The Fifth Leg

Godlewski Family, You Have NOT Been Eliminated!

I was watching this when it aired the first time while I was in Colorado. The funny part of that (you did realize there was a funny part, right?) is that I got 4 (FOUR!!!) phone calls during that time, which was shocking, but cool. Collateral damage was that I pretty much couldn't watch Amazing Race, so I had to rewatch it once I got home, and that is why the delay in my web page occurred. But fear no more, I am back, have watched the show, and the page is here.

So our first non-elimination leg is upon us. Wisely, the girls stocked up on their clothes by putting them all on so that Phil couldn't take everything away. So, while he did take their backpacks, cash, and belongings, he couldn't get their bras and panties. They were smart to do this, as honestly, non-elimination was due! I'm interested to see where they can get support from - I'm sure most of the teams will help out a little - the Weavers, perhaps. They have lots of Lord stuff going on, but when it comes down to it, I don't see them helping. Guess we'll have to see next week.

New Orleans, LA, USA - Panama City, Panama

So the race finally leaves the United States (a sentiment echoed by ALL of the contestants). It was neat to see parts of the US that a lot of us will never see or haven't seen, but this is the AMAZING RACE, for cryin' out loud! It's all about fish out of water experiences and teams getting hopelessly lost or confused by another nation's customs and lifestyles. Panama is a good start, but since they speak Spanish, people still have an ability to get by with basic Spanish. Let's get people to India or something, although I know that I've heard the show will only be in North and South America. But I digress...

FAST FORWARD

We got our first and only Fast Forward this episode, and I must restate what I read elsewhere about the fast forwards. The fast forward competition should be about who finishes it first, not who gets there first and can take forever to think about doing it. Honestly, DJ Paolo's reluctance could have spelled the end of their ability to compete because the Gaghans proabably would have just plowed right through them. That kind of competition would have been exciting to watch - but apparently the race organizers haven't had a Fast Forward with this aspect since the first season. So there's my suggestion to the producers - make a FF exciting and not just a test of nerves that can take...forever. It's a competition/race, people!!!!

Detour: Birds or Instruments

I probably would have gone with the scavenger hunt myself.

Roadblock: Hit a baseball

Awww, the Weavers didn't like the Linzs doing baseball catcalls. Hello, that's what you DO in baseball to the opposing team. And when you yourself are telling another team's pilot to go slow, you have no right to complain when someone else tries to sabotage you. Deal. Other than that, those fielders made it quick easy for the teams to make a legal hit, meaning getting on base. I mean, that slow hit between the pitcher's legs? Even I could have caught that one. Whatever, it allowed the Gaghans to make a desperate catchup move past the Godlewskis. The Godlewskis can handle being possessionless - the Gaghans, with two little kids, well, that would have been just sad.

My thoughts on the Teams, Episode 5:

Paolos: You know, this team manages to slowly grow on me. I certainly would never want to spend time with them (you know, like over ten minutes), but watching them on TV, I don't find them as sheerly nauseating like in the first couple of episodes. And seeing Momma and DJ be nice to each other finally was somewhat sweet.
Weavers: The goodwill earned from Momma Weaver helping her kids through the Talladega Raceway is quickly eroding. The other teams can't stand them. They act like hypocrites quite a bit of the time. They're not nearly as appaling as say the team of Jonathan and Victoria (Season 6), but they're definitely the team to root against this time.
Bransens: Didn't see much of them, as they ran a decent race and didn't have much drama. Keep racing good and they'll last a while longer. Dad Wally better hope he doesn't have a heart attack though!
Linzs : I don't like the Weavers all that much either, but you guys need to cool it on the hostility towards them. Focusing so much on them will remove your focus on the true goal: win the Amazing Race!
Gaghans: How you guys keep skating just by is amazing. But your luck will run out, so that means you need to race better than the others. I just hope that your kids aren't a huge liability as the game weeds out ineffective teams and only winners are left. Race on.
Godlewskis: You've cashed in your 'Get out of Jail Free' card. No more drama, no more mistakes. Or else you're done.

Others' Thoughts:

Links:

Amazing Race, Episode 5 (CBS Official Site Summary)

Episode 5: We Might Get a Home Run (RNO) - Episode Summary