Great Way to Start a Relationship
Is it possible to find true love on a 30K mile Race around the world? 10 strangers are going to try and find out.
There are 6 existing couples on the Race this season as well:
-New Kid on the Block Jonathan and his boyfriend of 7 years Harley, this is totally different than anything he did touring with NKOTB.
-Hairstylists Matt & Ashley, she thought he was gay at first being a hairstylist with really tight pants, they've been together 3 yrs.
-Pilot and Flight attendant Jeff & Lyda, first met 20 years ago at work but didn't start dating until they were both single, been together 4yrs.
And they are going to match 5 single men with blind dates right there at the starting line:
-Tyler, mobile app developer - Cutie McDimples says when they first meet him, most girls like him... but do you get a 2nd date?
-Blair, navy surgeon - extremely picky, doesn't want to waste a lot of his time if a girl doesn't meet his standards (oh boy.)
-Bergen, human resources - he hasn't been on many dates in the past three years because he's always been cheated on (I could stereotype gay men... and I just did.)
-Jelani, lawyer - he's got a great career, he's intelligent and kinda good looking...
-Jeff - sales - he thinks he's a great catch and 100% a 10.
And the girls (and one guy):
-Hayley - pediatric trauma nurse - she's tired of arrogant guys, she just wants someone like her who can handle her energy... and she's paired with Blair, the navy Surgeon (you know, the arrogant one who doesn't want to waste his time.)
-Jackie - Las Vegas Show Girl is paired with Jeff, the Salesman of few words - and right away she is happy that he's tall, she jumps on him for a hug and wraps her legs around him - Whoa, hello!
-Tyler is matched with Laura - a talent booker who is very open to finding love on the Race. What better story is there than "I met my
husband on the Amazing Race? (Run Tyler, run!)
-Lawyer Jelani is paired with lawyer Jenny and right away, I get from her body language that she's just not that into him, he, on the other hand looks very happy. She tells the camera she's never been on a blind date before but she knows unlike a regular blind she's stuck with this one so she better make it work.
-Bergen is paired with Kurt, a pageant consultant, and they have an immediate bond of the same haircut and thick southern accents - okay, it's a little creepy these two are really similar, I hope that works for them.
Laura was the first to speak up with how impressed she is with her blind date/partner but Jelani gains some much needed points from Jenny by saying that he by far got the hottest partner. Then they all say they are very happy and ready to go.
-The existing couples say they already know each other's strengths and weaknesses so they feel they will have the upper hand against the extreme blind daters.
Phil tells them right out of the gate they are going to get things started with a race for tickets to Tokyo, Japan. They will have to run along the lake edge until they get to the grueling mud-run. First 8 teams through the run will get tickets on the first flight to Tokyo, last 3 will be on the second flight. Then they will drive a Ford Fusion Hybrid to the airport in style. First team to complete the first leg will also win an Express Pass which could get you out of trouble... because Phil tells them, there is a U-Turn on this first leg. (They didn't introduce us to all the teams, who is that hairy guy with the I <3 p="" shirt="" stops="" truck="">
Off they go: and the mud run was definitely an interesting way to start a blind date.
-Nurse Hayley admits she can be high maintenance and hates being wet and dirty like that but she was a trooper (you can't really balk at the first thing.)
Oh, and we meet another long term couple: Lebya (Libby) & CJ, dating 10 years - off and on she tells us since high school - they've been through so much, no one knows each other like they do.
Mike & Rochelle - he's Grizzly Adams and she's bad ass roller derby chick - she came into his truck stop and it was love a first sight - and she is tough so he better do well :)
Harley is a fitness trainer so he's going to be pushing Jon along the way.
Olympians Aly & Steven, she's a short track speed skater and he's a bobsledder - he came home with two bronze medals from the last Olympics but really he came home with the Gold (and they look at each other all lovey-dovey - awww. This is my team, and I'm feeling good!)
First flight:
Matt & Ashley (hairdressers), Jeff & Jackie (sales & showgirl), Laura & Tyler (she's calling him baby, I still think he should be running the other direction).
Trouble in medical paradise, high maintenance nurse Hayley isn't as physically fit as surgeon Blair and she's whining that he has to wait for her... and he's frustrated by their lack of progress (uh oh.)
