The Amazing Race Unfinished Business Season Finale - May 8th

This is Where it Ends (Brazil & Florida)

On the season finale of the Amazing Race - the teams set out from Zermatt, Switzerland to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  Everyone got on the same train to the airport in Zurich where they split up to find the quickest flights to Rio.
-Big Easy & Flight Time went straight to an airline counter and booked a flight arriving at 7:30am the next day.
-Zev & Justin checked the Internet and found that same flight.  They went to the same counter and got the same tickets.
-Kisha & Jen and Gary & Mallory went to a travel agency and were booking tickets getting them in at 5:30pm the next day when the Globetrotters stopped by to see if they had a better flight - when they heard they were going to have a huge lead - Big Easy's horrible poker face gave them away and the other teams changed their tickets so they were all on the same flight to Rio.

Once they landed they were to make their way to a tram which would take them to a famous staircase lined with tiles.  They had to search among the tiles to find the ones marked Route Info, remove them from the wall and their next clue was on the back.

Everyone sprints out of the airport to the cabs and Gary & Mallory were the last out - however, the Globetrotters had the bad cabbie luck and ended up with the grandpa driver - he wouldn't speed, he was stopping at green lights - (that would be my worse nightmare.  Anyone that has ever driven with me knows I tend to lack patience in traffic.) 
-All the teams arrive at the tram except the Globetrotters - they are all trying to get the guy to go but he wants to wait another couple minutes... arghh!  The tram finally gets going just as the Globetrotters get there and they try to get it stopped... but no such luck.  As Jen said, this thing only goes one way and it's up (there was no turning around.)  The Globetrotters had to wait 1/2 hour for the next tram.  Big Easy adopted a zen approach - if it's meant to be it will be... Flight Time had to walk away from him.

-Once at the staircase Justin's eagle eye spied a tile right away and they jump in a cab for the next destination.  Kisha & Jen then Gary & Mallory follow - but they're not that far behind.
-Zev & Justin arrive at what looks like a street carnival and get the clue to the ROADBLOCK - who's ready to shake a tail feather?   Zev has to do this Roadblock since Justin's already done 5 - and Zev just 4 -they have to be even going into the finale.  Sooo, Zev has to suit up in a silly get up and learn some simple samba steps from his guides.  Once they think he's ready he will perform the dance for a judge who, if satisfied, will give them their next clue.  (You know this is not going to go well.)
-As Zev clumsily tries to learn the steps - and he admittedly has white boy rhythm - Gary & Mallory arrive.  Mallory is going to do the task for them - as a pageant queen, she's been in dancing since she was 3 - so she has no trouble with this at all. 
-They both go to do the dance for the judge - Mallory gets a Sim (pass) and Zev get a Nao (no way).
-Kisha & Jen get there and Kisha suits up and learns the dance for them - Jen's confident, she's got rhythm.  Kisha gets a Sim from the judge - Zev, another Nao.
-The Globetrotters have gone and retrieved their tile and they arrive at the Roadblock.  Justin has been very supportive of Zev, telling him to do his best, but when the Globetrotters get their he's not happy.  He tells Zev to loosen up a bit and after he slaps the female dancers butt (she was shocked at first but then laughed) he does start to loosen up.

-Gary & Mallory have arrived at the Copacabana where they must go to the COP Spa and get a full Brazilian wax - OMG!  Mallory is old hand at the waxing but Gary, not so much.  Let the painfest begin.  (I'm just shuttering - and waiting for the screaming of OOOhh KELLY CLARKSON!)  Oh, it doesn't look like they get the full Brazilian - it's armpits, chest, legs...( thank goodness because what I think of as a Brazilian wax would not have been appropriate for family television - and I couldn't imagine them doing that right beside each other either.)  Gary & Mallory are done and they get the next clue. 

-DETOUR - On the Rocks or On the Beach... Newly waxed they must decide where they are most comfortable (huh?)
-In On the Rocks the teams must go to a beach side bar and learn to make a popular Brazilian cocktail he caipirinha - made with muddled limes, sugar and sticky liqueur - once they have made 100 acceptable caipirinhas they will get their next clue. (I guess the lime juice would sting newly opened pores.)
-In On the Beach - they must pick up an umbrella with hundreds of bikinis hanging from it and a portable changing room then head out on the beach, convince customers to model their bikinis and sell enough bikinis to make about $60 US.  (Being someone who would never be caught dead in a bikini, this detour sounds waaay harder.)
-Gary & Mallory decide On the Rocks if for them and head to the beach.

Nao.  Zev finally eeks out a Sim and they head off for the Copacabana.

-Big Easy gets the Sim on his second attempt and they also head out for the waxing.  (I feel sorry for them all.)

-They finally show Kisha & Jen arriving at the waxing place and they do alright - they didn't enjoy it mind you - but I think they all just have to endure 15minutes of waxing.
-The Globetrotters get there next - Zev & Justin's cab driver didn't know the place and they got lost.
-The Globetrotters get through the waxing pretty easy, they're not too hairy - and Flight Time was unashamedly flirting with the poor girl waxing him (I think he's been away from home too long - any woman touching him better look out.)  They are heading out for the Detour as Zev & Justin - arrive.

-Meanwhile the drink mixing starts out rough for Gary & Mallory, obviously not big drinkers - they keep getting the order of the ingredients and mixing wrong and having their drinks poured out... but finally they get in a rhythm and start having acceptable drinks - 5 down 95 to go.  OOf.

-Zev & Justin are hairy, hairy men and there is a lot of screaming in the spa as they get going and there it is - Justin whips out the "Oh Kelly Clarkson!" - 15 minutes is not going to be enough time to denude these two - I predict strange bald patches left in the hair on both of them.
-Justin almost punches the woman in the face when she does his chest - Zev gets his whole chest and armpits done - Justin ends up with bald pecs but still hairy in the middle - (Nice, the chicks will dig that :)  - their time expires and they get the Detour clue.

-Kisha & Jen and the Globetrotters have both chosen On the Rocks and have started mixing drinks at the bar - Jen has some bartending experience - they only have one rejected - the Globetrotters have a couple rejected but they get in the groove and everyone is busy mixing up their 100 cocktails.

-For some reason, Justin & Zev have decided to do To the Beach and try to sell bikinis.  They pick up the umbrella and changing room and Justin speak Portuguese so they have a bit of a leg up there - but no one is willing to try on the bikinis.  They have one guy willing to buy one but his girlfriend won't try it on... Zev says it best - "This Sucks."

-Gary & Mallory are the first team to finish 100 drinks and they got the clue to the Pit Stop - below the Contemporary Art Museum.   Big Easy asks if they're allowed to have one of the drinks after they're done and he gets a big thumbs up from their judge - Alrighty then - a little incentive for them maybe?

-Zev & Justin have been skunked on the beach - no one is buying bikinis - they decide to switch tasks.

-Kisha & Jen finish their 100th cocktail and head out just as Zev & Justin arrive to start mixing their drinks.
-The Globetrotters are getting into it - they must have been sampling the drinks cause they are FEELING it, singing with the guys and just annoying Justin.  The Globetrotters finish and head out - Zev & Justin know they are last.

How they finished this leg:
1) Gary & Mallory - They have made it into the final leg for one million dollars. They won a trip for two along the Mediterranean.  If they are the big Wieners, Gary will be the oldest person ever to have won.
2) Kisha & Jen - Phil gets them coconuts to drink from - they have made it into the final.
3) The Globetrotters -
4) Zev & Justin -ELIMINATED - They've been happier. Zev is Yoda I think.  He tells us his take on things: Justin was the Race and Zev was the Amazing - Seeing what they've seen out in the world, there is a much bigger picture than trying to win a million dollars. 

Final Leg
They get the clue to head to their final destination city - Miami, Florida.  Once there they have to head to the marina to get their next clue.  They all get on the same flight out of Rio and it's a sprint out of the airport - the Globetrotters and Kisha & Jen jump in the first cabs - Gary & Mallory are left at the airport - they are frantically trying to get a cab to catch up. 
-Kisha & Jen pass the Globetrotters and are the first to the clue box - just barely - the Globetrotters are right behind them.  The clue is the ROADBLOCK - one person must drive a heavy forklift and lift a boat into dry dock... oh boy.
-Kisha & Flight Time are driving the heavy machinery - (This does not look safe! No hard hats - 2 minutes of training - they do have a coach with them telling them what to do though - still - eek.)

-Mallory is freaking out in the cab - they keep asking if the guy knows where he's going - she's praying - please, please, please... he's ignoring her and texting or googling the marina - not boding well.

-Flight Time finishes just ahead of Kisha - and they get the clue to head to Key Largo - looks like a two team race at this point.  Gary & Mallory have fallen victim to the bad cabbie curse.

-Gary & Mallory do finally arrive at the marina though and Gary hops on the forklift - Mallory says he's had experience with a forklift and she's staying positive - not a good way to start the 12th leg but it's not over yet - they could have a chance to catch up (sure you can.)

-Flight Time & Big Easy get to Key Largo and it's another ROADBLOCK - the area is famous for it's mermaid shows - one person will have to explore the under water world in a personal submarine known as a Bob dive - Phil tells us from his own bob dive underwater - (SO COOL - I want to do that!)  They will have to maneuver the bob dive through a school of mermaids, checking dozens of floating treasure chests for the clue - once they find it they can return to the surface and carry on. (We'll see how the two teams that hate the water do with this one.)
-Big Easy and Jen have to do this - Jen is slightly panicked, she can't swim... but they both get under the water and come up in their bubble and they can breathe - then it's no problem.  The Bob Dive is like a slow jet ski, they sit on it and are propelled through the water - there is a band and the mermaids distract Big Easy a little...

-Gary has finished the dry dock and get s the clue to head to Key Largo.  Oh, they are using the same cab - I guess they couldn't get a new one.

-Under the sea, Big Easy is enjoying riding his underwater motorcycle, Jen feels like she's going to throw up but she's quickly looking through the chests.  Flight Time and Kisha are just glad it's not them having to do this one. 
-Big Easy is the first to find a clue - it tells them to head to mile marker 29 - they head out of the place and their cab has left.  This is bad (and we have to watch Big Easy run with his pants half way down as he's trying to get dressed and find their cab - nice.)
-They do find their cab and have to stop to ask directions - Kisha & Jen's cab driver thinks he knows where it is so they just go - they pass the Globetrotters.

-Gary & Mallory get to the Mermaids/submarine task and she's trying to get it done as fast as she can - they know the two wetsuits laying there is not a good sign.

-Kisha & Jen get to the next clue box and the clue tells them to walk across the shallow ocean to Horseshoe Island then find the tallest tree to get their next clue.  They're not swimming so it should be fine but they are still apprehensive  the water is cold.
-The Globetrotters are right behind them crossing to the island when the girls get the clue that they have to go back to the mainland, take a speedboat to marathon marina - then travel on foot to the mobile home park to get their next clue.

-Mallory is having a hard time finding a clue - she's trying not to get frantic and she finally finds it - off they go but they're looking a little down.  Their cab driver doesn't know where they need to go but they head for mile marker 29. 

