It’s getting down to the nitty gritty! Three teams are left (you have to read to the bottom to figure out who they are) and the finale is next week!!!!
Still in Prague, Meghan & Cheyne leave the Pit Stop first and the clue tells them to look for the Spanish Synagogue, which is the city’s oldest Jewish house of prayer. Sam & Dan know that they are now “looked at as the villians” because they stole Ericka & Brian’s taxi during the last leg of the Race. They don’t care, they want to make the final three.
At the Ekotechnicke Museum, the clue is a Roadblock. (Ericka & Brian’s Speed Bump is there as well). One team member must go into a huge room of ringing old-style telephones which the locals call “kafka-esque.” Only five phones will have someone on the other end, and each of the five will give the teams a letter. They then have to go to the supervisors and fill out a form and put the five letters at the bottom of the form in the proper order to get their next clue - it spells “Franz.” Meghan goes in and gets the letters and associates them with animals to remember them: R for rabbit, F for ferret, Z for zebra, and then gets to N and can’t come up with an animal. Meghan has to fill in such things as name, height, weight, partner’s name, and then misses it on the first try, but gets it on the second. Their clue tells them to go to Kryocentrum for their next clue. As Meghan & Cheyne come out of the Museum, Sam & Dan are just pulling up in their cab, and Meghan & Cheyne try to grab it but Sam & Dan tell the driver to wait for them. Meghan gets the driver to call for another taxi. (They should have offered the driver more money like Sam & Dan did - wouldn’t that be cosmic justice?) Dan runs in to do the Roadblock while Sam hopes he doesn’t get overly frustrated with the task.
Brian & Ericka leave the Pit Stop saying they can overcome more than “a little Speed Bump” because they’re the only team that has been in last place. The Globetrotters get to the Museum and Big Easy goes in to the phones as Dan finishes getting his letters and gets his first try rejected. (I love how the supervisor stamps big red X’s over the form, with great vehemence, like he’s trying to tell the teams they’re idiots.) He “doesn’t know if it’s a Czech word or English word.”
By this time, Meghan & Cheyne are at the Kryocentrum and get their next clue, which tells them to “check out the coolest holistic treatment in town.” They will have to strip down to their skivvies and spend two minutes in a -180̊ room. They get to wear socks and gloves, at least, and cover their ears and wear masks.
Brian & Ericka get to the Museum and find their Speed Bump. They have to “pay a visit to the green fairy.” They will have to find the M1 Pub and prepare a traditional shot of Absinthe by lighting a sugar cube on fire and dropping it into the shot glass with the Absinthe, and then drinking it. They will then get their next clue.
Dan is still having trouble spelling the correct word and calls the supervisors “douches.” The Globetrotters get to the Museum and Big Easy goes in to the phones as Dan gets to the supervisor’s room and gets rejected. The two decide to work together to try and figure it out. A lot of good it does, because neither of them can get the right combination.
Meghan & Cheyne come out of the freezer saying that “I feel bad for polar bears.” They get the next clue, telling them to go to the Charles Bridge, which connects the old and new sections of the city, and look for their next clue.
Brian & Ericka get to the bar and see the party going on, and try to pay attention to the bartender while he makes the drink. Brian doesn’t drink alcohol at all and says “it’s gonna be a challenge for me.” Brian sees all the women dancing on the bar and says “you’re gonna get me in trouble!” Ericka wisely tells him “you’re gonna get yourself in trouble!” They make their drinks and the looks on their faces after the shot are priceless! They say it was like drinking rubbing alcohol. (I’ve never tried Absinthe, myself.)
In the meantime, Dan finally gets the right combination and spells Franz. He tells Big Easy “it starts with an F, that’s all I’m saying.” Big Easy protests “that’s all you’re gonna give me?” Dan interviews that they’re trying to make the final three and he wouldn’t want to help him too much. (They were right, the brothers really seem to be nice guys but when it comes to a million bucks, they can be as nasty as the rest. Can you blame them, or are they being obnoxious?) Dan comes out and tells Sam that he and Big Easy were working together and he helped, but not much. Sam seemed upset that Dan helped even that much, and we see Big Easy griping in the supervisor’s room about how he felt Dan screwed him (I don’t blame him at this point, but I’m not sure I have a problem with it. It’s a million bucks!) Brian & Ericka get to the Museum and Brian tries the Roadblock. As he begins answering phones, Meghan & Cheyne get to the Charles Bridge and their clue is a Roadblock: Legend or Lager. In Legend, “teams will delve into Prague lore and Jewish mythology and build a Golem Man, which is made of straw and clay and was constructed to protect the Jewish quarters in the 15th century. Teams will cover a wooden Golem Man with clay and transport the figure through the town to the Old-New Synagogue and if it is deemed okay by the Rabbis, will get their next clue.” (I really hope everyone appreciates the research to find out what the hell Phil was describing there - it took me all of three minutes to Google it and find out what it was!) In Lager, teams must “drink in the local culture and deliver beer to a group of rowdy soccer hooligans.” Beer drinking is also considered a sport in Prague, and the Czech people drink more beer per capita than any other country. They have to carry 30 beers from a brewery through the town square to a bar to get their next clue.
Sam & Dan get to the Kryocentrum and complain that the Speedos are too small (although I have no complaints, they’re some cute butts there!) As they enter the cold room, Brian gets to the supervisor’s room and sees Big Easy still struggling with the letters for the name - he tells Brian he’s been there for about 2½ hours. Brian gets rejected and says the supervisor “is mean with the stamp.”
Meghan & Cheyne get to the Legend task and start to cover the wooden figure with mud as Sam & Dan come out of the freezer. Flight Time says he’s never coming back to the Czech Republic if they don’t get the word right. Brian gets the word and comes out of the Museum yelling, saying “I did it drunk, too!” Big Easy gets rejected once again and decides to go out to Flight Time saying that he’s willing to take the penalty. Teams who cannot finish a task must take a four-hour penalty before they can resume the Race. They insist it’s taking a strategic move, but I see it as dumb. With process of elimination, and anagramming the letters, it would have to be shorter to figure it out than four hours!
Meghan & Cheyne are struggling to move their clay-covered Golem, as the clay makes the statue much heavier. Brian & Ericka get to the Kryocentrum, with Ericka telling us that she’s from Florida and didn’t see snow until she was 21. Welcome to the cold, boopsie! Cheyne is complaining that Golem is heavy, and Meghan tells him that he’s taking the whole handle and not letting her help. Sam & Dan drop their Golem and Dan is asking if they should keep doing the challenge. Meghan & Cheyne are in the middle if the road trying to move their Golem and getting beeped at in traffic. They stop at the curb and she reminds him to be positive, as Cheyne tells Meghan he’s not yelling at her. The brothers bicker at each other covering the wooden statue (hey, we haven’t had a bickering couple the whole Race, it might as well be them!) Brian & Ericka decide to try the Lager challenge. Meghan & Cheyne get to the Synagogue and the Rabbis okay their statue, giving them the clue telling them to go to the next Pit Stop at Strelecky Ostrov, which is a small island next to the Charles Bridge.
Sam & Dan are rolling their Golem down the road and the arm is cracking and ready to fall off. They stand it up and bicker - Dan wants to go find the synagogue first and come back for the statue rather than drag the statue to the location. They stop a taxi driver and get directions from him.
Brian “used to be a server” so he’s instructing Ericka on how to carry the tray of beer. He takes 8 glasses and gives Ericka 7 and they walk through the street with locals bouncing around them and leering at the beer (or maybe at Ericka. Or maybe Brian!) He asks “don’t you people have jobs?”
Meghan & Cheyne run up to Phil at the Mat and find out they are team #1 once again. They each win 52" TVs.
Sam & Dan are seen pulling their statue and yapping at each other. Dan is complaining about how heavy it is, and Sam is telling him “Meghan did it!” Back at the Museum, Big Easy tells Flight Time that he killed about four trees filling out the forms. We then see Ericka & Brian carrying their beer, and as Brian tips one of his glasses over, Ericka turns around and loses her whole tray of beer. She tries to convince Brian to go do the other task., saying “it’s insane” and they won’t be able to do it. After seeing the other teams go through the Legend task, I’m with Brian - just stick with this one! Ericka just wouldn’t have the strength to pull that statue around. Brian gives her two glasses and tells her to just keep with it, and Ericka uses her hands to carry the two glasses. They have to dodge drunks walking down the street trying to grab the beers. Sam & Dan are still yapping and carrying the statue. Brian & Ericka are walking down the street with full trays of beer, and a girl walks by and says “For me?” and tries to grab a beer. Ericka gets an attitude saying “she’s about to get her ass beat” and saying she has “an American attitude.” Back at the Museum Big Easy is saying “it’s all on me.” Brian & Ericka meet up with some more drunks and manage to deliver their beer anyway. Sam & Dan get to the Synagogue and call it the “Detour from Hell” and still bitch at each other in the cab to the Pit Stop.
Brian & Ericka grab their last 11 beers and end up with a couple of guys following them down the street. Sam & Dan make it to the Mat and they two guys say “ooh, ow!” as they see the pretty lady standing with Phil. Phil tells them they’re Team #2, and still in it for a million bucks. They think they can overcome Meghan & Cheyne because the other teams see them as “second or third place.”
