The Amazing Race 8
Panama, Plastic Parrots and a Pit Stop
Commentary By Alisa
October 28, 2005
I'm Still Not Feeling It
This race is getting more confusing by the episode, or shall I say by the minute? Good golly, it's hard enough to remember all the family names much less the individuals. That's one reason I just can't bond with them.
The Weavers are obviously the least liked team in the Race. Of course they're going through an emotional upheaval due to their loss, but does that have to turn them crazy and mean?
The Paolos are somewhat colorful but annoying as hell. Especially the dad because he never says a word while Mamma Mia and her eldest (see what I mean about names?) are having their shouting fest. It was pathetic to hear her plea to just have her son express his love for her. Isn't winning a trip to the most humid place on Earth right after you've been there enough?
I cannot believe that they're doing as well as they are, but I don't think it will last. Of course, getting the Fast Forward helped them secure First Place.
The Linz team is doing well, even though Sis seems to be the weakest member by her own admission. With three strong brothers to carry her along they might last for another few episodes.
The Branson girls and their dad are doing better than they have in the beginning but the flirtation between them and the Linz guys is energizing them.
The Gaghans with their Children of the Corn are hanging in and despite being blocked by the truck carrying the Pepsi vending machine (talk about obvious product placement now that we all have DVRs) and it looked like this was going to be Sayonara for them. Didn't the driver have a reverse gear to get the hell out of that street and go down another one? Apparently not. But I'm happy they made it, I would have hated to see little Carissa cry.
The Godhelpus sisters did the smartest thing that I have seen a team do when they suspect that they might be the last team to arrive and they also guessed correctly that this was a non-elimination round. They put on all their clothing in layers knowing that their belongings other than the clothes they were wearing would be taken away. I don't get the underwear over the outerwear but to each his own. The thong looked rather interesting on top of the other gear. Who whispered in their ear that it would be a non-elimination round? Hmmmm.
The Panama Challenges
The first task was to take a boat across the water to an island and finding a lazy scientist in a hammock who was to hand them their next clue. Trouble was, there was more than one lazy scientist. What're you going to do?
The Detour consisted of either spotting different species of plastic birds that were super-glued onto different trees and circling them on a chart, or each team could deliver four musical instruments and put them in their cases while smiling dancers were spinning around the dance floor in a club and the bandleader handed over the clue.
Since there was only one Fast Forward which was claimed by the Paolos they got to tandem bungee jump off a pier where Mamma Mia and DJ finally bonded after he got over his fear. Dad advised him, "Don't panic. Close your eyes and throw yourself down."
For the Roadblock there was a baseball game where one member from each team had to get a base hit. This is where Sharon Godlewski faltered but with her sisters' encouragement finally connected with the ball.
Here again is where I ask myself why we weren't told more about that interesting isthmus of land that separates Costa Rica from Colombia. The Panama Canal is a miracle of engineering but we didn't hear a word about that. There are rainforests, parks, monkeys (we don't really care about those after seeing the loudest shrieking monkeys on Survivor) and the Bridge of the Americas.
Frankly, Phil doesn't look too happy during this series of The Amazing Race. I don't know if it's my imagination, but the poor guy looks worn out and the gleam from his eyes is somewhat dimmer as he greets the teams at the Mira Flores Locks Pit Stop which is the Pacific entrance to the Canal. I wonder where they'll sleep? It didn't look very comfortable.
After Panama, Then What?
At first we were led to believe that this was going to be a picturesque family trip across the United States. The adventure had barely begun when the scenery included BP stations (there's that awful product placement again) and areas of very little interest. Maybe the Delaware River where George Washington crossed was an interesting site, but I was too worried about the swift current, and too confused about all the Georges that I couldn't truly appreciate the historical aspect of the park.
Okay, so now we've suffered through Panama City - not the one for the famous spring breaks and "Girls Gone Wild" either. I wonder where they're off to next.
Frankly, I'm not excited anymore. I don't think they will venture far. There is one other foreign country they'll visit and that could very well be Mexico as they make their way back to the good old U.S.A.
I wish that things will get more exciting and compelling. I wish that the teams would be more interesting and funny. Lastly, I wish that they never try this concept again.
Alisa is a California Girl who loves to read, write and critique anything she damn well pleases.
She can be reached at california_girl100@yahoo.com
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