The Amazing Race – Recap – Episode 8-11

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The superleg is one of those concepts that people seem to either love or they hate. Those in the “love” group like the fact that teams are forced to think about spending their money foolishly (i.e. the Linzes and coffee) plus it tests your endurance because you’re expecting a Pit Stop but you have to keep on going. Those in the “hate” group dislike it because it just looks like an excuse not to have Phil rob someone, and it causes situations like this week where we’ve gone two episodes without an elimination. I feel that both are valid viewpoints, but to be honest I’m in the “love” camp on this one.

What I’m coming to dislike is how easily teams overcome the “no money” penalty imposed for finishing last on a non-elimination leg. Teams that suffer this penalty tend to overcome it very easily, with very little time wasted. So I’d like to see something different done next season (which should be wrapping up filming as we speak). My personal thought is that the penalized team either races to one or two additional checkpoints to earn their money, or go through the leg without money, period. If you’re going to handicap the team, make sure that it is a true handicap.

With everything so linear on the first half of the leg, it’ll be interesting how the second half plays out. Do you try to fatigue teams further with more driving, or do the producers bunch everyone back up by making them fly somewhere? Either way, I’m sure that the 90 minute lead will be rendered a moot point and the trailing teams will be given an opportunity to catch up.

Standings after 9.5 legs:

1. Bransen – Probably the next team to suffer from a “production team error”
2. Weaver – Performed well enough, with less of the hypocrisy we expect from them.
3. Godlewski and Linz – About 90 minutes behind the others.
x5. Paolo
x6. Gaghan
x7. Schroeder
x8. Aiello
x9. Rogers
x10. Black

Last week, there was ballooning, driving, train-related Detours and a rather meaningless Roadblock. Teams got to see Old Faithful and the Linzes suffered a production crew-related delay. Four teams are still racing on the neverending leg.

And so the question remains – will someone be Philiminated… next?

It’s 9pm – turn away from the Canadian Curling Trials (what the heck happened to Ferbey?) because we’re LIVE on Inside Pulse with coverage of ‘The Amazing Race’!

Episode 8-11 – The Family Christmas Card

When we last left our intrepid Racers, the Linzes and Godlewskis had just seen Old Faithful erupt and were about 90 minutes behind the Bransens and Weavers, who met Phil on the Mat at a ranch in Wyoming and were told that the Leg wasn’t finished yet.

Picking up a right where we left off, Phil gives them a clue. They’re told to drive 49 miles to Turtle Ranch in Dubois (oddly, pronounced Du-Boys), Wyoming. They rush off, not really even looking at the maps.

Meanwhile, the Linz and Godlewski siblings are desperately trying to get to the Mat. And in the Bransen car, the girls note that Bransens – food = bad. The Weavers stop to get directions, but neglect to get gas (they’re half full). Foreshadowing?

The Linzes arrive, and are in good spirits. Even when Phil gives them their next clue. The Godlewskis arrive in last, and Christine is upset, but they feel relieved to find out they’re still in it.

The Bransens arrive at Turtle Ranch at 7:40pm, only to find out that it opens at 7:00am, negating EVERYTHING that went on previously.

The Weavers arrive, and go hide in their camper, complaining, of course, that noone likes them.

The Linzes and Godlewskis arrive, and they immediately start chatting with each other and the Bransens. Nick (I think) notes that if the Weavers think that noone likes them and want to withdraw into themselves, that’s fine with him

Ad Break – Vote Conservative, Stephen Harper says.

Morning, and the teams are told to run to some SUVs on a trail. The order is Linz, Weaver, Bransen and Godlewski. They drive along the trail, to some teepees and a Native American Chief. The clue box reveals a Detour – Pioneer Spirit or Native Tradition:
Pioneer Spirit – four wheels and horses to a covered wagon, and travel a quarter-mile horse back to the SUVs.
Native Tradition – Build a teepee.

Linzes and Bransens choose to assemble the wagon, while Godlewski and Weavers build teepees.

The teepee builders are starting to measure, while the Linzes and Bransens are moving quickly with the wagon assembly. Rolly the “nice” person is scared of the Chief. The Godlewskis, meanwhile, are building in their typical style.