-Kisha & Jen head out in their speedboat and it's wet!  The Globetrotters are again, right behind them.
-Gary & Mallory walk across to the island and get the clue.  They head off for the speedboats.

-Kisha & Jen get to the mobile home park and get the clue to move a small trailer with a hand jack then, when they have it in place, replicate a picture they have (putting out all the accessories for a kitchy mobile home paradise.)  Once their scene matches the picture, they'll receive their next clue.
-The sisters and the Globetrotters are now both moving their little trailers to their trailer pads - the residents of the trailer park, complete with camo trucker hats, are watching warily, I don't think they're used to they're kind around those parts.

-Gary & Mallory are on their way - getting soaked and thrown around in their speed boat.

-The trailer sites are going up alright until Hurricane Andrew hits - the wind has really kicked up and is making putting up their awnings almost impossible.  The local ladies are laughing at how stupid they look.

-A tiny woman with the biggest hair I've seen in a long time has come to check their set ups and despite the wind, both of them are not exactly like the brochure.  They have to keep going. 
-Gary & Mallory get there and put their trailer in place - the other teams are not happy to see them.  It's sudden death baby.

-Kisha finally figures out they are missing a beer cozy on the table and they pass Miss Rose's scrutiny and get the next clue to head out for Seven Mile Bridge.
-The Globetrotters are still not the same as the brochure - they go to check what the girls did - figure out their table is not set right.  And finally get the clue.
-Gary & Mallory are almost there - the awning keeps flying over the top... arggh!

-Kisha & Jen get to the bridge and they have to ride bikes... oh, they are adult size tricycles - off they go - but they are riding into that heavy wind - not easy.  The Globetrotters are there right behind them and are trying to catch up (put your helmets on! Sheesh - this episode is a WorkSafe nightmare.)

-Gary & Mallory pass Miss Rose's muster and they get the clue - jump in a cab and it's a new driver - Oh happy day!  She's a gray haired lady but I bet she knows her way around.

-Back on the bridge Kisha & Jen are slogging along, Jen's running along side the trike at one point but they keep going strong.  The Globetrotters are trying to catch up but the girls are just too far ahead and they trike off towards THE FINISH LINE! (What? No memory challenge about the race - huh.)

KISHA & JEN are the winners of The Amazing Race!  The second time in a row an all female team has won. (And I must admit I got a little teary for them.)  Then they said they were doing this for their mom (they were raised by a single mom) and when Phil asked what they were going to do for her they said everything!  (Ah, now I see why they wanted this to end on Mother's Day)  Their Mom wants to start her own business and now they can help put her in a position of success (yup, I was crying.)
And, with Kisha & Jen: Susan N, Andria S, Kelvin H, Laurie T and Sandy G have won the Amazing Race Pool!  Congratulations! 

The Globetrotters came in 2nd.  We didn't win?  They say they got beat by a couple girls but it's okay - the girls were the most consistent team, they never came in first until it mattered but they never struggled either.  Big Easy said they had a good time - they laughed, they sang, they danced... he's glad they did it.

Gary & Mallory came in 3rd - the experience was priceless for them to be able to do this together.  Gary said they did it back to back and if they had the chance they'd probably do it again.

So, Unfinished Business is finished!  It was a pretty good season even though the least likely team seemed to win (still a little bitter about the Cowboys elimination.)  Have a great summer everyone.

Coleen

Survivor Redemption Island - May the 4th (be with you) Episode Recap

You Mangled My Nets

Rob's Ometepe tribe has successfully weeded out Zapatera - tonight it's time to turn on one of their own... the cracks showing are Phillips antics and Andrea's continued attachment to Matt.

At Redemption Island
-We have our first 4 way duel to look forward to - the four guys, Matt, Mike, Ralph and Steve wonder how it's going to play out in the end - the jury is all Zapatera at this point - Ralph figures if one of the Zapatera get back in at the end, he could win - and Ralph wants to be that guy.

Murlonio - Night 30
-Ometepe is celebrating the decimation of Zapatera - Andrea is scared and excited to get out of cruise control and start playing the game again.
-Natalie has a little crying jag - the relief of knocking everyone off made her start thinking of home and missing regular life (I think she's dreading what's to come.)
-Rob says she's only 19 - 30 days out there can take a toll on a person and he wants to make sure she's okay - they comfort her and want to make sure she's alright.
-Rob says he has 8 days left, he wants to keep everyone happy and make sure they don't start talking to each other or maybe they'll realize he's the one they should really be voting out.

Murlonio - Day 31
-Tree mail is a box with the Sprint logo on it - "Open first."  The screen says they'll be going to Redemption Island for the duel but first watch the videos for a surprise - Yup, videos from home, it is the requisite crying episode... Let the water works really begin.  Natalie's mom is first (wah!)  Andrea's Dad (aw, he's cute), Phillip's sister, Rob's sister, Grant's brother-in-law (I hope tells him his sister is newly pregnant, because if it's Grant's girl - that would be a cold way to tell him), Ashley's mom (Wah!)

Redemption Island - Day 31
They also get a Sprint phone - Ralph's brother? maybe - says the cows are all great, but a couple chickens got killed though...(ah, red neck news worth sharing I guess.)  Mike's mom, Steve's brother (the brother gets emotional) - Matt's brother - and blond jesus is crying a bit... Matt says if there is a chance he could spend time with his brother, he will do anything he can to win today.

Duel Arena
Jeff takes the phones back - says love in person will be even better - the winner of the duel gets to spend time with their loved one for real.

The Duel - each of the four contestants will have four tiles arranged in a straight row from close to far away.  They will each get to throw metal wire balls to break the tiles - first one to break all tiles wins love from home - first 3 breaking all tiles will stay in the game and the last person will be out.
Mike is the first person to break all his tiles. Wins the love from home.
Matt stays alive, Ralph stays alive and Steve reaches the end of his journey (it was a little sad, he looks so diminished, physically by this.  Throws his buff in the fire and heads out.
So with Steve leaving that means: Nenad M, Alex H and Elaine & Kevin R are out of the pools.

Mike wins time with his Mom but when she comes out she stays 10 ft away.  Jeff tells Mike he can have his time with his mom or he can forego his time (which looks like it would nearly break her heart) and instead let the other two guys at Redemption Island spend time with their loved ones - in comes Matt's brother Burton and Ralph's buddy Ronny... but that not it - He could also decide instead to give love to all the other people - so they trot out all the Ometepe loved ones and the the faucet comes on with the girls especially...
(I'm sorry, but if I were him, I'd let the Ometepe hang - he'd have more Zapatera on the jury anyway and I don't see them voting for a Zapatera no matter what he gives them... that's my opinion.)
OH MY GOD - He starts quoting scripture - Love your brother... he says sharing love with the greatest number of people and making friends out of enemies is the clear choice for him. (Okay, I'm going to hell.)
Jeff is dumbfounded as well - he thought the odds of him giving the prize to the six people that decimated his tribe were less than zero.  Asks Mike's Mom if it surprises her and she says, "No, that's who my son is. I'm so proud of you." (Oh, damn, she got me crying now... I hate this episode, it gets me every time.)

They all thank Mike and he says, "You're welcome. Don't vote me out again."

Redemption Island - Day 31
-The three of them get back to camp and Ralph was really pissed off that Mike let the Ometepe six have the time with their loved ones - he doesn't think they deserved it and if it was just to garner votes, it was stupid.
-Matt says he's glad he didn't win because he couldn't have done that - He and Ralph agree, the way those 6 treated them... but Mike says he believes that's what God wanted him to do - it was the right thing to do and if it gets him some votes in the end it's a bonus.  (I do not want to offend anyone, I grew up going to church too, but... Did they scout bible camp or something this season?  It does seem to be Christian heavy, or is that just me?)

Murlonio - Day 31
Family time - everyone is just so excited to show their loved ones where they've been living - talking to people from home, not in the game, is priceless. 
-And Natalie's mom says she's prayed for her (see?). Natalie feels like she has the strength to make it through now.
-Phillip basically says the same thing - his sister's confidence in him renewed him to CONTINUE TO DOMINATE (he said it twice) and be who I am.  (He also said he's prepared to go crazy cause that works for him and she just nodded... hmm, she gives us nothing.)
- Rob tells his sister everything -  that Phillip is wacko but he's also the biggest goat, if he drags him to the end he gets no votes.  Grant thinks it's me and him, Natalie thinks it's me and her - all they have to do is talk to each other, but they won't.  To the camera Rob gets choked up - he says he's playing his best game but if he can't finish it, it means nothing.  He wants to win to make a better life for his wife and kids (and he's running out of reality shows to go on.)  He wants to win Survivor, it's something he's been trying to do for 10 years now, he's 8 days away and nothing is going to stop him. (I bet he had his sister come because seeing Amber would take his mind out of the game too much - everything he does is with precision and a mind to the end game. Everything.)  And the loved one's take off.

Murlonio - Day 32
They get tree mail - eludes to steps, on the rise, immunity is the prize...
-Rob feels like the vote tonight won't be too difficult - probably voting for Andrea - she's great at the challenges and strategically she knows more about his than anyone but Grant and him.  He's going to work his ass off to make sure she doesn't win immunity.

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
What is that?  Huge staircase with rows of different sized pegs on some of the steps... and boards at the bottom... that does NOT look fun.
They will have to race out and collect the puzzle steps then place them in the right places to complete the very large staircase - first person to the top wins Immunity.
Off they go.  There are 3 sets of  steps  they can only bring one piece up with them at a time so if they're wrong it could cost a bunch of time - Andrea is in the lead with Grant and Rob - she gets one wrong and the guys pass her - Phillip, Ashley and Natalie are non-entities in the challenge - Grant makes a couple mistakes Rob is slowing down, it's 110 degrees and they are running up and down steep stairs... Rob is struggling up the stairs... can Grant catch him?  Nope - ROB Wins Immunity and collapses at the top - his legs cramp up, Natalie brings him some water but he is struggling - Jeff asks if he wants medical, he says no, but needs help to get up.  Once on his feet though, he put his hat on with authority - I'm okay - let's go back to camp.
(He did do his damnedest and made sure Andrea didn't win.)

Murlonio - Day 32
-Rob said he literally had to give it everything he had to win immunity but he did it - now he knows he's not going home and he can basically send anyone he wants to Redemption Island.  The plan is still Andrea - he has them all convinced she's the biggest threat because of her skill in challenges and her relationship with Matt.  Andrea thinks they are voting Phillip for sure.  They're all sure she has no idea.
-So it's set - voting Andrea, when Phillip starts to act up as Annoyance #1 again - he starts burning the fronds from the roof of the Zapatera side of the shelter - he's trying to kill a bug and telling Andrea what to do...  Phillip says he's not concerned - from day one he set himself up as the villain so everyone thinks the best way for them to win is with him, it was brilliant strategy (if he does say so himself.) He puts a little salt on the wound every now and then to make sure folks don't forget it.  Phillip says he's sure Rob thinks his best bet for the Million dollars is to take him to the end but he (Phillip) has the perfect oral argument and he thinks he can defeat Rob.
-Rob is having second thoughts and voices to Grant that maybe they should take out Phillip tonight.  Rob doesn't trust him and he wonders if Phillip might now be playing him...

