Survivor Philippines Finale Recap - Dec 16/12

Million Dollar Question

So, we've come to the end of what turned out to be a pretty interesting season of Survivor.  They ran through a quick recap of the last 39 days for the Survivors and I was reminded of how boring it started out when Matsing lost challenge after challenge but it reminds us that Malcolm and Denise had an unlikely partnership right from the beginning and they have both been excellent players, physically, mentally and socially strong.  We also see Lisa and Skupin's progression - her from crying about not fitting in, to making some of the boldest moves and him keeping her secret and being her strongest ally.

-We have Michael Skupin, one of Survivors biggest stars (that's debatable - though we all remember the skin hanging off his hands) and the former teen star, Lisa, with (or against) the ultimate underdogs - Denise, in a show first, has been the only person ever to go to every single tribal council and survive them all and Malcolm has been the golden boy, finding immunity and dominating in challenges - he seems to be the one to beat. 

WHO WILL BE THE SOLE SURVIVOR?

Dangrayne - Night 36
-They return from Tribal Council where they voted off Abi and Michael and Denise do a happy dance.  Skupin says he's never met anyone that sucked the life out of you like she did, he's not happy for her loss but he is happy for the peace.
-Malcolm is glad Abi is gone but she went out with a bang, by throwing him under the bus... again.  He's tired of having to do damage control after people implode at Tribal and point out that no one can beat him (sucks to be you?)
-Malcolm touches base with Michael and he says nothing's changed - they have an agreement for the final three and Skupin is still in.  Skupin tells the camera, everyone seems to think Malcolm is the runaway favourite but Michael doesn't agree, he thinks he has a better story (hmm, I have 5 kids and did this a decade ago - give me the money... I don't think so, Tim.)

Dangrayne - Day 37
-Tree mail - they find out they will have a challenge today which they weren't expecting and they don't know if it's reward or immunity.  Denise is worried, they've had this solid four but it doesn't hold into three and she thinks she could be next to go so she is desperate to win it today (whatever IT is.)

REWARD CHALLENGE
They will race through a series of obstacles collecting bags along the way.  Once they have all three bags they will use the puzzle pieces within to complete a dragon puzzle.  First person done the puzzle will win an advantage in the final immunity challenge tomorrow (oooh! That could be huge!)
-Off they go, nimble fingers are important here as they have to untie a bunch of knots to get the bags -and Denise's diminutive stature serves her well getting through the bamboo obstacles - Malcolm falls off a balance beam again but they are staying pretty close - Skupin is the first down with all the pieces but when it comes to puzzle play, it comes down to Denise and Malcolm... and it's MALCOLM that wins the advantage in the final Immunity challenge. (Oof, like he needs it!)  That was not what any of them wanted to see happen.
-Lisa is talking - all I see is double eye-brows - seriously I'm hearing Charlie Brown adults talking - so bad.
-Malcolm and Denise go to get water and he's telling the camera that Denise is his biggest threat with the jury, their stories are too similar, he feels bad but his best strategy is to go to the end with the people he knows he can beat and that's Lisa & Skupin.
-Denise tries to get him to commit to keeping her there for the final three and he pulls a Penner (ALWAYS SAY YES!) he prevaricates and won't give her an answer.  This is a huge red flag to Denise, she knows how hard he's worked to have a plan for the final 6 then the final 4 so she knows he must have a plan for the final 3 and it doesn't sound like she's included... So, she knows she's got to make her own plan and she approaches Lisa and lays out her doubts about Malcolm.
-Lisa is so glad to hear Denise talking against Malcolm, she was worried they'd stick together.  They agree that they need to take Malcolm out if any of them want a chance at winning.
-Lisa & Denise hug it out- but Lisa makes sure we know she didn't shake her hand or give her her word.  She's not sure what Skupin's going to think.
-Denise talks to Skupin and tells him she's talked to Lisa and she (Denise) is voting for Malcolm.
-Lisa then talks to Skupin and she confirms she's really happy with this deal and Skupin is just happy that either way, he and Lisa are guaranteed final three.  They aren't holding their breath that Malcolm won't have immunity, Lisa is actually pretty sure he will win it but Skupin puffs up like the silver-back he is and says he thinks Malcolm is beatable, not saying he will beat him, but he could.
He thinks the million dollar question is who he wants to sit beside in the final three.

Dangrayne - Day 38
-Lisa and Skupin are running scenarios and he says they can't let Denise win [immunity] and she's like, what do you mean?  We have a better chance with her, we can't let Malcolm win. Oh, oh yeah (I think Abi had it a little right when she was so mean to Skupin at Tribal, he's not the sharpest tool in the shed.)  Bottom line - they don't want either one of the other two to win - If he can get immunity, then they will control who the final three will be (there you go, that's using the ol' noggin.)

And then we are treated to the walk of the fallen comrades - where they burn them all at the end... (yeah, I get it, it's paying respect but I just want to see who wins... can't we move this along?)
 
FINAL IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
-Oh Man! This is crazy.  They will have to pick up a piece of cylinder that has a ball resting on a groove on it's side - using just the pressure of holding handles against the ends they have to hold the piece steady for 5 minutes - lose the ball, you're out.  Every 5 minutes, they will have to add two more sections of cylinder on either end... last person standing will win immunity.
-And we learn Malcolm's advantage - he will get a second chance - if he loses the ball, he gets to try again. (Oh COME ON!  I would be so bitter.)
-Off they go - they all make it 5 minutes on the first piece.  Malcolm has a little wobble, so does Mike and Denise a bit but Lisa is totally solid.  They set it down and add the 2 more sections (oof, this would be really hard.)  Malcolm drops his ball! What?  But he's not out.  They all get to set it down while Malcolm resets and they go again and Malcolm just loses it, his hands start shaking like he's got a neurological condition (I love Michael J Fox, but you know what I'm saying - It's like the harder you try to stop the shaking the worse it gets.)  And I'm in shock, Malcolm is out of the challenge and I'm thinking, he's out of the game (wow.)
-The rest are looking pretty solid when out of nowhere, Denise drops her ball.  It's down to Skupin and Lisa and Malcolm is rooting for Skupin, thinking he'll keep him in this thing and Denise is rooting for Lisa (battle of the sexes?).  They go another round, they're both shaking a little... Jeff just will not stop talking... and it's Lisa that loses the ball and SKUPIN wins final immunity! 

Dangrayne - Day 38
-Malcolm knew he had to win that challenge but his hands shake when he's nervous so this was the worst challenge for him to have to face - ever.  Now his fate is in Lisa & Skupin's hands, and he doesn't like it.
-Skupin is strutting around like cock of the walk with his immunity necklace - everyone said Malcolm would win and it wasn't even close! (Oh yeah, you da man.) 
-Malcolm is looking for reassurance from Lisa & Skupin, tells them Denise will be asking them to vote for him and Lisa says, should we just go along?  Malcolm (in a hurt little voice), "Well, no."  Lisa meant just say they're going along, not really do it.  Then I lost what they were saying because they showed Malcolm drinking from the machete that he had wedged into a coconut - He's Tarzan MacGyver!  That looked so cool, right there he deserves to win!
-Denise then comes to Skupin and Lisa and tells them she's still on board for voting out Malcolm, they don't tell her what they are doing, just confirm that she has to vote Malcolm, she has no other choice.  Denise tells the camera she's kinda pissed that she and Malcolm couldn't stick together and force a tie. (My take on it would be to isolate Skupin and pitch the Tandang numbers on the Jury - if he was the only Tandang left, he'd have a better chance at those votes than he does splitting them with Lisa.. huh?  Good argument?  But I don't really think it'd work and it's a moot point because Malcolm had already turned his back on Denise.)
-Skupin is still thinking that he wants to take the best of the best to the end, because it's a better victory somehow.  He asks Denise, "Is there any honour in that?"  She says sure, there would be honour in beating him with jury votes but would it happen - or would Malcolm win?  Her fear is that none of them would win with the jury against Malcolm.  Skupin wants the head to head battle of the alpha males (just whip 'em out and get it over with, sheesh.)
-Denise does the emotional plea, says she feels a true friendship with Skupin & Lisa but she knows they have to do what they feel is right for them.
-Skupin wants to make his family proud and keep his word int he game... he's still leaning to keeping Malcolm (seriously?)  Lisa thinks handing the title of sole survivor to Malcolm would be stupid, she's going to do whatever it takes to make sure he is not in the final three.
 
TRIBAL COUNCIL
The big story here is the total B*tch-face Abi gives them all (hahaha... whatever lady.)

-I'm just going to cut to the chase - the show was three hours after all - Malcolm and Denise worked together to the final 4 but that's done now.  Lisa & Michael had an open relationship (I said pardon - blah, blah, blah)  Malcolm did Mike a favour letting his son have the Survivor experience - Lisa says favours have no bearing, that would be a million dollar favour.
-Malcolm kinda throws Denise under the bus - points out she's been to every tribal council, she's been on every tribe, she's got a better story...
Jeff asks Lisa if there is a reason to take Malcolm to the end and Lisa says... there is not a reason for me to take Malcolm to the end. (She just cannot lie it seems, but good on her, she's being herself.)

Time to Vote:
Denise votes for Malcolm (of course) and Malcolm votes for Denise but he looks like he's ready to cry.
Tallying the votes:
Malcolm - 1
Denise - 1
Malcolm - 2, 3 - He says, "Congratulations, Denise." And he is MAD... (And this is not going how I predicted at all.)

Malcolm's final words - He says maybe he pushed too hard and leveraged too much - he showed them how to view threats in the game and they finally saw him as a threat (yeah, it was all you.) He's just pissed he's not going to be there at the end.

Dangrayne - Night 38
-They are not celebrating coming back to camp.  They feel badly that Malcolm was so upset but Denise says this is the point where she can say, she outlasted him and it's the game.
-Skupin isn't happy with Malcolm's parting shot of congratulating Denise on winning.  Skupin says he's going to have a lot to say about that. (Ego bruised?  This guy is so not going to win.)
 
Dangrayne - Day 39
They get the traditional food on the final day - champagne, bacon, butter, peppers... lots of blah blah filler - final three introspection - then they burn the camp... hahaha, it always makes me laugh.  They play the inspirational music, pan flutes, then MAKE IT BURN!

