Yay! TAR is back! I love how one of the very first tasks this episode (the coracle) completely depends on teamwork to finish it, particularly because the teamwork requirement is not immediately obvious.
With the first episode behind us, it’s time for the:
Taxi Assessment:
Stuck in the Desert and Officially Detained - or, Philiminated with extreme prejudice.
Ron & Tony (TD: Black guys) (down from “Passing Lane”) Yikes; this team was one of my preseason favorites. I had figured that, if anything, their Achilles’ Heel would be Ron’s weight, much like Adrian’s body shape hung him out to dry (like laundry!) on the first episode last season. And maybe it would have been, given their terrible performance with the coracles, but by that time it didn’t matter–their Achilles’ Thigh of poor navigation had already assured them of last place. Just a woeful, woeful performance from a team that should have done better. Too bad; I thought this would be one of the more fun teams to watch.
Flat Tire - or, not likely to get anywhere soon.
Nick & Vicki (TD: Punker couple) (down from “Rapido!”) - “Are you a battlement? Are you a battlement?” Hah! I cracked up. My initial impression of this team was that they “both seem inexperienced, even in relation to the other 20-something teams on this season.” Apparently I wasn’t all that far from the mark, assuming that “terminally unworldy” is a subset of “inexperienced.” Note I didn’t say “terminally stupid,” as that would be mean, and also disrespectful of Nick & Vicki’s alternative lifestyle. So “terminally unworldy” it is. I have to admit that I really hope this team hangs around for a while, as they seem like nice, clueless, and (most importantly!) unintentionally hilarious people in the same way that last season’s Big-Brother-Jordan was. But somehow I doubt this team will be around much longer.
Andie & Jenna (TD: Brunette mother/daughter) (down from “Stopping”) - Andie & Jenna are being on their best behavior with each other, and I think they’re having fun reconnecting (or just “connecting,” really) with each other. However, their hearts seem to be into Reconnecting much more than Racing, and it won’t be long before they realize that they can reconnect just as well if not better in a secluded location, without having to deal withthe added stress of Racing other teams or driving a stick shift.
Stopping for Gas - or, not broken-down, exactly, but not a good sign.
Michael & Kevin (Thumbnail Description: Asian father/son) (holding steady) - This team did better than I thought they would, but that’s not really saying much, as “doing better” on this leg really meant “not getting as lost as four or five other teams” as opposed to “showing some level of skill.” Still, rather than bumping them down one (or two!) notches in the rankings like I thought I would need to, I’m leaving them here for now.
Chad & Stephanie (TD: Brown- & SHORT-blonde-haired couple) (down from “Rapido!”) - The bickering’s already started with this team. The teamwork-dependent coracle task immediately exposed one of this team’s big weakness, dropping them behind a pair of teams. And, apparently, the thinking-dependent “find Phil” task exposed another weakness, dropping them behind two more teams. It’s not often failings can be directly quantified like that, and Chad & Stephanie clearly can’t afford to slip four spots in the standings every week. Teams like this tend to run hot-and-cold, so I wouldn’t be that surprised to see them win next week, but eventually they’ll melt down and ooze away.
"Rapido! Por Favor?" - or, making meaningless ineffectual comments from the back seat, but in no immediate danger.
Connor & Jonathan (TD: Nerd-buddies) (holding steady) - This team had a misfire at the beginning, getting lost in Boston. They also, oddly, seemed to want to work together with teams experiencing car trouble: first Andie & Jenna, then Gary & Mallory. Not that working with other teams in general is a problem, and not that Connor & Jonathan didn’t make he right decision in quickly ditching their allies, but it’s an odd coincidence. Despite all that, they wind up with a third-place finish, which bodes well for the future of this team. I’m still not they’re sufficiently focused on Racing, as opposed to Performing, so I’m keeping them ranked here for now. However, Connor & Jonathan are, on paper, a pretty strong team, so another good showing will shoot them near the top of the rankings.
Brook & Claire (TD: Blonde/brunette emoting TV hosts) (up from “Stopping”) - This is another team that performed better than I thought. Despite getting the second flight out of Logan, they stayed near the front, caught up to the leaders, and wound up in fourth despite Claire’s spectacular watermelon incident. I like the way they eventually laughed that off, and Brook’s habit of enthusiastic pitter-patter actually seems like a plus compared to past team’s habits of overbearing screaming or surly silence. However, I still have my doubts about this team’s longevity, so I’m only bumping them up one notch for now.
In the Passing Lane - or, ahead of the pack, but not quite comfortably.
Nat & Kat (TD: Blonde/brunette in 30s) (holding steady) - Nat & Kat were the only one of my original top-four preseason picks to actually finish in the top four on the first episode. And they did it with style, having fun and playing smart. Plus, it finally dawned on me that Nat, with a hair-color change, looks exactly like a woman I went to grad school with (we’re partly responsible for helping each other pass qualifying exams). She looks so much like Nat that I honestly wonder if they’re sisters. So, damn the ranking, I’m rooting for Nat & Kat.
Katie & Rachel (TD: Blonde volleyball players) (holding steady) - It was hard to read this team in the initial episode. They did get reasonable screen time, but they didn’t seem to do really well or really poorly in anything, and slowly drifted up and down the standings until they hit the Mat in fifth place. I suppose they looked silly “push-starting” their car, but they quite appropriately laughed about it. I’m leaving them ranked here for now, mostly because I’m not sure where else to rank them.
Gary & Mallory (TD: Kentucky Father/daughter) (holding steady) - I considered dropping Gary & Mallory down in the rankings, because a sixth place finish doesn’t seem to warrant a ranking tied with first-place Jill & Thomas. However, the sixth place came despite a flat tire, and this team was probably the best of the bunch at completing the actual tasks. Plus, I think this team has one of the best chances to keep performing through the length of the Race. I fully expect them to de better next week, but if they don’t, then they’ll drop in the rankings.
Jill & Thomas (TD: Brown- & LONG-blonde-haired couple) (up from “Rapido!”) - I’m still wondering if Jill & Thomas are overstating their expected “communication problems;” compared to Chad & Stephanie, Jill & Thomas got along swimmingly. Now, they were at or near the lead for the entire leg, and it’s a lot easier to “communicate” from a position of strength, but this team sure seemed functional to me. Plus, as a practical matter, winning this new-fangled “Express Pass” is a huge tactical advantage. Used right, it’s essentially a “get out of last place free” card. As the stress of the Race increases, this team might slip, but that Express Pass is worth a lot in the rankings.
Cruisin’ with Earl - or, drivin’ on the shoulder, takin’ shortcuts, and generally kickin’ butt.
No one yet–this ranking needs to be earned.
[sub]Props to Mullinator and his Raj Rating[/sub]