Back at the phone bank, the Globetrotters’ penalty is over and they head to the Kroycentrum. It’s daylight when Brian & Ericka finish delivering the beer and the guy waiting for them is half asleep. As they head to the Kryocentrum, Big Easy & Flight Time are hoping that someone had a real problem with a Detour - but it’s not to be, as Brian & Ericka get to Phil at the Mat and are told they are Team #3 and they celebrate.
We don’t see the Globetrotters go into the freezer, or which Detour they chose, but we get to see a recap of their exploits on the Race, with them riding the bikes, and dancing at the Opera House. As they get to the Mat, they know they’re in last place and Phil tells them they are eliminated. Big Easy says that this Race can tear up relationships, and it didn’t do that to them - and I give them credit. They really were the quintessential team, helping each other and staying positive the whole way. Too bad they were eliminated, but someone had to go!
Here is the order of finish:
1 - Meghan & Cheyne
2 - Sam & Dan
3 - Brian & Ericka
4 - Big Easy & Flight Time - eliminated
So next week is the finale - who will be victorious and get the million bucks? Will Meghan & Cheyne keep their winning streak alive or will the brothers manage to get ahead? Will the perpetual last-place team of Brian & Ericka pull it off? We’ll find out next week!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Cooperation is Out the Window! Sam & Dan are Thieves!
The teams begin this leg of the Race in Estonia. Meghan & Cheyne leave first, finding out they have to fly to Prague, Czech Republic. They will have to find a man in a Praga, which is a vintage convertible. Sam & Dan leave next, saying that the Globetrotters are their biggest competition, especially “since they accused us of elbowing them” running to the last Pit Stop. For their credit, Big Easy & Flight Time say they’re not harboring any ill will. “They’re in the final four and you have to respect them for that.” Brian & Ericka bring up the rear but catch up at the airport because the first flight doesn’t leave until 5:20 a.m. Meghan & Cheyne spot a Praga on the internet and find out that it’s a vintage car and plan to tell everyone that they need to look for a certain kind of hat - but they see the Globetrotters see the car on the internet too so they don’t bother.
Once the teams land, they all take off in taxis - except for Brian & Ericka, who talked to someone on the plane who said it would be quicker to take the subway. Flight Time & Big Easy say “we gotta go to an old town and look for an old car, and we’ve got an old man driving, and he’s driving like one.” In the cab, Sam & Dan discuss what a Praga might be, asking their cabbie if it’s a robe.
The clue tells the teams to go to an outdoor adventure center, Kayaky Troja, and search for the clue box. Sam & Dan saw Meghan & Cheyne running to the car and realized that is where they needed to go, and in the cab afterward mentioned that they would have looked forever because they didn’t know what they were looking for. Ericka & Brian are stuck in traffic on a shuttle bus to the subway and finally decide it’s taking too long and grab a taxi. Brian says “we did what we did, and we’re only looking forward.” Eternal optimist, that one!
At the Kayaky Troja, the clue is a Detour: Fast and Furious or Slow and Steady. In Fast and Furious they have to ride down a white water course that is used to train professional kayakers. They will have to grab a ribbon with their next clue written on it. If they tip over before they get to the ribbon, they have to start all over again. For Slow and Steady, they have to pull themselves along an aerial rope course to the end to get their next clue. Sam & Dan think they can do the white water, while Meghan & Cheyne decide to do Slow.
Brian & Ericka get to the square but have no idea what they’re looking for. (Now, they got the tip from somebody to take the subway to the square - but they didn’t ask the person what a Praga was?)
Sam & Dan paddle underneath Meghan & Cheyne and the Globetrotters as they hit the rope course, yelling “we’re gonna beat you!” They end up bickering the entire time about paddling. They get into the part of the course with faster water and end up tipping over. The rope teams find out it’s harder than it looks, as they first go downhill, but then end up having to pull themselves uphill. Big Easy is so heavy his feet are hitting the water. Meghan figures out to lay back and put her feet up on the rope to make it easier, but Flight Time was already there and making good headway. Sam & Dan paddle under them for their second attempt, yelling at each other again and tipping over once again. Flight Time is the first one to the end, and Meghan mentions that it’s the first time she’s seen the big strong Big Easy struggle on anything. The locals at the end platform tell Flight Time to go down and Cheyne wants to go first because Flight Time is going too slow - Flight Time says “I’m going slow because I’m tired.” Cheyne keeps yelling that he’s going slow on purpose, and Flight Time realized that he could hold them up by doing just that. Flight Time talks to Meghan on the ground saying “I don’t play like that” but “once you gave me the idea, it sounded good.” Meghan tells him it’s okay. The brothers seem to have the paddling down and tip over yet again. After that spill they decide to try the Slow and Steady. They say “as long as Brian & Ericka don’t show up we’re okay.” And of course, here come Brian & Ericka.
The teams need to figure out the next clue on the ribbons, which are Stavotske Divadlo and mean the Estates Theater. Meghan & Cheyne ask a local about getting a taxi and he points them to the train station. Meghan yells to the Globetrotters “we know where we’re going” and Cheyne isn’t too thrilled, but the Globetrotters say they would have followed them anyway so it was no big deal. Brian says he’s afraid of heights but they decide to do the rope challenge, and Ericka thanks him for challenging his fear for her (she’s afraid of water).
Meghan & Cheyne ask a local about the fastest way to get to the building, and as she’s writing it down for them, Cheyne spots a taxi and just snatches the note pad out of her hands to run to the taxi. The Globetrotters get the woman to write it for them, and Meghan chastises Cheyne for being rude to everyone, and leaving the Globetrotters after saying they’d help each other. Cheyne has a point, that this “isn’t a frickin’ hold your hand game.”
Sam is having mega problems with the ropes, and Brian shouts to Ericka to “use two hands” (which she is) and she’s getting upset with him. In the cab, Cheyne apologizes to Meghan “if you thought I was rude” but Meghan tells him that if the Globetrotters get ticked off at them it will motivate them and “give them a reason to mess with you.”
The clue at the Theater is a Roadblock - “who can remain composed under pressure?” The Estates Theater is where Motzart premiered his opera Giovanni. One team member must look throughout the theater for a tiny mandolin, which is the instrument Giovanni plays in the opera, and give it to a singing Giovanni for their next clue. Cheyne takes off to look for the mandolin in the massive opera theater. Cheyne finds a lute-looking thing and hands it to the Giovanni on stage, who laughs at him and says “no.”
On the train, the Globetrotters say how they hope they can catch Meghan & Cheyne and “stick it to Cheyne” for not wanting to work with them. Big Easy is going to do the Roadblock and takes off looking for the little instrument. Back at the Detour, the brothers finish and find out the taxi waiting is Brian & Ericka’s, and tell the driver they will pay him more to take them. Brian yells to Ericka “here’s some motivation...the brothers are trying to steal our taxi.” Brian & Ericka yell to the taxi to wait for them, but the taxi driver decides to take the brothers. Ericka gets her motivation and says “I’m going for the jugular now.” Meghan is telling Cheyne’s name and encouraging him, while driving Big Easy crazy. Brian & Ericka get finished and moan about Sam & Dan stealing their cab, and Brian says “I don’t think we’ll be working with them any more.” Ericka is firm, “We’re not working with anybody ... ever.”
Sam & Dan get to the theater and Dan will do the Roadblock. Sam sits with Flight Time and Meghan, and when Meghan asks about Brian & Ericka Sam says “we kind of took their cab.” Big Easy grabs a guitar and Meghan laughs that “It’s miniature to him.” Flight Time starts ballet prancing around the stage as Giovanni sings, and when Dan brings up a small violin, Giovanni laughs at him, too, and says “no.” Flight Time says “I haven’t seen Big Easy in five minutes - somebody send the paramedics up there.” Cheyne is crawling around the upper stage walks, and Big Easy finds a small bag and gives it to Giovanni, who laughs at him. Big Easy says “you can’t laugh at me no more, I’m gonna find it.” He does find a small case and brings it back - but it’s empty, and he gets laughed at again. Cheyne finds a small case and hands it to Giovanni, singing with him (badly) and getting his clue. It tells them to go to the next Pit Stop, Prague Castle. It is the largest ancient castle in the world.
Brian & Ericka get to the Theater as Dan finds the small case and gets his clue. Brian & Ericka walk in as the brothers walk out, and Brian complains that they didn’t even look him in the eye or apologize. Big Easy says “I don’t want to hear him sing no more” as he finds his case. “No offense, but I want to get to the Pit Stop.” To her credit Ericka isn’t freaking out looking for the little case. The Globetrotters get done and Sam & Dan are still looking for a taxi, and they end up leaving at almost the same time, but Sam & Dan beat them to the Mat. Flight Time & Big Easy say “we’re gonna crash this party” as they show up and when Phil asks if there’s tension on the Race, they say “All we know is someone stole someone else’s taxi, so we’ll just let them beat each other up and step on ahead.” Sam & Dan are standing there looking like they’re ready to kill someone. I think they don’t have room to complain, they were pretty nasty doing that - but again, this is a race for a million bucks!
Back at the Theater, Giovanni grabs a sandwich and sits with Brian as he waits for Ericka. When they finally make it to the Mat, Phil asks if they’ve enjoyed the Race, and Brian says they’ve had an angel every leg, and it’s been fun. Phil tells them they have another angel because it’s a non-elimination leg. (I’m wondering if the producers did that because Sam & Dan stole their cab).