Linz and Bransen go get the horses. Weavers are seemingly assembling the teepee with ease, while the Godlewskis… well, you know. Linz start traveling back to the SUVs. They get their clue, which tells them to travel 221 miles to The Irma hotel in Cody, Wyoming. Once there, they must dress in period clothing and take a picture with Buffalo Bill to get their next clue.

Bransens finish the task and are also off. Meanwhile, the Weavers and Godlewskis are still building teepees.

In the Linz car, we find out that the teams are only told to find the hotel named after Buffalo Bill’s daughter, not the actual name of the hotel. Whoa, it’s, like, an old school clue.

Meanwhile, Christine pushes one of her sisters up to finish up the task.

The Weavers finish the task. “We’ve always been in the Race”. Technically true, but you didn’t think so last leg, did ya?

Meanwhile, Christine is straining under her sister’s weight.

Ad Break – Random people tell me that the Liberals have done some good stuff. Although I don’t think much of it could actually be attributed to the Paul Martin mandate.

We’re back, and the Godlewski girls get their clue. They thank the Chief and leave.

Cody, and the Linzes ask about the hotel, while the Bransens pass them with no clue where to go. They stop to ask and the Linzes pass them. Both teams park and run to the hotel. The Linzes are first and go get changed. The Bransens are second but have to wait.

On the road, the Weavers want Pizza Hut, but they can’t afford it due to their no cash penalty. Meanwhile, the Godlewskis map out their route. The Linzes emerge and the Bransen girls think that they look cute. Tommy (I think), give us “Blue Steel”. Heh. They get their clue, and are told to travel 73 miles to Red Lodge, Montana, and the 10th tee at Red Lodge Golf Course.

The Weavers arrive in Cody third, and wait for the Bransens to finish up. Laura (or was it Beth) doesn’t think the outfit was particularly flattering. Wally calls the picture “the family Christmas card”, hence the episode title.

The Linzes arrive in Red Lodge, and find a Roadblock. Teams must grab a flag, drive a cart and search the back nine for four golf balls the same colour as the flag. Nick and Alex take orange (of course).

The Bransens arrive, and Wally and Beth take purple.

The Weavers finish the photo before the Godlewskis arrive. The Linz and Bransens both have 3 balls. The Godlewskis flirt with Buffalo Bill while their photo is being developed.

The Linzes miss their last ball in the hole on the 18th. The Weavers arrive and Rolly and Mama take red. Bransen finish and are told to drive 43 miles to Green Meadow Ranch in Sorki, Montana. The last team to arrive may be eliminated.

The Linzes find their last ball and head to the Pit Stop. Godlewski arrive and Sharon and Michelle take Carolina blue. They (naturally) bicker and Sharon gets out and runs. Um, what?

Ad Break

Bransens stop at a gas station for directions. Linzes are seven miles away. Weavers finish the task, and head to the Pit Stop. Godlewskis are apparently right behind.

The Bransens arrive at the Ranch, with the Linzes right behind them. Teams are searching for Phil, but team number one are… the Bransens! And they’ve won a Buick Lucerne. The Linzes are team number two, and both teams are racing to the Finish Line!!

Now it’s a race for third. But the Weavers get pulled over. They get a warning, and Mama gets directions. It doesn’t look like the Godlewskis have caught up. Meanwhile, the Weavers are low on gas, but they reach the Ranch. And team number three are… the Weavers. Damn.

The Godlewskis are the last team to arrive, and this time they’ve been eliminated from the Race. And… apparently nothing will have changed between the sisters as a result of the Race.

And now, we get the usual patter from the Final Three teams. The gloves are off, and it’s every family for themselves.

Next Week: It’s the finale, as the teams head to Niagara Falls and Toronto (among other places), take a ride through the Niagara River, and Nick and Rolly COLLIDE!!

Kevin has been an Insider since 2003, writing on a variety of topics ranging from The Amazing Race to Mixed Martial Arts. His current hobbies include Fantasy Football, Sporcle, travelling, making liberal use of his DVR and wondering what the heck he's gonna do when his two daughters are old enough to date. You can follow Kevin on Twitter (@starvenger).