There was a lot more action (and getting lost!) in this episode. I am thankful that Peter and Sarah were eliminated since their story took up so much time. Now we can concentrate on figuring out the finalists.

Dustin and Kandice ran another good leg. They continue to get a positive edit, although the tone changed slightly. Kandice was dancing with joy “that was so much fun” after climbing the water tower, and she was still smiling after the camel feed roadblock, “that was the most horrible task.” But they were referred to as “beauty queens” in the recap (instead of by name) and then were seen telling the travel agents that they were Miss CA and Miss NY. Was this is the first time they played up the fact they were Miss Americas or is it the first time we’re seeing it? Dustin had a memorable quote, “it’s tough when the sistas are big pigs and taking all the help when they could just move on.” I viewed that as reflecting poorly on Lyn and Karlyn. It was also balanced out by Kandice’s concern for Sarah climbing the water tower. Their edit changed slightly this episode, but for them to win, we can’t see them as “too good to be true.” I detested BJ and Tyler for a few episodes last season (they actually were never quite redeemed in my mind). At the detour, Dustin and Kandice once again didn’t read the clue closely enough. They can’t keep doing that!

James and Tyler had another poor showing mostly due to bad luck but they kept their calm. Their personalities were expanded a bit. They were cocky at the beginning – James said “Look no hands.” Sarah and Kandice called him a “total show-off.” Then when Godwin called to Erwin, “You’re not going home.” James said, “Yes, you are Chos.” This was probably just to foreshadow their poor place this leg, but it also fleshed them out without mentioning their addiction story.

David and Mary won the fast forward. David’s quote, “I’ve always wanted to be a firefighter. It’s like you really were fighting a fire and were somebody important for five minutes. It takes your childhood dream and turns it into reality,” is another piece of their story. I just don’t know if it signals the end of their arc or indicates the continuation of their “impossible dream.”

Erwin and Godwin helped David and Mary get the fast forward by bluffing that they were also going. I have a new found respect for them. They did what they thought was right even though it was a risk. They also helped Lyn and Karlyn before taking off on their own. I think that’s the first time we’ve seen them decide to go it alone. Mary spoke glowingly about the Cho brothers, “the most amazing people you’ll ever meet,” but she doesn’t talk about the race itself. Racing with an alliance is a new side to TAR and it could still take them far.

Lyn and Karlyn’s and Rob and Kim’s time was almost all negative. Lyn and Karlyn fought with Dustin and Kandice, and came out looking petty and complaining. “That’s not fair, that’s not right. The Blondies should run their own race.” How ironic when it is Lyn and Karlyn getting help from the Chos! Kim snarled at Rob in the marketplace and showed her ignorance of what a mosque is. I loved the “boing” sound the editors put in after her, “what’s a mask, whatever” statement!

Michel, that was a good catch noticing Sarah’s red shirt in Ha Long Bay since we saw two more confessionals from that day in this episode! Sarah was wearing that red shirt in her confessional after climbing the water tower, “I looked down and I did that.” I knew she was talking about the rock climbing and not the water tower. I thought, okay, they’re definitely gone now!

As James said, “We’re still alive. Anything can happen….”