So here’s the order of finish:
1 - Meghan & Cheyne
2 - Sam & Dan
3 - Big Easy & Flight Time
4 - Brian & Ericka
So, should Sam & Dan’s karma bite them in the ass because they were rotten and stole Brian & Ericka’s taxi? Are things getting nasty between the teams and is it really the end of cooperation? Should it be the end of cooperation? Can Meghan & Cheyne be beat? Stay tuned!
Once the teams land, they all take off in taxis - except for Brian & Ericka, who talked to someone on the plane who said it would be quicker to take the subway. Flight Time & Big Easy say “we gotta go to an old town and look for an old car, and we’ve got an old man driving, and he’s driving like one.” In the cab, Sam & Dan discuss what a Praga might be, asking their cabbie if it’s a robe.
The clue tells the teams to go to an outdoor adventure center, Kayaky Troja, and search for the clue box. Sam & Dan saw Meghan & Cheyne running to the car and realized that is where they needed to go, and in the cab afterward mentioned that they would have looked forever because they didn’t know what they were looking for. Ericka & Brian are stuck in traffic on a shuttle bus to the subway and finally decide it’s taking too long and grab a taxi. Brian says “we did what we did, and we’re only looking forward.” Eternal optimist, that one!
At the Kayaky Troja, the clue is a Detour: Fast and Furious or Slow and Steady. In Fast and Furious they have to ride down a white water course that is used to train professional kayakers. They will have to grab a ribbon with their next clue written on it. If they tip over before they get to the ribbon, they have to start all over again. For Slow and Steady, they have to pull themselves along an aerial rope course to the end to get their next clue. Sam & Dan think they can do the white water, while Meghan & Cheyne decide to do Slow.
Brian & Ericka get to the square but have no idea what they’re looking for. (Now, they got the tip from somebody to take the subway to the square - but they didn’t ask the person what a Praga was?)
Sam & Dan paddle underneath Meghan & Cheyne and the Globetrotters as they hit the rope course, yelling “we’re gonna beat you!” They end up bickering the entire time about paddling. They get into the part of the course with faster water and end up tipping over. The rope teams find out it’s harder than it looks, as they first go downhill, but then end up having to pull themselves uphill. Big Easy is so heavy his feet are hitting the water. Meghan figures out to lay back and put her feet up on the rope to make it easier, but Flight Time was already there and making good headway. Sam & Dan paddle under them for their second attempt, yelling at each other again and tipping over once again. Flight Time is the first one to the end, and Meghan mentions that it’s the first time she’s seen the big strong Big Easy struggle on anything. The locals at the end platform tell Flight Time to go down and Cheyne wants to go first because Flight Time is going too slow - Flight Time says “I’m going slow because I’m tired.” Cheyne keeps yelling that he’s going slow on purpose, and Flight Time realized that he could hold them up by doing just that. Flight Time talks to Meghan on the ground saying “I don’t play like that” but “once you gave me the idea, it sounded good.” Meghan tells him it’s okay. The brothers seem to have the paddling down and tip over yet again. After that spill they decide to try the Slow and Steady. They say “as long as Brian & Ericka don’t show up we’re okay.” And of course, here come Brian & Ericka.
The teams need to figure out the next clue on the ribbons, which are Stavotske Divadlo and mean the Estates Theater. Meghan & Cheyne ask a local about getting a taxi and he points them to the train station. Meghan yells to the Globetrotters “we know where we’re going” and Cheyne isn’t too thrilled, but the Globetrotters say they would have followed them anyway so it was no big deal. Brian says he’s afraid of heights but they decide to do the rope challenge, and Ericka thanks him for challenging his fear for her (she’s afraid of water).
Meghan & Cheyne ask a local about the fastest way to get to the building, and as she’s writing it down for them, Cheyne spots a taxi and just snatches the note pad out of her hands to run to the taxi. The Globetrotters get the woman to write it for them, and Meghan chastises Cheyne for being rude to everyone, and leaving the Globetrotters after saying they’d help each other. Cheyne has a point, that this “isn’t a frickin’ hold your hand game.”
Sam is having mega problems with the ropes, and Brian shouts to Ericka to “use two hands” (which she is) and she’s getting upset with him. In the cab, Cheyne apologizes to Meghan “if you thought I was rude” but Meghan tells him that if the Globetrotters get ticked off at them it will motivate them and “give them a reason to mess with you.”
The clue at the Theater is a Roadblock - “who can remain composed under pressure?” The Estates Theater is where Motzart premiered his opera Giovanni. One team member must look throughout the theater for a tiny mandolin, which is the instrument Giovanni plays in the opera, and give it to a singing Giovanni for their next clue. Cheyne takes off to look for the mandolin in the massive opera theater. Cheyne finds a lute-looking thing and hands it to the Giovanni on stage, who laughs at him and says “no.”
On the train, the Globetrotters say how they hope they can catch Meghan & Cheyne and “stick it to Cheyne” for not wanting to work with them. Big Easy is going to do the Roadblock and takes off looking for the little instrument. Back at the Detour, the brothers finish and find out the taxi waiting is Brian & Ericka’s, and tell the driver they will pay him more to take them. Brian yells to Ericka “here’s some motivation...the brothers are trying to steal our taxi.” Brian & Ericka yell to the taxi to wait for them, but the taxi driver decides to take the brothers. Ericka gets her motivation and says “I’m going for the jugular now.” Meghan is telling Cheyne’s name and encouraging him, while driving Big Easy crazy. Brian & Ericka get finished and moan about Sam & Dan stealing their cab, and Brian says “I don’t think we’ll be working with them any more.” Ericka is firm, “We’re not working with anybody ... ever.”
Sam & Dan get to the theater and Dan will do the Roadblock. Sam sits with Flight Time and Meghan, and when Meghan asks about Brian & Ericka Sam says “we kind of took their cab.” Big Easy grabs a guitar and Meghan laughs that “It’s miniature to him.” Flight Time starts ballet prancing around the stage as Giovanni sings, and when Dan brings up a small violin, Giovanni laughs at him, too, and says “no.” Flight Time says “I haven’t seen Big Easy in five minutes - somebody send the paramedics up there.” Cheyne is crawling around the upper stage walks, and Big Easy finds a small bag and gives it to Giovanni, who laughs at him. Big Easy says “you can’t laugh at me no more, I’m gonna find it.” He does find a small case and brings it back - but it’s empty, and he gets laughed at again. Cheyne finds a small case and hands it to Giovanni, singing with him (badly) and getting his clue. It tells them to go to the next Pit Stop, Prague Castle. It is the largest ancient castle in the world.
Brian & Ericka get to the Theater as Dan finds the small case and gets his clue. Brian & Ericka walk in as the brothers walk out, and Brian complains that they didn’t even look him in the eye or apologize. Big Easy says “I don’t want to hear him sing no more” as he finds his case. “No offense, but I want to get to the Pit Stop.” To her credit Ericka isn’t freaking out looking for the little case. The Globetrotters get done and Sam & Dan are still looking for a taxi, and they end up leaving at almost the same time, but Sam & Dan beat them to the Mat. Flight Time & Big Easy say “we’re gonna crash this party” as they show up and when Phil asks if there’s tension on the Race, they say “All we know is someone stole someone else’s taxi, so we’ll just let them beat each other up and step on ahead.” Sam & Dan are standing there looking like they’re ready to kill someone. I think they don’t have room to complain, they were pretty nasty doing that - but again, this is a race for a million bucks!
Back at the Theater, Giovanni grabs a sandwich and sits with Brian as he waits for Ericka. When they finally make it to the Mat, Phil asks if they’ve enjoyed the Race, and Brian says they’ve had an angel every leg, and it’s been fun. Phil tells them they have another angel because it’s a non-elimination leg. (I’m wondering if the producers did that because Sam & Dan stole their cab).
So here’s the order of finish:
1 - Meghan & Cheyne
2 - Sam & Dan
3 - Big Easy & Flight Time
4 - Brian & Ericka
So, should Sam & Dan’s karma bite them in the ass because they were rotten and stole Brian & Ericka’s taxi? Are things getting nasty between the teams and is it really the end of cooperation? Should it be the end of cooperation? Can Meghan & Cheyne be beat? Stay tuned!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Mud Volleyball & Estonian Hotties
It’s the 8th Pit Stop of the Amazing Race in Stockholm, Sweden. Flight Time & Big Easy leave first, and find out they have to go to Tallinn, Estonia and then open the door to Mustpeade. They talk a local cabbie into letting them follow him to the ferry. Once at the ferry, they find out it doesn’t leave until 5:45 p.m. the next afternoon. Meghan & Cheyne get a cabbie to write the directions for them. Brian & Ericka mention that Ericka didn’t win any preliminaries during the Miss America pageant, but won the crown so they’re not worried about not winning a leg. They get a cabbie to follow to the ferry, and end up beating Meghan & Cheyne there. They see Flight Time & Big Easy sleeping in their car and are bummed that they have to wait till 5:00 for the ferry. Flight Time & Big Easy mention that Sam & Dan acted badly by yelling at each other "flipping the bird and stuff" during the hay challenge and they shouldn’t win. Once on the ferry, the teams have rooms with beds for the 16-hour ride. They’re all hanging out watching the scenery, I’d be zonked the whole time!
