The Amazing Race 8: Episode 4
Last night Sweetie and I came to the definite conclusion that this is our least favorite series of The Amazing Race. We think it's because of the US/road-trip factor. The joy of the race, usually, is throwing people into these completely foreign situations and seeing how they react. Situations where following US norms and customs will get you nowhere, fast. They're not getting that here. Also, with their dependence on cars this go-round we aren't having the issues with public transportation: Do I take a train, or splurge on the money for a cab? Do I take the milk run bus that leaves now, or the express that leaves in an hour? Sure, someone will occasionally take a wrong turn, or make a bit faster time by taking direct back roads rather than the interstate, but the race is being run in a bubble and it doesn't make it as much fun.
Next week perhaps this shall improve a bit as they "leave the US." One of the challenges involves baseball, so Sweetie and I are guessing they'll make way to the Dominican Republic. Here's the logic: They're going somewhere Caribbean. Baseball is huge in three specific places: Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the DR. I don't see us going into Cuba anytime soon for the race. Puerto Rico isn't outside the US, so that would be deceptive advertising, so must be the DR.
Sweetie's team was eliminated last night. Which makes me happy. I came to realize that the Dad on the team had a mean heart. Originally I just thought he didn't buy into political correctness, but while completing the challenge at the Talladega Racetrack he was getting sick pleasure out of the fact that it would be a challenging experience for the Weavers - the team who lost their Dad in an accident at a NASCAR track just over a year ago. That's unacceptable behavior. There was a bit of joy in watching the Schroeders lose because they got lost on their way to a park that's less than 30 minutes from where they live.
The Weavers did have a tough time at the racetrack last night, they didn't want to do the challenge at first, but they pulled through. Dad's been dead over a year and loved NASCAR, so it seemed appropriate that they make their way onto a track at some point.
This leaves me with the challenge of who to root for. The team I like the most - the Gaghans - are at the end of their game. The little kids are just weighing them down. They've come in second to last the last two weeks, and last night were EXHAUSTED at the end of it all. I suspect they're only in if other teams screw up more to put them in last place (as the Schroeders did last night by getting lost).
Honestly, I think the Bransens are the most likely to succeed at the moment. Sweetie doesn't like them, thinks they're modern princesses, but I think they're fun. Just need to hope it doesn't come down to a footrace at the end or Dad will have a heart attack.
And I'm really getting sick of saying this, teams, but ONCE YOU COMMIT TO A DETOUR, DO NOT CHANGE!!!! Teams are very anxious to jump ship from one challenge to another this year. I wonder how much of this has to do with the US factor as well. With the detours this time around they're all things I can somewhat relate to, so have an idea of what the deal is before going into it. On international challenges there is always that little bit of local flavor added that can change the game IMMENSELY, which might make a team more wary of making a switch.
Next week perhaps this shall improve a bit as they "leave the US." One of the challenges involves baseball, so Sweetie and I are guessing they'll make way to the Dominican Republic. Here's the logic: They're going somewhere Caribbean. Baseball is huge in three specific places: Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the DR. I don't see us going into Cuba anytime soon for the race. Puerto Rico isn't outside the US, so that would be deceptive advertising, so must be the DR.
Sweetie's team was eliminated last night. Which makes me happy. I came to realize that the Dad on the team had a mean heart. Originally I just thought he didn't buy into political correctness, but while completing the challenge at the Talladega Racetrack he was getting sick pleasure out of the fact that it would be a challenging experience for the Weavers - the team who lost their Dad in an accident at a NASCAR track just over a year ago. That's unacceptable behavior. There was a bit of joy in watching the Schroeders lose because they got lost on their way to a park that's less than 30 minutes from where they live.
The Weavers did have a tough time at the racetrack last night, they didn't want to do the challenge at first, but they pulled through. Dad's been dead over a year and loved NASCAR, so it seemed appropriate that they make their way onto a track at some point.
This leaves me with the challenge of who to root for. The team I like the most - the Gaghans - are at the end of their game. The little kids are just weighing them down. They've come in second to last the last two weeks, and last night were EXHAUSTED at the end of it all. I suspect they're only in if other teams screw up more to put them in last place (as the Schroeders did last night by getting lost).
Honestly, I think the Bransens are the most likely to succeed at the moment. Sweetie doesn't like them, thinks they're modern princesses, but I think they're fun. Just need to hope it doesn't come down to a footrace at the end or Dad will have a heart attack.
And I'm really getting sick of saying this, teams, but ONCE YOU COMMIT TO A DETOUR, DO NOT CHANGE!!!! Teams are very anxious to jump ship from one challenge to another this year. I wonder how much of this has to do with the US factor as well. With the detours this time around they're all things I can somewhat relate to, so have an idea of what the deal is before going into it. On international challenges there is always that little bit of local flavor added that can change the game IMMENSELY, which might make a team more wary of making a switch.
posted by Swankette at 7:37 AM
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