With John Vito and Jill out of the way, the teams started in Ecuador and headed to Chile. The road block involved finding letters on pens, papers, cufflinks, etc. during a board meeting to spell a destination on one of the pictures on the wall. The detour was in a salt mine and required the teams to either correctly fasten a tire to machinery or dig enough salt to make a pile high enough to pass a measured height. We certainly got to get re-acquainted with the teams a lot more.
Here’s how they finished.
ROB AND AMBER
Well, well, there they are again. But this time there’s a difference. Amber is becoming a partner in the game, and not just sitting quietly while Rob calls the shots. Despite being 15 minutes later into Chile than all but Oswald and Danny, Amber proceeded to have a good road block then worked very well at the detour (the one they chose turned out to be the better one) to win another leg and some motorcycles. I have alternatively loved, and despised Amber. I still don’t think she should have been cast for Survivor:All Stars because she did nothing but schmooze with the right CBS execs to get the gig. But she’s in my good books for now.
OSWALD AND DANNY
Cha-cha-cha-ing their way along. They were also late to Chile but must have strengthened their bond with Rob and Amber because Oswald and Amber worked together at the road block. They also chose the right detour and ended second. Love their attitude (though they can tone down the gay stuff, please). They can go a long way.
JOE AND BILL
Guido had a good leg. Joe figured out the puzzle at the road block in good time. The guys argued a bit at the detour but managed to work it out. And for their trouble, a solid if unspectacular third-place finish.
ERIC AND DANIELLE
Eric continues to be as competitive as ever and is definitely driving the bus for this team. Danielle has been a good passenger and soldier so far. Eric had a little trouble solving the boardroom word puzzle at the road block but had a good detour. They also had a bit of trouble towards the pit stop but managed to get fourth.
UCHENNA AND JOYCE
Joyce had a lot of trouble at the road block but when she did solve the word, she shared it with Ian as to not leave the old guy as the last one to complete it. They also had a good run with the detour and ended fifth. They’re not the most exciting couple but they stick to the business at hand and that’s important in the race.
DUSTIN AND KANDICE
Dustin had an amazing road block, being the first to solve the word in the boardroom. They also worked very well at the detour. They tried to follow Charla and Mirna towards the pit stop but Mirna, who had hired a cabbie to escort them, would have none of it unless the beauty queens agreed to pay half. They left. Then, they bypassed the line of teams stopping at the start of the 40 km/h zone. Finally, they asked for directions to the pit stop which was key in them bypassing teams at the end for their sixth-place finish. They remain very competitive and aren’t mocking their competition as much this time. I’m definitely warming up to them.
TERI AND IAN
Ian had trouble at the road block despite his police investigation training. In fact, Joyce ended up giving him the answer. They proved at the detour that their age is not a deterrent. Maybe we’re starting to see or be reminded as to why they’re the oldest runners-up in Race history.
CHARLA AND MIRNA
At the detour, Charla continued to show why she’s a dynamo at physical tasks and had a good road block as well. Mirna continued to show why she’s one of the most annoying people in show history. On the way to the pit stop, she managed to get under the skin of both Dustin and Kandice and the cab driver that was helping them with directions. Then for whatever reason, they managed to upset David and Mary, who they had formed a great alliance with. If they do not win, we’ll know who to blame. And it won’t be the short one.
DAVID AND MARY
Part good ‘ol Kentucky, part seasoned players who want to make a point. They stopped early in the race to yank out Charla and Mirna, who were stuck in a ditch. Mary worked well with Charla at the road block. David nearly cost them the race when he didn’t seem to care that the tire he was fastening to a truck was not being bolted properly, so when the inspector rejected his work, he had to start over. Then late in the leg, they get into a bit of a race with Charla and Mirna and Mary is upset. Why? When you’re fighting to avoid last, the alliance has to dissolve. I hope Mary comes to her senses and tries to make up with them because despite their improved confidence, they still are not as well-equipped to win this on their own as some other teams.
KEVIN AND DREW
While they won many fans in TAR 1, they also annoyed a lot of people and I can now see why. The moving of bags in the airplane was unnecessary. Kevin listening in on Mary during the road block was a nice, deciptful move and they did o.k. during the detour. But then they really unravelled. They completely missed the sign which indicated they were out of the 40 KM/H zone and were surprised that other teams were passing them. They tried at the end to block Charla and Mirna but Mirna would have none of that. At the pit stop, Drew left the mat in disgust a couple of times but then admitted he was hurting physically. So much for the frat brothers.
At some point someone’s got to challenge Rob and Amber. Hope it’s next week.