FINAL TRIBAL COUNCIL - Night 39
Opening statements:

Denise: She says she's not going to apologize for being in the final three, she's proud and feels she deserves to be there.  She's been able to adapt and assimilate in not one or two, but three tribes, her ability to do that gave her time to build initial alliances (they show Malcolm pouty face) she was able to prove her value at camp and in challenges and she was able to make strategic moves that may have upset people but they changed the game.  At the end of the day, she is the one sitting up there that has survived ever single tribal council.  "I outwitted many of you, I outplayed many of you and I have outlasted all of you.  I do believe I deserve the title of sole survivor." (Then she did the smug, pressing her lips together look she does - it's a little condescending but her statement was totally true.)

Lisa: I feel we all outwitted, outplayed and outlasted but we all did it in different ways.  It's your decision to make which strategy deserves the title of sole survivor and the million dollars.  My strategy was not pretty, it was basically run wide open and just fall down (what does that mean?)
then run some more.  I did play my own game.  Unfortunately, one of the mistakes I think I made was not following my heart but it wasn't until my brother came and told me to trust my gut and remember that this is a game.  She was like a boxer afraid to throw a punch in case she hurt someone but she finally got it, she grew and she threw a punch that knocked out the heavyweight champ of this season (again, showing pouty Malcolm) and sat me here.  I know it wasn't a pretty game, but I learned, I grew and I'm proud of the game I played to get me here in the end.

Skupin: Returning player.  After watching the returning players who'd had success in the game, he was afraid he got the call too late, that everyone wanted to be there longer than the returning players.  He says that's why he played with such fire - he played his guts out, had piece of mask sticking out of his face, he had to respect the core of this game: Outwit, outplay, outlast.  I can't play this game any other way, I love it too much, and I know you do too.

Okay, over to the jury:

Artis: He says he cannot congratulate them for getting there, if you started a game with a holier than thou attitude and played a game contradictory to that you have to reap what you sew.  Me, I made alliances and I stuck to them (And you are out of the game, hello) and the beauty of this game is, in the end, Karma's a b*tch.

Carter: S'up guys? (holy Spicoli, look it up) Lisa was seen as an easy target right away and yet she's sitting here - good job for that.  Skupin, same thing, hit the beach and his name was tossed out right away but you're still here.  I know there is bitterness and it's tough having it poured on you, but Skupin, we were close, what was your thought when you knew I was going home?
-I have to say I can't imagine you could have played the game harder.  You were so likable and so selfless that there was no reason to keep you if the rest of us wanted to have a shot.  Relationships and the game have to separate at some point and the hardest days are when we have to get rid of someone like you one day.
"Thanks man. I appreciate that, seriously." (Seriously, this dude is too mellow... what are they growing out there in the jungle?)

Pete: Lisa I feel like you are hiding behind the fact that you didn't vote for Artis or me but it's like a Judas situation, you knew...
-I did not know Artis was going home, that night she voted for Penner, she made a decision not to go with them (who?  I don't remember when Artis was voted out, who cares.) but she was glad she could clear that up.
Pete moves on to Denise, I'd like to hear why your game was better than Skupin & Lisa's?  Going from tribe to tribe to tribe she was forced to play a much more strategic game, the social part of the game became vital because she had to figure out a way to show she had a reason to stay in the tribe then getting to the merge, Kalabaw should have been picked off one by one but there were fractures and she worked with that.

RC: She giggles and pats herself on the back for recognizing that Lisa was a threat from day one - "I knew it" (ugh, she's annoying - next please.)
Michael, ha ha, is there something you should have told me on day 19? 
-He didn't know she was going home, he thought it was Penner and that's how he voted.
Uh hehae... congratulations you guys.

Malcolm: (Oh... is he going to unleash on them?)
I didn't have questions until coming out here, Lisa told him exactly what he wanted to hear and for the first time he considered voting for her.
Denise, don't nod, I mean it, this appeasing everybody has to stop (she nods. Ha!) I want to know how you played better than them and I don't want the appeasing thing you do.
-I listened and I observed. You're right being a therapist is what I do and part of that is appeasing.  There is value in playing that social piece but there is also value in just listening and observing what people say - it may seem appeasing but it's part of me that I brought to the game - and I'm sitting here and you're standing there. (Not trying to keep friends with that one - satisfied Malcolm?)  She thinks she played a more strategic game.

Jeff: There is no doubt they all share a little bit of bitterness because we're here and you're there.
Skupin, I've learned there are three kinds of people, those that make things happen, those that watch things happen and those that wonder what the hell just happened - which one are you and give examples.
-I make things happen - family motto: Are you going to watch the news or make the news?  My head was on the chopping block a lot, neither of these two were ever in trouble.  Whenever my name came up I had to shift or create or do things and my name came up every single time until Penner left.
Lisa - give me examples of how you didn't just float along in the middle like Denise. (He saw them as floating along? Huh.)
-I can't even recall a time I floated in the middle - I was the first one to make a major move when I found out about Malcolm's [she planned with Pete to blindside him] when that fell apart she had to go with plan B - Jeff says that proves she just went along when her plan failed - she disagrees, says she plead very hard for Plan B at Tribal, that was being very vocal, not just floating by. (You go, stand up to the pedo-stache.)

Abi: (oh, will she bring the crazy?)
I was called the most unlikable person in the tribe by the three of you, my heart is broken (Give me a break lady.)  Lisa, why should I vote for you?
-I believe I'm deserving of your vote because I was totally in to going to the final 4 with our alliance until it disintegrated.  If things had worked out, you and me and Pete and Artis would be the final 4.
Michael - why do you think I should give you a million dollars tonight, or do you even care?
-I deserve your vote because if you look at the three principles of outwit, outplay, outlast; I don't believe anyone up here did anything even remotely close to what I did in this game (wow, legend in his own mind this guy.)  She says, "but I don't believe one of the core values is out-disrespect." (When did he disrespect you?  When you called him an idiot and a moron to his face? No.) He says, "I don't believe it is either."
Denise, you made very clear you did not respect my game.  Being called the most unlikable person in this game demoralized me, I was made to look this little.
-Hindsight is 20/20 and while there are still many sentiments that I still stand behind, there could have been a different way to handle it.  I do apologize if you were truly traumatized by that (Never apologize! But then she doesn't believe Abi was really hurt, I don't think so either.)

Penner: Let's end this thing.  Congratulations, but as Jeff said there is some vestige of fury (Mm, he said bitterness, not fury, but I see where he's at and I smell the Sue Hawk award winner), how can there help but be.   We've all given hearts and souls to this game and to see anyone else sitting there is painful.  That said, you have my heartfelt congratulations, I know this is hard, smart people asking tough questions, and I hope to continue that tradition.
Denise, we spent a lot of time together, and I'm a little confused by some of what you've said tonight - appeasing is what happened.  You once shared your biggest fear was to be seen as a b*tch and you can rest assured that you have now shown the world that side of you. (That wiped the smile off her face - she looks shocked by the sneaky, passive attack - this is great!)
Skupin, you kept going on about your name coming up and you being threatened but I don't believe your name was ever written down while I have the proud distinction of my name being written down 15 times which may be a record, so I know that you are sitting here saying there was a target on your back but eventhough you were able to flip flop, dissemble, and keep your name from being written down, you may find you have kept your record even after tonight.
Lisa, my friend, we got close out here, would you like to share with everybody or should I?
-Either one.
I wouldn't want to shame you.
-It's not a shame, go ahead.
Lisa was a television star.  Spent 9 years on the TV program The Facts of Life, was America's sweetheart, may still be but you guys have the right to know that before you vote or don't vote for her.  That she has kept that from all of you and I kept your secret until now.
-Can I ask you a question?  Did you talk to anyone about what you were doing as a teenager, 25 yrs ago, or did you talk more about who you are now, what you are doing and what you bring to the game now.
I didn't talk about going to the bathroom 16 days ago either - do you want to hear about what I did from 12 to 21? I don't think it would make any difference in the game now. 
I think that one of you has ridden the other two in here like oxen.  You hear the cheering and think it's for you but you've actually been led to the slaughter. I'm done. (oh yeah, Sue Hawking it up for us - love it!)

Time to Vote:
RC voted for Lisa and again takes credit for recognizing she'd go far.
Penner votes for Denise - oh, so she's the one riding the oxen - says, Pretty flawless game.
Carter votes for Skoopin - (Scoooopin) Hopes people realize the kind of game he played out there.

Jeff gets the votes and walks all the way to LA.
Where everyone looks great - coiffed and made up

Tallying the votes:
Lisa - 1
Denise - 1
Skoopin - 1
Denise - 2, 3, 4... and the Winner is DENISE!  Good for her!  I would have put money on Malcolm but the way things worked out, it's not a surprise that Denise would win over Lisa & Skupin.

And with Denise taking home the million dollars, Tori K, Maddy D and Lynne B are the lucky winners of our pool.  Congratulations ladies!

In the reunion - Lisa talked about God too much then she won the Sprint Player of the Game over Malcolm (that poor guy could not catch a break.)  But the best part of the reunion was when Jeff was going to mention Dawson trying to kiss him and he didn't even get the word out before she launched herself from the top bleacher and landed with her lips on his - Holy crap!  How did she do that?  HAhahaha!  Oh and they showed the Skupin injury reel, it was amazing, Jeff says the falling into the fire, as horrible as it was, it makes a little more sense to him now.  Jeff also gifted him with the blown out diving mask that shattered in his face.

They also showed us the 26th season of Survivor is going to be a Fans v/s Favourites again - could be fun depending on who comes back. (Please no Hanz's, please, please, please.)

It turned out to be a pretty good season and there was a surprise winner (to me anyway - not that she didn't deserve it but I was thinking Malcolm all the way.)

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone, and I'll talk to you in the New Year.

Coleen






 

Survivor Philippines - 12-12-12 Episode Recap

Gouge My Eyes Out

Last week they sentenced us to another week of Abi by voting Carter out. (I'm so done with Abi. Survivor why do you torture us so?)

Dangrayne - Night 33
They return from Tribal Council and Abi thanks them for keeping her.  She tells the camera that she  thinks they may have believed her fantasy immunity idol so she's going to try and keep the bluff going for next Tribal (Oh sweet jebus - we'll have to suffer through more bad acting too.)
-Lisa says the game doesn't seem fair when they have to get rid of someone as nice as Carter and keep the shrew (that was my word for Abi)- but, at this point, Lisa'd rather keep someone she can beat.
-Malcolm, talking to the camera, said it was really an eye-opener for him to hear Lisa admit she'd rather go to the end beside someone she can beat - he didn't know she was thinking that strategically.  Good on her, but she tipped her hand and now he knows how dangerous she is going forward.

