LAST EDITED ON 09-26-06 AT 08:36 AM (EST)

This episode was both exciting and revealing. For the excitement, all teams except Lyn and Karlyn and David and Mary were in the top two at one point or another. David and Mary peaked at #3 on the road to Terelj. Even Kellie and Jamie were #1 at the temple in UlaanBaatar. All but Duke and Lauren and Peter and Sarah were also in the bottom three at one point. It also revealed which teams were in control, which teams were losing it and which teams are just going along for the free ride.

The recap was bland to anyone looking for clues. The only team mentioned was Peter and Sarah and only to say that the other teams didn’t appreciate the advantage the handicap gave them at the airport. Come on Phil; we want names!

Teams in Control:

2- Tyler and James had a very good episode. What stood out in their edit was how Tyler was shown in the train reflecting on his life, the race and how it affects him positively. The scene was highlighted with a great shot of the setting sun and it’s numerous shades of red, orange and pink over the Gobi desert. He couldn’t imagine that happening in a normal life. Was it a sign that his life was going to change again with the final result?
Also of note was how they are aware of their competition, as shown when they busted the girls trying to use a cell phone to get secret information.
They had their first set back when the taxi driver brought them to the wrong temple in UlaanBaatar arriving 10th at the temple. They recovered and were 7th at the fork to Terelj but they dropped back again when they couldn’t figure out how to change the tire. Their jack didn’t appear broken because when they do get help, it seems the same jack was used. It showed they didn’t know how to operate it. Those segments however demonstrated that they kept their calm and worked their way back in the race to finish second.

5- Dustin and Kandace were the other team highlighted in this episode. They had one of the only two significant opening statements about sticking together, that friends are necessary in this competitive world. Most of the others were rehashing their relationship situation. They were called the “Barbies” by Sarah in the bus out of China. The tone was very neutral but it could have been used to show the others underestimate them. It is much better than having D&K saying they want to surprise others, giving them another goal in the race besides winning.
Their confessional about knowing a girl-girl team has never won and how they plan on changing this was also seen as a positive. They used the wait at the train station to try and get information to use later. They even explained it was their strategy to get information that they won’t share. Their secret was discovered and ruined by the guys who even comment they don’t trust them. That scene was meaningless in itself, but to have it inserted despite all the action coming up later, signals that these two teams could battle it out far into the game. This time, the boys interrupted the girls plan. What about next time when it really counts?
Of note, they were in first place after the detour, only falling way back due to the loss of the helmet. I’m not sure what to make of their reaction but it didn’t look positive. Getting right back on the horse after being dragged on the ground was a positive sign for Kandace. I’ll put the helmet loss as one of the race’s hazards as with the guys' problem with the jack, but neither incidents can be completely forgotten when the race comes down the stretch.

3- Duke and Lauren have had two very strong legs. Their cooperative attitude belies the storyline we have been fed. Could they have exagerated their differences to improve their odds of being casted? Could CBS have stressed the story to get us to react? It would be an example of how things can be manipulated. As of now, I view this team has having no conflict to distract them. They have kept control of their emotions and have performed exceptionally well. Because of their good performance, they haven’t been tested yet. As noted, they were one of only two teams not to be in the bottom three at any point in leg 2. Their only confessional was again about their relation rather than the race so that has to be viewed as a negative editing sign. However, they were very calm when Phil told them they were third at the pit stop. That restraint showed they expect more.

8- Erwin and Godwin had the other interesting opening statement, Erwin saying, “We know it is a competition but we also know it is about building relationships with others and we’re hoping we can find people we can trust and get through this race together.” Really? They did form a loose alliance with the other 4 teams in the second bus but it seemed odd to have this strong team say they need others. Could it be they receive wrong advice along the way? They fell to last place when leaving for Terelj but Erwin’s only reaction was to say, “The Cho Brothers can come back from last place.” Minutes later, at the fork for Terelj, they were back in 4th. This team has been tested. Each time, they have kept their calm and recovered but their limited face time as well as their poor performances have to be seen has negatives.