The teams ran down a long hallway to get off the ferry complaining the whole time, but the Globetrotters laugh “ya’ll getting tired, huh?” However, they end up leaving last from the ferry stop. At the door of Mustpeade, Meghan & Cheyne and Sam & Dan find a little lock on the building that’s the one they need to open (as opposed to the actual door) and get it unlocked and into the building before Brian & Ericka get there and see them. The clue inside is a Roadblock. It involves the brotherhood of the blackets, which is a secret society of merchants. One person will join the ranks of the brotherhood. They go down to the cellar and find a candelabra with a room number on it, go to the room and be given a “blank” scroll. They have to figure out that they need to hold the scroll over a lighted candle and will get their next clue.
As Gary & Matt show up they find their Speed Bump. They have to find a bus and take a five-minute sauna with a group of locals. As they dash off to find the sauna bus, we see Cheyne and Sam looking for their rooms. Brian & Ericka get into the building and Flight Time & Big Easy don’t have to use their key but follow them in.
Flight Time got to his room first and got his scroll. He sees a red crayon and scribbles across his scroll, thinking that it was the way to get his clue. At this time, my hunny is screaming about how Flight Time slams his candelabra on the top and is scribbling on a beautiful grand piano and possibly wrecking the patina. Cheyne immediately uses his candle to try and read the scroll.
At the sauna, Gary & Matt are enjoying sitting with the locals, especially Matt, who is next to a beautiful blonde woman who is looking like she’s thinking “these guys are dorks.”
Cheyne manages to see his clue, which is Pikk Herman Tower Garden. Ericka is right behind him. While Sam and Flight Time are still looking for their clues, Gary & Matt get to the Mustpeade and Matt does the task, pronouncing it “candle - a - BRA” and getting a laugh out of the locals. Sam figured it out, and Flight Time finally used the candle and got his clue. Matt can’t figure out what a candle-a-bra is, asking if some guy can lead him to a room. I think the pink hair dye has finally gotten to him! He gets lucky and associates the candelabra with the number on it as what he needs.
Meghan & Cheyne get to the Tower with Ericka & Brian, and their clue is a Detour. Teams have to choose between Serve or Sling. In Serve, they have to play a round of volleyball in the bog with a local team and score 5 points to get their clue. In Sling, they have to stand in the mud and use a sling to hit a moose target, dumping a table full of cabbage and get their clue.
Meghan & Cheyne decide to do Serve since Meghan has played beach volleyball. As they race off to find a taxi with Ericka & Brian, they grab a taxi that Ericka thinks is theirs (although Meghan & Cheyne were running in front). They jump in the cab and the driver asks about “the other guys” and Meghan & Cheyne say “no, we don’t care about them” as their driver grabs his cell to call another cab ofr Brian & Ericka. Matt, back at the building, tries the "rub" method on the scroll and gets nowhere. Brian & Ericka find a cab and she decides she has to “keep an eye on Brian” because he has a big heart. Brian refused to say that Meghan & Cheyne "stole the cab."
All the teams are going to the volleyball challenge. Sam & Dan are begging for a guy to get out of a taxi but the man riding inside says he can’t walk. They see another taxi as the Globetrotters do, and both teams end up in the same taxi complaining that Big Easy & Flight Time are just “hanging on our coattails.” Gary & Matt end up walking/running to the Tower. In the cab, the teams read the clue saying that they have to play volleyball in their underwear, and Ericka says “you’re gonna have to get out another pair of underwear, because all I’m wearing is a stringy thong and that ain’t happening.”
Gary & Matt are at the Tower, and decide to go into it and totally miss the clue box in front. After running around inside, they decide to look outside and find the clue box. They decide to do the Sling challenge. Gary & Matt get a cabbie with a cab-driving buddy with Meghan & Cheyne in his cab, and tell the driver to tell the other driver to go slowly. Meghan & Cheyne’s driver lets them know what was up and doesn’t go along with it.
Meghan & Cheyne get to the volleyball and score three points pretty quickly. They look like they’re having fun, even knee-deep in mud and moving very slowly. As the Globetrotters, Brian & Ericka and Sam & Dan show up, they can’t find the marked path through the forest and wander around. Meghan & Cheyne finally get their 5 points and get their next clue, telling them to go run through the bogs and look for the next Pitstop, the Keava Raba Overlook Tower. Meghan & Cheyne get to the Mat first, full of mud. Their prize is a sauna, which doesn’t seem to impress them all that much.
We see the other three teams wandering and they finally manage to find the arrows to their destination. Sam & Dan say that there were some “hottie Estonian guys.” The Globetrotters and Sam & Dan take the volleyball nets, and since only two teams could play at a time, Brian & Ericka end up trying Sling. They had to put "snowshoes" on to walk over the mud.
The volleyball is not going well for either team, and I guess the “Estonian hotties” got Dan all excited, because his crotch was all blurred out. They all interview that they enjoyed playing volleyball but they couldn’t move so it wasn’t easy. The Estonian players started feeling sorry for the teams and ended up giving points away. Flight Time & Big Easy got their 5 points first and Sam & Dan were right behind and after getting their clue, realized that the Globetrotters were going the wrong way. Big Easy & Flight Time realize their mistake and quickly catch up to Sam & Dan. As they run one of the Globetrotters tangles with either Sam or Dan and falls, but the brothers manage to get to the tower ahead of the Globetrotters. Phil mentions that “Big Easy looks like he wants to kick some butt right now.” (Nothing like fanning the fire, Phil!) After the replay we see that the Globetrotters were the instigators and tried to knock over the brothers. However, Big Easy did the most complaining about being knocked over.
Brian & Ericka, after many slingshots, get their cabbages to fall and get their clue and race to the Mat. Phil asks them if they know if they’re last, and when they say no, he says “I’m gonna put you out of your misery and tell you you’re team number 4.” Gary & Matt interview that they enjoyed the experience and “shooting radishes” was part of it. They get to the Mat and Phil tells them they are eliminated. Gary gets overwhelmed and sniffly as he says how much fun it’s been doing the Race with his son.
So here’s the order of finish:
1 - Meghan & Cheyne
2 - Sam & Dan
3 - Flight Time & Big Easy
4 - Brian & Ericka
5 - Gary & Matt - eliminated
It looks like any one of the remaining teams could take it. Who are you rooting for?
The teams ran down a long hallway to get off the ferry complaining the whole time, but the Globetrotters laugh “ya’ll getting tired, huh?” However, they end up leaving last from the ferry stop. At the door of Mustpeade, Meghan & Cheyne and Sam & Dan find a little lock on the building that’s the one they need to open (as opposed to the actual door) and get it unlocked and into the building before Brian & Ericka get there and see them. The clue inside is a Roadblock. It involves the brotherhood of the blackets, which is a secret society of merchants. One person will join the ranks of the brotherhood. They go down to the cellar and find a candelabra with a room number on it, go to the room and be given a “blank” scroll. They have to figure out that they need to hold the scroll over a lighted candle and will get their next clue.
As Gary & Matt show up they find their Speed Bump. They have to find a bus and take a five-minute sauna with a group of locals. As they dash off to find the sauna bus, we see Cheyne and Sam looking for their rooms. Brian & Ericka get into the building and Flight Time & Big Easy don’t have to use their key but follow them in.
Flight Time got to his room first and got his scroll. He sees a red crayon and scribbles across his scroll, thinking that it was the way to get his clue. At this time, my hunny is screaming about how Flight Time slams his candelabra on the top and is scribbling on a beautiful grand piano and possibly wrecking the patina. Cheyne immediately uses his candle to try and read the scroll.
At the sauna, Gary & Matt are enjoying sitting with the locals, especially Matt, who is next to a beautiful blonde woman who is looking like she’s thinking “these guys are dorks.”
Cheyne manages to see his clue, which is Pikk Herman Tower Garden. Ericka is right behind him. While Sam and Flight Time are still looking for their clues, Gary & Matt get to the Mustpeade and Matt does the task, pronouncing it “candle - a - BRA” and getting a laugh out of the locals. Sam figured it out, and Flight Time finally used the candle and got his clue. Matt can’t figure out what a candle-a-bra is, asking if some guy can lead him to a room. I think the pink hair dye has finally gotten to him! He gets lucky and associates the candelabra with the number on it as what he needs.
Meghan & Cheyne get to the Tower with Ericka & Brian, and their clue is a Detour. Teams have to choose between Serve or Sling. In Serve, they have to play a round of volleyball in the bog with a local team and score 5 points to get their clue. In Sling, they have to stand in the mud and use a sling to hit a moose target, dumping a table full of cabbage and get their clue.
Meghan & Cheyne decide to do Serve since Meghan has played beach volleyball. As they race off to find a taxi with Ericka & Brian, they grab a taxi that Ericka thinks is theirs (although Meghan & Cheyne were running in front). They jump in the cab and the driver asks about “the other guys” and Meghan & Cheyne say “no, we don’t care about them” as their driver grabs his cell to call another cab ofr Brian & Ericka. Matt, back at the building, tries the "rub" method on the scroll and gets nowhere. Brian & Ericka find a cab and she decides she has to “keep an eye on Brian” because he has a big heart. Brian refused to say that Meghan & Cheyne "stole the cab."
All the teams are going to the volleyball challenge. Sam & Dan are begging for a guy to get out of a taxi but the man riding inside says he can’t walk. They see another taxi as the Globetrotters do, and both teams end up in the same taxi complaining that Big Easy & Flight Time are just “hanging on our coattails.” Gary & Matt end up walking/running to the Tower. In the cab, the teams read the clue saying that they have to play volleyball in their underwear, and Ericka says “you’re gonna have to get out another pair of underwear, because all I’m wearing is a stringy thong and that ain’t happening.”
