The Amazing Race 14!!!

[ComradesTrue]

Originally Posted by OTW

You're right, it's not too bad. I totally forgot about TAR The Family Edition. Now THAT was the most boring season ever.

Yes, that season was wrong in so many different ways. Ugh.

I saw your other post and was going to disagree about this season being boring. Since I complained that last season had absolutely no teams that were likeable or worth cheering for, I have been pleasantly surprised that I actually like all the teams. Well, save for arrogant Victor, however, his sister makes up for it.

However, maybe that is the problem... no true villian team this year.

I laughed out load watching the teams try to figure out how to get the cheese down the hill, watching Tammy try to figure out how to do a summersault (?!?), wondering how long it takes to find a house that needs repair, and, well Luke just makes me laugh period.

Now, the trans-Siberian railroad was a bit boring, because all the teams had to take the same train. However, it seems there have been more opportunities for strategies/various flights with the air travel this season. No more "these are the two or three flights you can choose from."

The addition of the "Blind U-turn" was also long overdue. No one ever would do it before, so this has been a welcome addition. However, I do think that the u-turn should only be in the game when it is realistic that a team can complete both challenges and still stand a chance of not being elimnated. Those two challenges (stacking wood and the shutters thing) both appeared to take HOURS. Therefore, by the producers placing it in that episode, it virtually guaranteed that any team that was u-turned would be eliminated. That is a little excessive, IMHO.

I also loved, loved, loved the first few episodes that were in Austria, Switzerland, etc. The scenery was just absolutely beautiful.

Anyway, my opinion is thumbs up this season. Having a villian to cheer against, or having Team GC involved, would make things a bit more interesting, but overall I am satisfied.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Blondie93

The addition of the "Blind U-turn" was also long overdue. No one ever would do it before, so this has been a welcome addition. However, I do think that the u-turn should only be in the game when it is realistic that a team can complete both challenges and still stand a chance of not being elimnated. Those two challenges (stacking wood and the shutters thing) both appeared to take HOURS. Therefore, by the producers placing it in that episode, it virtually guaranteed that any team that was u-turned would be eliminated. That is a little excessive, IMHO.

Editing can be misleading. According to Amanda and Kris in their Reality News Online interview, they were only about 10 minutes behind the stunt brothers at the pit stop. They said it it took them about 10 minutes to find the place to take the shutters (although it seemed like forever) and that it didn't take that long to do the woodpile the second time, but it took them 10 minutes to get to it from the u-turn and 10 minutes to get back to the clue box.

That means that, even with the u-turn, they probably wouldn't have been eliminated if they hadn't bailed on the woodpile when it collapsed the first time. That's what cost them the race.

(They also said that Kris also got lost coming down the mountain in Switzerland and ended up at the road like Linda did. He ran and still got to the bottom of the trial before 3 other runners on the mountain.)

I agree that it was time for the blind U-turn, and although it resulted in the team I was liking the most getting eliminated, I think Marge and Luke were right to use it (although they did it for the wrong reason). It's a race, and if you have a chance to get rid of one of the strongest teams, go for it.

[ComradesTrue]

^^^ Interesting. Thanks.

[gee_ess]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I agree that it was time for the blind U-turn, and although it resulted in the team I was liking the most getting eliminated, I think Marge and Luke were right to use it (although they did it for the wrong reason). It's a race, and if you have a chance to get rid of one of the strongest teams, go for it.

I thought Marge and Luke said they used the blind U-turn exactly for that reason: they were a strong team and tried to eliminate them. Did I miss something?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

I thought Marge and Luke said they used the blind U-turn exactly for that reason: they were a strong team and tried to eliminate them. Did I miss something?

They said they did it because they wanted to give Jaime & Cara more time. Targeting the strong team was smart; doing so to protect another team, not so much, I don't think -- it's an indication that you might be letting your alliance with another team cloud your judgment.

We saw a little of the same thing Sunday night, with the drive to the stadium. Tammy and Victor did the right thing by heading on once they had directions instead of waiting. Marge was smart to follow, while Lucas spent too much energy worrying that they weren't waiting for Jaime and Cara.

[AGDee]

Alright, was anybody else totally disappointed that this was a non-elimination leg, even though it was kind of expected because it usually comes around this time. I want these rule-breakers gone. Does Phil seem totally pissed off or what?? Gone! They need to be gone!

I'm liking Tammy and Victor more and more and they (Victor especially) have really grown and are working so much better as a team. I want the nasty girl gone.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AGDee

Alright, was anybody else totally disappointed that this was a non-elimination leg, even though it was kind of expected because it usually comes around this time. I want these rule-breakers gone. Does Phil seem totally pissed off or what?? Gone! They need to be gone!

Shoot, I wanted double elimination -- I'm tired of the brothers and the sisters. Does nobody read the freaking rules?

The only value in Mark and Michael last night was the comment that they were in the taxi with beautiful women. Oh boy.

[ealymc]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Shoot, I wanted double elimination -- I'm tired of the brothers and the sisters. Does nobody read the freaking rules?

The only value in Mark and Michael last night was the comment that they were in the taxi with beautiful women. Oh boy.

The Mai Tai Trannies! They looked like a fun crew to be karaokeing in a cab with, at least! Everyone looked like they REALLY enjoyed that task.

Margie and Luke are definitely a team to be reckoned with - she completed that entire leg's tasks alone!

I do agree that the rules need to followed and I'm glad that they are suffering the penalties... I wonder if there is a "third pit-stop penalty, you're out" rule?