TRIBAL COUNCIL
The time has finally come - this tight group has to finally vote out one of their own.  Andrea, concerned at all?
-For myself? (Your name is Andrea, isn't it - sheesh) Yeah. I feel confident in the relationships I've made in the Ometepe six so I feel safe tonight but you can never be certain in this game.  But I feel like I'm trusting the right people.
Natalie, exciting or terrifying to be at tribal council?
-It's totally different - nerve wracking - it's not fun being at TC tonight.
Phillip, you've made a point of saying you're the sixth man in this tribe and you're okay with that - but there are only six people left.  Is there a part of you that is trying not to look like a threat (sites his poor showing at the challenge.)
-It was 110 degrees and I'm a 52 yr old man - I was clearly out of my league.  I've been praying for a challenge of upper body strength.  When I was in the army at 29, no one could beat me running, push ups...
Phillip - I'm making the argument that they should keep you because you're not a threat and you're saying 'I'm a huge threat, I just haven't had the right challenge.'  Phillip looks a little confused.
Andrea, you were very competitive today.  Might that make you a target?
-I realize it's individual now but we still want to keep our tribe strong because whoever comes back from Redemption - we have to beat them. (Really, that's your reasoning? Colour me unimpressed.)
Grant, are you having to play your own psychological game of this is why you should keep me?
-To a certain degree - but I came into this game knowing myself and this is who I am.  You can tell when people are being themselves and when they are putting on a front to win a million dollars.
Phillip, share with me some insights based on your background in counter-intelligence (and he said it with a straight face) can you make it to the end being truthful?
-Absolutely.  I'll make the case with myself.  I've made no alliance that I've broken - everyone knows me to be the senior statesman, one who leads by example (that got Grant and Rob smirking).  I don't know for sure, but I think I'm the guy you want to have around.
Unless I'm wrong - no one here thinks it's them tonight.  Rob, the pro and con of what you've built here is you are so solid you destroyed another tribe but now someone will be blindsided. (How is that a con - that's good TV.)
-Yeah, it's a tough decision tonight - but it makes it better having [the immunity necklace] around my neck.  Had anyone else won today, I'd be feeling it.
Phillip, before we vote, share one little nugget of what your great grandfather would say tonight. (Really? mining for the crazy gold? Jeff's looking a little desperate for something interesting to happen here - nope.)
-He'd say, you've done everything right to get to this point.  Hold the faith.

And they vote. 

Tallying the votes:
Andrea 1
Phillip 1
Andrea 2, 3, 4 - She knew as soon as she got her 2nd vote.  "Tricky, tricky."  Andrea goes to Redemption Island.  She's bitter that these people she trusted all looked her in the eye today and lied. (pfssfft.)

(I'm getting bored with this season now - I just want to skip to the end... Rob has such a hold on them - no one is making any moves to take him out - they are all just trying to go with him... yawn.)

Next week - Rob wants to split the girls up but Phillip may over-stay his welcome... (Whatever - they keep teasing us with getting rid of Phillip too... of course, he's the only interesting one left. Sigh.)

Have a great weekend everyone,

Coleen

The Amazing Race - After the Cowboys - May 1st episode recap

Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen (Switzerland)

6:54am - Zev & Justin are the first out and read the clue that they are heading into the unknown - Zev - well that's comforting.  They have to go to the Air Rescue headquarters and sign up for one of the helicopters - they run through the snow (so it must be close-by) and they are the first team - first flight set to leave at 9:15am.
7:01am -Kisha & Jen are next out, they laugh about the $1 they have for this leg - they are really enjoying the Race more this time around, taking more time to actually experience it.  Jen is excited about the helicopter ride, says maybe they'll be rescuing someone in the Alps. Kisha - ready to leave their asses there.  They will be on the 9:15 flight.
8:00am - Kent & Vyxsin - say they are starting the legs happier now - she put on extra glitter today to match the snow (but I really don't care. I wish these two were gone - which probably means they'll win.)
They try to stop a little electric taxi but he won't stop for them.
8:18am - Gary & Mallory head out and get one of the taxi's - hoping they'll jump Kent & Vyxsin, looks like they did.  They're taxi goes right by the Goths which frustrates Kent (ha ha - so sorry)
8:43am - The Globetrotters hope they can step it up and... I don't know, Big Easy used some basketball analogy... they want to win in the 4th quarter.  They head out and grab a taxi no problem.
-Meanwhile Kent and Vyxsin are still waiting for their cab and he's stirring himself into a state - he just wants to punch someone - he's offended and she's sick and tired of him being so over reactionary - they finally get a cab.  They do make it to the sign up before the Globetrotters - but they are after Gary & Mallory.

-Everyone is suited up and anxiously awaiting their helicopter adventure.  Zev & Justin, as the first team signed up (everyone else will be staggered 5 minutes), get the clue to the DETOUR - Search or Rescue.
-In Search - teams will use an avalache beacon finder to locate a dummy buried somewhere in the glacier, then dig it up to receive their next clue (it's high altitude, cold and really windy.)
-In Rescue - using a specialized winch/pulley system one team member will rappel into a cravasse where they must attach the rescue line to the stranded dummy and the second team member will use the pulley system to bring their team member up, then they'll work together to rescue the dummy.
-Zev & Justin decide on Search and head out into the majestic wonder of the Alps - Zev finds it mindboggling that the Matterhorn was named after the Disneyland ride (Gaha.)
-Kisha & Jen are going to do Rescue - thinking Search could take hours - in the chopper Kisha's eyes look like they're about to pop out of her head - she is not enjoying this.

-Zev & Justin start searching with their beacon finder - it's beeping... let's dig here - oh, I feel something (are you kidding me?  It can't be that easy.)

-Gary & Mallory get the clue - she tells him to choose and he says, Let's do the first one - so they will be searching too.

-Kisha & Jen get to the cravasse and Jen is going to be the one going in - since Kisha is afraid of heights - seems like a good choice.  Jen thinks it's so cool being inside the glacier - she sees the guy not too far down... Kisha - Is he cute?  (Oh, I guess they have to save actual people.)

-Kent & Vixsin are going to do Rescue and it's their first helicopter ride as well - whoop-di-do.
-The Globetrotters are also going to do Rescue - is it me or did they have a bigger helicopter?

-Zev & Justin are having trouble with the digging - they don't seem to be making much progress when Gary & Mallory's copter comes in and drops them off.  Gary & Mallory also seems to find the location of their "body" rather quickly - we'll see how they do.  The wind is really kicking up out there.

-Kent & Vyxsin get to their cravasse and Kent is complaining (surprise) about the cold - feels like his hands are going to drop off.  The lowering down seems to be going okay as she lowers Kent into the crevasse - and we get a close up of his horrible blue contacts.

-The Globetrotters show up on the glacier and they are awed by the moutains all around them as far as the eye can see - being from humble beginnings in cities - this was just amazing.  Big Easy gets to lowering Flight Time into the crevasse.

-Kent is yelling to Vyxsin that he needs more rope to keep lowering him and then it's like she stopped listening because she just keeps going - he's yelling stop!  As it keeps getting darker and and he's going deeper...(Oh, sweet jebus, are they going to have to save Kent too?)  Ugh, he's just being overly dramatic again - he's clamped on the guy and he's ready to come back up.

-Kisha is struggling to bring Jen back up - she's heavier than she looks (apparently). 
-Kent is coming up easily - but he's probably 90lbs.

-Back at the search - Zev & Justin are still no closer to finding their dude - Gary & Mallory have found their dummy and when Gary tries to wrench the dummy out by the exposed top half - his bottom half stays in the snow - d'oh!

-Kisha & Jen are now working together to bring up their guy - once he's out of the crevasse he hands them their next clue.  Route info - they have to take the helicopter down to a ski resort then hop the train back to Zermatt - where they'll get their next clue.

-Vyxsin is doing all the work as usual and she gets their guy out of the glacier - she has to tell him to help the guy and the guy has to tell him to get out of the way - sheesh.  They get the clue.

-Big Easy has the brute strength to haul up 200lbs more easily than Flight Time would have been able to manage bringing up his 275lbs (he is a large man) - they get their guy up and get the clue (so it seems Rescue was the way to go.)

-Gary is still trying to yard the legs of their dummy out of the snow but it's wedged in their good.  Mallory is proud of her dad - he may be the oldest racer but it's not holding him back.
-Zev & Justin have only found and elbow so far, they can grab it but there is no way to get the dummy out without uncovering it all (it seems) and the digging is arduous in those conditions.
-Gary & Mallory are finally able to get the bottom half of their guy out of the snow - and shout "He's alive!" Uh, I don't think so. 

-Back at the ski resort - the sisters find the train and find out the next one doesn't leave until 11:08am which leaves time for everyone but Zev & Justin to make it on the same train.  
-Zev & Justin, meanwhile, are not making any progress on the dummy extraction - Justin is losing his strength and doesn't know what to do - at this rate, they'll be there forever.  They finally realize they have to dig outward along the body and they end up freeing the legs - now for the torso.

-Now in Zermatt - the teams are looking for the clue box and the Goths are the first to get the ROADBLOCK clue - Who wants to make a new friend?  (OH, IT'S CHOCOLATE!)
-They will have to make a Travelocity Roaming Gnome out of chocolate - using the Swiss exact standards, including cooling with snow.  Once their gnome is completed, if they meet the approval of the Swiss Chocolatier, they can switch their chocolate gnome for a real Travelocity Gnome, and their next clue.
-Vyxsin, Flight Time, Mallory and Jen are set to make their new friends.  They head into the kitchen and find out it's pretty much painting the figure in the mold.  Their team mates get to snack on chocolate while the others are working - Gary says it sure beats being on the glacier...

-Speaking of which, Zev & Justin are still struggling to get the dummy out - they finally do it though.  Justin hopes at least one team switched tasks... or they could be dead last (yup.)

-Back in the kitchen Kent is constantly yapping at Vyxsin, telling her not to be so meticulous, everyone else has one half in the oven... she calmly tells him it'd be the freezer - he just keeps at her - yap yap yap...

-Zev & Justin get the clue for the Roadblock and Zev has to be the one to make the new friend - Justin had already done 5 tasks and Zev just 3... hopefully this will be his forte.  He says he can handle painting with food.

-And then Gnome-gate happens.  Vyxsin puts her first mold in the freezer on the very bottom - she is still working with her other one.  Flight Time goes to switch out his molds and can't find his, says someone has taken his other half - and they blame Vyxsin.  Everyone else says, oh no, I have mine - it must be her... really?  Big Easy is saying Vyxsin took their mold and Kent tries to defend her but he completely ineffectual - (Now I don't want to lay blame but if I were a betting woman, I'd say it was Jen, she was too quiet.)  Vyxsin was very hurt and upset by this turn of events (don't cry, you'll run your glitter.)

