The Amazing Race 5, Episode 10 MVPs and LVPs: Stuck in the Mud

Here we are again, for another week of First Class and Cargo Class awards on The Amazing Race. For the first time this season, I didn’t feel particularly strongly about giving away either award. None one did anything exceptional bad or good this time around, so I really had to give the matter some thought. I bet you’re all dying to know what I decided, but first, let me say a few words about Chip and Kim’s decision to not use the yield. The twins were right behind them, and they had the opportunity to Yield them. Chip and Kim were thinking about it. But they were certain that Karen and Linda were well behind them, so they opted not to use the Yield. Imagine Chip and Kim’s surprise when they saw there were only two clue envelopes left, meaning the moms actually weren’t behind them, and it would have been a very good time to leave Karli and Kami cooling their identical heels.

Was this an incredibly dumb move on Chip and Kim’s part? I don’t think so. They thought Linda and Karen were well behind them, and honestly, I would have thought the same thing. Karli and Kami certainly did, and Linda and Karen themselves actually thought they were in last place when they reached the Yield box. So believing what they believed, Chip and Kim figured there was no reason to potentially make another team mad at them since they were a good bet to stay in the race. In hindsight, of course, it was a mistake, but I can see why they did it. I’m giving Chip and Kim a pass on this one.

Let’s award the Cargo Class prize first this time around. The worst behaved team this leg of the race was Karli and Kami. At the airport, Kami decided to lie to the ticket agent in hopes of getting on the flight. She claimed to have a reservation and added, “I called and I confirmed!” This dishonesty got her nowhere, as the agent asked to see any kind of proof, and of course, Kami didn’t have any. As far as lies go, it’s nothing on Johnny Fairplay’s infamous dead grandmother in Survivor: Pearl Islands, but it’s a bit on the sleazy side. Every time someone lies about having a reservation, it make sit that much harder for any of us who actually do have a reservation and need to solve a problem. The twins also annoyed me when they said that by not Yielding them, Chip and Kim redeemed themselves. Are they still mad about that whole taxicab non-issue way back so many episodes ago? Because if they are, they need to get over it, considering that Chip and Kim bailed them out in Egypt when they were wandering aimlessly in the desert. Karli and Kami certainly didn’t have one of the worst ever performances on The Amazing Race this week, and I think that in some past episodes, their behavior wouldn’t even merit a Cargo Class honorable mention. But I’ve got to give the award to someone, so the twins get it this week.