LAST EDITED ON 10-17-06 AT 09:51 AM (EST)

LAST EDITED ON 10-16-06 AT 09:47 PM (EST)

Hello FP, it's nice of you to have started the discussion. I agree we had more players commenting on other teams than usual. I also noted a change in the models' edit. I'm not sure yet what it means, as you'll read. (Sorry to repeat some of your comments.)

The recap had more details than previously. It mainly focused on team Iron Man with Sarah facing her fears, Peter wanting to quit and the lashing out by his partner. We were reminded, as if it was necessary, that Rob and Kimberly fought all the way to the front. It should be noted that no mention was made of Dustin and Kandice’s poor showing.

Most of the opening sequences are repeats of known story lines: Tyler and James talk about remembering their past addiction and how it helps them deal with situations during the race were they feel powerless. The WIN brothers say: “We are enjoying the experience. If it was for the money, we would be lying, cheating and stealing.” Lyn and Karlyn reflected on finding it difficult to be together so much. Sarah told us about her problems with Peter, knocking him off the pedestal she had given him.

The most notable comments were from David and Dustin:

“I need to win this race to get me out of the coal mines…This is my chance to take care of my kids. With the million dollars, I can take them to Disneyland” reflected Mary’s husband. They both have had nice quotes.

“It’s do or die for us now,” said Dustin. “We’re in last place. We have to be on top of every single thing we do. We cannot let people get in front us because we are not aggressive enough. We’re going to have to pull out all of our cards in this next leg.” Not aggressive enough, really? It prepared us for the nasty tricks that they used. They were the only ones laughing at the train station’s bunching point.

This episode was about Interactions

We spent more time sitting in the train or in the airports than in the 10-mile ride to the pit stop. 10 miles in the crazy streets of Chennai and not one clip? The only reason to sacrifice the last sequence has to be because the interactions between the teams were crucial for the future events. What happened that was so important to show?

-In the train, Tyler and James had powerful comments about heroine abuse and they did tie it in with the hazards of the race but no interaction with the others were shown. They were off in their own little world. The editors must ask them about their background story but also about their thoughts on the race and their competition. We could almost say that up to this point, besides their prior substance abuse, their story has no substance!

-The Cho brothers first told us about how their alliance share information and stick together. Then they played their little prank that backfired as it got Peter to react, make the necessary arrangements and align with the Barbies. Add their opening statement and Erwin and Godwin continue to appear as the nice guys who don’t win. There is no development to their characters and they only serve as the strong members of the Back Pack. It could be a brilliant strategy. Wouldn’t you say their chances improve if Kentucky and the Bama Moms are with them in the final 3 instead of Tyler and James? Even if it was their strategy, not hearing a single word about it almost proves it didn’t work.

-Something was revealed from Peter’s interaction with Kentucky and Bama. It started on the train when Lyn told Peter off about taunting them with information but appearing to want to get some instead. She tells us she isn’t stupid enough to fall for it. Later, Peter tried to be sneaky by telling Lyn they were on “Tahiti” airlines instead of Thai. In the airport, he made many nasty remarks directed at the two weak-looking teams. As I watched the nice couple struggle in last place, I saw only two possibilities: Either it is a non-elimination leg or the race editors are stupid. Since the second possibility would render our thread useless, it was reassuring to hear Phil say: “I’m pleased to tell you…” for once! A swan song couldn’t have showcased Peter’s nasty remarks at the airport and we know Kentucky will get a nice send-off. Knowing how editors love irony, it wouldn’t surprise me if Peter was to be eliminated before Kentucky! Showing that airport scene could’ve been to create immediate reactions from the audience but it could also serve to enhance David and Mary’s cute story.

Dustin and Kandice saw Peter come to them, offering an alliance since three teams are working together. Since those were the only two teams that had been outside the two alliances, it made sense. Kandice is aware that he does this because he likes Dustin. She says, “We don’t trust Peter but we know that if his best interest is involved , we’ll probably gonna be OK. We’ll take it on a case by case basis with Peter.”