Gary & Matt are at the Tower, and decide to go into it and totally miss the clue box in front. After running around inside, they decide to look outside and find the clue box. They decide to do the Sling challenge. Gary & Matt get a cabbie with a cab-driving buddy with Meghan & Cheyne in his cab, and tell the driver to tell the other driver to go slowly. Meghan & Cheyne’s driver lets them know what was up and doesn’t go along with it.
Meghan & Cheyne get to the volleyball and score three points pretty quickly. They look like they’re having fun, even knee-deep in mud and moving very slowly. As the Globetrotters, Brian & Ericka and Sam & Dan show up, they can’t find the marked path through the forest and wander around. Meghan & Cheyne finally get their 5 points and get their next clue, telling them to go run through the bogs and look for the next Pitstop, the Keava Raba Overlook Tower. Meghan & Cheyne get to the Mat first, full of mud. Their prize is a sauna, which doesn’t seem to impress them all that much.
We see the other three teams wandering and they finally manage to find the arrows to their destination. Sam & Dan say that there were some “hottie Estonian guys.” The Globetrotters and Sam & Dan take the volleyball nets, and since only two teams could play at a time, Brian & Ericka end up trying Sling. They had to put "snowshoes" on to walk over the mud.
The volleyball is not going well for either team, and I guess the “Estonian hotties” got Dan all excited, because his crotch was all blurred out. They all interview that they enjoyed playing volleyball but they couldn’t move so it wasn’t easy. The Estonian players started feeling sorry for the teams and ended up giving points away. Flight Time & Big Easy got their 5 points first and Sam & Dan were right behind and after getting their clue, realized that the Globetrotters were going the wrong way. Big Easy & Flight Time realize their mistake and quickly catch up to Sam & Dan. As they run one of the Globetrotters tangles with either Sam or Dan and falls, but the brothers manage to get to the tower ahead of the Globetrotters. Phil mentions that “Big Easy looks like he wants to kick some butt right now.” (Nothing like fanning the fire, Phil!) After the replay we see that the Globetrotters were the instigators and tried to knock over the brothers. However, Big Easy did the most complaining about being knocked over.
Brian & Ericka, after many slingshots, get their cabbages to fall and get their clue and race to the Mat. Phil asks them if they know if they’re last, and when they say no, he says “I’m gonna put you out of your misery and tell you you’re team number 4.” Gary & Matt interview that they enjoyed the experience and “shooting radishes” was part of it. They get to the Mat and Phil tells them they are eliminated. Gary gets overwhelmed and sniffly as he says how much fun it’s been doing the Race with his son.
So here’s the order of finish:
1 - Meghan & Cheyne
2 - Sam & Dan
3 - Flight Time & Big Easy
4 - Brian & Ericka
5 - Gary & Matt - eliminated
It looks like any one of the remaining teams could take it. Who are you rooting for?
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Running Through Sweden and the Dreaded Hay Challenge
The teams leave the Pit Stop at a harbor in Holland. Sam & Dan leave first and find out they have to fly to Stockholm, Sweden. Once there, they will travel by train and a ferry to Tivoli Grona Lund Amusement Park and find the tallest ride (that looks like a Demon Drop). Flight Time & Big Easy say that it’s Flight Time’s birthday and they’d love to come in first this leg - an omen, you think?
At the airport, Meghan & Cheyne note there are two flights leaving for Stockholm - one at 6:55 a.m. and one at 9:25 a.m. They run into Sam & Dan and find the ticket counter, which doesn’t open until 5:30 a.m. The Globetrotters and Gary & Matt join them to spend the night in the airport, and Brian & Ericka arrive to wait also. Sam & Dan, Meghan & Cheyne and Flight Time & Big Easy make the first flight, but Gary & Matt and Brian & Ericka can’t get tickets and have to fly at 9:25.
Once in Stockholm, Sam & Dan and Meghan & Cheyne get train tickets upstairs at the tickets kiosks, while Flight Time & Big Easy run down to the train entrance to get theirs - but end up missing the train. The two teams get on the ferry and see the tall ride and race to the clue box. The clue says one member of the team must ride the Fritt Fall, and while going up look for an arrow which will point them in the direction of the next clue box. The arrow is visible for only 15 seconds before the ride plunges 24 stories in less than 3 seconds. Sam and Cheyne decide to work together and they spot the arrow. The clue tells them to play a game of Roaming Gnome Ring Toss. They have to throw rings onto gnome hats and hope the one they ring has a Roaming Gnome under it. They will have to keep the gnome with them throughout this leg of the Race. Their next clue will be on the bottom of the gnome.
The clue is a Detour. Since Sweden is known for Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite and the Vikings, the teams will choose either Nobel Dynamite or Viking Alphabet. In Dynamite, teams must fill sandbags and build a protective bunker in a rock quarry, then set off an explosion which will uncover a box containing their next clue. In Viking Alphabet, teams must decode a message using the Viking alphabet and find a Viking to get their next clue. Both lead teams decide to do the dynamite.
Flight Time rides the Fritt Fall and then tosses rings. He can’t seem to get one hooked, and Big Easy throws one (maybe through the magic of editing) and gets it. However, no gnome under the hat. Their second try gets a gnome and they also decide to Detour to the dynamite.
Brian & Ericka and Gary & Matt land in Stockholm and get to the train station, but it takes Gary & Matt longer to get their tickets and they miss the train.
Driving to the Detour, Meghan & Cheyne get a local to go ahead so the teams can follow him. Flight Time & Big Easy are driving, trying to decide what to name the gnome. They come up with Sweet Pea (nixed by Big Easy - “that’s dumb”) and Louisiana Shorty (nixed by Flight Time as being too ghetto). Gary & Matt are stressing because they lost 15 minutes waiting for the next train. At the amusement park, Brian is afraid of heights so Ericka gets to ride the Fritt Fall by default, and spots the arrow right away. Ericka gets their gnome at the ring toss pretty quickly and Brian says “the guy is supposed to win his girl something at the fair, not the other way around.” Matt rides up and sees the arrow and they run off to the ring toss, getting the gnome.
As Meghan & Cheyne and Sam & Dan get their safety gear on, the Globetrotters drive up. They do a little trash talking “Did your fans help you get here?” Big Easy answers “now you hurt our feelings, we’re gonna blow ya’ll up.” Sam & Dan use their hands rather than the little shovels to fill their sandbags, thinking they’d be quicker, and it seemed to work pretty well.
Brian & Ericka pay a cabbie to lead them to the Detour, while we see Gary & Matt driving around naming Swedish streets and getting lost.
Sam & Dan get to blast the dynamite first and seems really pumped about it. (I guess you had to be there, I don’t see the big deal). They find their box and the clue tells them to drive to Bogs Gard Farm, which is the place of a task from another season - where they have to find a clue in the gazillion bales of hay in the field. That was the task that Lena & Kristy spent over 10 hours on and Phil came out to the field to tell them to just give up and go home. (Admired their tenacity, but glad Phil stopped them!)
Meghan & Cheyne are slow at bagging the sand and the Globetrotters get ahead. Meghan complains as they drive away that they didn’t have good teamwork. She begged Cheyne to work with her more and he didn’t listen, as he tries to tell her it’s over and not to worry about it. (I can see his point, they’re still in it with two teams behind - but then, they may have gotten out quicker had he paid a little more attention. I guess I’m just gonna be wishy-washy tonight).
Gary & Matt finally stop and ask for directions as Brian & Ericka begin sandbagging. Ericka complains that the gravel is getting into her nails, then interviews that she “can’t even think about beauty - if I’m dirty and stinky, I don’t care because I just want to win.” Great for her, but what about the people she’s crammed on a train with? More bad pub for Americans! (Heehee)
Sam & Dan get to the farm first, followed closely by Meghan & Cheyne. The clue is a Roadblock, and it's the exact same one that Lena & Kristy spent almost 10 hours doing in seasons past. (I know they're at home watching and shuddering). One team member must search through 186 hay bales to find one of seven Race flags to go forward - and the Pit Stop is at the farm where they are searching. Sam bravely offers to do the task as Dan yells encouragement and instruction from the side and Sam tells him to “shut up” on numerous occasions. Meghan & Cheyne read the clue and feel overwhelmed by the task, so much that Cheyne refuses to answer Meghan when she asks “who’s gonna do this?” she tells him she’s going to do it. Dan keeps yelling and Sam is ready to clobber him. Big Easy & Flight Time show up and Big Easy is easily pushing the hay bales around.
Gary & Matt show up to the dynamite challenge as Brian & Ericka are getting finished, and do a great job of catching up. From what it looked like, they’re only a few minutes behind.
Dan yells at Sam that he’s taking too long looking though the hay, and Sam remarks that “he doesn’t realize that I stopped listening to him about ten years ago.” Big Easy laughs that “we didn’t have no hay in the projects.” Flight Time cheers as Big Easy finds the flag, and Sam complains that “they’re the luckiest team in the Race.” Flight Time yells as they race to the Mat “it’s my birthday!” Happy Birthday, Flight Time, you guys get first!
