Amazing Race -- OAD 2/20/11

PKurmas · 02-21-2011, 06:33 AM

I'm looking forward to seeing how the first legs ends. Nothing particularly special to see in the 1st episode in HD, though.

My biggest "d'oh" observations from the leg:
1. OK, so I'm a trivia fan, but how tough really is it to come up with QANTAS from "Queensland and Northern Territory Air Service"?
2. Mallory, you don't need divine intervention to read signal flags.
3. Jet and Cord picked right back up where they left off making foolish moves, failing to read (or translate) clues, etc. I was rooting for them to last a long time but I don't think it's going to happen.
4. The Globetrotters are still a hoot. Here's hoping that a challenge doesn't ask them to read (or spell) Nietzsche. Of course, Luke did no better with Chekhov, as I recall.

loubob57 · 02-21-2011, 06:38 AM

What was up with Jet & Cord? Translate ALL the flags! I think they are freaked out about being last so they're in too much of a hurry to do things right.

Maui · 02-21-2011, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loubob57

What was up with Jet & Cord? Translate ALL the flags! I think they are freaked out about being last so they're in too much of a hurry to do things right.

I think you are right. This was the weakest I remember seeing them. I think they are just trying to rush because they are in last. I really want to see them do well.

I don't know half the teams since I just started watching a few seasons ago. I always did like Mallory and her dad. I don't think they are that strong of a team actually but I was still happy to see them come in first.

In Jet and Cords defense there were, I think, 4 other teams who did not fully, or correctly, translate those flags. Those teams were just lucky enough to get other teams to tell the answer to them.

eddyj · 02-21-2011, 08:22 AM

Great starting leg, so far. Makes me excited about the Race again. I skipped a couple of races altogether, and finally watched last one again. Looking forward to this one.

But as always with these types of things, I gotta wonder how they decided on what teams to include.

gossamer88 · 02-21-2011, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maui

In Jet and Cords defense there were, I think, 4 other teams who did not fully, or correctly, translate those flags. Those teams were just lucky enough to get other teams to tell the answer to them.

I agree. No way some those teams would've figured it out for themselves. There should be a rule about giving others the answers.

Something tells me that this leg is a non-elimination leg since it continues on. I hope for the cowboys sake.

fmowry · 02-21-2011, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gossamer88

I agree. No way some those teams would've figured it out for themselves. There should be a rule about giving others the answers.

Something tells me that this leg is a non-elimination leg since it continues on. I hope for the cowboys sake.

While I like the Cowboys, if you're that dumb (this goes for the other teams too that couldn't do a 6 year old Happy Meal puzzle) you should be eliminated.

Regina · 02-21-2011, 09:09 AM

So I've only watched these last 4 seasons....has the order of the 1st and 2nd planes ever gotten reversed like this before due to health issues, mechanical problems, etc? That was pretty cool!

They are really making it tough on these guys-no rest for the weary-but like Phil said, second chances don't come cheap...

Those cheerleaders--

-they said that people either loved them or hated them-well, 5 seconds in I hated them-and their super-fake red hair!

I am looking forward to seeing what happens-hope the Globetrotters stay in for a while, loved how Zev and Dustin had Globetrotters shirts on! LOL!

TiVo'Brien · 02-21-2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina

.........I am looking forward to seeing what happens-hope the Globetrotters stay in for a while, loved how Zev and Dustin had Globetrotters shirts on! LOL!

So WHY were Zev and Dustin wearing Globetrotters shirts? I totally didn't get it.

Love the HD, baby! Amazing camera work and scenery!

ElJay · 02-21-2011, 09:44 AM

There's no "U" in Qantas.

So a passenger has a heart attack on the plane, and some of the racers are more concerned about where they fit in the race. Yes, you can naturally think about that in your mind, but you don't say it to television cameras.

The teams and/or racers that were annoying to watch before are, as expected, still annoying.

What does Mallory do for a job? Does she sit there all day praying to St. Anthony or Jesus when she can't figure something out?

brott · 02-21-2011, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElJay

So a passenger has a heart attack on the plane, and some of the racers are more concerned about where they fit in the race. Yes, you can naturally think about that in your mind, but you don't say it to television cameras.

You do realize they were delayed for at least 2 hours and what we saw was a tiny snippet. That may have been the only 2 seconds that it was said over that entire 2+ hour ordeal. I'm sure they all said "I hope the guy's OK" many times over but that we didn't see it.

Regina · 02-21-2011, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brott

You do realize they were delayed for at least 2 hours and what we saw was a tiny snippet. That may have been the only 2 seconds that it was said over that entire 2+ hour ordeal. I'm sure they all said "I hope the guy's OK" many times over but that we didn't see it.

One of the racers-can't remember which-said "The most important thing is that the guy is fine.."

Regina · 02-21-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiVo'Brien

So WHY were Zev and Dustin wearing Globetrotters shirts? I totally didn't get it.

Love the HD, baby! Amazing camera work and scenery!

Well, they did say "The Globetrotters are our boys-we ran with them the first time around.." And they did help Flight Time & Big Easy with the flags, so I guess they are BFFs now!

laria · 02-21-2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiVo'Brien

So WHY were Zev and Dustin wearing Globetrotters shirts? I totally didn't get it.

Justin.

They came from the same season and were friends.