Dangrayne - Day 34
They are all sitting around when Abi picks up her bag and announces she's going to get some water.
-They all know what she's up to, continuing with the charade of having a hidden immunity idol.  Malcolm figures the pressure was so great on her last night, she would never have not played an idol if she had one. They all agree, totally.
-Abi knows Malcolm isn't going anywhere, he's going to play his immunity idol so she thinks she needs to destroy the alliance Malcolm has with Denise so she can get them to vote Denise out next.
Literally lying in wait, Abi's sunbathing when everyone leaves her and Lisa alone... and she pounces.  "Lisa, you have to be so careful.  Malcolm, Skupin and Denise are so in an alliance together and you are so on the bottom."  Lisa plays along "What did they say?" Lisa doesn't believe Abi for a second but she wants to keep Abi close, whether she keeps her in the game or if she goes to the jury.  Abi goes on about Lisa being fourth... Yeah, thanks for the heads up on that.  (Awkward dance of two people lying to each other, and they both know it.) Lisa is keeping her options open, she'd love to be able to vote off Denise and keep Abi around but she might have to sacrifice her to keep the alliance together - right now she's waiting for the right time to make her big move.

REWARD CHALLENGE
They have to race up and over a slide into the ocean where they will retrieve a bundle of rings.  Once they have retrieved both bundles of rings, they must toss the rings and land one ring on each of the five pegs - first person to ring all five pegs wins Reward: helicopter to a boat with pizza & soft drinks and then go whale-shark watching.  Plus the winner will choose 2 other people to take with them (interesting in an alliance of 4...)
-Off they go: and that is quite the slide - I bet they will all have sand in uncomfortable places (ouch!)  Skupin and Malcolm are definitely leading the way on this one, with Denise a close-ish third.  Abi & Lisa bringing up the rear.  Skupin starts ringing the pegs, he's up to 4 when Malcolm has only 2.  Malcolm ties it up...but still SKUPIN wins Reward!
-His last chopper ride he was being evacuated - this time will be much better.  Skupin chooses Malcolm for letting his son experience camp with them and he chooses Lisa, his ally from the beginning.  Poor Denise gets shafted again.  Mike tells her she can have all his food and Lisa tells her to leave the dishes, she'll do them... and Abi looks like she's smelled a turd (is it really surprising to you? Or, it could be she sees her 'Lisa is fourth' argument blown to smithereens... she should be more worried about Denise strangling her when they are left alone together.)
-Abi, you look heart-broken. "I am.  I guess my vote doesn't mean anything." (OMG! She takes passive-aggressive to a whole new level. Amazing.)  Denise is just telling them to enjoy and have a good time. It's all good.

Dangrayne - Day 34
The two girls return to camp and Abi makes a crack about using the machete to kill them when they get back (holy!)  She tells the camera she was upset because they proved again she is on the bottom of this "alliance" (Honey, you're not in the alliance.  Hellooo?!)
-Abi thinks Denise is a horrible person and can't believe she has to spend the afternoon alone with her.  The feeling is mutual - Denise sees Abi as the kid in kindergarten that pulls your hair and spits in your food and suddenly they're on a date.  They are both miserable.  Abi is blabbing on about Abi, "I'm the swing vote, Michael just doesn't seem to realize it." And Denise just keeps agreeing with her, "Yeah, I know."  (It's like she's trying to talk down a hostage taker... and she's the hostage.)
-Abi keeps talking about playing her hidden immunity idol, Denise doesn't believe she has one, "yeah, yeah."  To the camera, Denise says she just wants to gouge her eyes out - or pierce her eardrums to have a peaceful afternoon.

REWARD
-They are just talking about the food - pizza, chocolate chip cookies, soda... Skupin doesn't eat sugar in real life so he's gorged himself on cookies and pop and Malcolm says, "He was acting like a drunk chick at a bar." (Hahaha...his system doesn't know how to process the fun!)
-The locals finally locate a whale shark and then they all put on masks and flippers and get in the water with it (oh, no... I think the size of that thing would have freaked me right out.)  Malcolm was swimming right along side it, respectfully touching it as it swam past... (Okay, that was really cool, but I still think I would have soiled myself, a little.)
-Skupin's swimming around and he bumps into one of the whale sharks, Malcolm says his head is so messed up after a month in the game he was thinking, "Oh good, one less competitor." 
-Back on the boat, Malcolm starts talking strategy - he throws Denise under the bus - the only way any of these three have a chance is if Denise isn't there.  She's been to every tribal council, she's a fierce competitor and she hasn't screwed anyone over (but she wouldn't get Abi's vote.)  He is asking them to commit to voting Denise out and them being the final three.
-Skupin wants to do it, he likes having things solidified and doesn't want to pull a Penner.(Good thinking, learn from his mistake.)  He doesn't want to be a too-late-Larry.  Skupin wants to stay with Malcolm, he has the most chance of winning immunity and remaining to the final 3 so he's the guy to hitch your wagon to, for sure.
-Lisa agrees, she's enjoyed not having the stress with their solid alliance of four (so let's cut off a limb.  Poor Denise.)
They all give their word and agree to the final three.  Later to the camera, Lisa is saying she's still keeping her options open though.

Dangrayne - Day 36
Denise has woken up with pain - instant burning pain in her neck.  She's not sure if she's having an allergic reaction to something that bit her but she's in a bad way.  There are fang marks (FANG MARKS!) in her neck and she's trying to tell herself to suck it up - she only has three days left - but you can tell she's suffering.  Then she starts listing all the scary things out there - and they are showing us the spiders and snakes and scorpions... (Gah!)  She's hoping it passes. 
-And we have another prayer circle - Lisa is praying for a relief to Denise's pain.  Michael chimes in as well and Abi is just taking it all in. Insincerely, "I feel really bad that Denise is hurt but when there is an immunity challenge coming up and it's final four..." what scares her the most is Denise winning immunity. She didn't go out there to feel bad for other people, she went there to win a million dollars.

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
Jeff asks how they are holding up after 36 days (oh, and that wasn't a set up.)  Denise says she got bit that morning and she's still feeling the affects of it.  Jeff points out to Abi - possible opening.  Yeah, it's a possibility.
-The Challenge: they have to use planks to cross a rope bridge, picking up puzzle pieces along the way - once across they will assemble a maze with the puzzle pieces and use a ball to complete it.  First person wins immunity.
-Off they go -  They are making their way across the bridge on their knees, they have to untie the pieces from the ropes so that makes sense.  Almost across Malcolm falls off and he has to start over - but really, he still has the hidden idol so it's not such a big deal.
-The rest of them are busy putting the maze puzzle together when Malcolm finally makes his way across.  Denise almost has it... but not quite - Malcolm puts the maze together and rolls the ball through it and WINS IMMUNITY before any of the rest of them even got the puzzle done.  (Wow.  Yeah, he deserved that.)
Denise is just looking forward to the relief of not having to put up with Abi anymore (she could get that wish either way the vote goes tonight.)

Dangrayne - Day 36
Back at camp, Abi is crying to the camera about how devastating it was losing immunity to Malcolm (was it really that surprising? Really?)  She's tired, hungry and emotionally weak - but she's going to keep on fighting.
-She approaches Michael about voting Denise out tonight because she's the better bet for them to make it to the final three.
-Skupin tells the camera you'd think it would be an easy decision but it's just not.  Everything matters so much and he has to consider every scenario.  He puts Abi off by telling her he has to check with Lisa... and he tells the camera, putting up with Abi for the next three days would definitely make them deserving of a million dollars.
-Skupin goes to talk to Lisa and tells her the Abi wants them and her in the final three.  Lisa says that would be perfect - Abi may get Pete and Artis but that's it. (And they are still voting like they said they would tonight - so win, win.)
-Denise is talking to Malcolm and asks, since final five is the last chance to play his hidden immunity idol, and he won immunity, would he consider giving it to her.  He's thinking (Heck no) but he says, "if the situation called for it. But they wouldn't keep Abi."  Denise agrees (Come on, you were at last tribal, Lisa basically admitted she was going to try and drag Abi along to the end.)
-Malcolm tells the camera that they are voting for Abi tonight so Denise doesn't have to worry (hold the phone, was the talk on the boat for after Abi's gone?  I misunderstood.  Yeah, could be some blindsiding coming to both of these guys tonight.)
-Lisa & Skupin, running the scenarios realize if they vote Denise out tonight and Malcolm wins the next immunity again, they both are not guaranteed the final three - he could keep Abi around to spite them.
-Lisa thinks they may need: "You, me and Denise against Malcolm in the final immunity challenge."  As much as she'd like Abi around as the easy win, they may need Denise to help take out the biggest threat, Malcolm.