The emotional teams

1-Peter and Sarah: Last season, they would have been in the group of competitors which was what was needed when it appeared the theme was “The Race is FUN.” Then, players had to demonstrate their competitive spirit despite the distractions. This year seems much more about the difficulties of the race and so it should reward the teams that keep their calm. Neither player is doing a good job here. With Peter’s comments about not being able to tie the knots, saying they are done and haranguing his teammate were much too prevalent to be ignored. Saying that a physical disability is good because they will use it to their advantage came off horribly. Her near breakdown, even admitting she does it in her regular competitions have too much in common with Monica’s statements to be a good sign. The good aspect for them is that we have been given a new story to watch. I had feared they could be gone in this episode because episode #1 had told most of their story already. That aspect was put on hold, only really coming up during their pathetic sidewalk show. Now we have the new story about Sarah: “I’m learning things about Peter, I’m not always impressed with that…I’m making note of it.” Studying editing, I say that I’ve already taken note of that also! Having a secondary story is good for longevity but having it being a negative one is not conducive in a winner’s story. Leaving in Phil’s question on finishing first indicated it may not occur very often or else why use it? We heard Fran and Barry being asked the same question right before their final leg. Phil asks it every time for sure, but isn’t it only left in when it means something?

6- Rob and Kimberly are also extremely emotionally involved. I have a feeling that they appear more dysfunctional to outsiders than they really are. Sure, he yells and she cries but that hug she gave him at the end was complete joy. It certainly isn’t the typical teamwork that corporate consultants try to instill in staff members but it seems to work for them. His determination and her obvious physical capabilities could get this team far. Some teams have won with a very negative edit and showing her suffering from his words and from falling off the horse would fit the theme that the race is difficult. They have to be considered as either contenders or this season’s villains. Either way, they are here for a while still.

9-Lyn and Karlyn weren’t heard commenting about Peter and Sarah this time but Karlyn’s comment of “screw them” when they saw the boys had a flat tire was to remind us they are our secondary villains. They’ve wound up at the bottom of the pack for the first two legs but they should stay a while. They will need more “angels” along the way but if they do find them, who knows? Having Lyn say she wants her kids to see her riding the horse and that she does it for them implies they will have the chance to exit on a positive note. That means time to develop their story. It could be by making peace with Peter and Sarah. Maybe having a positive comment after the triathletes’ elimination. That would definitely signal their swan song.

The“It’s a beautiful world” Teams

4-Tom and Terry have had the least amount of air time in the first two episodes. They seem to have a sense of humor but since the editors are mainly ignoring them, they can’t last long. Everything they say is about how fun it is to be on the race together. Wrong season, guys! They did have an interesting comment boarding the bus about bonding with the others and how there were some great competitors in the back of the pack. That appeared as a very positive sign for Erwin and Godwin who, as if on cue, were seen boarding at the same time Tom was speaking these words in a voice over. The weird theme that the music took when Terry was trying to have the toll booth operators understand he was looking for horses doesn’t bode well for them! Tom and Terry should be going soon.

7- David and Mary are being used by the editors to demonstrate the diversity of this race. We first had Mary’s comment about never having known an Asian person and how she loves the Cho Brothers to death. Then we had both of them being uncomfortable saying, rather whispering, they’ve never been around gay people. It was a funny scene that ended with Mary earnestly saying, “I like ‘em”. All in all, it was a good sign for them. They are indeed discovering the world and having fun but they still are overmatched physically. Add their limited travel experience and it will cost them. It would be ironic if they were to be eliminated in more familiar surroundings. After conquering China and Mongolia, our country folks finish last in an english speaking country! Editors love irony. It would fit with their diversity comments.

On a final note for Kellie and Jamie: It was noted from the start that they appeared to be more interested in exposure than competing. Their head wasn’t in it. Traveling in Mongolia without help and without a map? Indeed, it was stupid. When Jamie said it was their “stupid day”, I found myself thinking it couldn’t have been their only one.

On the funny side: -You have to admire Russian engineering!
-Brandon from Survivor Africa probably agreed that shooting flaming arrows is harder than it seems. Watch your feet!
-I had a moment when I thought Kimberly was going to put one arrow to good use when she turned towards Rob.
-Finally, could that quote in the previews from Tom saying the beauty queens won’t win the money serve as a sign, just like Jon Fairplay’s promise that Sandra won’t win the million in Survivor Pearl Island?

In conclusion, the editors seem to prepare us for a battle between Tyler and James and Dustin and Kandace. Rob and Kimberly and Duke and Lauren can certainly join the fight and despite poor showings, Erwin and Godwin have some good pointers. Will this be our final 5? The story still can evolve and players emerge, so I’d be happy with 4 out of 5! We’ll have to wait and see.

How do you see it?