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The Amazing Race: Be Nice It's Her Birthday
Scoreboard by Jenny Lane
January 13, 2008
Previously on Amazing Race, the final four teams headed to Japan. Christina’s familiarity with the country and language gave her team the advantage, and led them to a first place finish. Nate and Jen continued to argue, and arrived at the pit stop second. Nicolas worked extra hard to make up for grandpa Don’s fatigue, and they arrived third. Due to a bad flight choice, TK and Rachel arrived at the pit stop in last place. Luckily for them, Phil gave them the news that it was a non-elimination leg of the race. Even though TK and Rachel were still in the race, coming in last meant that they’ll have to contend with a speed bump sometime during this week’s episode.
This week, the teams left Japan and headed for Taiwan. At the airport, Christina shows that her head is in the game, and tries to get the ticket agent to tell Nate and Jen that the first flight to Taiwan is full. This leads (not surprisingly) to more bickering between Nate and Jen. Ron and Christina arrive in Taiwan first. The three remaining teams spot each other at the airport in Taiwan, and TK and Rachel are thrilled to realize that they have finally caught up to the others. Jen continues to complain about Everything – how Nate puts up with as much as he does is beyond me.
The roadblock involved a ride in an “Acrobatics Jeep,” and took the person performing the task both 25 feet above ground, and also underwater. After the stunt car task, TK and Rachel were faced with their speed bump. They have to put on special suits and run through fireworks. I think the speed bump idea is a good one, but I wish that the tasks would take longer.
Ron and Christina manage to hang on to their lead, and the other three teams boarded the same train, heading for their next task. The train ride gives Jen a chance to complain some more, this time that there’s no reason for them to even try to do well, because the other teams always catch up. She also mentions that it’s her birthday a bunch of times, using that for a reason for whatever. She doesn’t want to be eliminated because it’s her birthday, she wants to come in first because it’s her birthday, Nate should be nice to her because it’s her birthday, you get the picture.
After finishing what I think was a wimpy detour (walk on sharp stones or write messages on lanterns), Ron and Christina arrive at the pit stop, still in first place. On the way to the detour, Jen and Nate fight about their method of transportation (bus vs. taxi). Nicolas and Donald, and TK and Rachel are finishing up their detour, while Jen and Nate are still trying to figure out how to find the place.
TK and Rachel manage to get a cab before Nicolas and Donald, so they get to the pit stop in second place. Finally, my wishes were granted and Nicolas and Donald arrived third, which of course means that Nate and Jen were eliminated!!! The two talk about how they may have killed their relationship (duh), but then Nate scoops Jen up in his arms and carries her off…so strange.
Next week, one of these final three teams will win a million dollars! For the first time in a long time, I’m actually ok with any of the three remaining teams winning. I’d like to see all of them win for a variety of reasons. I guess I can’t help but favor the father/daughter or grandpa/grandson teams over the younger and fitter TK and Rachel. I also get the impression that Nicolas and Donald could use the money more than Ron and Christina. So for that reason, my fingers are crossed for Nicolas and Donald to win. It’s interesting that two of the least physically fit teams are in the finals. Maybe the show is purposely planning the tasks to be less physical, so that everyone has more of an equal chance. In any case, here’s my ranking of the final three:
The standings have moved around a bit, here's how I see things now:
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Rachel and TK
Current Ranking: 1 - Previous Ranking: 2
I know, I’m contradicting myself here. I realize that I just said that I’d like one of the two older teams to win. However, when I look at things objectively, I can’t help but think that Rachel and TK are going to come out ahead in the final leg of the race. They have proven several times that they can rally and come from behind. They don’t seem to let stress get to them, and they’re always supportive of each other. It’s all going to come down to two things. First, Rachel and TK can’t make an error in flight choices again like they have in the past. Second, they have to hope that there will be some physical tasks in the final leg. If they can complete their travel without making any mistakes, and if they are faced with some physical tasks, I think they’ll come out on top.zaria and Hendekea continue to impress me, and finished first for the third time. The probably deserved to be ranked first last week as well. For the most part, they get along well and have great teamwork. Being siblings, they know each others' strengths and weaknesses, and have a different dynamic than the teams who are in relationships. Barring something happening with a flight, I expect them to continue to dominate in the next several legs of the race.
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Ronald and Christina
Current Ranking: 1 - Previous Ranking: 2
Ron and Christina have gotten stronger as the race has progressed. I find this very impressive, because a lot of teams break down as the stress and fatigue gets to them. They’re both very smart, and determined to do well. If Ron has to perform a physical task, they could be in trouble. I’m also guardedly optimistic about the recent change in Ron’s attitude towards his daughter. If he reverts back to his old nit picky ways, that could spell trouble. Part of their success also depends on one or both of the other teams having some sort of failure or mistake along the way. Regardless of what happens in the end, I truly believe that this experience has been a life changing one for both of them. |
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Nicolas and Donald
Current Ranking: 3 - Previous Ranking: 4
Sure, I’d love for the grandpa and grandson to win the million dollars. Do I think that they will, probably not. They don’t seem to be as smart when it comes to making quick decisions, nor are they the most physically fit of the teams. What I thought would be an advantage for them, Nicolas’ travel skills, really hasn’t shown to help them a whole lot. If the other teams have difficulties along the way, we may see the underdogs pull out a win, and I’d be thrilled for them |
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Jennifer and Nathan
Current Ranking: Eliminated Leg Nine - Previous Ranking: 3
Like I said early on, Jennifer and Nathan were their own worst enemies. Maybe when they get home and watch the show, they’ll be horrified by their behavior and make some changes. I seriously disliked them more and more every second of every episode, and I would have been truly upset if they had won. |
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Kynt and Vyxsin
Current Ranking: Eliminated Leg Eight
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Azaria and Hendekea
Current Ranking: Eliminated Leg Six
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Shana and Jennifer
Current Ranking: Eliminated Leg Five
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Lorena and Jason
Current Ranking: Eliminated Leg Four
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Marianna and Julia
Current Ranking: Eliminated: Leg 3
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Kate and Pat
Current Ranking: Eliminated: Leg 2
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Current Ranking:Ari and Staella
Current Ranking: Eliminated: Leg 1
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Jenny lives in the Silicon Valley with her husband, daughter and five furry kids. In addition to all things reality tv, she loves Nip/Tuck, Big Love and the Food Network. She’s addicted to her laptop, so if you’d like to feed her addiction, you can e-mail her at Jenny@RealityTVCalendar.com.
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