first shot. Still, she kept her cool, and they had enough of a lead to easily maintain first place. Now, I don’t think I agree with their decision to U-Turn Dave & Connor. It’s not like it was a dick move at all, but Brendon & Rachel had enough of a lead that they had a good chance of coming in first without the U-Turn, and using the U-Turn unnecessarily was pretty much guaranteed to bring the drama - as it indeed did. The drama like that can be pretty distracting, and it’s always a net minus to have other teams who are actively hostile. Dave & Connor might be kind of petty (and they are), but Brendon & Rachel brought it on themselves.
In the Passing Lane - or, ahead of the pack, but not quite comfortably.
Leo & Jamal (holding steady) - I admit I’m liking the Afghanimals more now, They seemed far too full of themselves last season - not exactly a crime, but just people I wouldn’t care to hang out with. This season they’ve toned it down, and I actually liked them in this episode. And, I think, that translates into performance: their willingness to partner with other teams got them farther faster in this episode than they would have have otherwise gotten.
Cruisin’ with Earl - or, drivin’ on the shoulder, takin’ shortcuts, and generally kickin’ butt.
Dave & Connor (holding steady) - I find Dave & Connor’s perspective in this episode a little weird. The U-Turn is a part of the Race, and although I’m sure it’s frustrating to have it used on you, it’s frustrating to get your checkers jumped, too. Then, actively helping a team you just U-Turned seems really odd. The point of U-Turning another team is so you know someone’s behind you at all times, and if you’re helping them… I guess the only explanation is that Dave & Connor figured (correctly) after Leo & Jamal appeared that the Globetrotters were too far behind to catch up. In any case, Dave & Connor were the only team to suss out theuse of the donkey box from the tricky clue, which bodes well for them.
Jet & Cord (holding steady) - A second place in this leg, but the cowboys now don’t have the Express Pass in their back pocket. The cowboys haven’t finished in first place for a number of episodes, but so long as they get to the final three they don’t have to.
Yay! Glad to see the Taxi Assessment!
But Dave’s 60 year old man! And (he might not have mentioned this) he tore his Achilles tendon the last time he raced.
StG