Aly & Steven 4th on the first flight, Harley & Jonathan 5th, Jeff & Lyda 6th, Bergen & Kurt 7th and Jelani & Jenny get the last spot even though Blair was standing there waiting for Hayley (you could have gone and helped her dude...)
2nd flight is Blair & Hayley, Mike & Rochelle and last is Libby & CJ.
Then they get to shower together on their first dates too - as they are all trying to scrub some of the mud off before getting in the cars and heading for the airport. The first flight doesn't leave until 11pm so they have some time.
In the cars the recorded video tells them to head to Tokyo and where to head once they get there to search for the next clue. Caution, blind U-Turn ahead (What makes it blind you ask? They don't have to post the picture of who U-Turned who.)
Getting to know you in the cars with the blind daters:
-Jeff tells Jackie he can't sing or dance and she tells him she's a professional dancer - she's going to show the world how competitive Vegas Showgirls can be (hey, we saw the movie ;))
-Doctor and Nurse have the most awkward talk, starts with what they do, he hopes they don't have to take care of anyone on the race and then she tells him he looks older than he is (ouch)... and then product placement, time to take a selfie with their selfie cam... oh yeah and they will all be wearing Fitbits throughout the Race. (Everyone's going to be wearing branding on their clothes next and it will become The Ford Motor Company Race soon, I swear.)
-Laura tells Tyler that she was a psych and business major and she's already doing a psych eval on him (and I'm doing one on her... I don't want to label anyone but she strikes me a little cray) she really appreciated him help pull her through the mud. He says, we're a team. (Tyler could give Dr. Blair some lessons.)
-Speaking of, Hayley is prattling on in her annoying little voice that she thinks Blair is super attractive which is a good thing and she was worried that he might not like blond people, especially silly, little blondes. And he just says, "Ahhh." (Hahaha, yeah, there is no love connection here.)
-Jelani and Jenny seem to be bonding better once they get talking about their professions as they are both lawyers. He seems like a very positive guy and she has a sense of humour (they may have more potential than I thought.)
Once at the airport, Hayley & Blair get something to eat at the food court and she seems to be more into Blair than he is into her... then Jonathan & Hayley come talk to them and they ask what they do, Hayley's a fitness instructor and Jon's... a singer... he tells them he's in New Kids on the Block and Hayley went to their concert (way to recognize him then lady, she is not changing the perceptions of blondes at all this one.)
-We find out that pageant consultant Kurt has never had a boyfriend, never been in a relationship so, he says, hopefully this is the one for him. (Oof, no pressure.)
-We find out the longest dating couple, Libby and CJ, she says they are getting married, she better get a ring and he's saying, "no comment" (haha - this is going to be fun!)
First Flight is going to have a 45 minute lead over the second flight.
Once they reach Tokyo they have to find Kanda Myojin, a 1270 year old Shinto shrine.
First flight arrives and we have a few teams take the Skyliner train, a few teams take taxis and a couple teams take the Narita Express train... hopefully they're all heading in the right direction.
Second flight arrives, Libby & CJ take a taxi cause they don't have subways where they're from - Team Truck Stop takes the Skyliner train and the Medical team misses the train so they are now in last place. (Some how I don't think he'll be that upset to have this date end early.)
Shrine: Legal team, Jelani & Jenny are the first team to get there and they get the clue to the DETOUR: Syncing Steps or Samurai Sake
In Syncing Steps they will join a popular Japanese group and have to learn the slow motion robotic steps to a routine in order to get the next clue.
In Samurai Sake they have to memorize the names of 10 sakes then one team member must take a drink order from a table of samurai and then relay it to their partner at the bar - if they get it right and the Samurai accept the sake and give them a toast, they'll get their next clue.
Jelani & Jenny (Legal Team) choose Synching steps.
Jeff & Jackie (Team JJ) choose Samurai Sake (he did tell her he can't dance so no choreography for that guy.)
Truck Stop Love - we find out that Mike & Rochelle have been dating for 8 months and he hasn't met her son yet, this is a fast forward for their relationship - poor guy, as if this wasn't stressful enough.