TRIBAL COUNCIL
Lisa, Malcolm wins immunity and as far as I know still has a hidden immunity idol, walk me through what happened when you got back to the beach today.
-Well, it was just Abi playing Survivor and not going down without a fight and presenting some really strong arguments.
(That has Malcolm and Denise throwing them glances.)
So, Abi, you're feeling like you're the one that's in trouble tonight?
-Yes, my back's against the wall.
But, with respect (or not), you've been detested, laughed at, then told you're not likable, not a good person, has nothing to do with culture, you're just not nice (wow Jeff, want to kick her in the face while you're at it?) That's what you've been told.  And yet, you might be somebody good to take to the end.
-Absolutely, I'm the best person to take to the end with them. Because everyone here can beat me.
-Denise agrees, if that is the way you want to play Survivor, Abi is the perfect person to take because she truly hasn't outwitted, outplayed and outlasted (well, she has outlasted everyone on the jury, be real.)
Jeff jumps on that - you could say she has outlasted 13 people (yeah, all the jury is rolling their eyes.)
-Denise - you could also say there was some luck to that (now Abi's rolling her eyes) Tandang never had to go through tribal councils.
-Lisa jumps in 'cause her Tandang colours were about to burst - I don't think it was all luck that Tandang never went to tribal council. (That's not what she meant.)  Lisa says they didn't go to Tribal because of the strength of their players, it wasn't luck - and Denise just kept agreeing but didn't clarify (she meant Abi was the lucky one, she sat out most of the challenges and reaped the reward of the tribe's strength, not her own.  But Denise lets it go.)
Malcolm, at what point are you thinking who you want to sit next to at the end?
-Winning this game has taken over most of his thoughts and he wants it as much as anybody sitting there.  Who he thinks he can beat is definitely being considered right now.
-Abi speaks up, "Excuse me.  I am just letting you know that they cannot beat Denise. I'm going to speak the truth. She's manipulated, she's really good with her words and she's a physical threat.
So Abi, you think Denise can win the game if she gets to the end.
-Oh yeah, absolutely.  Denise or Malcolm, it's going to be one of the two. Lisa & Skupin are not winning this game. (She ends with an evil little smirk on her face.)
Skupin, what's your reaction to that?
-You know Jeff it's a number of things because...
-Abi cuts him off - Because you're an idiot (whoa). That's why you're going to lose a million dollars. (Wow, I'm sorry, who was she calling an idiot?)
-Skupin tries to go on - Wow.  To finish my thought.
-She does it again - You're a moron... such a moron.
-Denise puts her head in her hands - (you should be cheering, she's saving your life right now.)
Jeff interrupts Skupin now, Hold on, Abi just called you an idiot and a moron twice.
-It's just her way of communicating, I don't understand it.
-Abi - He thinks he's going to win a million dollars at the end.  He's not.
Lisa, is there any strategy to say, the more that Abi talks, the better my chances (OH, Lisa looks like steam is coming out of her ears, she did not like how Abi spoke to Skupin.)
-Lisa sticks by her earlier assertion that she would keep someone around that is easier to beat and she makes no apologies.
-Abi - And I would be easier to beat.
So, if you can't win, why do you care?
-I came this far, I would like to at least make it to final three.
Malcolm, you're a fan of the game, you know that has worked before.
-Yeah, and it's worked all the way to a million dollars before - so if you are going to keep Abi because she's a goat, be prepared, she's not going to go down without a fight. She could still pull this thing off.
Jeff calls Abi a loud mouth. 
- Abi agrees, it's just the way she's been playing.  She says Denise plays like she's the elite (which Denise doesn't agree with) the difference, I'm here to win a million dollars, she's here to make friends, clearly. (Well, by that argument, they should keep Denise then.)
-Denise, no, I'm here for a million dollars, thank you.
-Alright, we'll see.

Time to Vote:
Abi votes for Denise - calls her patronizing and not nice, "I really don't like you." (Huh, I couldn't tell.)
(Penner gives Abi the blurry finger on the way by - Abi just smiles.)
Denise votes for Abi - If this vote doesn't go as planned, there is something seriously wrong in the universe.

Tallying the votes: (I'm almost holding my breath... they can't keep her any longer right?)
No one plays a hidden immunity idol (of course.)
Denise 1
Abi 1, 2, 3 - YAY! Ding dong the witch is dead!  She wishes them all luck then disappears in a puff of smoke! (Ha, no, I kid.)
Skupin does skip a happy dance on the way back to camp though.

Next episode is the Finale this Sunday, December 16th - 2 hours plus the 1 hour reunion - the final four are jockeying for position... it should be interesting.

Abi is dead to me - but her admitting that her 'straight-talk' bit her on her big Brazilian butt was pretty funny.

So, for the finale here is who is still in the running:
Denise: Tori K, Maddy D and Lynne B
Lisa: Shane B, Laurie T and Wendy E
Malcolm: Krista H, Julie T, Cara & Alex L
Michael Skupin: Tobi M, Ian and Sharleen H

Good Luck everyone, this has turned into a pretty good season, I can't wait to see who wins!

Coleen.

The Amazing Race 21 - Finale Episode Recap, Dec 9/12

Take Down That Million

The two hour finale started with a recap of the final four teams' performance on the Race so far: The Chippendales started out rocky but have persevered; Lexi & Ryan have had more first place finishes than any of the other teams and are growing more in love (Phil you ol' softy); the Twins are loud and upbeat, they have been in an a partnership with Trey & Lexi almost since the beginning and they drew the Chippendales into their alliance when they conspired to take out Ryan & Abbie; and finally, the Beekman Boys/Goat Farmers, they have been saved by non-elimination, faced a penalty when they couldn't swim and saved by the U-Turn conspiracy - they are as amazed as anyone that they are still there.

They start the leg in Mallorca, Spain - Trey & Lexi are the first out at 9:32am - they find out they have to fly to Barcelona, Spain, then take a train to the Loire Valley in France.  When they arrive in France, they will find their next clue on the marked Ford Escapes (uh oh, does that mean more stick driving for the Twins?)
-Trey says, they do have an alliance with the Chippendales and the Twins but they are racing for the Million dollars and will do whatever it takes to make final three.
-Chippendales are the next team out at 9:46am - they feel like they've struggled through the ranks but they've had noble motivation to win, for blond Jaymes' Dad and his cancer situation and brown James wants to help out his Mom who has worked with special needs children all her life.
-Josh & Brent are the next out at 10:27am - Josh is happy to be heading to France, he speaks French - ah, tres bon!  They have hung on by the skin of their teeth and now is the time to push forward and shock everyone (including themselves) by making the final three.
-Twins are the last out at 11:17am, they were saved by the non-elimination leg last week but they will face a Speed Bump at some point this leg.  They are sure they can rely on their alliance friends to help them out.  They feel they deserve to be there more than the Beekman's who have coasted through (not really) so hopefully there are some tough challenges coming up.

-All teams fly to Barcelona and get on the same train to France.
-The Dream Team of the Chippendales, Trey & Lexi and the Twins were having an unofficial powwow on the train.  The Twins announcing the Beekmans are just taking up a space, the Twins want it more and Jaymes says six heads are better than two.
-Josh & Brent overhear them talking about their "dream team alliance" and Josh is demoralized - the other teams are all trying to cover, like they are all just a big happy family but the Beekmans are not stupid - they see through the fake nice.  Josh & Brent have decided not to let it get them down, but to use it to spur them on.

Loire Valley, France
Now begins the Ford Escape commercial - they find the clues on the cars and read that they must pick up eight empty crates from a cafe, kick open the hands free lift gate, load the car, then kick closed the lift gate and drive themselves to Chateau De Villandry home to the worlds largest ornamental garden - where they must find a stone dog statue which has their next clue (in a messenger bag.)
-Everybody get started loading the crates... though Lexi ran into the road and nearly got smucked (you still have to look both ways, sheesh).  They also all loved the hands free lift feature of the vehicles - Josh wants one - "If we win the million dollars [dear]."

-The alliance asks directions from a local and the Beekmans just waited in the car, they know the other teams are all working together so they will just follow them all and stay with the pack.
-Trey & Lexi are excited to be leading the pack.  Brown James hopes he can win his mom a car.  The Twins are grousing about the sneaky Beekmans trying to weasel their way up from behind like they do.  The Beekmans are enjoying the Twins viewing them as a threat all of a sudden, they are going to stay slow and steady and let them stew in their paranoid juices.
And that's exactly what is happening, the girls never thought the gays would be a threat when they gassed Abbie & Ryan.  Now they are there riding their coat tails and compromising their place in the race.  (What the H-E-Double-hockey-sticks.)

-They all stop to confirm where they're going - Blond Jaymes has the map, tells Trey he's on the right track - Natalie yells they have to lose these guys (refering to  the Beekmans... ah, they're right there.)  They hear it but the Twins don't care, "At this point I'm willing to be a beyotch." (And you haven't been up to this point... stealing another teams money, remember that? They've been willing all along I think.)
-They all get to the gardens and are running around, they see a groundskeeper and none of them know what dog is in French, they start barking at him - then Josh strolls over, "Chien?"  Oh snap! (Oh, Josh should have found someone else to ask and kept his French speaking to himself, he should be more strategic at this point... but then they are afraid to leave the group.)  The fact that Josh speaks French scares Blond Jaymes (as it should.)
-The groundskeeper points them all in the direction of the dog statue (hopefully) and it's a foot race - Brent & Josh are holding their own, much to the chagrin of the others and Brent taunts the twins a little (ha. I can't help but root for the underdogs.  Especially when the rest of them are being mean girls.)
-They all get the clue to find Di Vinci's final resting place - Chateau d'Amboise.  Oh, except the Twins who find their Speed Bump - Brent taunts them more, "Bye-eye."  Josh gives him heck.  Brent, "If they can dish it, they gotta take it." Josh, "No, that's not nice." (Oh, you know what they say about nice guys and how they finish... )

Speed Bump:
The girls have to enter the Chateau and help fit a woman in an 18th century corset - once they get it properly done up, they'll get the next clue.

-As all the teams start running back to the cars, the Twins are yelling at them to lose the Beekmans  - Josh says, "You don't have to lose us, you don't need to listen to these b*tches."  Natalie just keeps yelling orders, "Don't let them ride your coattails, they are just using you guys." (Oh, put a sock in it already.) 
-The Twins can't believe they are leaving them (seriously? Do you expect them all to wait for you two?  It's a race for a Million dollars, and they all want to win it.)

-So, the Twins get up to the bedroom and, while lacing the corset, they are complaining that they didn't all just wait for them - the Beekman' wouldn't have gone anywhere (these two are seriously delusional).

-On the grounds, the Chippendales and Trey & Lexi are looking for someone to ask where Di Vinci's final resting place is, but they are not the brightest.  As soon ask Josh shows up and can speak the language and gets the directions, Chips and Lex & Tex are more than willing to follow them.  Brent is amused how quickly their little alliance broke down without the Twins there to be the evil ring-eaders.
-Lexi is worried to be following the Beekman's because they're not the best with directions (Really? I don't remember them getting lost).  The Chippendales have no shame - you speak French and will lead us - come right on in then.

-Back at the Chateau, the Twins stick their knee in the poor lady's back but they get her cinched into the corset correctly.  They have to run back to the dog statue to get the clue.

-Meanwhile, on the road, Lexi's fears are proving to be well founded as Josh has led them in a big circle trying to get to d'Amboise.  Josh pulls into a gas station for directions and the other teams are not impressed.

-The Twins get the clue to find D'Vinci's final resting place - they hit the road for D'Amboise.