Brian & Ericka arrive at the farm and Matt & Gary are right behind. Sam and Meghan are bumming big time that the other teams have caught up, and Meghan cries that she “can’t do this any more.” Matt should be doing this task (with his big body) but Gary decides to do it. Ericka doesn’t give Brian a choice (not that I blame her!) and tells him he’s doing it. The team members that are not doing the challenge all talk about how this is a challenge from another season and it took one team "like 8 hours" to do it. Dan yells encouragement to Sam and once again gets told to “Shut up.” Brian yells to Dan that “it’s harder than it looks.” Meghan finds a flag and decides to pull a fast one on Cheyne, as she runs toward him crying that she can’t do it any more and then pulls out the flag. Cheyne is impressed and tells Phil at the Mat that he’s so proud that Meghan is his partner on this Race and “my partner for life.” (Brownie points to Cheyne!)
Brian finds a flag as Ericka cheers and they make it to the Mat in third. Sam sits for a quick rest...they’ve been there the longest and he’s exhausted. Dan screams more encouragement as Sam finally finds a flag. He tells Dan he’s just exhausted but offers to race him to the Mat. Dan is crying at the Mat, saying he was being a jerk for yelling at Sam and he’s really proud of his brother.
Gary is over an hour into the task and he interviews that to give up would be to give up on the Race, and he wasn’t going to do that. “I’ve got a pretty strong work ethic” to which Matt says “pretty strong?” Matt hates sitting on the side feeling helpless. After over 2½ hours, Gary finally gets a flag and they head to the Mat. Phil tells them that it’s a non-elimination leg and they’ll have to complete a Speed Bump on the next leg. Matt remarks that “my dad is superman.”
I think it’s a great thing that after this task, it’s a non-elimination leg. After all that work pushing the hay around, the teams deserve the little perk.
Here’s the order of finish:
1 - Flight Time & Big Easy
2 - Meghan & Cheyne
3 - Brian & Ericka
4 - Sam & Dan
5 - Gary & Matt - non-elimination leg (but they get a Speed Bump on the next leg)
So do you think Gary & Matt can overcome the Speed Bump? Are the Globetrotters hitting their stride, and maybe becoming too tough to beat? Tell me what you think!
At the airport, Meghan & Cheyne note there are two flights leaving for Stockholm - one at 6:55 a.m. and one at 9:25 a.m. They run into Sam & Dan and find the ticket counter, which doesn’t open until 5:30 a.m. The Globetrotters and Gary & Matt join them to spend the night in the airport, and Brian & Ericka arrive to wait also. Sam & Dan, Meghan & Cheyne and Flight Time & Big Easy make the first flight, but Gary & Matt and Brian & Ericka can’t get tickets and have to fly at 9:25.
Once in Stockholm, Sam & Dan and Meghan & Cheyne get train tickets upstairs at the tickets kiosks, while Flight Time & Big Easy run down to the train entrance to get theirs - but end up missing the train. The two teams get on the ferry and see the tall ride and race to the clue box. The clue says one member of the team must ride the Fritt Fall, and while going up look for an arrow which will point them in the direction of the next clue box. The arrow is visible for only 15 seconds before the ride plunges 24 stories in less than 3 seconds. Sam and Cheyne decide to work together and they spot the arrow. The clue tells them to play a game of Roaming Gnome Ring Toss. They have to throw rings onto gnome hats and hope the one they ring has a Roaming Gnome under it. They will have to keep the gnome with them throughout this leg of the Race. Their next clue will be on the bottom of the gnome.
The clue is a Detour. Since Sweden is known for Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite and the Vikings, the teams will choose either Nobel Dynamite or Viking Alphabet. In Dynamite, teams must fill sandbags and build a protective bunker in a rock quarry, then set off an explosion which will uncover a box containing their next clue. In Viking Alphabet, teams must decode a message using the Viking alphabet and find a Viking to get their next clue. Both lead teams decide to do the dynamite.
Flight Time rides the Fritt Fall and then tosses rings. He can’t seem to get one hooked, and Big Easy throws one (maybe through the magic of editing) and gets it. However, no gnome under the hat. Their second try gets a gnome and they also decide to Detour to the dynamite.
Brian & Ericka and Gary & Matt land in Stockholm and get to the train station, but it takes Gary & Matt longer to get their tickets and they miss the train.
Driving to the Detour, Meghan & Cheyne get a local to go ahead so the teams can follow him. Flight Time & Big Easy are driving, trying to decide what to name the gnome. They come up with Sweet Pea (nixed by Big Easy - “that’s dumb”) and Louisiana Shorty (nixed by Flight Time as being too ghetto). Gary & Matt are stressing because they lost 15 minutes waiting for the next train. At the amusement park, Brian is afraid of heights so Ericka gets to ride the Fritt Fall by default, and spots the arrow right away. Ericka gets their gnome at the ring toss pretty quickly and Brian says “the guy is supposed to win his girl something at the fair, not the other way around.” Matt rides up and sees the arrow and they run off to the ring toss, getting the gnome.
As Meghan & Cheyne and Sam & Dan get their safety gear on, the Globetrotters drive up. They do a little trash talking “Did your fans help you get here?” Big Easy answers “now you hurt our feelings, we’re gonna blow ya’ll up.” Sam & Dan use their hands rather than the little shovels to fill their sandbags, thinking they’d be quicker, and it seemed to work pretty well.
Brian & Ericka pay a cabbie to lead them to the Detour, while we see Gary & Matt driving around naming Swedish streets and getting lost.
Sam & Dan get to blast the dynamite first and seems really pumped about it. (I guess you had to be there, I don’t see the big deal). They find their box and the clue tells them to drive to Bogs Gard Farm, which is the place of a task from another season - where they have to find a clue in the gazillion bales of hay in the field. That was the task that Lena & Kristy spent over 10 hours on and Phil came out to the field to tell them to just give up and go home. (Admired their tenacity, but glad Phil stopped them!)
Meghan & Cheyne are slow at bagging the sand and the Globetrotters get ahead. Meghan complains as they drive away that they didn’t have good teamwork. She begged Cheyne to work with her more and he didn’t listen, as he tries to tell her it’s over and not to worry about it. (I can see his point, they’re still in it with two teams behind - but then, they may have gotten out quicker had he paid a little more attention. I guess I’m just gonna be wishy-washy tonight).
Gary & Matt finally stop and ask for directions as Brian & Ericka begin sandbagging. Ericka complains that the gravel is getting into her nails, then interviews that she “can’t even think about beauty - if I’m dirty and stinky, I don’t care because I just want to win.” Great for her, but what about the people she’s crammed on a train with? More bad pub for Americans! (Heehee)
Sam & Dan get to the farm first, followed closely by Meghan & Cheyne. The clue is a Roadblock, and it's the exact same one that Lena & Kristy spent almost 10 hours doing in seasons past. (I know they're at home watching and shuddering). One team member must search through 186 hay bales to find one of seven Race flags to go forward - and the Pit Stop is at the farm where they are searching. Sam bravely offers to do the task as Dan yells encouragement and instruction from the side and Sam tells him to “shut up” on numerous occasions. Meghan & Cheyne read the clue and feel overwhelmed by the task, so much that Cheyne refuses to answer Meghan when she asks “who’s gonna do this?” she tells him she’s going to do it. Dan keeps yelling and Sam is ready to clobber him. Big Easy & Flight Time show up and Big Easy is easily pushing the hay bales around.
Gary & Matt show up to the dynamite challenge as Brian & Ericka are getting finished, and do a great job of catching up. From what it looked like, they’re only a few minutes behind.
Dan yells at Sam that he’s taking too long looking though the hay, and Sam remarks that “he doesn’t realize that I stopped listening to him about ten years ago.” Big Easy laughs that “we didn’t have no hay in the projects.” Flight Time cheers as Big Easy finds the flag, and Sam complains that “they’re the luckiest team in the Race.” Flight Time yells as they race to the Mat “it’s my birthday!” Happy Birthday, Flight Time, you guys get first!
Brian & Ericka arrive at the farm and Matt & Gary are right behind. Sam and Meghan are bumming big time that the other teams have caught up, and Meghan cries that she “can’t do this any more.” Matt should be doing this task (with his big body) but Gary decides to do it. Ericka doesn’t give Brian a choice (not that I blame her!) and tells him he’s doing it. The team members that are not doing the challenge all talk about how this is a challenge from another season and it took one team "like 8 hours" to do it. Dan yells encouragement to Sam and once again gets told to “Shut up.” Brian yells to Dan that “it’s harder than it looks.” Meghan finds a flag and decides to pull a fast one on Cheyne, as she runs toward him crying that she can’t do it any more and then pulls out the flag. Cheyne is impressed and tells Phil at the Mat that he’s so proud that Meghan is his partner on this Race and “my partner for life.” (Brownie points to Cheyne!)
Brian finds a flag as Ericka cheers and they make it to the Mat in third. Sam sits for a quick rest...they’ve been there the longest and he’s exhausted. Dan screams more encouragement as Sam finally finds a flag. He tells Dan he’s just exhausted but offers to race him to the Mat. Dan is crying at the Mat, saying he was being a jerk for yelling at Sam and he’s really proud of his brother.
Gary is over an hour into the task and he interviews that to give up would be to give up on the Race, and he wasn’t going to do that. “I’ve got a pretty strong work ethic” to which Matt says “pretty strong?” Matt hates sitting on the side feeling helpless. After over 2½ hours, Gary finally gets a flag and they head to the Mat. Phil tells them that it’s a non-elimination leg and they’ll have to complete a Speed Bump on the next leg. Matt remarks that “my dad is superman.”