Jeff & Jackie get to the Sake task and this seems impossible - the cool Samurai guy tells them the names of the sake rather quickly then sends them in to drink... well, they get a drink order for Kam bey and they have no idea what bottle that is so she just takes one out to the table and it's wrong... yeah, this could take a while.
-Jelani & Jenny get to the park where they see the Synching Steps guys doing their thing and they both think it's so cool... now to learn how to do it. They choose an instructor and get to learning.
Shrine - Hairdressers Matt & Ashley choose the Synching Steps.
Blind daters Tyler & Laura ask Olympians Aly & Steven what they are going to do and it's Synching Steps for these teams too.
Harley & Jonathan choose Samurai Sake (really? I thought Jon would be totally in for synchronized dance moves with a group, but he says the dancing's not his thing, it takes him a good week to learn their routines so he hopes his memory is better.)
Sake - Jackie & Jeff prove to be very lucky with their second choice of bottles and they get the clue to Wakaba Hikashi Park - and the U-Turn.
Synching steps - Legal team give it a go and Jelani messes up.
Super over-confident Matt (who is reminding me of Dentist Jim from last season) & Ashley are next to attempt the dance and he totally messes them up - and eventhough he screwed up he says they don't have to practice anymore, he's got this (no, no you don't.)
Jeff & Jackie can't find an empty taxi to get to the park.
More teams get to the shrine; Jeff & Lyda and Bergen & Kurt are doing Synching steps - and they see Team Truck Stop show up which freaks them out because they were on the second flight and have caught up. (Narita Express train was not so Express for them.)
Team Truck Stop is also going to be Synching Steps. (Yikes).
Libby & CJ also doing Synching Steps and that means the Medical Team is lost and still in last place. Hayley asks for directions and they finally find the shrine - and are also doing the dance.
Sake - Jonathan & Harley arrive and get the Sake breakdown, Harley takes the order and Jonathan grabs the right bottle first try! Wow, this was definitely the task to choose. Off they head for the U-Turn.
And they end up getting a taxi pretty much at the same time as Jeff & Jackie... hmm, I wonder if these teams will U-Turn anyone.
Back at the park and everyone is there - and no one can do this synchronized stepping - it's a lot harder than it looks.
-Over-confidant Matt is counting really loud but he's not actually doing the steps to the count - (I think he needs a mirror so he can see he's not doing anywhere near what he's supposed to be doing.)
Libby & CJ get directions to the park from a local store where the guy sends them to the train... and these poor suckers are awash in a sea of Japanese people and confusing train maps... they filmed it like an acid trip - but they finally get on a train.
Dr Blair & Hayley get to the Synching steps just before Libby & CJ... now all but two teams are at this task and no one has completed it successfully yet...
Until Laura & Tyler that is - they are the first team to get the pity pass on the Syncing Steps... He likes to dance and she thinks he has everything she could want in a partner.
-Legal team Jenny & Jelani are the next team to get a pass and they actually did it crisper in my opinion, of course they were there the longest too.
Jonathan & Harley's cab driver took them to a bank instead of the park they needed to go to.
Jeff & Jackie were the first team to the U-Turn board and they decide not to U-Turn anybody because they're pretty sure they're first. They get the clue to the Pit Stop - UDX parking building.
Over-confident Matt is still messing up, and he's frustrated Matt now.
Olympians Aly & Steven are the next team to get a pass.
U-Turn board - Legal Team don't U-Turn anybody, neither do Laura & Tyler (I think the Syncing Steps was punishment enough for all these teams.)
Jeff & Jackie are running all over the UDX building (large parking structure) looking for Phil. While Jelani & Jenny are being lawyerly while in the taxi re-reading the clue and dissecting the language - it says "in the vicinity" of the building, so he could be outside...
Meanwhile, in the building Jackie & Jeff re-read the clue and when she hears vicinity she wonders if he's outside, then looks daggers at Jeff, "If this costs us the Express Pass, it will be devastating..."(and that look said, "For you!")
Back at Syncing Step park - it's getting dark and we still have six teams... Bergen & Kurt are the next to finally get a pity pass. Dr. Blair & Nurse Hayley are the next to pass and everyone else is just getting more bitter.