-Trey & Lexi figure they need to be at the chapel, not all the way up to the Chateau so they pull off - The Beekmans and the Chippendales keep going up to the chateau.  Trey & Lexi are the first team to get the clue (by a couple seconds) to the DETOUR: Chow or Plow
-In Chow - they have to make the daily meal for a hungry pack of hunting hounds. They must sort, cut and weigh various cuts of meat to make a well balanced meal for the dogs, and serve it up in the feeding area.  Once the food is ready for consumption - they get their next clue.
-In Plow - they must use a traditional horse & plow to till 4 furrows in a field.  When the farmer has decided their plowing is good enough, he'll give them the next clue.
-The Chippendales decide they are going to do the plow and figure Trey & Lexi will do it too.
-They let the Beekmans know they are going to plow but Blond Jaymes also tells them only two can do it at a time.
-Josh didn't want to have to wait for the other teams to finish before they could start...
-Trey decides that they are going to do Chow - not Plow... uh oh, the dream team is going to be divided. And when Trey runs by the Beekman's and says they're doing Chow, the boys jump all over that - "Okay, let's do it together."
-Lexi says it's just in their nature to say, 'Okay, yeah we'll help you' but she's not too happy about it.  They were waiting for the Beekmans to run and get their car but then her competitive side kicked in and they take off. 

-The Twins are arriving at the chapel.
-The Chippendales hope they are losing the Beekmans.
-The Beekmans realize Trey & Lexi didn't wait but they know they can't trust anyone at this point in the Race so it's not a huge deal.

-The Twins decide to do Chow as well.  They've made dog food before.
-Trey & Lexi have changed their minds and are going to try their hand at the plowing instead - they're from Texas, they are hoping it will help them forge ahead.
-Trey & Lexi are the first team to arrive (looks like parking for both tasks is in the same place.)  They choose a farmer, a plow and a horse - the goal is to plow 4 straight lines... easier said than done.  Lexi is leading the horse but Trey is having no luck keeping the plow in the ground... this could take awhile.

-The Beekman's and the Chippendales can't find the parking.
-The Twins drive by the field and see Trey & Lexi doing the plowing - they were tempted to do it but it looked too hard - still going to chow.  Lexi saw them and was impressed they made up so much time.
-Chippendales finally find the parking and see the Twins beat them there - now the pressure is really on.
-The Beekman's pull up and the Twins are super excited - everyone is here.  They head into Chow with the Beekmans right behind them. Josh, "We're going to lose this to the girls." Brent, "Who cares."
-The Twins start the trash-talking as they all start cutting up the meat - saying they are the evil gays, used to using knives to stab people in the back.  Brent gives it back to them - You are the evil twins. "We've always been evil."  (Well that is true.  I just wish they were silent.)

-Trey & Lexi look to be on their 3rd row when the Chippendales finally get there.  Brown James is trying to do the plowing and he is not a country boy - instantly his forearms are screaming and the plow is jumping all over the place.

-Brent & Josh are using their brains while the Twins are still running their mouths.  They have searched out the cuts of meat that don't have to be de-boned and have filled up their two buckets way faster than the Evil Twins.
-Josh starts using logic on them - why align with two stronger teams, we are weaker, don't you think you'd get farther keeping us around?  That confounds them, "we can't cut and talk." (right, you have been up til now.)
-Evil Gays are done first and they have to go set out the feast for the dogs.
-Twins, "If we lose to them again, I'm going to kill myself." (Now don't go making promises...)

-Chippendales are still plowing.
-Trey & Lexi are the first team through the Detour and they get the next clue - to find the Caves des Roches.  They are off in the car.
-Chippendales are the next team to finish the Detour. (I guess the plowing was easier... though they were big guys doing the heavy lifting.)

-The Twins are freaking out as the one thing they didn't want to happen, happens.  The Beekmans finish the task before them and head out for the Caves des Roches. 
-Release the Hounds!  We see the feeding frenzy.  And the Twins grumbling, "The gays bloody beat us."

-Trey & Lexi get to the Caves and find the clue to the ROADBLOCK: Who's a fun guy?  The underground tunnels created when the limestone was excavated to build the chateau has created the perfect conditions to grow mushrooms.  They must look at 3 types of mushrooms, then by memory only, they must find the same three types of mushrooms in the subterranean tunnels.  Once they return with 10 of each variety of mushroom, the champignonist (mushroom seller) will hand them their next clue. Lexi is going to do this one.
-Lexi heads into the cave and it's cold and dark... there are a lot of different mushrooms, some looked like the ones she needed but they were different colours.  She gets to harvesting.

-The Chippendales show up and blond Jaymes is the Fun-guy for this challenge.

-Beekmans get lost.
-Twins finish the feeding and they Release the Hounds again.

-Lexi is lost in the tunnels - so dark - it's like a maze.
-Jaymes is the first one out with his mushrooms - but it's not right - he has to go back down.
-Lexi runs for the light at the end of her tunnel - she gets back to the shop and checks her mushrooms and she's right!  Ahh!  Most rewarding thing she's ever done! (prone to hyperbole this one.)
They get the clue to the Pit Stop, the Chateau di Chenonceau (the castle of the ladies) - asking directions of the locals, a guy, I guess, was complimenting her hair by grabbing it (ew) she was like 'okay, b-bye.' (Don't touch me creepy French guy.)
-Jaymes gets the right mushrooms on his second attempt and they head out for the Pit Stop too.

-Trey & Lexi stopped at a castle too early - they find out the Castle of the ladies is still 15 mins away.

-The Twins get to the mushroom caves and run right inside looking for the clue.  The Beekmans get there right behind them but go to the store - they decide that Brent is the fun-guy for this one.
-The Twins run back out and find the clue - Natalie is going to do this one (did she even look at the mushrooms?)
-Brent is befuddled in the caves, especially with Natalie breathing down his neck.
-Natalie gets her mushrooms quicker though, Brent can't find the exit.
-The Twins get the clue to the Pit Stop.  Josh hopes they're heading the wrong way.
-Brent emerges and at least he has the mushrooms right - they are about 10 minutes behind the Twins.  They are wishing navigation issues on them.  Then the Beekmans hit a detour.  The Twins stop for directions and they find out they were heading the wrong way... OOOOOHHHH!!!

Here's How They Finished:
1) Jaymes & James - they each won a Ford Escape!  Brown James is so happy to be able to give the car to his mom.
2) Trey & Lexi - they are the 2nd team in the finals.  Hopefully they won't lose any friends over the last leg but you never know, they all want the money.
3) Josh & Brent - They were just shocked!  That's awesome.  It's up here (head) not here (arms)  Brains over brawn take the day.
4) Natalie & Nadiya - ELIMINATED - and, though I found them entertaining, I can't say I'm sorry to see them go.  Next hour will be quieter anyway :) They need to harness their energy into something good. 

Final Leg:
Jaymes & James are the first team to head out at 1:33am - They have to fly to New York City, and they have a postcard of the Coney Island boardwalk where they will have to locate their next clue hidden in circus sign (Race to the Brooklyn Navy Yard).
-Trey & Lexi are the next team out at 1:44am - They don't know Coney Island either.  They didn't do any travelling before the race - didn't even know what customs was before.

-In the cab, the Chippendales have just realize that it doesn't matter if it's Sri Lanka or the Beekmans - both those teams are from NY - so they better be on their toes.

-3:06am - the Beekmans are the final team - they are very happy the final city is NY.   If they won, they could pay off the farm mortgage and finally be together again - Josh wouldn't have to stay in the city while Brent is out on the farm - and they would also accomplish one of the biggest goals they have ever set for themselves (oh, they are getting verklempt.)

At the airport - Chippendales and Trey & Lexi get the big reveal when the Beekman Boys show up.  Trey & Lexi aren't worried about them having the home field advantage - they feel like they've been battling with the Chippendales the last couple legs and figure it will stay that way this leg (oh, don't count out the gentle goat farmers... they'll cut you.)

-They all board the flight and the Beekmans are ready for their first and only win - it's the only one that counts after all.
-They land in New York City and they've all ditched their packs so they are running free for the cabs.  They are all so excited to be back in the States.  All racing to Coney Island.

-The Chippendales and Trey & Lexi find the view on the postcard on the Boardwalk but they can't find anything red & yellow... they are running around like chickens with their heads cut off.
-The Chippendales decide to head into the park... Trey & Lexi follow - they are walking among the rides - aimlessly.
-Josh & Brent get to the view on the postcard - Josh says he sees it but second guesses himself... eek.

-The Chippendales and Trey & Lexi head back out and Lexi finally notices the Race to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, she's writing it down, trying to be sly because the Beekmans are right there - but Brent notices it too which spurs Trey & Lexi and take off - why are Brent & Josh just standing there - they stop to write it down and bicker (UGH! JUST GO!)
-Chippendales see the Beekmans bolt and realize it must be right in front of them... but they're pretty.
-Trey is not happy the Beekmans saw them writing the clue down, Lexi discounts them, it is the Chippendales that are their main competition. (Oh, she's cursing them to 2nd place I'm predicting.)

-Jaymes finally figures it out - Race to the Brooklyn Navy Yard - and they take off - at least 15 minutes behind the others.
-The full sign was of the Amazing Houdini - Lexi has no idea who that is (She doesn't know Houdini? Wow.) Trey tells her he was a magician - the Beekmans are also speculating if they'll be handcuffed under water - Josh says, "It's your turn." (Not It!)

Trey & Lexi get to the clue box - ROADBLOCK - Who's up for an amazing escape? (he said excape, but I won't hold it against him, too much.)
-OMG! They will be straightjacketed then hung upside down 15 storeys above the dry dock.  If they don't panic and can figure out how to get out of the straightjacket, they will be surprised by a bungee free-fall (OH HELL NO!)  Once they're back on their feet they'll get their next clue (and hopefully a change of drawers.)
-Lexi says it's Trey's turn - the only thing he's afraid of is heights... and being constrained - "I'm going to be alright up there right?"
-Brent is going to do it for the Beekmans - he's not afraid of heights but he doesn't know how to get out of a straightjacket.
-The Chippendales are the only team thinking "This is so cool." Blond Jaymes will do it.

-Trey is the first to go, the rest get to watch.  And listen to Lexi scream at him, "I love you babe!"  Trey stays pretty calm and gets out of the jacket rather quickly - then it lets him go and I don't think he liked that surprise. "I'm still very scared!  Holy crap, I did not expect that."  Trey & Lexi get the clue to make their way to the first pizzeria in NY (Lombardi's).

-Now it's Brent's turn and Jaymes isn't thinking it's so cool anymore - he's got loved ones.

-Trey & Lexi use the cab driver's cell phone to look up the first pizzeria in NY and they head for Lombardi's - Lexi just hopes they get to eat.
-Brent got to the edge of panic but he finally gets his arms over his head and the jacket comes off - and he drops.
-Jaymes knows he's got to do this fast!  And he does - he's done as the Beekmans are reading the clue. 
-They are all heading for Lombardi's.