-It seems to blow over for everyone but Kent as Big Easy is teasing Kisha on her horrible laugh - Flight Time is the first one done with his painting and then they start to fill his mold with chocolate - he's got to rotate it to cover it evenly - he's using more hip action than is necessary.  Once filled he's got to take it outside and bury it in the snow to cool it down.
-Everyone else is right behind him - Jen, Mallory, Vyxsin all filled and buring it in the snow.  Zev is bringing up the rear.
-Kent is a big man talking to the camera - he says the Globetrotters, when things don't go their way just start yelling, Big Easy was being a big bully - (Kent is dancing, making faces behind his back - ooh, big man) He says they kicked their a$$ in the last leg and they're going to do it again today (whatever.)

-They all start digging their gnomes out leaving Zev waiting his 1/2 hour alone.
-Back in the kitchen, very slowly they have to release the mold from the gnomes - then they have to touch up the seams with the coloured chocolate - Kent is telling Vyxsin she has one pretty gnome and Big Easy starts being the Big Bully again - Yeah, it's Pretty, Flight - It's Pretty. (They are all assholes.) 
-Vyxsin is the first one finished and they get their actual Roaming Gnome and the clue to the Pit Stop - a 300yr old cabin within walking distance.  Off they go... looking for a taxi - huh?
-Flight Time is the next done, then Jen and Mallory... Zev is still out in the snow (Justin is not happy.)

-The taxi's are ignoring the Goths (apparently they are not accepting of pink hair there) and the Globetrotters read the clue that says to make their way on foot - they don't share that info.
-Jen & Kisha ask a cab directions - but Jen knows they have to make their way on foot.
-Gary & Mallory see Kent & Vyxsin get into a cab, they also know they have to make their way on foot - she gleefully says they're going to get a bad penalty.
-So all the teams are running up the mountain and Kent & Vyxsin go by in their cab - she doesn't feel good about this but he dismisses her concerns (um, not tweeking anything that no one else is in a cab?  Nothing?)
-Zev finishes his gnome and they get the clue for the Pit Stop - out on the street Justin gets directions and they head off.

Here's How They Finished:
1) The Globetrotters - Worst to First, baby.  They win a trip for 2 to the Cook Islands.
2) Kisha & Jen - Big St Bernard dog tries to bowl them over - he did the same thing to Flight Time - they could use the Dog Whisperer up there.
3) Kent & Vyxsin... however - they took a taxi - they have a 30 minute penalty... I can't believe we missed that.  She asks how did we miss that and he says, "I don't know, you read it first"...(Really, you're blaming her? Ugh, he's such a... ugh.)
3) Gary & Mallory - That dog nearly takes Mallory out too - they are #3

Kent & Vyxsin - bicker, bicker, bicker

4) Zev & Justin - I'm sorry to tell you, you are the last team to arrive... however, because Kent & Vyxsin incurred a penalty - you are team #4! 
5) Kent & Vyxsin - ELIMINATED - he says every team has their fatal moment and this happened to be ours.  Vyxsin says at the end of the day they are still best friends and she feels sorry for the rest of the teams because she's taking the best partner with her (I don't believe you.)
So, with the Goths leaving that means Alexis G, Pat T, Shelley A, Cheryl B and Rachel R are out of the pool. (Sorry, I'm not really sad to see them go.)

Next week - is the 2 hour season finale as the Race rips through Brazil... Oh My Gravy - they area all getting waxed - chests, armpits, legs - then there is dancing in costumes - (I like it when they make them dress up) - and finally the finish in the Florida Keys.  So next week, we will know the winners of the Amazing Race.

Coleen

Survivor Redemption Island - April 27th Episode Recap

A Mystery Package

So, we have three people on Redemption Island, the perennial Matt, Mike and Julie who was sent there possibly because she stole Phillip's swim trunks and really, I would want to punish someone who made me look at him in the saggy underpants all day.
And the episode opened at:

Murlonio - Night 27

-Once back in camp Steve approached Phillip right away to bury the hatchet so-to-speak, shook his hand and said there was nothing racist in the crazy comment, he just thought he was crazy.
-Phillip smiles and shakes his hand but tells the camera that he didn't believe it was "genuous" and found his speech self-serving.  Phillip says [Steve] mocked me a number of times so he will probably go next.  (Yup, his ego is bruised, nothing more.)
-Steve thinks everything is good - he's going to keep plugging away and hopefully Rob will see something he wants to keep around in him or Ralph and cut Phillip loose.
-Rob says Phillip is not going anywhere - as long as he keeps up his antics, he's going with Rob to the finals.
(Could backfire if they end up with three in the end - If I had to suffer through a month with Crazy-pants because of Rob wanting to keep him around - I wouldn't vote for either of them - congratulations #3.)

Murlonio - Day 28

-Phillip is on a quest for his shorts - he had a premonition, his great, great grandfather came to him in a dream so he headed out for the water hole and started digging under rocks - and he found his trunks... (Oh man, he's going to be insufferable...) You can't stand the truth... I'm the specialist alright.
-He can't wait to show up at the duel with his shorts on!  Just to rub it in her face - yup, he's a winner.

Redemption Island - Day 28

-Matt has been on a downward spiral since he was sent back to Redemption Island - Mike and Julie feel for him - she slept better than she has since she's been there, feels like a weight is lifted being away from camp - they speculate on how the betrayal of his former tribe has shaken Matt, who's running on faith alone.
-Matt is seeing single footprints in the sand as God has been carrying him for the last 4 days (if you don't get that reference Google "Footprints in the sand") - he is crying, he's so over this game.

Duel (everyone is there again to witness the duel)

Matt - 21 days out here, only 7 days in the regular game of Survivor - where are you at right now?
-Matt says he's at peace.  He thought if he could keep winning he'd honour his God, but God told him he'd honored him enough and hit him with a whole lot of peace - if he stays or goes, he's at peace with that.
(Rob likes hearing that - he knows he's broken him.)
It sounds to me like you're ready to go home.
Yeah, I'm going to do my best in the challenge but I feel like I've accomplished what I came here to do and whatever happens, I'm ready for it.  (Julie shakes her head - where's the fight?  Don't let the dark side win!)

-Today's duel is Survivor Shuffleboard: each person has their own shuffleboard and three pucks.  The goal, shoot their pucks through the obstacles on the board and into the end zone.  First two with all three pucks in the end zone stay on Redemption Island - loser is the next member of the jury.
-Mike only person to get first puck in the end zone - he gets the second one there too - Matt nothing - Julie gets one - Matt finally gets one - Mike misses the third - Julie misses.  Matt has 2, Mike has 2, Julie has 1.
-Andrea catches Matt's eye and he gives her a look - she's genuinely confused, "I think he's pissed at me." (Really?  I can't imagine why - you answer to your higher power, too - Rob.)
-Matt is the first to get 3 pucks in the end zone...  God is not finished with him yet. 
-Mike short - Julie lands one in the end zone but knocks her other one out... Mike gets a 3rd one in the end zone and Julie has to burn her buff.

Jeff asks how long Jesus fasted ... 40 days - interesting our game is 39 days (Did he really just liken Matt to Jesus?  Hahaha... wow.)

Jeff asks Julie why she was out there and we finally learn something about her - Like many Americans her house is in foreclosure and she wanted to make a better life for her girls (oh, she has kids too.) She tears up and it touches some of the Ometepe who probably realized, like me, that they knew nothing about Julie - but her smile is not gone long (she really is a positive person) - she says Matt's faith has inspired her to find a church when she gets home.  She shouts "Peanut Butter and Oatmeal" as she tosses the buff in the fire and make her exit - (You bet!  Celebrate food instead of crying about losing - Julie's awesome, what a great attitude.)
But with Julie joining the jury - that means Gillian H, Hannelore & Sue and Drew C are out of the pool.

-Andrea tells the camera she's like glad that Matt's not out and if he like gets back in she'd like totally want to talk to him but like, he can't ever trust her again in this game - like why would he... (Like, OMG, I'm old.)

Murlonio - Day 28

-Andrea is like telling the other girls that she feels bad for playing Matt the hardest - she feels guilty for helping to break his spirit.
-Grant is talking with Rob and says he doesn't trust Andrea, she's feeling sorry for Matt - she hasn't learned (to keep her mouth shut, obviously) and Grant thinks they should get rid of her next.  Rob doesn't think that's necessary at this point but you never know.

Immunity Challenge - Day 30

Log Roll - they will be teamed up with another tribe mate and they have to roll them off the log - first one to hit the water is out - winner moves on - last person standing on the log in the last round wins immunity.
Also playing for reward - Huge chocolate cake and ice cold milk... and a twist he will tell them about later (ooh.)
First match-up:  Grant vs Rob - Winner: Grant
Next : Andrea vs Ashley - winner: Ashley
Next: Ralph vs Steve - winner: Ralph
Last: Natalie vs Phillip - winner: Phillip (really?  She's a 90lb dancer and she can't stay on the log?)

Next round - Grant vs Ashley - winner - Grant
Then: Ralph vs Phillip - winner - Ralph!  (yay)

Final round: Grant vs Ralph - Come on Man-sweater!  But alas - GRANT is the winner of immunity and he gets to choose one person to join in for the chocolate cake... of course he chooses Rob and he gets one more choice.  Ralph says he'd lick his feet for some cake - that puts him out of the running.  Grant then chooses Andrea (oh, going to do some loyalty probing maybe.)

And the twist - Jeff throws the bundle (it looks like a book wrapped in a cloth) to Steve and tells him not to open it but to bring it to Tribal Council.

The three Reward participants sit on a bench in front of everyone and Jeff tells them they have 2 minutes to eat as much of the cake as they can (ew, really?)  They go for it and Grant keeps talking - don't talk just eat.
-Grant tells the camera he chose Andrea to share in the reward to put her at ease because if it comes up and they have to get rid of one of their own, it's going to be her.

Back at camp - they are all speculating about the twist.  They think it feels like a large deck of cards - could it be you pick a card and you're going home... is it vote for one person and then have to vote another.
- Ralph is talking to Steve but, like me, he can't understand what the hell he's saying.  (I wonder if Julie was the translator?)  Ralph is disappointed in himself for not winning immunity - he thinks he's on the block tonight and hopes the twist will be good news for him.  Steve is just done, he's starving and has no energy.
-Rob says he sees that Steve is done, he's not going to cause any trouble but Ralph still has his head in the game - Ralph has to be the next to go.
-But Rob is worried about this twist - he wants to hedge his bets - he tells Ashley and Natalie that he and Grant talked about Andrea and if the twist means they have to vote someone else out, after Ralph - it's her.
-Of course, they'll do whatever he says - Rob is so smart and like he's played before...

-Steve approaches Lazy & Lazier (Ashley and Natalie) and tells them he and Ralph are voting for Rob tonight - if they want to turn the game upside down they could do it - Rob's going to start picking them off one by one (like Andrea) and he'll take Nimrod (no guesses who that is) with him to the final - no one will vote for Nimrod. 
-Okay, thanks, we'll consider it.  (He might as well have been talking to a wall - I don't see any independent thought from those two.)  They run and tell Rob - obviously we didn't entertain it. 
-Rob is pissed now - looks like Steve found his second wind - go to my alliance and try to get me out... Rob may be changing his plan if Steve is going to be a problem.