-Jonathan & Harley finally find the park & U-Turn board just as the Olympians get there - and neither team U-Turns anybody. They head for the Pit Stop.
-Over-confident Matt & Frustrated Hayley (the hairdressers) are the next team to pass the dance routine.
-Rochelle is not very coordinated and she's crying with frustration (you can go do the sake.)
-Kurt & Bergen get to the U-Turn board and they also don't U-Turn anybody.
-Roller Derby Rochelle and Pilot Jeff have no coordination, and I bet they are so tired by this point... I think I would have switched tasks by now. Libby & CJ are the next team to pass the dancing, it wouldn't get them into the troop but they technically did all the steps I guess.
And we're down to two. Rochelle has a bit of a break down but Mike remains calm and encouraging until she pulls it together and they get a pass on their next attempt (Yay! I was rooting for these two crazy kids.)
-Poor Pilot Jeff just cannot get the steps and Lyda thinks they are too tired to remember 10 sakes at this point.
Teams are still getting lost trying to find the park where the U-Turn is - Medical Team and Libby & CJ are lost again.
-Truck Stop Love is the next team to the U-Turn and they decide to U-Turn Pilot Jeff & Lyda - the only team they know is still behind them. They are there to win a million dollars, not make friends (ah, there's the old reality show trope.)
-Medical Team is the next to the U-Turn board and choose not to U-Turn anyone.
-Over-confident Matt & Ashley are next and they don't U-Turn anyone either.
Back at the Sync step - Lyda is teary and finally puts her foot down, that they are not giving up and have to get this done. Finally she drags him through the dance and they get a pass! (But I feel so bad for them...) They get to the U-Turn board and see that they've been U-turned but they also see that there are two clues in the box so there must be one other team still not there... They decide to U-Turn Jeff & Jackie (but they are way ahead of them) it's Libby & CJ still lost in Tokyo.
Sake Samurai - Pilot Jeff proves to have a way better memory than dance ability and they get the right sake on the first try. (Oh, I bet they are kicking themselves!)
Libby & CJ are still lost, they've run into the same cab driver three times, he doesn't know where they need to go but then they get in anyway and he takes them to the park. They are not U-Turned so they take the clue to the Pit Stop.
-Jeff & Lyda get back to the U-Turn board and grab the clue to the Pit Stop too.
-Libby & CJ head into the UDX building looking for Phil and CJ says the clue says in the vicinity...
-Jeff & Lyda show up and...
Here's How They Finished:
1) Jelani & Jenny - The Legal Team - They tried the most awkward high five I have ever seen - but they agree this has been an awesome, really long date. And they won the Express Pass.
2) Jeff & Jackie - Team JJ - (there are a lot of J names this season) - these two blind dating teams are proving the existing couples may not have an advantage in this game.
3) Tyler & Laura - another blind date team - they have been working together really well and who knows, there could be the potential for love... and that came from Tyler not her - huh.
4) Aly & Steve - the first Olympians to arrive and the first team with an existing relationship too...
5) Harley & Jonathan - Oh oh ohohoh... yeah, they started playing The Right Stuff (hahaha!)
6) Bergen & Kurt - they're not sure if this will be a love connection but they will definitely be friends.
7) Mike & Rochelle - Phil calls them on using the U-Turn and they said they thought they were second to last and had no choice. A million dollars would mean security for Rochelle & her son.
8) Hayley & Blair - she shrieks when she sees him and when Phil says, that's a lot of shrieking, she blames it on Blair... and he takes the blame. I think this super long day has made this bad blind date into an old married couple (okay, maybe not.)
9) Matt & Ashley - Matt agrees with Phil that Hayley & Blair could be a love connection.
10) Libby & CJ - They are still in the Race by the skin of their teeth.
11) Jeff & Lyda - **ELIMINATED** He gives her props for never giving up on him through the dancing - their relationship is as strong as ever. Lyda says she has no regrets but I'm sure sake will have new meaning to them forever more.
So with Jeff & Lyda being first out, that takes Kim B/Gail W., Jeremy N., Ozzy R., Bryon L. and Drew C. out of the pool.
And there is another new episode this Friday, Feb 27th.
It was a good start, I think this blind date twist is going to make for an exciting season.