I think it’s a great thing that after this task, it’s a non-elimination leg. After all that work pushing the hay around, the teams deserve the little perk.
Here’s the order of finish:
1 - Flight Time & Big Easy
2 - Meghan & Cheyne
3 - Brian & Ericka
4 - Sam & Dan
5 - Gary & Matt - non-elimination leg (but they get a Speed Bump on the next leg)
So do you think Gary & Matt can overcome the Speed Bump? Are the Globetrotters hitting their stride, and maybe becoming too tough to beat? Tell me what you think!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Amsterdam Proves to be a Trying Challenge for the Poker Players
After watching Ericka & Brian fumble their way through this leg of the Race, and then incur a 30-minute penalty and still not get eliminated, I guess the gods were smiling on them - and not on Maria & Tiffany, whose lack of arm strength pretty much killed their shot at winning the Race.
The last Pit Stop was the palm tree-shaped island that I remember seeing being built (on some Discovery Channel show) in Dubai. Pretty impressive, that’s one thing I’d like to see in person - of course, that’s after I hit the lottery!
The teams are told to fly to Amsterdam and find a monument on a thruway between Holland and Netherlands. Leaving first, Meghan & Cheyne found out the earliest flight leaves at midnight. Sam says that he has a degree in anthropology and studying other cultures has helped him in the Race. Dan says he’s the “street smart” brother. All the teams meet up at the airport, and they ask the Globetrotters what happened with Mika & Canaan. Big Easy tells them that they were egging her on, telling her “if you don’t feel comfortable, don’t do it.” He said that he felt bad that she was crying, but “we didn’t want to go home either.” Sam & Dan then feel it’s the right time to “come out” to the other teams - they tell them “we are the token gay team.” Brian laughs and says “now the matching bathing suits make sense!” Maria & Tiffany interview that they don’t care who Sam & Dan choose to date, even though they might shed a little tear that it’s not them. Gary pipes up “should I tell Matt he’s adopted now?” and everyone cracks up. It’s nice to see all the teams actually look like they like each other, even for a little while!
In Amsterdam, Brian can’t get the car to shift into drive (or anything else). Ericka is losing it because according to her, Brian’s attitude gives her attitude, and “you know I have a short fuse.” They find a guy in the parking garage that shows them how to do it and finally get going. The teams get to the monument and grab the clue, telling them to go to Martinitoren, the highest building in the city, and search for the next clue. The first five teams are pretty much even, mentioning that they didn’t see Ericka & Brian. Flight Time says that they know when Ericka & Brian are around, because they hear Ericka screeching “BRIAN!” and of course, the next thing we see is Ericka yelling “Brian!” as they run to the monument.
The next clue is a Roadblock, asking “who’s got strong legs and keen eyes?” making me think they’re gonna have to run up a lot of steps. Yep! The team member to perform this task has to run up the “narrow, winding steps” and correctly count the number of bells (62) to get their next clue. Meghan decides to do it, and Sam (I think, I’m still not sure which brother is which) is right behind her, and they’re going to help each other and count together. Flight Time and Matt choose to do the task for their teams, and Tiffany follows them. Ericka & Brian finally pull up and Ericka takes off up the steps. As Meghan, Sam and Matt get up to the top the bells start ringing, and they can’t hear themselves think, much less what the other is saying. Matt counts quickly and heads down the steps, getting the count correctly.
The clue tells them to drive to Vierhuizen De Marne and find a windmill for their next clue. Sam whispered the number of bells to Tiffany as she ran up and he ran down. He thought it was a good idea because “they’re a team we can beat.” Meghan & Cheyne and Sam & Dan pay a cab driver to follow to the town, and end up passing Gary & Matt, who had stopped for directions. Flight Time gets the correct number and Brian watches them leave, muttering “come on, baby, don’t give up” under his breath. Unfortunately, Ericka shows 43 to the bell player and something tells me they’re going home tonight!
The clue at the Windmill is a Detour, Farmer’s Game or Farmer’s Dance. They are both examples of how the hardworking farmers unwind after a hard day’s work. The teams must change into traditional Dutch costumes for either task and ride bicycles to the challenge. For Farmer’s Game, the teams must “strip down to their farmer’s underwear” and swim across a creek. They grab a set of clubs and taking turns, play three holes of Farmer’s Golf, finishing each hole in 8 strokes or less to get their next clue. They’ll have to keep playing until they manage to get the holes done under the 8 strokes. For Farmer’s Dance, they have to find a country festival where one team member has to ring the bell on a carnival midway-type game - the one where you use a sledgehammer and try to hit the bell on the top. Then they have to go into the barn and perform a traditional dance. Once they are okayed on the dance, they will be served salted herring and onions (which looks huge and semi-raw and not all that appetizing, and I like fish!) They’ll get their clue when they finish the fish. Sam & Dan and Meghan & Cheyne decide to do the Game, even with Meghan protesting that she can’t golf. Matt & Gary decide to try the Dance. Each set of costumes has one male and one female outfit, and Gary gets stuck with the female outfit - and looks cute in the little hat!
Ericka’s next guess back at the bell tower is 56 and off she goes again to count. Sam & Dan are cracking up riding their bikes, one with a dress and a falsetto voice. Maria & Tiffany decide to try the Dance also. Sam & Dan get to the creek, strip down and take their shoes as they jump into the creek, complaining of the cold water. Meghan & Cheyne are right behind. Sam & Dan make the required 8 shots on the first hole.
Ericka’s next guess at the bell tower is 57. (Some team really has to screw up for Ericka & Brian to stay in the Race - or it’s a non-elimination leg).
Matt & Gary get to the dancing barn, and Matt rings the bell and they go inside to watch the dancing. We see Gary in his cute little dress and hat practicing the moves as he watches, then they cut to an interview clip where all Matt & Gary are doing is cracking up. (Me too!) As we see Maria (the boy) and Tiffany ride off on their bikes, Ericka comes back down in tears to Brian, saying she’s not giving up but “it’s so hard.”
Sam & Dan get hole #2 in 8 shots, and Meghan & Cheyne go back to hole #1 for the third time. Sam & Dan breeze through hole #3 and get their clue which tells them to bike through town to Zoutkamp Harbor, which is the Pit Stop. Meghan is complaining about golfing, and doing really pathetic (so I can see her point). They finally get their act together and manage to get hole #1 in 6 shots.
Gary & Matt are at the barn and Gary is getting his lesson, and Matt happens to read the clue really well, seeing that they have to eat herring after. He hates fish so they take off to try the Golf challenge. In the meantime, Meghan & Cheyne have gotten the hang of golfing and finish their 3 holes. Maria & Tiffany get to the Dancing task and neither can hit the bell with numerous tries.
Ericka gives the counting another shot, and goes to the bell ringer one more time. She’s nervously giggling, and the bell guy says “you’re laughing.” Ericka tells him “might as well,” saying she already cried but he just didn’t see that. This time she gets the count right and they take off in the car praying they don’t get eliminated.
Sam & Dan, the cute Netherlands couple, get to the Mat first, where Phil asks them “you guys like dressing up like this?” and they answer “no, we’re not that kind of gay guys.”
Flight Time dresses as the woman, saying “we look like some kinda buffoons” as they ride the bikes along the road. Meanwhile, Maria & Tiffany are on their thirtieth try at ringing the bell and they decide to go hit some golf balls. Flight Time gets the bell on the first try and as they walk into the dance barn, the tiny, little old ladies give them a look that makes me laugh. As Meghan & Cheyne get to the Mat, Brian & Ericka finally make it to the windmill clue box and decide to Dance. As they walk off in their costumes and wooden shoes, they walk right past the bikes.
Flight Time & Big Easy were having a great time dancing, putting a little hip action into their routine. They chest bump at the end and all the ladies clap for them, then laugh as they’re eating the fish. Flight Time looks like he’s ready to upchuck but manages to finish the herring. Brian & Ericka end up walking down the road to the next challenge, and Maria & Tiffany have given up on the golfing as Gary & Matt finish their three holes. Maria & Tiffany are on attempt 50 to ring the bell and hug each other crying. At this rate, Brian & Ericka may catch up but get penalized for not riding the bikes - who knows what’s gonna happen? As they walk down the path, Brian reads the clue and finds out they were supposed to pick up bikes. They’re both complaining about walking in those shoes - at this point, though, I would have just taken them off (since they knew they weren’t supposed to be walking).
The Globetrotters get to the Mat in third place and Phil tells them “you look ridiculous.” I really like these guys, they have a great attitude and have fun. As we see Ericka & Brian bicker their way back to the bikes, Maria & Tiffany are on attempt #71 at ringing the bell and decide to go back to golfing. Brain & Ericka get to the barn and ring the bell on try one. They perked up quite a bit dancing and interview that “it brought us back down to earth” and “I fell in love with him all over again.” They leave the dance hall and borrow two bikes from some campers to get to the Pit Stop, where they find out they’re Team #5 to arrive, but they get a 30-minute penalty for not riding a bike to the Detour challenge.
Maria & Tiffany are trying their best to golf, and getting nowhere, while Ericka stresses on the bench. After the attempts at ringing the bell and golfing, Maria & Tiffany have nothing left in their arms to golf with and just can’t keep it up. They see Phil walking over to them on the golf “course” and tell him that they’re not giving up, but they have to quit because they don’t see how they would be able to finish the challenge. I guess they should have done a little more weight lifting instead of card lifting and their arms may not have given out!
