Now, grab as many beers as you can, and go rudely interupt the patrons of the bar and check under beers for their coaster. Oh, and make sure you take of few sips of the beer. Somewhere, on one of these coaster, are my thoughts on this week’s episode…
1. Winners of the Week: One of the biggest aspects of the race is history. If you understand an appreciate the history that ties all of humanity together, you will understand and appreciate the race so much more. This episode, it seemed that Gus had the greater understanding of the symbolism of traveling from the site of one of humanities greatest evils, to one of the ultimate symbols of oppression. As Gus said, “We humans are capable of so much horror.” Yet, Gus’s appreciation of history alone didn’t win this spot. They ran a decent leg, and were involved in one of the funnier scenes of the season as Gus tried to sneak in just one more beer before they left the bar. In this season the father and daughter reversed roles and Hera became the parent and Gus the whiny child not getting what he wanted.
2. Weasel of the Week: Choosing this week’s weasel was not easy. Two people stood above and beyond the call of weaseldom. In a tight race, I had to go with Kendra. As I reread this quote, I feel happy in my choice. “This city is just wretched and disgusting. And they just keep breeding and breeding. And there is poverty. I just can’t take it.” In my person opinion, this was the worst comment made in the history of the race, worsened by the fact that she made this comment in front of a local man, her cab driver. Yet, unable to top that, she came close. Here Kendra shows off her total lack of historical understanding. Making this statement, in Germany, was disgustingly ironic. “It’s a big difference from the ghetto third world.” Maybe I am being overly sensitive, but the use of the word Ghetto in Germany brought to mine images of the worst of mankind.
3. Line of the Week: The fight in the travel agency was a bit of a hoot. Little Ms. Hayden going up against Bolo seemed to be the mismatch of the year… in Hayden’s favor. I liked this exchange:
Hayden: “Just because you are 5’5” an on steroids.
Bolo: “I’m not on steroids.”
Later, as tempers came down, both teams decided to reconcile.
Bolo: “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say that to you…”
Hayden “That’s OK, I…
Bolo “And I’m not on steroids.”
I have a feeling you could attack Bolo’s character and his manhood, just don’t accuse him of being on steroids.
Some other fun lines:
Adam, on Bolo snacking during the sausage making. “Is he eating it? Ewwww…. he’s eating it.”
Rebecca on the shapeliness of her sausage, “It’s lengthy and it’s girthy.”
Kendra, proving she may just be dumb, on the beer stein challenge, “What’s a Stein?”
Jonathan, showing his true love of Berlin. “Beautiful city. You have to have an appreciation for the people who make Mercedes.”
Mary Jean encouraging Don “I love when you drive like a madman.” Grrrr…..
4. After luckily avoiding elimination by the predetermined non-elimination round last episode, this week Mary Jean and Don just weren’t so lucky. So I must say good-bye to Don and Mary Jean. I really enjoyed this team. No, they weren’t especially quick, or in reality, all that adept at the race, but they never gave up and tried to get every advantage they could out of being old, even if it came down to crying to the Ikea girl. The were quick witted and fun and while I am not devastated at their loss, I will miss them. For me, they were on of the more fun of the older couples this show has seen and they did pretty well, against all those young whipper snappers.
5. I have to admit. I am not usually all that “moved” by staged events on TAR, but I was moved by the laying of the roses at the slave house. I am not an overly emotional guy. I think you can appreciate the historic nature of a place of tragedy, like this place, without coming to tears. Yet, in this instance a felt a lot of emotion. I appreciate The Race for taking the time to do this symbolic gesture.
6. I guess we should talk about Jonathan. I was actually for a minute starting to like the guy. Yeah, he’s a loud mouth putz, His screams are annoying, and he over reacts to every thing to an uber degree. Just because you see another team doesn’t mean you need to have to start spazzing out. Yet, he has some good qualities. He seems to appreciate his surrounding more than others. He is a decent racer who doesn’t make to many mistakes. But that final scene … oh Lord. I really thought there was a line crossed there. On a technical level, yeah, maybe Victoria should have just left the bags, but his reaction was over the top. What did he lose by coming in second? Bragging rights, a cruise or trip. I mean, the guy owns a Ferrari, is that really that big of a deal? When he punched the side of Victoria’s bag, I though, “Oh, crap.” That was way past the line of anything I can remember on the show. And then, to make matters worse, when Phil suggested he go talk to his hysterically crying wife, he follows Phil’s advice, yet, not to comfort her, but to berate her even more. Sad.
7. The following thought is rated PG-13 for dialogue of a sexual nature. Parental Discretion is advised. Oh, guys. We get the joke. Yes, sausages are kinda like, well you know. So yes Adam, we get that you think Jonathan would be good at it, being a wiener and all. Yes, Mary Jean we understand that “Seven inches is REALLY big!” Although, Don looked a little let down by your enthusiasm. Yet, Rebecca had to be the worse, with comments like “Keep going, push, push. Come on a little more. I want seven inches. Adam, please go.” And of course, “That’s a big one, big one, big one. You like that. Big, big. Good. Yes. Yeah!!!.” Come on guys, this is a family show.
8. I slowed it down, frame by frame. It was a picture finish. Yet, in the end. I can’t figure out who won. I think Hera vs. Jon’s go cart race was a literal tie. What a cool challenge. Not really all that much danger or skill involved, but it seemed way cool. I guess it’s the little boy still in me that makes me excited when I see go carts. This was one of the challenges that seemed more like a chance to do something cool. Even Mary Jeans crash at the end, was funny, with her man Don chuckling at her. I wonder why she didn’t him do it since she loves it when he drives like a madman. Double Grrr….
Well, that all for now. See ya soon…