I couldn't believe how many of those teams expected, and were given, the flag answer from the other teams. People, you are in a RACE for a million dollars!

brott · 02-21-2011, 10:16 AM

Strategy ... Rub my back, I'll rub yours later. Plus you could help remove a potentially strong team in the process. While the ultimate goal is to with a million dollars, the immediate goal is to not come in last at any leg. Any little edge helps and working together early can pay dividends later.

Einselen · 02-21-2011, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laria

I couldn't believe how many of those teams expected, and were given, the flag answer from the other teams. People, you are in a RACE for a million dollars!

I liked the teams that worked together at the flags, that is a smart move since you cut your time in half. One person is working on the passphrase while the other person is working on the location.

The teams that just went and gave the answers confuse me. Sure they may help you out down the road and you think you may be able to beat them in a later leg but in TAR I wouldn't count on much, it is mainly you and your partner that will either win it or lose it for yourself.

laria · 02-21-2011, 10:31 AM

There's a difference between "working together" and "standing around expecting someone to hand you the answer" though.

Raj · 02-21-2011, 11:06 AM

My interest in the race is renewed, especially since it's in HD!

They're still going to have pit stops where they gather everyone right? The race would be boring if everyone was split up across different legs.

markz · 02-21-2011, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina

So I've only watched these last 4 seasons....has the order of the 1st and 2nd planes ever gotten reversed like this before due to health issues, mechanical problems, etc? That was pretty cool!

I think I remember one time a plane had mechanical issues and the second plane got ahead of it.

Looks like Jet & Cord aren't long for this race. Too bad. I am rooting for them and the Globetrotters.

I had to laugh at Kent & Vyxsin. When they were trying to get to Manly Bay, he was flexing for the camera and she said he should fit right in! Whatever, there is not one manly thing about him.

Inundated · 02-21-2011, 11:54 AM

Yes, there have been plane/mechanical/weather problems that have changed the order in previous seasons.

Jet and Cord... sigh. Not a good start for the cowboys! But, the Trotters seem to be in good opening form. I do wonder if the reaction to the passenger heart attack was edited to make them look good.

Glad to have TAR back, and in HD to boot. Though I hope the HD production doesn't limit the destinations this season...

jtlytle · 02-21-2011, 11:58 AM

I'm praying LaKisha and Jennifer got elimination on next leg!

pmyers · 02-21-2011, 12:37 PM

HD! That is all!

TonyTheTiger · 02-21-2011, 12:45 PM

Love the HD. If any show needed to be in HD, it's this one. After all, it's one big travel brochure!!

There were at least three other teams that would still be floundering around trying to get the flag puzzle including the Globetrotters if they weren't given the answer.

There's nothing in the rules that says one team can't help another. I just hope when it comes down to the wire, some of them will remember the kindness of others, but somehow I doubt it.

pmyers · 02-21-2011, 01:40 PM

I didn't get the Quantas annogram, but I would have been paying attention to what everybody else was doing and If I saw all of them go up at the same time, I would just bring anything up with me and then just overhear what they were all saying!

VegasVic · 02-21-2011, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raj

They're still going to have pit stops where they gather everyone right? The race would be boring if everyone was split up across different legs.

Yes they are. There have been "to be continued" legs other seasons. Next week we should settle into the usual routine. As has been discussed for other seasons they have to have bunch ups or "equalizers" to keep the teams close (and to keep viewer interest of course). You have to look at it as 12 mini races as opposed to one long race.

laria · 02-21-2011, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markz

I had to laugh at Kent & Vyxsin. When they were trying to get to Manly Bay, he was flexing for the camera and she said he should fit right in! Whatever, there is not one manly thing about him.

Speaking of him, I noticed that he changed his name.

Last time he was "Kynt".

jbernardis · 02-21-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina

One of the racers-can't remember which-said "The most important thing is that the guy is fine.."

It was one of the globetrotters - Don't know which one.

Amnesia · 02-21-2011, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laria

Speaking of him, I noticed that he changed his name. Last time he was "Kynt".

Well, I guess that 'e' is a better choice than a different vowel...

ElJay · 02-21-2011, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brott

You do realize they were delayed for at least 2 hours and what we saw was a tiny snippet. That may have been the only 2 seconds that it was said over that entire 2+ hour ordeal. I'm sure they all said "I hope the guy's OK" many times over but that we didn't see it.

Sure, that's why you just don't say it at all when a TV camera is in your face.

Ruth · 02-21-2011, 03:10 PM

Every time Kent & Vyxsin are on screen all I do is wonder if they are for real or it's just some weird joke they are playing on the TV audience.

Was I just confused, or did the second team to arrive get a U-Turn extra task thing? That seemed weird to me. Why penalize the second team? And why wouldn't they just wait and not check in and give it to the next team to arrive? Better to be third with no extra task, I think.

wendiness1 · 02-21-2011, 03:14 PM

While I can see the logic in buddying up to another team but giving them the answer, it's risky because, at the same time, you alienate other teams and they might well be the ones you need help from in the future.

I wonder why several teams all missed the "between". It's not like a single letter. And yet, what, three teams missed it?

I wonder which teams were considered to repeat but were unvailable, uninterested or had status changes that would have affected their participation. I doubt the collection we see in this episode were all first choices.

Interesting that this time the last team ws not eliminated but was instead has to complete both tasks. Basically, this is what happens on a non-elim episode but isn't being identified as such. I wonder if the producers recognized that bumping out a team immeidately was a bit harsh and the first episode should offer a bit of slack. Or if the teams, now experienced, wouldn't participate if there was a first round elimination.