This episode was all about traveling from point A to point B, and from what I've seen so far it looks like it's going to be a fun season of The Amazing Race.
One of my favorite activities to do while watching the show is play the "what if it was ME racing" game. I think it would be fun to go on the show someday - if I could find an appropriate partner - so I'm constantly working on my strategy and game plan.
Coming out of the starting gates (at the Playboy Mansion, nary a bunny in sight) there was a line of cars in the driveway. Apparently the team in the front car was not moving quickly enough for the others, and several teams started honking their horns for folks to get a move on. I did not understand this. You are have already determined your current position in the game, based on which car you grabbed, and whether you leave the driveway now or five minutes from now will not change that position. It's all about what happens once you get moving. If I were in the lead car, and the folks behind me were honking, I'd pull out a crossword puzzle, or just sit and have a leisurely conversation with my partner. Because really, if the race starts five minutes from now it's not going to change the outcome one little bit, so why not get the mind games going now and get everyone else frazzled and pissed.
Another note for when I go on the race: Once you know what city you're starting in, you need to buy yourself a Thomas Brothers guide and do what you can to learn the lay of the land; where the airport is in relation to the major roadways and tourist attractions. Or they need to start the race in a city that NONE of the teams have experience in, because every season starts the same way. The locals go directly to the airport, and the out-of-towners get lost in the process.
The biggest lesson in this week's episode was that karma is a bitch. The big challenge involved navigating a donkey along a path. The ability to get the donkey to do your bidding almost entirely determined your fate in this challenge. Two teams (Ari and Staella and Nathan and Jennifer) had difficulty getting their donkey to move. When the donkey wouldn't move they yelled. And yelled some more. And continued with the yelling. They didn't seem to do much more than yell at the donkey as several teams passed them. Eventually it got Ari and Staella eliminated, which makes me happy... they were even more annoying than I thought possible. When another team can hear your screams from a 1/2 mile away and know it's you, you know it's bad.
After actually meeting the teams I've formed some new and different impressions of them, so let's take a look at my new first impressions of the teams:
Kynt and Vyxsin: Did you know this team is Goth? Because they are. Goth. In case you didn't know that. Although I don't know how you couldn't know that, since they have to work it into every time they speak. "Thank Goth" was the worst.
Jennifer and Nathan: Nathan is an abusive asshole. I hate him.
Ronald and Christina: At the end of this episode I stated "This may be the most well-adjusted parent child team in Amazing Race history." Then I saw scenes from next week's episode, and suspect I may need to eat my words.
Shana and Jennifer: I don't think this team is as strong as I thought they would be, but they're still in it.
Azaria and Henedekea: I like them. They are much more well-adjusted than their profile made them out to be. I may want them to go the distance now.
Lorena and Jason: They are going to be fun most of the time, with moments of sheer stupidity thrown in for good measure.
Nicolas and Donald: Gramps tripped, which scared me for a moment, but this team is doing exactly as I thought they would.
Ari and Staella: I hated them even more than I thought possible, and am thankful they are gone.
Marianna and Julia: If an all-female team will be winning the race this go-round, I suspect these will be the two, and not the blondes as I originally projected.
Rachel and TK: If TK would cut his hair I would love this team. But I can't get past the ugly dreadlocks.
Kate and Pat: They didn't show much of these two, so it's tough to form an opinion.
You've hooked me. I just sent an online request to my antiquated tivo to record the show. Now let's hope it doesn't conflict with anything else I have set to record. :)
Posted by: nancy | 06 November 2007 at 10:20 AM