"No time to look at the castle - RUN!"
Welcome back to The Amazing Race! I'm not sure if this only happened where I live, but something was mis-timed between the cable scheduling and the DVR recording instructions and as a result, only the second half of tonight's episode got recorded. But thanks to the miracle of the interwebs I have downloaded and viewed the entire thing, retrieved pictures, and said my piece. Here we go on leg number nine!
So here we are, back with Phil and the gang in fragrant Mumbai, India - one of the largest and most densely populated cities in the world, Phil tells us. The Hippies are first to depart at 1:25 PM, which confuses me because wouldn't that mean that they arrived at 1:25 AM? But they didn't; they arrived during daylight. Maybe this was an extra-special 24 hour Pit Stop. I don't ask questions, I just write the recaps. Okay, that's a total lie - I ask millions of questions. Anyway, the clue tells The Hippies to fly to Osaka, Japan. Lucky! I have for quite some time wanted to visit Japan. It looks like this is the closest I will get for the time being, so I'm quite excited. When they land they have to take a taxi to Kishiwada Castle to look for the next clue. Here Rachel takes a moment out to tell us that self-confidence is a problem for her, but since she's been in the Race with TK she feels much more secure. That warms my heart. They find a travel agency and the guy behind the desk has a huge framed photo of what looks like a fashion model sitting next to his computer. Either he lucked out and got a smoking hot wife or he is slightly insane. The Hippies set him to work looking for a flight to Osaka.
"How do you like my #2 wife?"
Nick and Grandpa Donald leave next and as they head out Nick tells us that it's a big responsibility being the leader of a team for The Amazing Race. Oh, Nick's the leader? Is that why in the beginning Grandpa did everything? Because the leader delegated it that way? Interesting theory there, Nick. Grandpa tells us that he's having more and more trouble keeping up with Nick, but that he's going to keep pushing. You go, Grandpa! Don't let that tattoo be for nothing! Grandpa also tells us that back when he was in the service he wanted to go to Japan so this is a dream come true for him 50 years later.
Moronald and Christina are next and when Moronald discovers that they are headed for Japan he gets excited to visit the "Land of Sushi." I admit, that does sound delicious. Remember when he was excited for the pastries in Lithuania? Christina tells us that she spent half a year in Japan learning Japanese. She's sharp as a tack, this one. She knows the basic niceties in every country they've visited. Highly impressive, Christina. Moronald tells us privately that he knows he gets too explosive and that it isn't right. Not that he's going to change, mind you, but he is aware.
Nick and Grandpa bypass any travel agency stops and go straight to the airport to find a flight. Moronald and Christina, however, decide to find an agency and get the help of a professional. They go to a money exchange place, which apparently can also book airline flights. Those silly Indians.
"We'd also like our teeth cleaned. Can you do that, too?"
Now The Babies are off and they each take a turn telling us that this is going to be the leg where they stop fighting. Yeah, yeah. We hear this every week. What would be left of your relationship if the two of you laid off of each other, huh? The only thing you have in common is your mutual hatred. Plus it keeps things interesting, so fight on, Crazy Pants! Nick relates a "fantasy" he had a few nights ago in which he and Jen are running to the finish line and he throws his bag at the legs of other Racers who may be in front of them. Then Scarlett Johansson and not Phil is waiting at the mat wearing nothing but a string bikini and the words "Go Nate!" painted across her midriff. Okay, so I threw in the last part to make it a believable "fantasy." We know what makes Nate tick. Women who aren't Jen.
« Miss America: Reality Check: And the Contestants Are... | | Project Runway: Jersey Pretty »
Comments (12)
Good job HG!!! My favorite line - "Can you riz-ead my ciz-ard?" Something about Nick reminds me of Jon Heder...they both look so sinusy all the time.
My favorite visualization - Phil being my backseat driver...mmm...
1 of 12 | Posted by wintersux | Posted on January 10, 2008 4:03 AM
OK, maybe not my backseat driver...just in my backseat...but only after he gets over that nasty case of beriberi.
2 of 12 | Posted by wintersux | Posted on January 10, 2008 4:19 AM
Uh, HG, a "direct" flight means that you do not change aircraft, but it can indeed make one or more stops on the way to your final destination. Hate to make Moronald right, but that's the case.
