The Amazing Race 5, Episode 1 - Off We Go, but Where's the Clue Box?

It's finally here! A new season of The Amazing Race! It feels like eternity, but we finally get to see 11 teams duke it out on a race around the world for a million dollars! I can seriously hardly contain myself!

We begin on the coast of Southern California, by Santa Monica. The 11 teams are arriving at the pier, where the starting line is, via lifeguard transports. In case you haven't read my preview article, I'll quickly introduce you to the new teams:

Brandon & Nicole are a dating couple. Nicole was actually Miss Texas last year, and believes that will be an advantage to their team. Could you please explain to me how that's an advantage? Kami & Karli are twin sisters. They believe they have a non-verbal language and can manipulate the other teams. Linda & Karen are bowling moms. They are very competitive and plan on going the whole way. Marshall & Lance are brothers that own a pizza place together. They admit that they yell all the time and are very abrasive and loud at times. Meh, we all are! Charla & Mirna are cousins. Charla is a "little person" but is still very tough, and there to break stereotypes. Dennis & Erika are a previously engaged couple. Both admit that they have their blowups, but this race is their ultimate love test. Bob & Joyce are widows that are now dating. They met on the internet. Both lost their spouses to cancer, and have a second chance at love. Bob says they are physically fit and intelligent. Colin & Christie are dating. Colin says he may be the most intense person to ever run the race, and Christie feels they are both very stubborn and competitive. I've already stated I think this team will win, and that I'm a HUGE Christie fan already. Chip & Kim are married parents. They spend 23 hours a day together because they run a business together. Jim & Marsha are father and daughter. She depends on her dad for advice, but feels he doesn't see her as an adult. Alison & Donny are the last team, and have been dating off and on for three years. Alison tells us about her stint on Big Brother 4, and how she was a tad unfaithful. Donny says they fight all the time, but somehow still remain together. Can these teams stand up to the stress? Which will have the right strategy, and which team will win the million dollars?

On the pier, the teams are told there will be 13 legs to the race. Each team will receive a small amount of cash at the beginning of each leg, and must pay for everything during the race except for plane tickets. Eight pit stops will be elimination legs, however, during the non-elimination legs, you still don't want to be last because there is a new twist that will be revealed later. Each team's first clue is located on their bags, and on cue, each team must get their clue and run to a marked car. The first team to cross the finish line after all 13 legs will win the race and the million dollars. So… ready, set, go!!

The teams are off and there is falling right away! Several people go down, but everyone continues to race. Charla is a little behind because, obviously, her legs are shorter than the other racers. The twins are the first team to their bags. They must find "The Hand" in the sand, in Uruguay. There will be flights, and both are first-come-first-serve. Each team has $97.23 for this leg of the race. All the teams are off to their cars, while Charla & Mirna are still running for their bags. The twins are hauling a** to the airport. And now - the opening theme song!

Colin & Christie are doing a great job at leading the pack. Apparently, Christie used to live in Santa Monica and knows her way around. I love her already. The twins are getting directions. Of the other teams though, nobody is really sure where they are going. Dennis tells Erika he was tripped… by Colin! Bob & Joyce, along with Jim & Marsha, are having problems with opening their car's trunk. Charla & Mirna are still struggling, while the bowling moms, Linda & Karen, are quickly on their way to the airport. Jim tells the camera that he thinks when he fell, he hit a nail on the pier. He's bleeding, and it looks pretty serious. Marsha admires her dad's "never-give-up" attitude. Bob & Joyce are the last team out of the pier, and start to worry. Brandon & Nicole are being followed by Kim & Chip, and don't seem to like it. Colin & Christie are the first team to the airport. Marshall & Lance are racing through traffic, and pass the twins. Both Kami & Karli admit that they get along most of the time, but when they fight, its pretty bad.

The first flight to leave the airport is American Airlines 248, and that leaves at 1:50. However, that flight arrives in Uruguay second because of a longer layover. United Airlines leaves at 2:40, but arrives in Uruguay first because of a shorter layover. However, once a team gets tickets for either flight, they can't return them. The first flight has room for seven teams, so the other four teams must take the longer flight.

Colin & Christie get on the airport shuttle. Alison & Donny are already fighting about something. He's not sure why they are still together, but it must be fate. That, or the fact that he's sticking with her because he'll get on dozens of reality TV shows. Alison will be on Survivor next, mark my words. Then Donny can go visit her and compete in the "gross food" challenge! Marshall & Lance board an airport shuttle as well, and tell it to drive past three other teams that air waiting. Colin & Christie, meanwhile, are the first to the terminal. Alison & Donny, Karli & Kami, and Dennis & Erika all decide to team up and check both terminals so they can find out which flight is better. Charla & Mirna are lost. Marshall & Lance see Colin & Christie over by the American Airlines ticket booth, but not in line yet. The second shuttle arrives and Dennis & Erika are the first team in line at American Airlines. They snag tickets for the slower flight, but don't know it yet. Donny & Alison, along with Karli & Kami, get tickets for the first arriving flight, over at United. They go to inform Dennis & Erika of this.