-Trey & Lexi get there first and read the clue - they have to deliver 10 pizzas to three destinations on foot.  First they must memorize the orders and addresses... ho boy.  Once they do it correctly they'll get the next clue.
-Trey & Lexi split up the memorization - she did first two locations, he was to remember the third.
-The Beekmans get there and they did it differently - Brent had to remember the addresses and Josh the orders.  Plus, they are from NY - huge advantage.
-The Chippendales had to wait for a taxi to be called for them so they are still at the docks - not where they want to be right now.

-Trey & Lexi get all their deliveries right.
-Josh & Brent get first right, 2nd & 3rd were wrong.
-Trey & Lexi get back to Lombardi's and the owner, John, hands them a blue badge with the United Nations symbol in it - "What the heck is this?"
-Chippendales show up just then and Trey & Lexi take off.  They have to figure out they need to head to the UN headquarters... a passerby knows and they jump in a cab.

-The Chippendales get to memorizing the deliveries as the Beekmans get back - John tells them they made a mistake on the pizzas and they have to redo two deliveries, Brent is totally passive aggressive, "I remembered the addresses, that was my job." (Meow.)
-Bicker, bicker, Brent is not letting Josh live this down EVER.  They get the right deliveries this time - bickering all the way.
-We'll see how the Chippendales do - They aren't as familiar with the addresses but they get the deliveries right.
-The Beekmans know the UN symbol and jump in a cab - Brent is still giving him grief about messing up the orders and Josh says he'd like not to hear of it anymore. Done.
-Chippendales finish the pizzas and head for the UN.

-Trey & Lexi get to the UN and get the clue to the ROADBLOCK - Who has a way with words? (This is the final challenge and it has to be other person than who did the straightjacket bungee challenge.)  They have to remember how they heard Hello and Goodbye in all nine UN member countries they visited during the Race. (Seriously?) They must match the correct hello and goodbye with the flag of the country it's the language of (French, Chinese, Spanish... then I'd be sunk.)  Once they have a perfect match they can raise the UN flag, which will lower their final clue.

-Lexi gets going, she knows Spanish.  They are worried this is going to be very time consuming.
-Brent & Josh get there and Josh jumps in - he gets Spanish and French... apparently Josh is better at languages so they're happy he's the one doing this challenge.
-Chippendales arrive and it has to be Brown James doing this one - They are kicking themselves because they just thought the greeters were being cordial - they didn't keep track of the hellos and goodbyes.  They all get Spain first.
-Lexi is starting to feel overwhelmed, there are so many combinations possible..
-They all start guessing and they are getting the rest of them wrong.
-Lexi smacks herself in the head with the flag frame and the waterworks starts - "We've done so well on the race and it comes down to fricken' hello and goodbye." Trey reacts like most men to tears - look of deer in the headlights - plus he can't do anything to help her, she's got to do it. (Pull yourself together woman!  You're representing for all of us now.)

-Josh turned this challenge from a language problem to a math problem - he just started going flag by flag, using every single word on the pole until he got the right combination.  And the Beekmans pull ahead.
-James is doing pretty well, he's staying calmer than Lexi - she's having a meltdown because she can't control this.
-Beekmans and the Chippendales are both down to their last countries and it's the Beekmans that get them all correct first.  They get the clue to the finish line Gotham Hall and the other teams are both so gracious, congratulating them.  But Lexi is a mess.
-James gets his last combination right and they also get the clue.
-The Beekmans demand a cabbie's cell phone to look up Gotham Hall.
-The Chippendales are right behind them in a cab as well.

Here's How They Finished:
1) Josh & Brent - That's Fantastic!  I'm so proud of them - Yup, crying too much to type.  Josh hopes they give people hope that are out of work or facing losing their home that if they don't give up, people will help and you can win.  This race has literally brought them back together again because they can pay off the farm and physically start living together again.
2) The Chippendales - They congratulate the Beekmans and say they had an incredible experience.  Plus James won his mom a car - for better or for worse, the world will have a different view of Chippendales from now on.
3) Trey & Lexi - She's still crying - it's been an amazing journey, just priceless.  To have a solid month with Trey, it's made them stronger as a couple.  She's definitely ready for that next step, just a matter of Trey being ready now.

The Beekman boys changed Monster Trucker Rob's life, made him realize it's not for him to judge anybody by their lifestyle. (That's great.)

Josh says he hopes they are a role model to all the underdogs to never quit, nice guys do finish first sometimes.

And with that amazing finish by the Fabulous Beekman Boys: Kim A, Drew C, Krista H, Denise R and Patty F are all winners of the Amazing Race pool.  Congratulations everyone!  (I'll contact you all personally.)

I hope you all have a very happy holiday season.

Coleen

 

Survivor Philippines - Dec 5/12 Episode Recap

Shot Into Smithereens

Last week Abi bought herself another week by buying an advantage and winning Immunity - which resulted in Penner going home.

Dangrayne - Night 30
Returning from Tribal Council, Abi knows now that Denise, Malcolm, Lisa & Skupin are in an alliance so she's talking to Carter and reinforcing her lie about having a 4th hidden immunity idol.  He just seems dim, I don't know if he believes it or not.  She tells the camera it's her only play, perpetuating this myth.
-At the fire the 4-person alliance is cooking some coconut and Malcolm is trying to re-assure Lisa she did the right thing sticking with them.  Lisa tells the camera that Penner had a valid point, Malcolm has been playing a very well-rounded game, under-dog, good at challenges, (he's nice, good with kids and easy on the eye... just needs a haircut.) Strategic but likable - all around really great game.
-Denise tells her she's proud of her for standing up for herself (it just came off as condescending.)  Lisa knows going to the end with Malcolm and Denise is not the smartest strategy but betraying the trust goes against everything she is.

Day 31
REWARD CHALLENGE
They learn they will be paired up with a loved one, and the waterworks starts. 
-Skupin's oldest son comes out and he loses his mind a little - also named Michael. 
-Carter's mom comes out and we see more emotion from him than ever before, a little tear.
-Denise wraps herself around her husband - and snots on his shirt.
-Lisa gets her brother Justice(?) and she bawls!  It was uncomfortable how hard she was crying... and he kept saying, "sister, sister" (weird).
-Abi gets to see her Mom, she's so cute and little and Portuguese - she's also very confused because she doesn't speak English (poor thing.)
-Jeff plays with Malcolm a little... now that everyone has a loved one... wait!  He brings out Malcolm's little brother, Miles, who also needs a haircut (wow, do I ever sound old - Stay off of my lawn!) Miles is cute, he's also a fan and kinda giggly (hmm, that could be annoying.)

The challenge: the Survivors will throw a muddy bag to their loved one, then the loved one must throw the bag to knock down a target.  First team to knock down all the targets wins Reward.  Reward: Loved one goes back to camp and stays the night.
Off they go - everyone's doing pretty well except Abi & her little butterball mom - Abi can't get it to her and mom can't catch - Carter's mom has good aim, Malcolm's brother, Denise's husband, Lisa's brother, even Skupin's son is knocking targets down... Carter, Malcolm and Skupin were all down to one and Malcolm and Miles are the first team done!  Miles jumps on Malcolm and knocks him over (easy big boy, he's a little depleted.) 
-Malcolm gets to choose one other Survivor and he chooses Lisa because of the tough time she's having out there. 
-Skupin tells him to ask for another, "Jeff, may I have another?" Of course he can. He then chooses Skupin (oh, poor Denise - she gets shafted because Malcolm is still trying to keep the other two loyal.)

Dangrayne - Day 31
Lisa says she's always had a really close relationship with her brother.  He's 20 years younger than her but so mature (and he looks familiar, he may do some acting as well - But Justice, come on, what kind of name is that?)
-Malcolm says his brother is 21 and he's a knucklehead, in a nice way.  He's always trying to get a laugh, but out there if he runs his mouth too much he could cost Malcolm at this point in the game.
-Mike Jr. wants to get a coconut so he climbs a palm tree and is wildly swinging the machete but he loses his hold and slides down, totally skinning his arms - everyone is worried, "Are you okay?" his dad, "That's my boy."  (Of course, now they look alike, all skinned up and bloody - ha ha, like father like son for sure.)

-Lisa spends the day filling in her brother on everything that's gone on and how she's made mistakes but it was harder than she thought it would be to just look at this as a game.  Justice sees his role there as grounding her and reminding her it is just a game, she needs to outwit, outlast and outplay everyone there.  She told him she's in a 4 person alliance but she doesn't want to go to the end with Malcolm
-Lisa & Justice meet up with the Michael's Skupin and Sr. says they are in a good place even though Malcolm has an idol, he only has two more chances to play it and he has no reason to... Justice says, "You should vote out Malcolm then."  Skupin's like, "oh, maybe we should." and instantly I can see Lisa is uncomfortable with it.  She may talk a good game but she won't go back on her word, even if she does hand over the money.
-Justice sits her down and gets her to explain why she wouldn't vote out Malcolm - she gave her word.  To his credit he doesn't roll his eyes (like I just did) he says, "even though, when you tried to blindside him before he forgave you and understood it was just the game?  He might even respect you for doing that." (AH! I think the clouds parted in Lisa's mind - oh yeah, that did happen, and it is just a game.) "Yay! I can play this game and I can play it well." (Seriously? 31 days in? It could bite her in the butt though if she gets too cocky - we shall see.)
-Lisa shares this fresh perspective with Michael - they should get Carter and Abi and vote Malcolm out - they have a better chance of winning in the end.  Michael says he loves fresh perspective and Lisa finally seems excited to be playing the game.

Dangrayne - Day 32
-There is a prayer circle... Lisa & her brother and Michael's Skupin, she is praying for God's blessing of their plan and for His will to be done even if it's not her plan (but hopefully it's her plan - cause she's got God on her side, right?) 
-The others are at the fire and Malcolm's kicking himself for not realizing that they'd bond over Jesus.  Abi say you'll just have to kick butt at the challenge.
-Malcolm tells the camera he's most worried about Lisa - she was at rock bottom emotionally and having her brother there may have snapped her back to her senses and made her really think about who she wants to be sitting beside at the end (hit the nail on the head there - that was a mistake letting her loved one stay).
-The prayer circle starts wondering what Jesus would look like playing Survivor - Probably a little like Malcolm, and he'd probably play like Carter - Oh, hahahaha (bonding with God humour, the rest of them are sunk.)