3 of 12 | Posted by talma63 | Posted on January 10, 2008 5:52 AM
Great recap HG - I don't remember the last time I laughed that hard reading a recap! I kept thinking the same thing when Christina was saying how her father hadn't flipped out once the whole leg...he most definitely flipped out when they go to the airport. Thought it was hilarious when Moronald and Grandpa were sharing cookies waiting during the cab driving mission. I wish they would've given us more info on TK and Rachel...like timing of their flights. And "the electric car" was a little weird...usually theres huge product placement in those prizes and this was so vague...I would've been pissed if I won that! It's funny bc I think last time those two came in first they won a catamaran and now an electric car?!
4 of 12 | Posted by yankeesfan | Posted on January 10, 2008 7:00 AM
Another fine recap!
The hippies MAY be eliminated (due to trusting the wrong guy) but they are definitely winners in a much larger sense.
A million dollars would be wasted on the babies, but for the first time in memory, I like three out of four remaining teams.
Maybe they should do a show using only "nice" teams from past races?
5 of 12 | Posted by fire@will | Posted on January 10, 2008 10:19 AM
fire@will, I'm with you about the nice teams race. That'd be great. It'll never happen because TV producers love "conflict," which you get in spades with annoying teams *cough, Babies, cough*
I really want TK and Rachel to avoid elimination next episode. I want them to be in my life a little longer, since they're totally pleasant people. Nick and Don, they're great, too. Christina makes up for Ronald... mostly. I guess what I'm saying is I would love to see the Babies eliminated next, but you have to admit they've improved as RACERS. But they suck as humans.
6 of 12 | Posted by MidwestNomad | Posted on January 10, 2008 10:30 AM
Maybe they should do a show using only "nice" teams from past races?
Well, who would want to watch that?
The babies aren't THAT bad. I'm sure they're fine human beings whenever they're not around each other.
I like Nick and Grandpa, Cristina and Moron and TK and Rachel. I've got my fingers crossed.
7 of 12 | Posted by weasel dearest | Posted on January 10, 2008 12:33 PM
Thanks for the recap HG! I agree, Moronald was testy more than once, but I did like her hushing, and him saying ok--like sticking a pacifier in a crying baby dolls face!
I liked Jen more this time, and I felt bad for her when she was regaling the cheater with her tale of taxi woes, and he shut her down . . . that bites, and I know exactly how she felt!!! Perhaps he is more of the cause of the discontent--Jen needs someone more attentive, and maybe she'd deserve it. She looked great in the taxi cam too!
I'm still rooting for the dehydrated team--despite their leader, who at least can be a bitch! He does make for a great slo-mo, WTF before the commercial break--I'm usually completely convinced they're toast--I was also surprised it was only 10 minutes later . . . . thanks editors.
Rachael is also looking more attractive suddenly . . . what's happening . . . great to see a sweett and nice team almost at top three--we can hope can't we!?
Robots were cool!!!
8 of 12 | Posted by juddfan | Posted on January 10, 2008 1:58 PM
I liked Jen more this time
Totally, she was positively giddy during this leg of the race. She was definitely different, surprised that HG didn't notice.
9 of 12 | Posted by trickydick | Posted on January 10, 2008 5:43 PM
trickydick,
I also noticed how giddy Jen seemed when they left the pit stop...my first thought was that she and Nate must have had gotten a little "one on one" time during their pit stop.
Great recap, HG!
10 of 12 | Posted by hardlyworking | Posted on January 11, 2008 7:14 AM
Of course Jennifer was giddy -- because things were going well for her and Nathan, for once! But had things gotten really bad, she would've gone right back to screaming again. And she actually did with the taxi debacle, so how about that?
11 of 12 | Posted by Dale | Posted on January 15, 2008 12:40 PM
Did anyone else notice that the music in the background of the taxi driving challenge was "Turning Japanese" by The Vapors? I'm a 80's chick and recognized the tune right away...
HG - your recaps are the best! Thanks for the great job!
12 of 12 | Posted by lijjy | Posted on January 15, 2008 12:46 PM