Have a great weekend everyone,
Coleen
Is it possible to find true love on a 30K mile Race around the world? 10 strangers are going to try and find out.
There are 6 existing couples on the Race this season as well:
-New Kid on the Block Jonathan and his boyfriend of 7 years Harley, this is totally different than anything he did touring with NKOTB.
-Hairstylists Matt & Ashley, she thought he was gay at first being a hairstylist with really tight pants, they've been together 3 yrs.
-Pilot and Flight attendant Jeff & Lyda, first met 20 years ago at work but didn't start dating until they were both single, been together 4yrs.
And they are going to match 5 single men with blind dates right there at the starting line:
-Tyler, mobile app developer - Cutie McDimples says when they first meet him, most girls like him... but do you get a 2nd date?
-Blair, navy surgeon - extremely picky, doesn't want to waste a lot of his time if a girl doesn't meet his standards (oh boy.)
-Bergen, human resources - he hasn't been on many dates in the past three years because he's always been cheated on (I could stereotype gay men... and I just did.)
-Jelani, lawyer - he's got a great career, he's intelligent and kinda good looking...
-Jeff - sales - he thinks he's a great catch and 100% a 10.
And the girls (and one guy):
-Hayley - pediatric trauma nurse - she's tired of arrogant guys, she just wants someone like her who can handle her energy... and she's paired with Blair, the navy Surgeon (you know, the arrogant one who doesn't want to waste his time.)
-Jackie - Las Vegas Show Girl is paired with Jeff, the Salesman of few words - and right away she is happy that he's tall, she jumps on him for a hug and wraps her legs around him - Whoa, hello!
-Tyler is matched with Laura - a talent booker who is very open to finding love on the Race. What better story is there than "I met my
husband on the Amazing Race? (Run Tyler, run!)
-Lawyer Jelani is paired with lawyer Jenny and right away, I get from her body language that she's just not that into him, he, on the other hand looks very happy. She tells the camera she's never been on a blind date before but she knows unlike a regular blind she's stuck with this one so she better make it work.
-Bergen is paired with Kurt, a pageant consultant, and they have an immediate bond of the same haircut and thick southern accents - okay, it's a little creepy these two are really similar, I hope that works for them.
Laura was the first to speak up with how impressed she is with her blind date/partner but Jelani gains some much needed points from Jenny by saying that he by far got the hottest partner. Then they all say they are very happy and ready to go.
-The existing couples say they already know each other's strengths and weaknesses so they feel they will have the upper hand against the extreme blind daters.
Phil tells them right out of the gate they are going to get things started with a race for tickets to Tokyo, Japan. They will have to run along the lake edge until they get to the grueling mud-run. First 8 teams through the run will get tickets on the first flight to Tokyo, last 3 will be on the second flight. Then they will drive a Ford Fusion Hybrid to the airport in style. First team to complete the first leg will also win an Express Pass which could get you out of trouble... because Phil tells them, there is a U-Turn on this first leg. (They didn't introduce us to all the teams, who is that hairy guy with the I <3 p="" shirt="" stops="" truck="">
Off they go: and the mud run was definitely an interesting way to start a blind date.
-Nurse Hayley admits she can be high maintenance and hates being wet and dirty like that but she was a trooper (you can't really balk at the first thing.)
Oh, and we meet another long term couple: Lebya (Libby) & CJ, dating 10 years - off and on she tells us since high school - they've been through so much, no one knows each other like they do.
Mike & Rochelle - he's Grizzly Adams and she's bad ass roller derby chick - she came into his truck stop and it was love a first sight - and she is tough so he better do well :)
Harley is a fitness trainer so he's going to be pushing Jon along the way.
Olympians Aly & Steven, she's a short track speed skater and he's a bobsledder - he came home with two bronze medals from the last Olympics but really he came home with the Gold (and they look at each other all lovey-dovey - awww. This is my team, and I'm feeling good!)
First flight:
Matt & Ashley (hairdressers), Jeff & Jackie (sales & showgirl), Laura & Tyler (she's calling him baby, I still think he should be running the other direction).
Trouble in medical paradise, high maintenance nurse Hayley isn't as physically fit as surgeon Blair and she's whining that he has to wait for her... and he's frustrated by their lack of progress (uh oh.)