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE
This one's out on the water - they will race across a floating bamboo balance beam to a platform where they will find a hook attached to rope - they will drop it in the water and use it to retrieve three bags - once they have the bags they must swim to shore with their bags then use the sticks and ropes in the bags to fashion a pole - once the pole is long enough, they will use it to hit a target and drop their flag - winning Immunity.
-Everyone gets to the platform long before Denise but she gets into it with fishing up the bags.  Carter, Skupin and Lisa are the first 3 with all the bags, Malcolm, Denise & Abi get the bags and head for shore... oh, hold on, everyone except for Abi - I don't think she's much of a swimmer - she finally gets to shore and Lisa is making her first attempt at the target... too short.  Carter too short... Skupin - no...  They've given Malcolm the chance to try and Carter is back trying both stretching with their wobbly poles, and it's MALCOLM! That wins immunity (of course he did, though I can't say I'd be sorry to see Abi go.)

Lisa is so bummed, "I was so ready to play this game hard. Poop." (ha ha, she did say that, potty mouth Lisa.) "Malcolm wins immunity and the plan is shot to smithereens."

Dangrayne - Day 33
-Malcolm is so relaxed and euphoric, he has immunity so he can't be voted out tonight, he doesn't have to worry about people pairing off and talking and he still has the hidden idol which he can play up to the final 5 so he's guaranteed final 4.  Oh happy day.
-Not so much for the others.  Lisa is talking to Skupin and she blames God (ha!) no, she says they did pray that God's will be done and the door was closed to take out Malcolm so she has to believe Malcolm was supposed to stay (OMG, I just noticed how bad her eyebrows are growing back in - ew, I hate that I'm one of those girls - but wow, pan out a bit buddy, do a girl a favour.)
-Skupin is talking to Malcolm and they both hate to get rid of Carter, he's such a nice kid - but he's too much of a threat - he's won immunity twice (oh, don't keep Abi around.)  Carter comes up and interrupts them and they basically tell him they were talking about him - he makes as impassioned a plea as we've ever seen from him, "You'd keep Abi over me?  Out of respect for this game and respect for me, keep me around."  He leaves it in there hands, "I respect you guys."  They respect him, respect his game play (RESPECT!)
-Carter is kinda whiny, I can see why we haven't seen much of him in confessionals - He whines at the camera, Lisa, Skupin, Malcolm and Denise are stand up people and Abi has been really mean to people in this game so, I mean, take me further in this game than someone you guys don't respect as a competitor.
-They are all sitting around the fire and Abi starts to stir it up.  She targets Lisa because she knows how to weed out the weak. Throws the fact that Lisa said her word was worth more than a million dollars in her face.  Points out now she's saying she may vote for Denise in the final 4 - which Denise would not begrudge her that - but Abi says, so now the money's worth more than your word. (Lisa can be so easy. She is upset.)
-Denise even asks Abi if she would put the conversation to rest but nope, "easy for you to say, you're already in the final 4" - Denise tries to talk but Abi is true to form - talking over people is how she gets her point across... and then she gets to her point - says she'll have to play her hidden immunity idol (Ahh, the whole charade was to bring up the non-existent idol.  Is anybody really buying that?)
-Malcolm has to walk away - he says since the beginning of time everybody has wanted Abi out - she's like a soul-sucker around camp, she's like the Dementors from Harry Potter (and they have no chocolate! I love the Potter reference, in an earlier age, she could have been compared to a Blair Warner from Facts of Life.)
-Abi takes off on her own and Carter apologizes to Lisa for Abi's bullying.  The rest of them just can't believe her.  Lisa says she's over it, she can glare all she likes, it's not going to help her at this point.
-Carter is hoping Abi acting like... well Abi, will help his case for staying.
-Denise says her behaviour is not a cultural thing, it's her personality.  She just gave them the perfect reason to vote her out.  The histrionics, passive-aggressive, martyr is the culture of Abi.

-Abi takes off on her own, trying to fashion a fake immunity idol.  She says if you tell a lie long enough, people will believe it, she's even starting to believe it.
-Malcolm says he's considering voting off a little annoying Brazilian girl over a fit, well-like guy just for the sake of his own moral - he knows its wrong strategically (but if it saves your sanity?  That's always been part of the game, what can you endure and overcome to win a million dollars?) 
Malcolm, "If Abi goes home tonight, it's because she's a b*tch."

TRIBAL COUNCIL
Penner is still acting like he's mad, or he's looking very serious (whatever.)

Jeff asks Malcolm - Did you really think you needed Immunity today or did you feel safe?
-I felt pretty safe, we have our solid four, but that doesn't mean I'm not happy to have this around my neck.
Remind me who the 4 are.
-Myself, Denise, Skupin and Lisa.
So Carter, if this group is tight, it's you or Abi going tonight.
-Yeah, and I don't understand, especially when there has been all this talk about taking the person who deserves it over the person you feel you can beat.  So I feel like I've played a game worthy of being taken to the final 5 and given the chance to fight another day, because I deserve it.
Skupin, Carter is making a pretty simple case, take me because I deserve it (yes, that is what he just said.)
-I don't know if Carter is more of a son or a friend to me but we clicked.  To even consider Carter, it's almost like voting out my own kid (but he's not your kid and a million dollars would help feed the 5 you have.)
Lisa, at this point, who do you want to sit beside, someone who deserves to be there or someone you think you can beat?
-Not batting an eye, Lisa says she'd sit beside someone she can beat (really? B-bye Carter.)  Yes, I'd like to be nobler than that, but why make it harder than you have to?
Abi, surprised that it's even a consideration that you won't be going home tonight?
-I'm surprised but I have a huge (something) tonight (I have no idea what that word was).  I found the 4th hidden immunity idol (that has Malcolm and Lisa smirking - they know she's lying) and she's going to play it tonight, so she doesn't think she's going home.
Is this new information or is this something that's been talked about Denise?
-None of us have seen it, none of us have seen any clues so all we can go on is what Abi is sharing with us.
Malcolm, does it help Abi's game or hurt it by not showing this idol?
-We've seen Abi play for a long time with an idol and I think she's smart enough to know if she has one she should be leveraging it more than she is.
-Abi - I'm just more protective of myself at this point after hearing I'm the most unlikable person on the tribe (and that hasn't changed.)
Denise, how's your relationship with Abi? (Oh, he is such an imp.)
-The tension is still there but it's... it's... improved.
(Abi rolls her eyes - yeah, that was quite a stretch for a neutral word.)
So has it improved so much that you actually see her differently? You know what, you deserve to go to the end.
-My f... probably not.  (Penner was smiling at that.)  Because that would be changing my whole strategy that I had coming into the game.  So, no, I can't say that has changed.
Abi why does that make you laugh? That's not good news for you.
-She does the passive aggressive thing, I don't think I'm bringing tension - Jeff explains what baggage is... I guess (shrugs a mean girl 'whatever'.)
Denise, do you think Abi can win this game if she gets to the end?
-I don't think she can win this game.  People are looking for more of a balanced game between the social, the strategic, the physical and I don't think Abi's brought those fully to the table.
(Abi just frowns and does a small eye roll.)

Time to Vote:
Carter votes for Abi.
Abi votes for Carter

Tallying the votes:
No one plays a hidden immunity idol... because Abi doesn't have one.
Carter - 1
Abi - 1
Carter - 2, 3, 4... Arghhh! (I hate it when the hated are kept around to torture us all.) 
And with Carter leaving us tonight, Lee G, Chiquita D and Drew C are out of the pool.  (I hope that doesn't ruin Christmas :)

Next week: Abi is targeting Lisa again - she points out that Lisa is on the bottom of their 4 person alliance and Lisa is thinking of using Abi to help herself.

Carter's final whine: I can't believe they want to keep Abi over me, I can understand it but it doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. (Wah!) Playing with their heads, not their hearts at this point (as they should be, as they should be.)

Have a great rest of the week everyone. 

Don't forget the Amazing Race finale is this Sunday Dec 9th and we have one Survivor episode next Wednesday, then the Survivor finale will be next Sunday, the 16th.

Coleen

Amazing Race 21 - Dec 2/12 Episode Recap

Not a Well-Rounded Athlete

Last week we said farewell to Ryan & Abbie in Amsterdam (b-bye) after they were ganged up on at the U-Turn.

Natalie & Nadiya, because they won the last leg with a fishy Fast Forward (herring is gross), are the first team to head out at 2:55am.  They read the clue and find out they are heading to Mallorca, Spain.   They will fly in to Barcelona, then take an overnight ferry to the island of Mallorca.  Once there, they will experience a traditional display of devils and demons playing with fire (what the..?) One of the demons will have their next clue. (Okay, that's just creepy - literally it's people dressed up like the devil swinging flaming stuff around.)

-The Twins get to the airport and get a direct flight leaving at 6am.  They fly out at the same time the next team, the Chippendales, start the leg.

-The Chippendales are still feeling awful about U-Turning Abbie & Ryan and they have no idea if they went home.  Anticipating the first awkward meeting with them, say they will just have to face the music (well, not for a while anyway, they did go home :)

-Trey & Lexi are the next team out at 6:38am - they know they are a strong team, he likes their chances of being in the final 3 - Lexi says they can face anything now (I think she's still angling for a ring there Trey.)

-Chippendales get on a flight heading out at 7:20am - they also take off before Trey & Lexi even get to the airport.
-Trey & Lexi get a 7:55am flight - apparently there are a ton of flights from Amsterdam to Barcelona (who knew?)

Barcelona - the Twins arrive at 9am and head for the ferry terminal - which doesn't open until 10am.

-Meanwhile, Brent & Josh are the last team to head out at 9:38am.  They have been playing catch up for the past 3 legs - they can't believe they are still there.  Between good luck, bad luck and dumb luck, they must have been doing something right - but Josh especially finds it hard to have fighting spirit when you're in last place all the time. Josh also had an ankle injury in the last leg and he's still feeling the pain.  He says there is always that one team that manages to stay in to the end and you wonder how & why they are still there - they rarely win but maybe this time they can.

-The Chippendales meet up with the Twins at the ferry terminal and it's hugs all around - they go to buy their tickets and find out the first ferry out is at 11:00pm (seriously?  Flights every hour but the ferry is at 11pm - what craziness is that?) 
- They run into Trey & Lexi on the street and it's more hugging - they are so happy to see each other and not Abbie & Ryan - Final Three!
-Since they have 12 hours to kill before the boat leaves, they decide to hit the beach and actually have a fun day away from racing.  (Oh, the boys are in bathing suits again - lucky me.)
-The fourth team is still a mystery when they head back to the ferry terminal and when they see it's the Beekman Boys there is running, hugging, jubilation all around.  They are so glad there strategy with the U-Turn worked and they were able to take out a stronger team.
-The Beekman Boys are just happy to be with the other teams again, after being behind and by themselves so much over the last couple legs,  they feel like they might actually have a chance again.
-They all board the ferry and are on their way to Mallorca.