So here’s the finish order:
1 - Sam & Dan
2 - Meghan & Cheyne
3 - Flight Time & Big Easy
4 - Gary & Matt
5 - Brian & Ericka
6 - Maria & Tiffany (eliminated)
So who is looking like they have a shot to win? Will Ericka & Brian turn it around? Are Meghan & Cheyne going to stay at the top? We’ll see next week!
The last Pit Stop was the palm tree-shaped island that I remember seeing being built (on some Discovery Channel show) in Dubai. Pretty impressive, that’s one thing I’d like to see in person - of course, that’s after I hit the lottery!
The teams are told to fly to Amsterdam and find a monument on a thruway between Holland and Netherlands. Leaving first, Meghan & Cheyne found out the earliest flight leaves at midnight. Sam says that he has a degree in anthropology and studying other cultures has helped him in the Race. Dan says he’s the “street smart” brother. All the teams meet up at the airport, and they ask the Globetrotters what happened with Mika & Canaan. Big Easy tells them that they were egging her on, telling her “if you don’t feel comfortable, don’t do it.” He said that he felt bad that she was crying, but “we didn’t want to go home either.” Sam & Dan then feel it’s the right time to “come out” to the other teams - they tell them “we are the token gay team.” Brian laughs and says “now the matching bathing suits make sense!” Maria & Tiffany interview that they don’t care who Sam & Dan choose to date, even though they might shed a little tear that it’s not them. Gary pipes up “should I tell Matt he’s adopted now?” and everyone cracks up. It’s nice to see all the teams actually look like they like each other, even for a little while!
In Amsterdam, Brian can’t get the car to shift into drive (or anything else). Ericka is losing it because according to her, Brian’s attitude gives her attitude, and “you know I have a short fuse.” They find a guy in the parking garage that shows them how to do it and finally get going. The teams get to the monument and grab the clue, telling them to go to Martinitoren, the highest building in the city, and search for the next clue. The first five teams are pretty much even, mentioning that they didn’t see Ericka & Brian. Flight Time says that they know when Ericka & Brian are around, because they hear Ericka screeching “BRIAN!” and of course, the next thing we see is Ericka yelling “Brian!” as they run to the monument.
The next clue is a Roadblock, asking “who’s got strong legs and keen eyes?” making me think they’re gonna have to run up a lot of steps. Yep! The team member to perform this task has to run up the “narrow, winding steps” and correctly count the number of bells (62) to get their next clue. Meghan decides to do it, and Sam (I think, I’m still not sure which brother is which) is right behind her, and they’re going to help each other and count together. Flight Time and Matt choose to do the task for their teams, and Tiffany follows them. Ericka & Brian finally pull up and Ericka takes off up the steps. As Meghan, Sam and Matt get up to the top the bells start ringing, and they can’t hear themselves think, much less what the other is saying. Matt counts quickly and heads down the steps, getting the count correctly.
The clue tells them to drive to Vierhuizen De Marne and find a windmill for their next clue. Sam whispered the number of bells to Tiffany as she ran up and he ran down. He thought it was a good idea because “they’re a team we can beat.” Meghan & Cheyne and Sam & Dan pay a cab driver to follow to the town, and end up passing Gary & Matt, who had stopped for directions. Flight Time gets the correct number and Brian watches them leave, muttering “come on, baby, don’t give up” under his breath. Unfortunately, Ericka shows 43 to the bell player and something tells me they’re going home tonight!
The clue at the Windmill is a Detour, Farmer’s Game or Farmer’s Dance. They are both examples of how the hardworking farmers unwind after a hard day’s work. The teams must change into traditional Dutch costumes for either task and ride bicycles to the challenge. For Farmer’s Game, the teams must “strip down to their farmer’s underwear” and swim across a creek. They grab a set of clubs and taking turns, play three holes of Farmer’s Golf, finishing each hole in 8 strokes or less to get their next clue. They’ll have to keep playing until they manage to get the holes done under the 8 strokes. For Farmer’s Dance, they have to find a country festival where one team member has to ring the bell on a carnival midway-type game - the one where you use a sledgehammer and try to hit the bell on the top. Then they have to go into the barn and perform a traditional dance. Once they are okayed on the dance, they will be served salted herring and onions (which looks huge and semi-raw and not all that appetizing, and I like fish!) They’ll get their clue when they finish the fish. Sam & Dan and Meghan & Cheyne decide to do the Game, even with Meghan protesting that she can’t golf. Matt & Gary decide to try the Dance. Each set of costumes has one male and one female outfit, and Gary gets stuck with the female outfit - and looks cute in the little hat!
Ericka’s next guess back at the bell tower is 56 and off she goes again to count. Sam & Dan are cracking up riding their bikes, one with a dress and a falsetto voice. Maria & Tiffany decide to try the Dance also. Sam & Dan get to the creek, strip down and take their shoes as they jump into the creek, complaining of the cold water. Meghan & Cheyne are right behind. Sam & Dan make the required 8 shots on the first hole.
Ericka’s next guess at the bell tower is 57. (Some team really has to screw up for Ericka & Brian to stay in the Race - or it’s a non-elimination leg).
Matt & Gary get to the dancing barn, and Matt rings the bell and they go inside to watch the dancing. We see Gary in his cute little dress and hat practicing the moves as he watches, then they cut to an interview clip where all Matt & Gary are doing is cracking up. (Me too!) As we see Maria (the boy) and Tiffany ride off on their bikes, Ericka comes back down in tears to Brian, saying she’s not giving up but “it’s so hard.”
Sam & Dan get hole #2 in 8 shots, and Meghan & Cheyne go back to hole #1 for the third time. Sam & Dan breeze through hole #3 and get their clue which tells them to bike through town to Zoutkamp Harbor, which is the Pit Stop. Meghan is complaining about golfing, and doing really pathetic (so I can see her point). They finally get their act together and manage to get hole #1 in 6 shots.
Gary & Matt are at the barn and Gary is getting his lesson, and Matt happens to read the clue really well, seeing that they have to eat herring after. He hates fish so they take off to try the Golf challenge. In the meantime, Meghan & Cheyne have gotten the hang of golfing and finish their 3 holes. Maria & Tiffany get to the Dancing task and neither can hit the bell with numerous tries.
Ericka gives the counting another shot, and goes to the bell ringer one more time. She’s nervously giggling, and the bell guy says “you’re laughing.” Ericka tells him “might as well,” saying she already cried but he just didn’t see that. This time she gets the count right and they take off in the car praying they don’t get eliminated.
Sam & Dan, the cute Netherlands couple, get to the Mat first, where Phil asks them “you guys like dressing up like this?” and they answer “no, we’re not that kind of gay guys.”
Flight Time dresses as the woman, saying “we look like some kinda buffoons” as they ride the bikes along the road. Meanwhile, Maria & Tiffany are on their thirtieth try at ringing the bell and they decide to go hit some golf balls. Flight Time gets the bell on the first try and as they walk into the dance barn, the tiny, little old ladies give them a look that makes me laugh. As Meghan & Cheyne get to the Mat, Brian & Ericka finally make it to the windmill clue box and decide to Dance. As they walk off in their costumes and wooden shoes, they walk right past the bikes.
Flight Time & Big Easy were having a great time dancing, putting a little hip action into their routine. They chest bump at the end and all the ladies clap for them, then laugh as they’re eating the fish. Flight Time looks like he’s ready to upchuck but manages to finish the herring. Brian & Ericka end up walking down the road to the next challenge, and Maria & Tiffany have given up on the golfing as Gary & Matt finish their three holes. Maria & Tiffany are on attempt 50 to ring the bell and hug each other crying. At this rate, Brian & Ericka may catch up but get penalized for not riding the bikes - who knows what’s gonna happen? As they walk down the path, Brian reads the clue and finds out they were supposed to pick up bikes. They’re both complaining about walking in those shoes - at this point, though, I would have just taken them off (since they knew they weren’t supposed to be walking).
The Globetrotters get to the Mat in third place and Phil tells them “you look ridiculous.” I really like these guys, they have a great attitude and have fun. As we see Ericka & Brian bicker their way back to the bikes, Maria & Tiffany are on attempt #71 at ringing the bell and decide to go back to golfing. Brain & Ericka get to the barn and ring the bell on try one. They perked up quite a bit dancing and interview that “it brought us back down to earth” and “I fell in love with him all over again.” They leave the dance hall and borrow two bikes from some campers to get to the Pit Stop, where they find out they’re Team #5 to arrive, but they get a 30-minute penalty for not riding a bike to the Detour challenge.
Maria & Tiffany are trying their best to golf, and getting nowhere, while Ericka stresses on the bench. After the attempts at ringing the bell and golfing, Maria & Tiffany have nothing left in their arms to golf with and just can’t keep it up. They see Phil walking over to them on the golf “course” and tell him that they’re not giving up, but they have to quit because they don’t see how they would be able to finish the challenge. I guess they should have done a little more weight lifting instead of card lifting and their arms may not have given out!
So here’s the finish order:
1 - Sam & Dan
2 - Meghan & Cheyne
3 - Flight Time & Big Easy
4 - Gary & Matt
5 - Brian & Ericka
6 - Maria & Tiffany (eliminated)
So who is looking like they have a shot to win? Will Ericka & Brian turn it around? Are Meghan & Cheyne going to stay at the top? We’ll see next week!
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