Tribal Council
Rob, is the plan to vote Zapatera again tonight?
-Most likely, unless there's something we don't know about.
Steve, you feel this group is unbreakable?
-Yeah, we tried to stir it up and raise havoc.  We've approached various groups and told them who we're voting for if they want to jump on board, it could be huge tonight.
Andrea, Steve does make a good point at most you have 2 more votes, at a certain point it does make sense to make a move.
-It does make sense strategically but I feel safe we are rock solid (Rob can't hide a little smirk there).
-Ralph thinks it's going to be him tonight - he went farther in the challenge today.
-Steve agrees, in a tired voice, that Ralph is stronger, he thinks it'll be Ralph.
That's the right thing to say if you're Steve and you want to stay.
-Grant says he isn't buying that Steve is giving up, he played in the NFL, he's not a quitter.
-Phillip chimes in as well, he recognizes that Steve's not as feeble as he appears, thinks he's saving it for the right challenge.
Jeff gives Steve one last chance to plead his case.
-He wanted to remind the girls that after he and Ralph are gone it could get brutal.  Boston Rob once begged a guy to save his girl Amber then turned around and voted him out the first chance he got.
Jeff fills them in that he used Lex to keep his alliance with Amber safe then slit his throat - but he kept his alliance with Amber to the end... and beyond.
-Andrea says you can look at it both ways, Rob has kept his word in the past and he's broken it.  She trusts him.
-Rob is tight lipped - he just says he still has the alliance with Amber to this day. (You get no loose-lipped soliloquies from Rob - there is no monologuing from this villain.)

Time to Vote:
Grant goes up to vote and back at the council, Steve is sitting right in front of Rob and he starts whispering to Natalie at the far end - Let's do it... let's do it. (He can hear you, you know... I don't think he cares... it's the Hail Mary play from the ex-NFL-er.)

Tallying the Votes:
Rob 1, 2
Ralph 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 - Man-sweater is heading to Redemption Island.  Jeff snuffs his torch and Ralph almost forgets to take it. 

Now, let's get to the TWIST:  Steve opens the parcel and there are cards - Jeff tells him to flip over the first card and read it - You will now compete in your next immunity challenge, then immediately vote out one more tribe member. (Huh, they nailed it... sort of.)

Immunity Challenge #2
Jeff hands out bundles of cards to everyone, they look through them to get familiar with them and Jeff explains it's a memory challenge.  He will show them a series of cards that match the ones they have - they have to repeat the series back to him correctly to stay in the challenge - get it wrong you're out - last person standing wins immunity from the next vote they will have immediately following.
-First out is Phillip and Natalie on the 4th symbol - Grant and Andrea are out on the next symbol - Steve and Ashley are out on the next symbol and ROB win Immunity.
-Grant gives an exaggerated wink to Andrea... oh man.

Tallying the Votes #2
Grant 1
Steve 1, 2, 3, 4... And they didn't make it exciting in any way - I think the producers just wanted to put Zapatera (and us) out of their misery with this twist.  Now let the backstabbing begin!

Next week - Ometepe has to start turning on itself, there looks to be tears from the girls - like Rob's looking for a volunteer to go (right.)  There is a harrowing challenge that leaves them all depleted and Rob says, "32 days of hard work, gone just like that."  (Oooh, what could that mean?)

Redemption Island -
Ralph joins Mike and Matt - Ralph says he sees the light at the end of the tunnel now - "if one of the Zapatera guys can get back in the final he'll win, and I aim for it to be me."
They're speculating that Steve has lost about 40lbs when, speak of the devil, who should appear? - Steve!

Have a great rest of the week everyone - Oh, and GO CANUCKS GO!

Coleen

The Amazing Race Unfinished Business - Mini Recap of Apr 22/11 episode

We're Good American People (Switzerland)

I was on the Island visiting the folks this weekend and honestly don’t have the heart to re-watch this episode to do the full recap – so I’m doing a mini-recap from memory…

The teams headed out from Vienna, Austria via train to Liechtenstein – one of the smallest countries in the world. Gary & Mallory were saved last leg as it was a non-elimination round so they will face a Speed Bump this leg – and they stayed up all night watching the scenery because it was such beautiful country. Okay, I love the fact that they want to enjoy the travel and experience the places… but you need to sleep- jeesh.

Once in Liechtenstein everyone grabs a cab, the cowboys were the first team out – they get the clue to the ROADBLOCK – they find out one team member must ride a moped the length of Liechtenstein following a map and counting the kilometers – once they get to the end point, they must tell the Olympic athlete (I guess this little country still sends people to the Olympics) the total kms (22km) to get the next clue.

Jet is the first one out, followed by Flight Time, Justin, Jen, Vyxsin… Out on the road Jet says this reminds him of Dumb & Dumber – Ha, yeah, on the mopeds with the helmet – classic.

The Speed Bump is also there – Gary & Mallory must determine the mixture of gasoline to oil to fill the moped’s tank correctly… Mallory’s never been good at numbers… but they do figure it out relatively quickly and Gary heads out on the moped.

Jet and Flight Time get a little lost, they can’t figure out the map. Justin is magic with the maps and getting places- have you noticed that? They never seem to get lost, Justin has a great internal compass and map reading skills (or he has a GPS chip in his head… hmm.) Jen is usually pretty good with maps too and she’s riding along strong… doesn’t notice the map fly out of her pocket – uh oh. And Vyxsin is showing her usual map skills – she can’t make heads or tails of it and is stopped half the time spinning it around trying to figure out where she is and where she needs to go.

Jen notices she’s lost the map and can’t find it but she does run into Justin and says she’s good with a map if he’ll share they can help each other out – of course he lets her tag along.

Lost or not, Jet is the first one to the end point but he tells the guy 35kms – Wrong. He has to go back to the start and do it over again. Dang it!

Justin is the next person to the end, and he has the correct 22kms – Jen, being with him heard his count and she gets it right as well… They head back to pick up their partners and run into Flight Time along the way – he asks them what the number is so he won’t have to do it again… and they tell him – then they tell Vyxsin and Gary as well – WHAT?! CHEATERS! I am so disgusted… urgggh.

So everybody finishes it the first time and Jet had to do it twice – he gets the correct km count the second time but they are now pretty far behind the rest of the teams… who have now moved on to Switzerland… and caution – there is a Double U-Turn Ahead – Oh for gravy sakes!

In Switzerland Zev & Justin and Jen & Kisha are the first teams to get the clue for the DETOUR – Cheese or Whiz…

-In Cheese – they have to eat a whole huge pot of cheese fondue – so hunks of bread dipped in melted Swiss cheese – they have to eat all the cheese to the bottom of the pot (makes me feel queasy just thinking about it) to get the next clue.

-In Whiz – they have to dress in bellman’s outfits and deliver 20 pieces of luggage to 5 different hotels – the luggage is all labeled with certain hotel names so they have to make sure they get the correct mix of bags to make up the correct total of hotels and bags – at each hotel they have to collect tickets for the bags and once finished present the 20 tickets to the bag handler to get the next clue.

-Justin was leery of another eating challenge but Zev says he’s hungry and he’s ready to tackle the cheese. Surprisingly Jen & Kisha decide to go for the cheese too – which I thought strange, both of these teams tried and failed the schnitzel challenge last leg. And the girls realize pretty quickly that there is no way they were going to be able to eat that whole pot of cheese – they decide to switch tasks. Justin wants to abandon it too – but Zev won’t let him – we’re in too deep now – Justin is not too happy but he keeps choking it down.

-The sisters start on the baggage delivery – they get their uniforms and their cart – load up with some luggage and head out trying to find the hotels.

-The rest of the teams come in one by one – and everyone is doing the luggage delivery – Kent & Vyxsin, Gary & Mallory, the Globetrotters… meanwhile Justin has had to go outside and puke his guts out – nice. While he’s out on the balcony with a bucket Kisha & Jen ask him how it’s going – Just throwing up… don’t mind me.

-Kent is whining as usual, everything is too heavy and hard – bicker, bicker, bicker – I’m just sick of everyone at this point – they are all horrible cheaters.

-Zev & Justin, persevered and actually made it through the pot of cheese to get the next clue. They are in first place – Way to go boys - they head out and get to the double U-Turn board- they decide not to U-Turn anyone. Almost makes me like them again… almost.

-The Cowboys show up and jump right in to delivering the luggage – that is their best hope of catching up, they are good on their feet… run boys, run.

-Kisha & Jen finish with their deliveries and get the next clue – at the U-Turn they also forego U-Turning anyone.

-Kent & Vyxsin and Gary & Mallory also finish their deliveries and don’t U-Turn anyone… I’m still really not happy with any of you cheaters.

-The Globetrotters run into some trouble when they go to hand in their tickets… they only have 18, Flight Time lost 2 tickets… come on Cowboys – here’s your chance. The Globetrotters have to grab two more bags to deliver so they can get 20 tickets.

-The Cowboys are almost done with their deliveries but the Globetrotters finish first and hit the U-Turn board – and guess what… They U-Turned the Cowboys – YOU BASTARDS!

-Jet and Cord finish delivering the bags and see they’ve been U-Turned – meaning they have to go now eat a whole pot of Swiss cheese to add insult to injury. And I’m done with this season – I hate everyone left in the Race. I don’t care who wins –they are all cheaters.

Here’s How I think the finished:

1) Zev & Justin – they won something – they’ve also come in first more than any other team this season. (How do you feel about your team now Denise?)
2) Jen & Kisha
3) Kent & Vyxsin – why are these two still there – so over them.
4) Gary & Mallory
5) Globetrotters
6) The Cowboys – ELIMINATED – I think the producers should have gone and told them not to eat all that cheese – they were already last, everyone had checked in… But classy to the end, the Cowboys weren’t bitter – Cord says they hit the nail on the head when they called this race Amazing – Jet says there is no one else he’d rather travel around the world with… except maybe my wife – Cord, “I don’t blame ya.”

So – with the Cowboys leaving Fred & Gary M, Shane B, Coleen T (Yeah, me), Esther B and Jeff T are all eliminated from the pools as well. Are you my bitter buddies?

I’m really bitter about this elimination, hopefully I’ll feel better next week.

Next week: They have to be lowered into a snow cave… I think… and it looks like Big Easy and Kent get into it in the kitchen. (Kent has become one of my least favourite people in the past few weeks – maybe Big Easy will just snap him in half like a twig – it could happen.)

Have a great week everyone – GO CANUCKS GO!

Coleen

Survivor Redemption Island - 4-20 episode recap

Rice Wars

Last episode we saw Mike and David join Matt on Redemption Island as the desperate Zapatera tribe were unable to make any inroads with the Ometepe cult. 
This episode opened at:

Redemption Island - Night 24

Matt is praying, out loud (I know I'm cynical but he is carving out his own little niche there - maybe get his own Christian/medical show after this is over... and he's starting to look more and more like Jesus... I'm just saying.)  He's taking strength from God and if He wants him to stay in the game he'll keep fighting.
-David shows up at camp and surprises Matt who's mind is blown (of course it is - God didn't tell him this was coming) and they three of them speculate on what a 3 man duel or tri-uel could mean - are they on the jury? (Oh, that could be.)