Palma De Mallorca - the ferry gets in - it's 7am and they are looking for the devil.
The Beekman Boys cab driver takes them to the wrong place (and their bad luck is holding I see).  The other teams all find the devils dancing with fire - and it is scary. 
-They run up among the demons and don't know what they need to do for the clue - these things are all in their faces but finally they find the one with the clues and read that they are to drive themselves to Centro di... blahblahblah (yeah, it was in Spanish, whatever) it's a sports centre.

-Trey & Lexi, Chippendales and the Twins head out in the cars, they decide to stick together and they'll stop to ask directions on the way.

-Brent & Josh show up and get the clue from the devil (oh, you guys.) They are again alone bringing up the rear.

-Trey & Lexi and the Chippendales are driving along with no sight of the Twins in the rear-view... apparently, they can't drive a stick shift (sigh, there is one team every race - I don't drive stick either, but if I was going on the Race, I'd learn.)  The girls have lost the lead teams and Nadiya is doing the hurkey-jerkey in the car (uh oh, doesn't bode well.) Oh, and apparently they decided Nadiya was the one responsible for learning how to drive stick shift before they went on the Race but she the camera she took one class and figured it was easy enough (obviously not. Sheesh.)

-The Beekman Boys are confident now that they get to drive themselves and they know how to read a map - (master's of their own destinies for once.)

-Chippendales and Trey & Lexi get to the sports complex and read the clue to the ROADBLOCK: Who wants to get smashed?
-One player must choose a tennis pro and a basket of balls.  They must head out to the clay courts and successfully return 20 balls shot by a serving machine and they must land in-bounds before the basket of balls is empty.  (Oof, I would be there all day - not so good with the tennis.)
-Trey and Brown James are doing this one.  Trey plays tennis and is very confident in his athletic ability - then the machine starts up and it's set fast and it's sending the balls all over the court - Holy Crap!
-Trey is doing pretty well, James on the other hand... has one to Trey's... now 20 returns.  Trey & Lexi get the next clue.  They have to drive to the Coves of Campanet and follow the music through the caves to find their next clue (couple of guys are in there playing the guitar, among the stalactites.  (That place looks really cool.)

-James runs out of balls with only 6 successful returns, he's got to start over with a fresh basket of balls.

-Brent & Josh are on their way to the tennis place and Josh is saying his ankle feels much better after keeping it elevated on the ferry overnight.  So it's not an excuse anymore... (total foreshadowing there.)

-The Twins are still going nowhere fast - Nadiya is stuck on a hill and they have to laugh or they'd be crying - it will take them all day to just get to the place at this pace.

-Back at the Roadblock - James gets 20 successful returns this time and they head out for the caves just as the Beekman boys get there.   Josh is going to give this one a try - Brent says neither of them have played tennis in the last 25yrs and Josh said his ankle felt better, so we'll see.
-Then the balls start coming and Josh rolls his ankle - "Oh Brent, this is not going to go good."  Brent is telling the camera Josh has been working on controlling his anxiety levels on the Race, of course he hasn't been able to do it in 42 years of life so he doesn't know how successful he'll be on the race.  After the first bucket of balls is done - Josh returned 4.  Second attempt, he got 10.  Neither of them think he's ever going to get this (nice.)
-The Twins finally get there and they figure they are both the same in tennis so Natalie gets her way and Nadiya is going to do it (I'm starting to understand their dynamic - Natalie calls the shots and Nadiya goes along - it seems to me anyway.)
-Nadiya is on the court and the balls start coming - Oh My Godt! (think of it in their accents) it's much harder than they thought.  They tell the camera that their parents tried to make them take tennis lessons to be the Venus and Serena Williams of Sri Lanka but they used to jump in the pool in their tennis clothes so they weren't allowed on the clay courts - and that's how they got out of tennis lessons. (Bet you're kicking yourselves now. Ha ha.)
-Nadiya only get 8 on her first attempt.
-Josh is still resting - he's ready to give up.  Brent is trying to get him up and trying again but the ankle is now the excuse.  Josh finally focuses and he gets 20 across in-bounds! YAY!  "I feel like I just won the Olympics."
-Nadiya finishes right behind Josh and the Twins ask the Boys in the parking lot if they know where they're going.  They say they'll have to ask for directions.  As Natalie jumps in the car she says to Nadiya, "They have a map book - how do they have a map of this place?"  "I don't know, they're super prepared. They're gay." (Ha ha LMAO).

-Trey & Lexi finally arrive at the Coves and the Chippendales get there right behind them - they all decide just to do this together.  Walking through the caves Blond Jaymes says, "This is cool y'all.  This is nature right here.  It's like something out of a theme park." (Yeah, he's pretty. Theme parks are so natural.)
-They are listening for music but they don't hear it... finally they get faint strains of the guitars and find the musicians and the clue to the DETOUR: Spin It or Bull It.
In Spin It - they must repair one of the 400 yr old windmills on the Island.  They must properly attach two of the huge blades to the windmill tower - so that means climbing the tower and bolting it on by hand - once the millmaster decides it's ready to spin, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza? (okay, never read the book) will give them the next clue.
In Bull It - they must enter a 1000 yr old bullfighting arena and become a bull.  With both of them in the bull costume, they have 2 minutes to hit 8 bullfighter capes and then hit the bullseye on the 9th bullfighter, launching the dummy into the air.  If they can beat the clock, the picador will hand them their next clue.
-Both teams decide to do the Matador one - seems easier to find.  They head out.  And the Chippendales go the wrong way - they turn off onto the freeway when the signs say to stay straight.  Trey & Lexi go along the right way and just shrug, what can they do.

-The Chippendales happen to drive right by the windmills and decide why not try this one since it's right here.  Blond Jaymes, "It's like a big giant ceiling fan, can't be that hard." (Famous last words?)  They get suited up with safety harnesses, tool belts and hard hats.  Being Chippendales they may have swung a styrofoam hammer or two in their construction worker costumes (Ha ha, so they are experienced.)  Blond Jaymes has always taken things apart, he's thinking this was probably the better task for them anyway.

-Trey & Lexi get to the Matador challenge and Lexi says she wants to be inside, she's the head and Trey is the back with his head out so he has to direct them... she can't see anything but they are doing alright until the final bullseye at the end - she hits it hard and goes down and cuts her finger... then the tears start, "Look at my finger" (wah, suck it up buttercup.)

-Josh & Brent get to the caves and even with a warning Josh trips on the steps (just shaking my head, that guy is almost as uncoordinated as I am.)  They find the guitar players and they are going to do the windmill detour.

-Speaking of which - the Chippendales are enjoying the manly work of windmill repair - they finish up and all is good - Don Quixote gives them the clue to the Pit Stop: Castell De Belver which means the castle with the lovely view - once a royal residence, it was used as a prison for more than 200 years. (Wow, nice looking prison.)

-Natalie & Nadiya are in the caves and they find the clue and decide to do the windmills. Natalie, "Now don't get bloody lost." "I know right."

-Trey & Lexi apparently have to go again with the bull - I guess they didn't hit the bullseye on the last one when Lexi hurt herself so they have switched up positions and he's the head this time.  Oh, they could have gone overtime too - I forgot they only had 2 minutes.  This time they completed it cleanly and they get the clue to the Pit Stop.

-The Beekman Boys are getting suited up at the windmill place as the Twins drive in.  Josh said his competitive juices kicked in when he saw them pull up - he knew in his heart of hearts that they would be better at this than the girls. (I don't know, the girls are pretty kick-ass... except at driving haha.)
-The Beekman boys have a small windturbine on their farm but nothing like this - though Josh is finding it simple, as long as you have the bolts and the nuts lined up, you're good to go.
-They can't see the Twins but they know they are strong and are probably doing well... Wrong!  Natalie drops her wrench and hits Nadiya, they can't line up the holes... do they have it on backwards?

-Chippendales and Trey & Lexi are driving to the castle up on the hill... who will get there first??

-The Beekman boys and the twins are still working those wrenches - the Beekman's don't second-guess themselves on this one, they just get it done and head off for the Pit Stop.  The Twins see their dust as they drive off, "The Gays are done!" (Those two are definitely not politically correct.)  They are still struggling with the windmill.  "Hurry up!  We Suck!"
-Natalie & Nadiya know they had the chance to beat the Beekman Boys at this task and they didn't do it.  If they get eliminated, they only have themselves to blame.  They finally finish the windmill and head for the Pit Stop.

Here's How They Finished:
1) Trey & Lexi - they won a trip to Riviera Maya (oh, nice.)
(And Phil has a headless man waiting with him on the mat... seriously, someone sitting in a chair wearing a suit with the shirt done up over their head... there are some strange artsy types in Spain.)
2) Chippendales - James & Jaymes - they think you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone that's more motivated to win than them - when you have the health of your loved ones on the line and being able to help your family, nothing pushes you harder.
3) Brent & Josh - Phil's seen them limp, faint, fall down but they are still there. They are like the little engine that could.  They believe they could still win.
4) Natalie & Nadiya - Phil asks what went wrong today?  "Couldn't drive a stick shift, couldn't get the directions straight and couldn't get the damn nuts and screws in."  Phil says he'll put them in a better mood - this is a NON-ELIMINATION leg!

-Everyone is still in it for another week but the Twins will face a Speed bump next week.  They were really depressed but now they know they have to bring it next leg - "hopefully there is no bloody driving." Nadiya, "No, I have it now." Right.

Next week is the two hour finale of the Amazing Race (Oooh, 2 hrs.) and the gloves come off.  Dream team alliance against the ultimate underdogs.  Looks like there is some smack talk and Lexi gets smacked in the head by a falling flag bracket. (Ouch - that poor girl has been having a rough time.)

Since it's the finale, let's recap who is still in the running for the Pool:
Trey & Lexi: Nenad M, Donna P, Lynne B, Katie L, Karen F
Jaymes & James: Alexis G, Kim K, Bernice R, Lois L, Shane B
Josh & Brent: Kim A, Drew C, Krista H, Denise R, Patty F
Natalie & Nadiya: Fred & Gary M, Rachel R, Bob L, Vikki M and Laura W.

Have a great week everyone,

Coleen