TV: Amazing Race 10 - Episode 8

All good things must come to an end (I figured I needed a Star Trek: TNG reference in my blog eventually). For the miners, the race around the world finally ended in Madagascar. At least Mary got to experience some new things, and learned that Madagascar is more than just an animated move. It also was good to see that the new non-elimination penalty of a 30 minute wait for a non-first place finish actually had an impact on the outcome. They actually came in 5th but only 10 minutes ahead of the Bama Moms. This added to a tense, emotional finish.

Barring a major surprise, the odds are that the Bama Moms are the next to go. I think the message from their cute children (in next week's episode) might make them want to lose and go home. So, I can start to handicap what I believe will be the final four.

The Models could be the most physically fit but most directionally challenged. There's also sign of some conflict brewing between the guys. But at least James can eat (and giving Tyler the inspiration to name an episode). That might only be good enough for 4th place in this close race. The preview showing them getting stuck in the mud might be a hint for an upset.

The Needlers pretty much have fate in their hands. If they can get along, they can win this thing. Chances are the mounting pressure will lead to another Rob meltdown or a full-blown argument. The presence of the Models and just doing the Fast Forward may have spared them for one leg. They seem to be doing OK in the developing countries despite some of their odd preconceptions about people who live there. They may get an advantage if the race goes through the fancier areas of Europe, but staying in the third world could mean a third place finish.

The Chos have been trying very hard to prove that nice guys can finish first, but so far that has only happened once for them in this race. Perhaps after they are unburdened by the rest of the six-pack they can jump over a couple of teams. It will be interesting to see if they will try to form a new alliance or try to keep the Bama Moms in it. The work they did with The Queens at the Intersection / Detour challenge showed they could work with anybody -- even the most hated team. Most importantly, the brothers get along with each other. Unfortunately, they can also get lost while driving or while in deep thought. That may only let them take second at best.

This leaves The Queens who have been on a roll despite piling on more bad karma points. This week they took the Bama Moms' car instead of using the same car that they wrecked earlier. Then they made a dumb joke about perhaps doing the Paper challenge because the Chos were Asian (maybe the only time the Chos showed any disgust, with the "Let's just go" comment). At least the comment showed that the Blondes know some history. They have gotten lost less frequently than the other teams, and could be resourceful when needed. It would be great to see an all-woman team win this race for the first time, even if I am still rooting for the nicer Chos.

This race may still have a few tricks up its sleeve, so nothing is a lock.

Other Notes:
While Los Angeles is known for its traffic and smog, most of it blown into the surrounding valleys (see simple flash demo there). Therefore, I guess Rob and Kimberly must live around Long Beach since they seem most sensitive to the smog in other cities.

I wonder if the taxi drivers in Madagascar's capital city were trying to take tourists for a ride. A few of them tried to find some long way to get the "Black Angel" and many of them waited until the last minute to get gasoline. I do not remember that issue being shown as frequently in any other race destination.

The taxi driver reaction to Karlyn's comment about being a "Black Angel" did look edited and fake (or at least more so than previous attempts to display driver "double-takes" to racer comments). But it is still kind of funny every time it happens.

I used to devour cow or ox tongue when I was a very young child until I learned what it was. I am not sure if I have ever eating cow lips, but considering how often I dine out, who knows what I have been eating. I never could eat balut, though most of my family loves it.

How many times have contestants vomited at those eating challenges? Kimberley was having the toughest time this time around.

Between the stiff dancing and the uncomfortable look Phil had while being hugged by two attractive blond women, I wonder how much of a nerd Phil was in school.