Murlonio - Day 25

Zapatera is eating rice and fish - Steven is glad he didn't end up going last night, he wasn't ready yet.  Ralph says he didn't say much at Tribal council and Steven said he couldn't, it was all taken up with Phillip flapping his gums.
-Speaking of Phillip, he's sitting by himself, retying his feather on his headband and mumble-chanting to himself.  Steven is watching him and says he just can't figure Phillip out - everything he does irritates the remaining Zapatera but the Ometepe are clinging to him like glue.  He can't imagine someone being that strange all the time.  The only hope the remaining Zapatera have is the possibility that the Ometepe tribe will get fed up with his antics. (Oh buddy, I think that ship has sailed, they went past fed up two weeks ago but he survived. Now they are using him as a weapon on you guys.)

Murlonio - Day 25

-Phillip is out on the rock chanting and meditating - he says once he got into Buddhism (huh, did we know that already?) he realized his spirit was one with every other living thing - God/Allah/Buddha will manifest itself in many ways and you just have to be open to accept that.  He says in his meditation this morning he had a premonition through his grandfather that his relationship with Rob had come to the full circle of trust and he'll be there at the end of the game.

-So, last week Rob told us he's set up the uncomfortably merged tribes to still be separated - with separate eating times and, I'm assuming, their own food supplies stayed with the separate tribes.  Julie says the Zapatera three have a lot of food - and they are gleefully eating it right in front of Ometepe.
-Phillip is watching them like a hawk and he's obviously hungry and jealous - he goes and bitches to Andrea and Rob that Julie had seven and a half (oh yes, he's counting) scoops of rice - when they, in Ometepe are lucky to get 2 scoops of rice.  Phillip contends that Julie is trying to use up their rice before they go so he takes it upon himself to even things up and goes and steals rice out of their tin - "the fact of the matter is all rice here belongs to all of us" (OMG - have your cake and eat it too - you won't eat with them or speak with them but they should share their food - give your head a shake.)  "I'm watching them like a lion - it's trivial but apparently that is the state of the Morlino tribe" (yeah, he can't get any names right, ever.)

-Steven and Julie go and get tree mail that tells them all of them are going to Redemption Island to see the duel.  I can't wait for the fireworks at next mealtime!

Redemption Island - Day 25

Matt, back to back blindsides, where is your emotional state right now?
-I never knew strangers could hurt me so deeply (ugh, man up already) shame on me for letting them fool me twice.  I'm ready to keep going if I can.

The Duel - each of them will have 150 wooden tiles - they will use the tiles to build a house of cards - the first two people to reach 8 ft stay alive - the loser is out for good and will become the first member of the jury.  (Matt looks pointedly at Rob with a smirk - Rob won't meet his gaze - coward.)

Off they go Mike has taken a huge lead - he's at 7ft, Matt has a few fall, David at 3ft.  Mike gets up on the ladder and he's almost there - his stack is teetering.... Matt and David are catching up, they are all very close to finishing.  Mike is the first to complete his 8ft tower - Matt is the 2nd to complete it and David is out.  (Burn your buff, b*tch.)
-David saw Redemption Island as a chance to further himself in the game and it didn't work out that way - he feels more focussed to tackle things in real life now though.  And with David leaving that means Carol-Anne D, Lynne B and Bryon L are out of the pool.

-Rob says they sent guys to Redemption Island they thought could beat Matt and David didn't cut it - so Matt is still in and is now officially Rob's NEMESIS - if he comes back and beats me, it's over.
-Matt has God on his side - as long as it's His will he'll stay in and try to take Rob out. (Rob is now evil in this equation - I'm seeing him more Jim Jonesy than the devil.)

Mulonio - Day 26

-Rob and Grant are singing a little ditty about RICE WARS (like d-bags) and it bites them in the *ss when Andrea opens their rice container and finds maggots and mold in there.  Phillip says they have to dump out all the rice on a blanket and take out all the bug and contaminates  - Rob doesn't see a problem - we'll just put all the rice in their container - Phillip says he wouldn't want to do that if he were them.
-Julie and Stephen are watching, they know what's going on but are largely unconcerned - Julie, "Bon Appetit".  Stephen - "wow, how nasty would that be."
-Andrea goes over and asks Steven and Julie if they can combine the rice and just put it all in their container and Stephen says, "No, I don't think so." (It's called reap what you sew m-er f-er.)
-Phillip says it's an eye opener to see how they are behaving in a survival situation (WHAT? You stole their rice and have treated them like crap... hello pot, it's the kettle calling) .
-Phillip confronts Stephen, who, to his credit, never gets up from his prone position in the shelter - and tells him that this is not a Zapatera decision, once we merged the only things separate were the rewards (right, now he's making things up) - unless you take that rice container with you everywhere you go, I'm going to take it and put the rice in it and you can come to me for rice. (So he's just going to steal all the rice and not give them any... yeah, that's better.)
-Stephen doesn't like being threatened and when Phillip says he's a reasonable man, Stephen says, you're a lunatic. (Oh no you ditn't!)
-With a stammering flourish Phillip plays the race card - "when someone of my colour gets up in one of your faces you feel I'm a lunatic"... All the Ometepe tribe is listening uncomfortably (except Rob and Grant who seem to be loving it.) Phillip rambles on ridiculously and Stephen goes from incredulous to uncaring...
-Oh, Phillip is the Chief of Counter-Intelligence now, Kung Fu expert - Stephen, "Right on brother."

-Phillip is talking to the camera now and says Stephen thinks he's better than him and he feels there is some racial undertones to it.  "They're the one's that take it to crazy.  I'm like a lot of black man, we're prepared to self-destruct at any moment and a lot do self-destruct (he pretends to pull out a gun.)"  (WHAT? Okay, I'm not black but I can't help but think that other black people do not want him to be speaking for them - ever... and even on this show, Francesca was the first person to call him crazy - I really don't think it's a racial thing.)
-Ralph comes back and Stephen and Julie fill him in on how Phillip went off about the rice.
-Phillip is back in his chair and going on again - You are going to be begging me for some rice.  Ralph is just dumbfounded, he doesn't know what to make of this, tries to defuse things but... Phillip just goes off - he's still running his mouth and he starts throwing the N-word around to boot.  (It's ugly, everyone is uncomfortable and I think Phillip knows exactly what he's doing.  It's kinda sick.)
-Stephen had to turn his back and walk away - he goes over to the fire where Rob and Grant are and quietly says, for what it's worth, we're voting for Phil tomorrow.  He tells the camera that Phil's a loose cannon and a little scary too - he thinks the tribe will be in better shape without Phil.  Talking to Julie, Stephen is saying he's unstable man, someone like that doesn't last in the CIA (he may have been a custodian in the building, he let it slip that's what he did in the army - I wouldn't be surprised at anything at this point.  Oh, and the droopy fuchsia drawers made a comeback too.)
-Rob tells the camera, he's not sure how he did it but what started as a fun little song between Grant and I, Phillip managed to make a war about white rice, racial.  At the end of the day, Phillip is going to be public enemy #1, he's still not sure who to make #2 though.  Then they throw it to Ashley saying she'd rather die then keep Phillip around. (Foreshadowing there?)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE

They must build a multi-stage puzzle wheel.  On Jeff's go they must race to release a puzzle base (unscrew a round tray from a post by racing around in a circle) once they have the base free, they must race over to a table and assemble a jigsaw-type puzzle inside the round base.  The first 6 to finish will move on to the next phase where they'll put that puzzle base inside another circle and have to assemble more pieces around it to complete the wheel.  First person to get it right, wins immunity.

Off they go - Andrea is the first one to get her wheel free but they all get going on it rather quickly - Ralph and Ashley drunkenly make their way over - Rob is the first one done (Mr Puzzle Guy) Julie, Ralph, Andrea, Steve and... Grant!  (Phillip thought he had it at one point, but no.)

Next round - off they go- Steve and Andrea going quickly - Rob is right with them... and Rob completes it by seconds over Steve. ROB wins Immunity. (Dang it! I'm rooting for Steve to stay after the whole Phil dust up.) 
(Oh, I just realized that no matter what, Phillip will be on the jury.  I'm pretty sure he won't be a finalist - but he could bring the Rat v/s Snake level of speech in the finale - that should be some fun.)

Murlonio - Day 27

-It's meal time - they show Ometepe scraping the bottom of the pot and Zapatera with more rice than they know what to do with in their shelter... (I can't feel bad about that - Ometepe brought it on themselves.)
-Julie says their vote is going to be easy, there is only the three of them, they are voting Phillip and Ometepe still has the numbers so they could vote out one of theirs - it's the perfect time to get rid of Phillip.
-Julie casually walks over to the clothesline and nicks Phillips swim trunks on the way by and just keeps walking (HA HAHA - I love Julie) she goes and buries them - and we will be treated to a lot more of the saggy underwear from now on it appears.
-Phillip comes back and notices they're gone - he asks if anyone moved his swim trunks - everyone pleads ignorance - "That's okay, it can get real fun and exciting around here."
-Ashley sticks her tongue out at him like a Moari warrior, who does that? - She says to the camera that everyone at camp is over Phillip.
-Phillip goes on that he knows they were taken and he can play that game - I hope it comes up tonight, it better.  Steve says he feels threatened - You shouldn't feel threatened by me, I don't threaten, I just go off. 
Steve, That's scary.  You should be scared... (Is he even listening to what he says?)
-Phillip is prowling around like a crazy man - he's got his feather on and his buff as a loin cloth and when he picks up the machete - Steve and Ralph eye him warily... how can anyone want to keep that guy around?
-Steve is hoping that's the case and Ometepe takes the opportunity to get rid of Droopy Crazy-Pants.
-Rob says it doesn't matter who of the three Zapatera goes next - but then he does have some room to play and he doesn't know where Phillip's head is at.  One man should not have this much power on an Island, but I'm glad that I do.

TRIBAL COUNCIL

Phillip, based on what you're wearing, I'm guessing you had another meditation?
-I actually had a former ZAP (he looks over at Steve) thinking it was cute, he removed my clothes.
You looked at Steve?
-I could tell it was Steve.
This goes back to your training? 
Steve's look says I had nothing to do with it and Julie looks like the cat that ate the canary.
-Phillip - Absolutely, I confronted Steve that they were consuming all the rice and it's been all out war since.
So, Steve, Phillip is asserting that the Zapatera tribe are eating a lot more rice than anyone else - true?
-Well, as the mouths start disappearing from the Zapatera tribe we haven't had to ration as much, so we're just eating our food the way we choose to.
Andrea, the Zapatera tribe is making the argument it's not your business how much rice we eat.
-It is a little frustrating cause we'll look over and they'll have this huge bowl of rice between the three of them and our rice had maggots in the bottom of it. (Still, feel zero sympathy for them.)
Steve - And Chef here wants to make it a whole black and white thing over the rice.
What was that about?
Steve and Julie tell Jeff how Phillip threatened them and brought up the N-word.
-To his credit, Jeff remained calm and asked, Who brought up the N-word? Phillip did.
-So Jeff tried to get to the bottom of this - Phillip says he can't put it into words but he's sure that when Steve calls him crazy he's calling him the n-word.
Jeff says, I don't follow your logic, how do you get the n-word out of crazy?
Richard Pryor had the number one selling comedy album titled "That n-word is crazy." You're not black, you don't know.  Like a woman can't say when something inappropriate happens to them (Yes we can, you're not a woman you don't know.) I just know.
Okay, you say I'm not black so I don't know, how do you know what he's saying when he says crazy? (By the same logic, he's not white, he doesn't know.)
-Phillip tells the story about going to the grocery store in 1968 with his father and his father was called boy...
- Steve says he played his last 7 years in the NFL on a team that was 1/5 white – he has no line between black and white in his heart.