Aly & Steven 4th on the first flight, Harley & Jonathan 5th, Jeff & Lyda 6th, Bergen & Kurt 7th and Jelani & Jenny get the last spot even though Blair was standing there waiting for Hayley (you could have gone and helped her dude...)
2nd flight is Blair & Hayley, Mike & Rochelle and last is Libby & CJ.
Then they get to shower together on their first dates too - as they are all trying to scrub some of the mud off before getting in the cars and heading for the airport. The first flight doesn't leave until 11pm so they have some time.
In the cars the recorded video tells them to head to Tokyo and where to head once they get there to search for the next clue. Caution, blind U-Turn ahead (What makes it blind you ask? They don't have to post the picture of who U-Turned who.)
Getting to know you in the cars with the blind daters:
-Jeff tells Jackie he can't sing or dance and she tells him she's a professional dancer - she's going to show the world how competitive Vegas Showgirls can be (hey, we saw the movie ;))
-Doctor and Nurse have the most awkward talk, starts with what they do, he hopes they don't have to take care of anyone on the race and then she tells him he looks older than he is (ouch)... and then product placement, time to take a selfie with their selfie cam... oh yeah and they will all be wearing Fitbits throughout the Race. (Everyone's going to be wearing branding on their clothes next and it will become The Ford Motor Company Race soon, I swear.)
-Laura tells Tyler that she was a psych and business major and she's already doing a psych eval on him (and I'm doing one on her... I don't want to label anyone but she strikes me a little cray) she really appreciated him help pull her through the mud. He says, we're a team. (Tyler could give Dr. Blair some lessons.)
-Speaking of, Hayley is prattling on in her annoying little voice that she thinks Blair is super attractive which is a good thing and she was worried that he might not like blond people, especially silly, little blondes. And he just says, "Ahhh." (Hahaha, yeah, there is no love connection here.)
-Jelani and Jenny seem to be bonding better once they get talking about their professions as they are both lawyers. He seems like a very positive guy and she has a sense of humour (they may have more potential than I thought.)
Once at the airport, Hayley & Blair get something to eat at the food court and she seems to be more into Blair than he is into her... then Jonathan & Hayley come talk to them and they ask what they do, Hayley's a fitness instructor and Jon's... a singer... he tells them he's in New Kids on the Block and Hayley went to their concert (way to recognize him then lady, she is not changing the perceptions of blondes at all this one.)
-We find out that pageant consultant Kurt has never had a boyfriend, never been in a relationship so, he says, hopefully this is the one for him. (Oof, no pressure.)
-We find out the longest dating couple, Libby and CJ, she says they are getting married, she better get a ring and he's saying, "no comment" (haha - this is going to be fun!)
First Flight is going to have a 45 minute lead over the second flight.
Once they reach Tokyo they have to find Kanda Myojin, a 1270 year old Shinto shrine.
First flight arrives and we have a few teams take the Skyliner train, a few teams take taxis and a couple teams take the Narita Express train... hopefully they're all heading in the right direction.
Second flight arrives, Libby & CJ take a taxi cause they don't have subways where they're from - Team Truck Stop takes the Skyliner train and the Medical team misses the train so they are now in last place. (Some how I don't think he'll be that upset to have this date end early.)
Shrine: Legal team, Jelani & Jenny are the first team to get there and they get the clue to the DETOUR: Syncing Steps or Samurai Sake
In Syncing Steps they will join a popular Japanese group and have to learn the slow motion robotic steps to a routine in order to get the next clue.
In Samurai Sake they have to memorize the names of 10 sakes then one team member must take a drink order from a table of samurai and then relay it to their partner at the bar - if they get it right and the Samurai accept the sake and give them a toast, they'll get their next clue.
Jelani & Jenny (Legal Team) choose Synching steps.
Jeff & Jackie (Team JJ) choose Samurai Sake (he did tell her he can't dance so no choreography for that guy.)
Truck Stop Love - we find out that Mike & Rochelle have been dating for 8 months and he hasn't met her son yet, this is a fast forward for their relationship - poor guy, as if this wasn't stressful enough.
