The Amazing Race – Recap & Review – We Should Have Brought Gloves And Butt Pads

photo: cbs

The Amazing Race
We Should Have Brought Gloves And Butt Pads

Original Air Date: Oct 17, 2010

Farrah Kaye – Sr. Editor
farrah@thetwocentscorp.com

Last week, Michael and Kevin got saved thanks to a non-elimination leg. I was more than happy since Kevin was beyond mean to his dad. Nick turned mean against Vicki and we can’t forget the Express Pass still hasn’t been used. This week, the teams head to the Arctic, which should be fun (to watch).

My personal goal for this leg is to finally tell apart Chad/Stephanie and Thomas/Jill and finish up picking out nicknames.

The Top 9 Things I Learned From The Amazing Race 17

1. The Doctors, Nat and Kat: The doctors head to the internet cafe at the airport and change their flight to match Team YouTube and Screams-A-Lot. They share the info with Team HSN. Living dangerously, the doctors take sleds down the mountain over beds. The preview of someone going over the edge of a mountain? That was Kat. They get to Phil first and win a trip for two to Belize. They also are determined to be the first women to win The Amazing Race.

2. Team Screams a lot, Gary and Mallory: Thanks to Team YouTube, they get on the earlier flight out of Frankfurt. At the road block, Mallory has a hard time catching the flags because she is so short (she gets it together and only misses one). Frustrated at having to beat the time at the sled task instead of tie the time, they kept on fighting. They make it on their second attempt and hit the mat second. (They owe a big thanks to Kevin and Michael!)

3. Team HSN, Brook and Claire: Girl bonding with the doctors and zebra leggings get them on the earlier flight. Claire takes the road block because she grew up on a ranch. They get through the sled task quick and get to the mat one step after Gary and Mallory for third place.

4. Team YouTube, Michael and Kevin: While the teams were all given the same plane tickets, they were under no obligation to use them. Kevin, however, was smart enough to call ahead and find other arrangements. They were nice enough to share the information with Gary and Mallory, the other parent/child team. Once they get to Sweden they have to complete their speed bump. Not that hard of a task though – sit on a chair made of ice for 10 minutes. Really?? I guess when they’re wearing soccer shorts it’s painful but definitely not difficult. They are the ones who say “We should have brought gloves and butt pads.” They hit the road block first?! Yep. Snow dog time during summer. Kevin decides Michael should do another physical task. Or maybe it’s mental? He’s having a blast and I’m happy to see him smile! They are the first team to go with “bed” instead of “sled” which took much longer. They happily get to Phil fourth.

5. Team Express Pass, Thomas and Jill: The team with the express pass stays in last place and gets lost. Does that make you laugh like it makes me laugh? Or am I just that mean?? Thomas wants to use the pass when they get to the detour, having chosen to do the “bed” challenge. They do use the pass and go right to Phil, getting to him fifth.

6. Team Vegas, Nick and Vicki: Since they’re a “physical” team, they got through the challenges pretty quick. They get through the sled challenge on their first try (while having a blast!) and get to Phil sixth.

7. Team Tinkerbell, Chad and Stephanie: Chad loves “being on the mountain” so Stephanie decided to deal with it for his happiness. The entire task Stephanie being scared, falling off, whining, complaining, etc. Chad just yells at her for not trying and to go faster. In tears, Stephanie begs Chad to not make her to it again and they go to “beds.” They finish rather quickly (or so it appears) and get to the mat seventh.

8. Team Volleyball, Katie and Rachel: Although they did well most of the day, once at the sled task they were not having it. They switch to beds, along with Tinkerbell and Sings-a-lot. On their first try, they don’t pass “bed” inspection, but get it finally and hit the mat eighth.

9. Team Sings-a-lot, Connor and Jonathan: The college seniors are missing their graduation to be on the race and it happens during this leg of the race. It’s on their mind and speaking from personal experience as someone who missed their graduation, it’s something you think of all day long (and it sits with you for a few months after…). When they ask for seats on the earlier flight, they find out there are no seats left. What a sucky graduation! While they are at the sled challenge before other teams, they can’t get under the time needed (or through the task at all…), which starts taking its toll, both mentally and physically so they switch to “beds.” They sing the graduation song as they get to the mat – last. And are eliminated. They went to Princeton. Mazel Tov! Ok no more singing … enough.

This week was interesting. I definitely did not expect to see the nerds go home. And on their graduation day? How sad! As for the rest? Kudos to Kevin for getting on that first flight and being nice enough to share the info with Gary and Mallory. I felt really bad for Stephanie – but at least she faced her fear. I wish some of these men would get a clue that not everything is as easy for their partners all the time! Good call for Thomas and Jill in using the Express Pass, but now they have to be very careful from now on. I wish he had trusted them to complete the task (they probably could have done it …) but now they are on even footing with everyone else!

Were you sad to see the newly graduated Connor and Jonathan go home? Did you think the Speed Bump was too easy? Leave your two cents below!