-So Jeff boils it down: There has been a big debate about living together which culminated with the rice. You threw an idea out that you felt was reasonable and Steve said, I don’t know, let’s figure it out, let’s talk about it – and as the argument about the rice continued – Steve said, I don’t like it – You’re crazy. And at that point you equated that with ‘You’re calling me the n-word’ and we have a whole new world we’re dealing with. Phillip agrees with that.

Okay, so now I’m caught up (Jeff is handling this so delicately, you can tell the racial thing is not something Survivor wants to mess with – normally he’d let the sparks fly but not around this hot button issue… interesting.)

Two people from different worlds had an argument, you took it one way and nobody can question the way you took it, it came from your experiences and those of people before you. Nobody knows Steve’s intentions other than Steve, nobody really knows Steve – it’s quite possible that both of you are telling the truth. That that felt very much like the n-word and he absolutely did not mean it that way – Is that a fair assessment? Yes. (Everyone agreed – situation diffused – wow, Jeff should be in international affairs or something, well done.)

So, Rob, how do you go forward at tribal council when all of this is in the context of a million dollar prize?

-It’s not easy.

You’re going to vote someone out tonight, is this going to factor in? (Oh, it looks like Phillip just realized that. Sigh… and do I have to stop calling him crazy now? Am I racist?)

-Yeah, they’re grown men, they say and feel what they want. It’s problematic but it’s real. People are going to have disagreements but at the same time I can’t imagine this not factoring into our decision.

Natalie (who? Oh yeah) How does it impact the game?

-It’s really hard for me to sit here and just listen because I feel for Steve, I don’t think that he has any prejudice in him and I feel for Phillip because I don’t know what it’s like to be an African-American man. (And, she totally didn’t answer the question… whatever.)

Okay, last question – shorts, who took them, who has ‘em? (Oh, and he went there – I thought he might let that go…)

Julie – I TOOK THE SHORTS!

Thank you.

-Nobody will ever find them, I dug a hole and buried them and a rock is on top of them (she says with Glee! <3)

If this were therapy, I’d say, very good session. And he gets a smattering of applause.

Julie as a Zapatera member you’re looking for a crack in Ometepe, maybe you just found it.

-Yeah, hopefully seeing that we would be a happy family if there wasn’t this one division (Phillip looks like he wants to eat her liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.)

Steve, clearly you’re uncomfortable being labeled as a racist. Yeah. But in a game for a million dollars would you be fine if, as a result of this argument that you were a part of, Phillip gets voted out?

-I would be happy but not for any black or white issue – we got three votes going that way and hopefully one or two others might be getting as tired of him as we are.

Phillip, if you were voted out tonight – at this moment do you believe it would be based on anything racial?

-If for some reason they felt like “Oh, we need to let Phillip go at this point in time” then the tribe has spoken… (sub-text – and they are all racist!)

Time to Vote:
Steve votes for Phil – I hope you find peace in your heart brother – nothing racial in the crazy comment.
Julie votes Phil – this has nothing to do with the colour of your skin. Phil, you are one crazy dude.
Ralph votes Phile (yes, he spelt it phile) – I hope you have a good night on Redemption Island with your underwear and your two feathers.
Phillip – gets heads shaken at him by David and Andrea as he flops up to vote in the droopy drawers – he votes Julie

Tallying the Votes:

Phillip 1, 2, 3

Julie 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 – Darn it! I guess we have two or three more weeks of Phillip then. Julie says to Phillip – “I guess you’re not going to ever find your shorts.” (Yeah, rub it in as you go… did I mention I really like her?)

Next week: Phillip has his best day yet and Andrea could be scheduled for an early departure. Matt is also plumbing the darkest depths – he’s wasting away and crying – God has been literally carrying me… Awww, poor Matt – he’s spent almost his whole time out there alone, that’s got to be tough.

Redemption Island - Julie was not expecting to be the one voted out tonight she really thought it would be Steve or Ralph but she’s okay with it. This was an ugly Tribal, there is poison in that tribe and his name is Phillip. (She opted for poison instead of cancer – but it’s the same jist.) It’s kind of nice to be removed from it.
Have a great long weekend everyone,  Happy Easter.

Coleen

The Amazing Race - April 17, 2011 Episode Recap

I Cannot Deal With Your Psycho Behavior (Austria)

The episode opened in Varanasi, India where the Globetrotters are the first to depart at 2:07am - they open the clue that tells them to fly to Vienna, Austria - a city that's 40degrees colder than India - once there they must find a marked car (product placement - brand new Ford Focus) and get their next clue.
-The Globetrotters are glad to be leaving India, especially to go to Austia - where the Terminator's from... they do a bad impression - I'll be back, but not to India, hopefully.
-Zev & Justin are the next out at 2:12am - they head to a travel agency specified by the clue and say they want the same thing as the Globetrotters, but faster.
-Kisha & Jen head out at 2:53am - they are enjoying running the Race together - they've always been close as they were raised by a single mom, they have each other's backs- there is not getting rid of blood.
-Gary & Mallory -3:30am - Mallory doesn't seem to happy to be going somewhere cold - she's also nervous because it was the 8th leg that did them in the last time (flashback to them lost in Oman and her praying) She says, "The finish line is fresh in our minds and we'd like to be the ones running not on the sidelines clapping."
-Cowboys - 3:35am - feel they dodged a bullet on the last leg but they're not sure if they can do it again.  The closer they get to the end, the less room there is for mistakes.  The Cowboys are about ready to get out of India - Jet, "I'm done playing cowboys and Indians."
-Kent & Vyxsin - 3:44am - They're the only dating couple left - a romantic relationship is something different, it can just get to a point where you just want to yell, "Get away from me." (I'm sorry, but I don't believe they are dating... longtime friends yes, romantic, I don't see it.)

-At the first travel agency, the Globetrotters and Zev & Justin find two possible routes to Austria, the most direct gets them in at 6:00am - the one with more connections will get them there at 5:35am - They decide to go with the earlier arrival.
-Kisha & Jen are at a different travel agency and they also book the 5:35am arrival - Gary & Mallory come in and say they want the same as them.
-The Cowboys come in to the agency where the Globetrotters et al are and learn of the two options - they say every flight they've been on in this country so far has been delayed 20 to 30 minutes and they are leery of the multiple connections - they decide to book the  more direct route scheduled to get in at 6:00am.
-Kent & Vyxsin show up at the same travel agency as the sisters et al and they are bickering, bicker bicker bicker - they book the same flight as everyone there - arriving at 5:35am (so the Cowboys have set themselves up on a later flight again - I sure hope they know what they're doing.)

Fisrt flight arrives at 5:35am as scheduled - they all run for the parking garage and choose their cars - Phil is on a screen in the cars telling them they'll get their next destination from the new My Ford Touch system - they have to put the car in reverse which will activate the back up camera and it will show them the words Schloss Schallanburg written on the floor behind them (by the way, the winners of this leg will both win a 2012 Ford Focus - which they can drive while drinking Snapple and planning a trip via Travelocity... okay, we get it, no one watches commercials anymore so they have to infiltrate the show - doesn't mean I gotta like it.)  They must now drive to the castle (Schloss Schallanburg) to get their next clue.
-Kent & Vyxsin were the first to the cars but Zev & Justin are the first out of the parking garage - they all start leaving though as they read the clue from teh back up camera.  Kent, "I love this Ford Focus." (Kiss ass.)
-Gary & Mallory can't figure out what they need to do to find the clue.  He's scrolling through the menu... Just throw it in reverse - these two need to learn to listen.
-The Cowboys flight has landed and they are heading to the garage.
-Gary & Mallory reset and listen to Phil again - they go back to the starting position and finally figure out the clue - well, she writes down Schallanburg Schloss - but that should get them there.

-The Cowboys are the last to head out - they get the clue and know there is no one behind them - they can't make any mistakes.

-Justin & Zev, the Goths and Kisha & Jen stop at a gas station to get a map and ask directions - the same guy shows them all where they need to go on the map and Vyxsin said she knew where they needed to go (I wouldn't hold my breath though.)
-The Globetrotters get directions from a hotel (it looked like) they guy prints them up some maps.
-Gary & Mallory get a map & directions at a gas station too - she excited they're going to a castle (I'm sure she has always wanted to be a Princess.)
-The Cowboys ask a truck driver for directions to Schallanburg (I didn't hear them mention the Schloss part though :(

-Zev & Justin are the first team to the castle - Zev doesn't like cold weather... (I think he's going to be taking over for Ron in the always complaining department.) They run through a courtyard and see a girl in medieval garb who gives them a big book that has the name of the National Library on the first page - figuring this is where they need to go, they head out.

-The Goths and the Sisters get to the castle and they get the books - head out.
-The Globetrotters get to the castle - get the book, take off.
- Gary & Mallory get there and get the book and head out for Vienna.
- The Cowboys, bringing up the rear, get the book too - Cord says they've been making a habit of starting in last and you can't do that and expect to win a million dollars. (Don't get down on yourselves, just get better!)

-Kent is driving and missed the first turn - blames her for not telling him in time - she tells him to stop being a kid... Uh, oh, I've been on one of those car rides before - it doesn't end well.

-Zev & Justin arrive in Vienna and find the library - they go in and hand the book to a guy with a bookshelf backpack - he climbs a ladder and picks their clue from the stacks - DETOUR - Long Hard Walk or Quick And Easy Meal (oh jeez, the eating challenge is never quick and easy)
-In The Long Hard Walk - they must head to a museum - the former office of Sigmund Freud - and working together carry an analysts couch one mile to the University of Vienna where Freud once studied and later lectured - once they deliver the couch, they'll receive their next clue.
-In Quick and Easy Meal - teams head to the Wiener Riesenrad - a giant ferris wheel made famous in the Orson Wells film The Third Man - they will pick up two local meals and enter a dining car, then accompanied by local Viennese music - they must eat all the food in one 12 minute revolution of the wheel (That is big plate of food - wiener schnitzel, salad and a large slice of chocolate cake) - ouch.
-Zev & Justin decide to eat the food.
-Jen & Kisha are the next one's there - they decide to eat as well but Jen is a little worried.
-The Globetrotters and the Goths show up but I don't know if they go in the wrong door - they can't find where to get their clue and are lost in the library.
-Gary & Mallory get there and get the clue no problem - Gary wants to do the eating challenge - he says he'll eat his and half of hers... oh no, that doesn't sound like a good plan.
-The Globetrotters figure it out and find the clue, they're going to do the couch. (I wonder if Big Easy remembers it was Freud that proved their undoing the last time they raced.)
- Flight Time stops to pee on the building (nice) and the Goths run right by - they get the clue and also decide to do the couch.