Jeff & Jackie get to the Sake task and this seems impossible - the cool Samurai guy tells them the names of the sake rather quickly then sends them in to drink... well, they get a drink order for Kam bey and they have no idea what bottle that is so she just takes one out to the table and it's wrong... yeah, this could take a while.
-Jelani & Jenny get to the park where they see the Synching Steps guys doing their thing and they both think it's so cool... now to learn how to do it. They choose an instructor and get to learning.
Shrine - Hairdressers Matt & Ashley choose the Synching Steps.
Blind daters Tyler & Laura ask Olympians Aly & Steven what they are going to do and it's Synching Steps for these teams too.
Harley & Jonathan choose Samurai Sake (really? I thought Jon would be totally in for synchronized dance moves with a group, but he says the dancing's not his thing, it takes him a good week to learn their routines so he hopes his memory is better.)
Sake - Jackie & Jeff prove to be very lucky with their second choice of bottles and they get the clue to Wakaba Hikashi Park - and the U-Turn.
Synching steps - Legal team give it a go and Jelani messes up.
Super over-confident Matt (who is reminding me of Dentist Jim from last season) & Ashley are next to attempt the dance and he totally messes them up - and eventhough he screwed up he says they don't have to practice anymore, he's got this (no, no you don't.)
Jeff & Jackie can't find an empty taxi to get to the park.
More teams get to the shrine; Jeff & Lyda and Bergen & Kurt are doing Synching steps - and they see Team Truck Stop show up which freaks them out because they were on the second flight and have caught up. (Narita Express train was not so Express for them.)
Team Truck Stop is also going to be Synching Steps. (Yikes).
Libby & CJ also doing Synching Steps and that means the Medical Team is lost and still in last place. Hayley asks for directions and they finally find the shrine - and are also doing the dance.
Sake - Jonathan & Harley arrive and get the Sake breakdown, Harley takes the order and Jonathan grabs the right bottle first try! Wow, this was definitely the task to choose. Off they head for the U-Turn.
And they end up getting a taxi pretty much at the same time as Jeff & Jackie... hmm, I wonder if these teams will U-Turn anyone.
Back at the park and everyone is there - and no one can do this synchronized stepping - it's a lot harder than it looks.
-Over-confidant Matt is counting really loud but he's not actually doing the steps to the count - (I think he needs a mirror so he can see he's not doing anywhere near what he's supposed to be doing.)
Libby & CJ get directions to the park from a local store where the guy sends them to the train... and these poor suckers are awash in a sea of Japanese people and confusing train maps... they filmed it like an acid trip - but they finally get on a train.
Dr Blair & Hayley get to the Synching steps just before Libby & CJ... now all but two teams are at this task and no one has completed it successfully yet...
Until Laura & Tyler that is - they are the first team to get the pity pass on the Syncing Steps... He likes to dance and she thinks he has everything she could want in a partner.
-Legal team Jenny & Jelani are the next team to get a pass and they actually did it crisper in my opinion, of course they were there the longest too.
Jonathan & Harley's cab driver took them to a bank instead of the park they needed to go to.
Jeff & Jackie were the first team to the U-Turn board and they decide not to U-Turn anybody because they're pretty sure they're first. They get the clue to the Pit Stop - UDX parking building.
Over-confident Matt is still messing up, and he's frustrated Matt now.
Olympians Aly & Steven are the next team to get a pass.
U-Turn board - Legal Team don't U-Turn anybody, neither do Laura & Tyler (I think the Syncing Steps was punishment enough for all these teams.)
Jeff & Jackie are running all over the UDX building (large parking structure) looking for Phil. While Jelani & Jenny are being lawyerly while in the taxi re-reading the clue and dissecting the language - it says "in the vicinity" of the building, so he could be outside...
Meanwhile, in the building Jackie & Jeff re-read the clue and when she hears vicinity she wonders if he's outside, then looks daggers at Jeff, "If this costs us the Express Pass, it will be devastating..."(and that look said, "For you!")
Back at Syncing Step park - it's getting dark and we still have six teams... Bergen & Kurt are the next to finally get a pity pass. Dr. Blair & Nurse Hayley are the next to pass and everyone else is just getting more bitter.