The breakdown of that stillborn alliance was shown throughout the episode. It started with Peter's warning not to screw them in the travel agency. We then had Kandice rolling her eyes showing us what she thinks of Peter’s nosiness. The girls told us that “all bets are off,” while Peter was disapointed in them. To complete the divorce, we had Dustin covering the mouth of their taxi driver who was going to give direction to the triathletes’ driver. The “favor” was quickly returned when Peter ordered his own taxi to continue without helping with the flat tire. The only moment they were on the same wavelength was when Peter mocked Bama and Kentucky.

What does all that mean for the Barbies? The confrontation with the athletes highlighted how they really are fierce competitors as Sarah commented. I think the general public’s annoyance at Peter would be something the editors would expect so showing them trying to fool him isn’t to be taken negatively. Seeing them laugh at Peter’s mocking of David and Mary is more troublesome. It’s hard to see it as showing more sides to their characters. It is something to keep in mind, as it is sure to affect their likeability. It should be noted that even the fun-loving hippies last season were shown laughing at the dumb Frat Boys and hunting for Mojo.

The rest of the race showed the different tactics of the teams.

-David and Mary showed they are willing to take risks by going on the Delhi plane’s waiting list. Lyn and Karlyn profited from it but the married couple wasn’t so lucky. They still trudged along, never despairing and eventually met up with Tyler and James at the “wild rice” detour. If Mary had followed David’s advice of tackling the crocodile, would the models be the ones marked for elimination? (fwiw: that was a welcomed change to the rules and since the penalty applies at the end of the leg, it will add to their anxieties.) Their story isn’t about winning. Outlasting Peter and Sarah would make a nice ending.

Lyn and Karlyn are aware of all the shady stuff happening in the race. They managed to stay in the middle of the pack. Changing planes and detour showed they aren’t afraid of taking risks. Lyn’s climb of the wall reminds us they are overmatched physically.

Rob and Kimberly continue with their role as the unlikeable team that could go far and would cause many viewers to curse. On the bus she tells Rob not to let anyone touch her, that it smells like fish and that she wants to go to Europe to be with the rich folks not in this poor part of the world. Not the stuff of winners!

Peter and Sarah’s racing tactics are good but there is nothing to redeem Peter’s edit. Even his habit of smacking his lips while eating was shown to a much larger extent than was needed. Remember, they had all of the final car ride to show and there had to be some funny moments where the horns were needed! To have spend so much time with them, waiting for the bus, is to build up a bigger reaction from the audience when they leave. It cannot be delayed too much because then, the reaction would be to turn off the TV.

Erwin and Godwin ran another good, safe leg. They stayed with the Moms, first going to “wild rice” then changing to “wild things” once Bama told them they were ready for the crocs. It only let Rob and Kimberly pass them but it could cost them more down the road. For now it doesn’t really matter if they finish 3rd or 5th. The comments during the driving lesson of, “it’s insane. It’s total chaos. It’s like a riot” weren’t balanced by any positive comments. It shows that the experience affects them somewhat and that also could come back to hurt them.

Of Tyler and James, we saw two occasions were they were powerless but did accept the situation fairly well, as they had said they would. It first happened in Hanoi when they had to wait for the messenger with the airline tickets. Later in Chennai when their taxi driver started wandering around by foot asking for directions. It could signal that their past is indeed helping their strategy. Their choice of “wild rice” for detour is difficult to comprehend. Their comments about being humbled by sixth place could signal the start of a new arc. Will it be acceptance of their defeat or winning with humility? The latter is certainly possible if we see an enhancement of their portrayal and their airtime.

Dustin and Kandice were singing about being on the first bus in Chennai and clapping after their flat tire was repaired. Even with the freaking out comments at the crocodile pit, they showed their determination at completing the physical task. Their comments about “Don’t think you’re going anywhere you little freak” while tying up the croc’s snout, and “once we let him go, can we run?” were amusing. Dustin was shown laughing during the insane rat race as she called her driving lesson. To quote Phil: “Are we looking at the first all female team to win the Amazing Race?” Kandice thinks so of course!
They are not the horrible navigators that RaYo were last season. RaYo needed the propping up the editors gave them to make us believe they had a chance in the final 3. These girls can handle the big guys it seems.