"Happy birthday, Jen!"
Tonight's episode is absolutely amazing! I was literally so excited watching this episode that I was jumping around and screaming. This is what I'm talking about. This is one Amazing Race! This leg is the race to determine which teams will make it into the finale to compete for the grand million dollar prize. Let's see who makes it!
And it's back we go to Osaka, Japan, which Phil tells us is a gateway city and a booming metropolis. Moronald and Christina were first to arrive at the Pit Stop in Tempozan Park, so they will be the first to depart at 7:02 AM. They must travel by taxi to the building with a hole in it, or the Umeda Sky Building, and then find the Floating Garden, which is a garden observatory on the roof where the next clue is waiting. They hop into a taxi and go into their spiel that we can all recite along with them by now. Christina is proud of her dad for all of his progress, and Moronald is trying to be a better dad.
The Babies depart next and we learn that today is Jen's birthday. No word on how old she is, but I'll go ahead and guess that this is big birthday number three. That's purely based on her behavior, but I think I could be right. Thank goodness she's coming to the end of those terrible twos. In the taxi they talk about how they are going to surprise everyone like The Incredible Hulk does by metaphorically ripping their shirts off and becoming a treacherous force to be reckoned with. No, I just predict nastiness, but who can say?
Nick and Grandpa Donald are close behind and Grandpa reminds us that it has been difficult for him to keep up, but he is doing his best to please Team Leader Nick. Moronald and Christina arrive first at the Umeda Sky Building only to discover - you guessed it - the Floating Garden does not open until 10:00 AM. It's catch-up time! The Hippies are just departing the Pit Stop as the elevators to the Floating Garden become active for the day and Moronald and Christina beat The Babies into an elevator and try to close it before The Babies can enter, but little Nate and Jen are too spry for a trick like that and the four of them have to ride up together.
"You shall never outwit us!"
Nick and Grandpa are right behind. It's a footrace to the Floating Garden once they step out of the elevators and Nate immediately begins yelling at Jen for running out in front of him. Well, keep up, Nate! Don't be the force that drags your team down.
Moronald and Christina reach the clue box first and their next task is to fly to Taipei, Taiwan and take a taxi to the Taipei Main Station, where the next clue awaits. When Jen reads the clue, she pronounces Taipei as "Tuh-pie." I'm no Asian scholar, but even I have heard of Taipei and can pronounce it. Nick even says it right.
The Hippies are just setting off from the Pit Stop and they remind us that they are in for a Speed Bump on this leg since they came in last, but were not eliminated. TK vows that no matter what happens, they will not quit until they reach the Pit Stop. The three other teams are in taxis on the way to the airport, assessing the situation for this leg. The Babies are worried that The Hippies will catch right up, Moronald and Christina think that The Babies are their biggest competition, and Nick informs us that he and Grandpa have been racing like "bitches" so far. Actually, Nick, according to your Grandpa, you are the only bitch - the one who carries his stuff around for him. Nick concludes by saying that no real competitors are left, only a bunch of pansies. Sorry Nick, we can't all be airplane pilots with no sense of direction.
Nate says that the only thing he and Jen know about Taiwan is that Thai food is pretty good. Of course, Thai food comes from Thailand, which used to be Siam, not Taiwan, which falls under the Republic of China, but whatever, same diff according to Nate. He'll have to order some Pad Thai when he gets to "Tuh-pie."
« Bruno Vs. Carrie Ann: Dance Wars: Wanna Get Drunk? | Main | Grey's Anatomy: Gotta Have Faith »
Comments (12)
We started a drinking game where you drink everytime Jen said 'Oh my gosh'.
Alcohol poisoning is not fun.
1 of 12 | Posted by scamboogah | Posted on January 17, 2008 7:34 AM
I literally screamed, "YES!" when grandpa and nick came in third! I can normally stand Jen, but this episode she was horrible. I couldn't even believe it when she said "You're the man, make the decision." WTF is that supposed to mean?! I read that they are still together....can't even believe it. I'm rooting for The Hippies or Nick and Grandpa to take it all. Christina and Moronald really get on my nerves and I don't overly like them.