-Jonathan & Harley finally find the park & U-Turn board just as the Olympians get there - and neither team U-Turns anybody. They head for the Pit Stop.
-Over-confident Matt & Frustrated Hayley (the hairdressers) are the next team to pass the dance routine.
-Rochelle is not very coordinated and she's crying with frustration (you can go do the sake.)
-Kurt & Bergen get to the U-Turn board and they also don't U-Turn anybody.
-Roller Derby Rochelle and Pilot Jeff have no coordination, and I bet they are so tired by this point... I think I would have switched tasks by now. Libby & CJ are the next team to pass the dancing, it wouldn't get them into the troop but they technically did all the steps I guess.
And we're down to two. Rochelle has a bit of a break down but Mike remains calm and encouraging until she pulls it together and they get a pass on their next attempt (Yay! I was rooting for these two crazy kids.)
-Poor Pilot Jeff just cannot get the steps and Lyda thinks they are too tired to remember 10 sakes at this point.
Teams are still getting lost trying to find the park where the U-Turn is - Medical Team and Libby & CJ are lost again.
-Truck Stop Love is the next team to the U-Turn and they decide to U-Turn Pilot Jeff & Lyda - the only team they know is still behind them. They are there to win a million dollars, not make friends (ah, there's the old reality show trope.)
-Medical Team is the next to the U-Turn board and choose not to U-Turn anyone.
-Over-confident Matt & Ashley are next and they don't U-Turn anyone either.
Back at the Sync step - Lyda is teary and finally puts her foot down, that they are not giving up and have to get this done. Finally she drags him through the dance and they get a pass! (But I feel so bad for them...) They get to the U-Turn board and see that they've been U-turned but they also see that there are two clues in the box so there must be one other team still not there... They decide to U-Turn Jeff & Jackie (but they are way ahead of them) it's Libby & CJ still lost in Tokyo.
Sake Samurai - Pilot Jeff proves to have a way better memory than dance ability and they get the right sake on the first try. (Oh, I bet they are kicking themselves!)
Libby & CJ are still lost, they've run into the same cab driver three times, he doesn't know where they need to go but then they get in anyway and he takes them to the park. They are not U-Turned so they take the clue to the Pit Stop.
-Jeff & Lyda get back to the U-Turn board and grab the clue to the Pit Stop too.
-Libby & CJ head into the UDX building looking for Phil and CJ says the clue says in the vicinity...
-Jeff & Lyda show up and...
Here's How They Finished:
1) Jelani & Jenny - The Legal Team - They tried the most awkward high five I have ever seen - but they agree this has been an awesome, really long date. And they won the Express Pass.
2) Jeff & Jackie - Team JJ - (there are a lot of J names this season) - these two blind dating teams are proving the existing couples may not have an advantage in this game.
3) Tyler & Laura - another blind date team - they have been working together really well and who knows, there could be the potential for love... and that came from Tyler not her - huh.
4) Aly & Steve - the first Olympians to arrive and the first team with an existing relationship too...
5) Harley & Jonathan - Oh oh ohohoh... yeah, they started playing The Right Stuff (hahaha!)
6) Bergen & Kurt - they're not sure if this will be a love connection but they will definitely be friends.
7) Mike & Rochelle - Phil calls them on using the U-Turn and they said they thought they were second to last and had no choice. A million dollars would mean security for Rochelle & her son.
8) Hayley & Blair - she shrieks when she sees him and when Phil says, that's a lot of shrieking, she blames it on Blair... and he takes the blame. I think this super long day has made this bad blind date into an old married couple (okay, maybe not.)
9) Matt & Ashley - Matt agrees with Phil that Hayley & Blair could be a love connection.
10) Libby & CJ - They are still in the Race by the skin of their teeth.
11) Jeff & Lyda - **ELIMINATED** He gives her props for never giving up on him through the dancing - their relationship is as strong as ever. Lyda says she has no regrets but I'm sure sake will have new meaning to them forever more.
So with Jeff & Lyda being first out, that takes Kim B/Gail W., Jeremy N., Ozzy R., Bryon L. and Drew C. out of the pool.
And there is another new episode this Friday, Feb 27th.
It was a good start, I think this blind date twist is going to make for an exciting season.
Have a great weekend everyone,
Coleen