-Jen & Kisha are the first team to the ferris wheel - Zev & Justin are right behind them.  The girls get their food and hump in a car - that is a lot of food!
-Zev & Justin get theirs, enter a car and just start stuffing - Zev says "right away we were like sweating... that's a lot of schnitzel."
-Mallory doesn't seem too worried about this challenge - says her Dad's going to help eat hers and he eats that fast anyway.   The Globetrotters are okay throwing up if it gets them through this.

-Back on the Ferris wheel Jen wonders what happens if they don't finish in 12 minutes? (Good question - I bet they have to go again with a new plate) - Kisha says, don't even think like that, we're going to finish - they are half way through and slowing down.
-Zev is realizing this was a terrible idea - I hate wiener schnitzel!  They belch to make room and try to get a second wind...
-The girls don't finish all the food by the time the ride is over and find out they will have to try and eat a whole new plate of food if they go again - Oh hell no.  They are switching tasks and have to go find the museum.  Gary & Mallory run by them when they are leaving and ask if it's hard - Jen says "It's food" and Kisha says, "Y'all will be alright." (Uh, I don't think so - hahaha - the sisters have an evil streak.)
-Zev & Justin finish less of the food than the sisters did and they agree to pretend like they finished it if they see another team - they pass Gary & Mallory and tell them it was delicious, go get it!  (Oh, so mean.)
-Mallory says she is going to finish it - she's not taking in all these calories for nothing!

-The Globetrotters have finally found the Sigmund Freud museum and go pick up the couch - they have no idea the significance of the couch - I guess he liked to relax on one... (Really?)
-Kent & Vyxsin get there as the boys are leaving and don't notice them use the dolly provided - they just try to carry the couch the whole way - (Hint, little board with wheels will make it much easier.)
-Kisha & Jen get to the museum and they're moving slow up the stairs - I'm sure the super full belly is not going to make this task any easier... Jen says she may barf on the couch.

-Gary & Mallory at 8 minutes in still have a lot of food to get through - they are trying to power through it but I don't see anyone eating that much food in 12 minutes - (it's starting to make me feel sick just watching.)  They don't make it (surprise.)

-The Cowboys have finally found the Library and get the clue to the Detour - they decide on the couch (Good Boys! Hopefully the eating people will be slowed down enough that the Cowboys can catch up.)

-Gary & Mallory are switching tasks and apologizing to each other - she says she'll throw up and try again (ugh, that's dedication) He says he's sorry he didn't listen to her.  Anytime you have to do both sides of a Detour, that's bad (and I think Gary is the master of the understatement.)

-The Cowboys know they are in last place and really have to kick it up a notch to try and catch up - they take off at a run for the museum.

-Everyone is trying to get the couches through the streets of Vienna - Big Easy slings it up on his back to get it up a hill - Kent & Vyxsin are still trying to carry the thing with the dolly on top and as usual she's doing most of the heavy lifting.  Kisha is worried about the covering dragging on the ground, Jen says "it didn't say anything about having to keep it clean."
-Zev & Justin get to the musuem and are carrying the couch down the stairs - Zev complains, "Oh my back" (see, he's the new Ron) and Justin tells him to settle down - they still have a long way to go.
-Back out on the street Kent is yelling that the couch is going to fall (more like he's going to drop it) and, fed up, Vyxsin just drops her end - Quit whining!
-The sisters decide the dolly is giving them too much trouble and pick the couch up.
-The Cowboys see Zev & Justin on the street with a couch and it was like the clouds had parted for them - All right - we're still in this.  They take off with more giddyup in their step to the museum.

-The Globetrotters get to the University and as they were carrying the couch up some marble stairs - Flight Time - who was going up backwards - had his feet slip out from under him and he landed flat on his butt on the stairs - (OUCH! I've done that - and it hurts - I bet he's going to be bruised up and sore next leg.) 
-They delivery the couch and get the next clue - Drive yourself to the city of Salzberg, go to a certain restaurant to get your next clue (they wouldn't make them eat again would they?)  Big Easy is asking who Sigmund Freud was and Flight Time tells him he used to have dreams about sleeping with his mother and stuff... (I just... I don't know what to say so I'll just leave that alone.)

-Kent is still/again whining - Vyxsin is ready to smack him.
-Jen is wondering why they have to slog this couch through the streets to some ladies office(?) when she could have just paid someone to do it. (Yeah, like this has anything to do with real life.)
-Justin is getting very little help from Zev - Justing has the couch on the dolly upright and is drapping it backwards - Zev is just walking behind him carrying pillows.  Argghh.
-The cowboys are hoofing it - Jet says it might have been faster had he laid on the couch, told Cord about his feelings and he could push me - Cord, "I don't need to know about his feelings that bad."

-Gary & Mallory finally get to the museum and pick up a couch - it's heavy - hopefully Mallory can pull her weight.

-The Goths get to the university - Kent - whine, whine, whine -the door - it's heavy - Vyxsin puts down her end and has to show him - that is where we have to go - stop whining, your attitude is bringing me down (she's getting quiet - he should just run, run away now.)  They deliver the couch and get the clue to head to Salzberg.  In the car she tells him she's proud of him but tries to explain his constant whining makes this harder psychologically (Yeah, he heard wha wha whawhawha wha... )
-Jen & Kisha get to the University and deliver the couch right behind the Goths - also get the clue for Salzberg.

-Zev & Justin - who am I kidding - Justin is still struggling to move the couch through the streets - they get tot he University and I don't think they've gone to the right place - someone tells them they have to go upstairs and they are carrying it up multiple flights... I don't think that's right.
-The Cowboys are still going great guns, they know Zev & Justin are still ahead of them but they have caught glimpses of them - the Cowboys go to the right place and are the 4th team to deliver the couch - they have succeeded to pass 2 teams.
-Once up all the stairs Zev & Justin ask again and they're told the place they need to go is downstairs - Are you serious right now?  (That would suck - anyone who knows Justin in real life had better not ask him to help them move in the near future.)  Back down the stairs they go and see they are now in 5th place.
-Gary & Mallory get the couch delivered and are currently in last place.

-Everyone is driving, driving, driving - the Globetrotters are feeling good having left the Detour in first place.
-Vyxsin tells Kent not to turn, but it says Salzberg and he takes the exit anyway - Damn it, get back over there... bicker, bicker, bicker. 
-Zev & Justin see the Cowboys on the the road and quietly pass them - well, it appears the Cowboys don't drive as fast as they run.
-The Goths are back on city streets as opposed to the highway - She tells him, "I can't handle your psycho behavior.  If we get through today, I swear, I'm  never going to speak to you again." (That's not good.)


-The Globetrotters find the clue box and get the clue for the ROADBLOCK, Who feels as lucky as can be? (Oh, that was a Mary Poppins reference - chim, chim-en-y, chim chim cheree - Love that movie.) That would be Big Easy.  -One team member will dress in a chimney sweep uniform and climb to the roof where they must use a weighted instrument to clean their chimney - once finished, they must head downstairs to the clean out door and open it to retrieve their next clue.
-I get a kick out of them always stuffing Big Easy into little costumes- this one is cute with the top hat... but he really is a very large man.
-Zev & Justin get to Salzberg and Zev is already worrying himself into a state about having to do something by himself.  The Sisters and the Goths are also there - driving around looking for the clue box.
-Out on the Highway the Cowboys are still heading to Salzberg - Gary & Mallory are also on the road behind them.

-Big Easy has climbed the roof - he had to plumb the sweep line up and down the chimney three times - he's now down in the basement retrieving his clue in a cloud of ashes. 

-Zev & Justin have found the clue box and Zev heads in to be the chimney sweep - he passes Big Easy and they confirm they're the only two teams there - for now. 
-Easy and Flight time open the clue and it tells them to make their way to the Villa Trapp - the Pit Stop for this leg of the Race. (It is the former estate of the Von Trapp family - I also love the Sound of Music... I wonder what all the references to movie musicals is advertising this episode.)
-Zev was nervous when he saw he had to use a rope for the sweeping - makes a "That's what she said" joke which was a little inappropriate with his female sweep instructor - what can you, he's awkward.

-The Sisters and the Goths both find the clue box and Kisha & Vyxsin are getting their sweeping on.  
-Zev is just finishing up when the girls get to the roof - He heads down for the clue, he and Justin read it and ask locals on the street for directions before they take off.
-The Globetrotters have stopped to ask a cab driver for directions.
-Kisha & Vyxsin both get the clue to the Pit Stop and take off in their cars.

-The Cowboys find the clue box and Cord is feeling as lucky can be - his sweep guide confirm the girls dig the uniform and Cord thinks he's found a new calling - this isn't the first time I've used a rope.

-The Globetrotters drive right past the house - it's that great big yellow mansion!

-Cord finishes the sweeping and they get the clue for the Pit Stop.

-Gary & Mallory get to the Roadblock clue box and she says Gary is feeling lucky as can be.  They head inside as the Cowboys are leaving and she asks if they're last - the Cowboys, honestly, say they haven't seen nobody (but there is only one chimney sweep left there to help them...)

-The Cowboys jump in their car and say they cannot get lost (and we all know they do tend to get lost.)

-Gary finishes the chimney sweeping and gets the clue to the Pit Stop - The Sound of Music family house?

Here's How They Finished:
1) Zev & Justin - What just happened!?!  They both win a brand new Ford Focus!
2) The Globetrotters - Big Easy is disappointed they didn't come in first.
3) Kent & Vyxsin - she says it's strange after such a hard day for them, this is the best they've ever done in the race - maybe we just have to fight more. (They laugh, but I have noticed that teams that fight do tend to do well - unless they totally self destruct.)
4) Kisha & Jen - get their a step ahead of...
5) Jet & Cord - Phil says Cord has been racing so hard his cowboy hat is dirty - when we win, I'm gonna git me a new cowboy hat.  But you're at the back of the pack - Cord acknowledges it's time to step it up or they're going to go home.
6) Gary & Mallory - I'm sorry to tell you this has put you at the back of the pack but this is a NON-ELIMINATION round.  They are still in it but will face a Speed bump on the next leg.  Mallory feels like this is their third shot at the Race and says it is a blessing that they had better do something with.  Now we gotta win. (I can't help but like Little Mary Sunshine - she has a great attitude for the Race - but as the Goths showed this leg - maybe they would be doing better if they fought a little.)

Next Week:  They head to Switzerland - Gary & Mallory get a slow cab driver - they have to ride mopeds (Jet feels like Dumb and Dumber... I'll leave that alone) and there is more eating - looks like cheese fondue. 

Have a great week everyone,

Coleen