2 of 12 | Posted by yankeesfan | Posted on January 17, 2008 9:30 AM
I was so glad to see TK and Rachel overcome their Speed Bump and cause the Babies to self-destruct. They really worked hard for that leg, and they deserved to finish in second. I'm glad that I could be happy with all three of these teams winning. TK and Rachel are my favorites, but Nick and Don are good, too. I think I'm turning a little bit against Ron and Chris. I've always liked her, but I think that airplane thing was kind of dirty pool, and the one-note "Daddy's getting better" line is getting old. I'd still be ok with them winning, though, since she does seem rather nice. Sadly, I'll miss the finale next week for my mom's 50th b'day, so I'll rely on your recaps, HG.
3 of 12 | Posted by MidwestNomad | Posted on January 17, 2008 10:15 AM
"Today of all days!!"
I get the title! Babes in Toyland - so clever HG!
I love the "I'm fabulous" caption on Phil's red blouse...so funny.
I didn't mind the babies, I thought that they were kinda funny. I didn't mind Jen at all, I though Nate was a complete idiot, and if he were my boyfriend, I wouldn't know know what to do either but to end every word with -uh. I know this is a very unpopular stance, but I would have rather had them in the final three than grandpa and Nick. Those two, actually just Nick, get on my nerves beyond belief. That team does not deserve to win, since it's not a team - Nick is just sherpa for Grandpa, carrying his stuff and then making him do all the activities. I know, I know - everyone is going to disagree, but I didn't mind the fighting couple. They weren't as bad as Victoria and that abuser from a few seasons ago.
And the babies are much more entertaining than Nick and Don. They're so boring, I just cringe and wait for the old guy to break down.
One more thought I would like to add about HoneyGangsta - don't believe she couldn't do any of these challenges like she claims. Maybe solo she wouldn't; she just needs someone to gently yet firmly encourage her - she'd do it all! :)
Scamboogah - LOL!!!
4 of 12 | Posted by gnomecorp | Posted on January 17, 2008 11:17 AM
It's always disappointing when the couple that argues the most gets eliminated.
5 of 12 | Posted by soflat | Posted on January 17, 2008 11:27 AM
Maybe I'm just not a Bitter Betty but I kind of felt bad for Nate when he was crying at the end.
Nate shouldn't have been so mean to Jen on her birthday though. It was her birthday!
I'm very happy with the three teams that will be racing for the million dollars.
6 of 12 | Posted by weasel dearest | Posted on January 17, 2008 1:43 PM
Thanks for the recap-uh, HG!
I think Chris said she learned the language visiting the country for a year, but yes, and advantage!
Glad the baby boo-hoo's are gone--would they have also been penalized for not using a cab, when told to take a cab? Seems those 2 never looked at the clue enough!
Go gramps and his bitch!
7 of 12 | Posted by juddfan | Posted on January 17, 2008 4:09 PM
The hippies are still my favorite team. What a great leg this was!
I downgraded my opinion of Christina considerably, with her attitude about cheating. Maybe Princeton should investigate her test scores. :)
Nick is okay - just a little socially inept.
If there is lots of running type stuff in the finale, the hippies should have the edge. Ron and Don will slow down their teams.
Thanks for all the great recaps!
8 of 12 | Posted by fire@will | Posted on January 17, 2008 7:38 PM
juddfan: christina learned japanese studying in japan. she and moronald are chinese.
anyhoo...i was very glad that gramps+1 edged nate and jen. however, i must say that i found that part with them standing in the dark very sad and i really felt bad for them, esp when nate picked up jen backpack and all. i think i liked them more in that minute than i did the entire season.
christina and moronald are my least favorites of those who are left. i love gramps, esp because he's so freakin old, but nick is lame. the hippies are all-around cool. i'd be ok with either of them winning and even if christina and moronald win it won't be the end of the world.
i can't wait for the finale!!
9 of 12 | Posted by nyrlieht | Posted on January 17, 2008 7:58 PM
Once more, gnomecorp, I don't see how anyone who treats each other like crap could be considered the least bit likable. I think Nathan & Jennifer suck. As does anyone who actually liked them.
Any of these final three winning would be fine with me. I actually don't let Ronald & Christina bug me at all, although Ronald kinda did at the beginning of the season. But not anymore, though.
10 of 12 | Posted by Dale | Posted on January 18, 2008 9:14 AM
Ouch Dale - that's a bit harsh. I mean I don't really know them, you know. I just felt they were entertaining.
I think you suck.
11 of 12 | Posted by gnomecorp | Posted on January 18, 2008 6:57 PM
There was an "interesting" dynamic between the babies though. Watching them interact with each other and seeing their behavior escalate was strangely fascinating.
12 of 12 | Posted by weasel dearest | Posted on January 19, 2008 12:36 PM