The Amazing Race 15 Insider, Episode 8: Time to Move On, Guys!

After the Race

What Comes Next: In good spirits, Matt tells us that they're definitely going to go kayaking as they won kayaks for coming in first place a few legs back. He also plans on doing lots of activities together with his dad. Gary is going to make a point of doing things with just Matt and not the whole family so they can continue to connect. For Matt, The Amazing Race has been his gateway to the world as he's only otherwise been to Canada for a week. His perspective of the world has changed dramatically now that he's seen it for himself. It's evolved from an outlook based on fear to something along the lines of understanding and enjoyment.

Gary is happy to hear Matt describe life like that and adds that Matt's eyes have been opened. He's hopeful that Matt will continue to open doors and seek out new experiences in order to enjoy all that life has to offer. Gary is heartened that Matt may have a sense of confidence about the world and in succeeding on whatever he puts his mind to. Gary admits the experience will help him too as his worldview has been expanded as well. I like it when people realize the world is much bigger than just their neighborhood or the United States.

Better in Front: For Meghan, it's a lot easier for her to function when they are in the front of the pack. When she has to deal with other teams around them and the fact that they aren't in the front, that is when she doesn't do well. Wow, when there's little to no pressure on her, she does well! She should write a book with this amazing insight! Cheyne reinforces Meghan's declaration when he tells us that she's always been at the top of her class and the best in sports. They're both more comfortable when they're leading and depending on each others' intellect without worrying about what the other teams are doing.

Brian & Ericka Break it Down: Ericka believes that the tension between the Globetrotters and Sam & Dan was because of how close they were at the end. The competitive juices were in overdrive and they were forced to deal with a small space to try to make a move to pass someone. Both wanted to finish ahead of the other team and, according to Ericka, that is the ultimate cause of the tension today. Brian surmises that it all came down to pride and gunning for that second place spot as everyone was well aware that Meghan & Cheyne had already won the leg.

Brian has played sports all of his life so when you factor in two guys who are as big as Big Easy and Flight Time and the cocky voice they each have, he recognizes that the Globetrotters are trying to intimidate the brothers. He's amused that the brothers are trying to return the favor. Brian knows that trash-talking is a huge part in sports so he knows that is where the Globetrotters are coming from. Ericka laughs as she finds it funny that he hasn't considered how high the trash-talking bar is when considering beauty pageants. Ericka isn't fazed by any of the trash-talking going on in the race and actually enjoys it. If need be, she can bring out her much-longer claws. The Globetrotters are great at the mental game and if done right, can cause a lot more damage than purely physical assaults.

Globetrotters Explain: Big Easy explains that if this had been the last leg, they would have run through Sam & Dan. As it was, they had gone 30 yards the wrong way so when they headed in the right direction, they had a lot of ground to cover. Then when Flight Time fell, they still managed to catch right up with Sam & Dan. There really is no issue in terms of who would win a foot race. So Big Easy understands what Sam & Dan were doing as it was the only thing they could do, which was box the Globetrotters out. When Flight Time fell, from Big Easy's vantage point, it looked like Dan had elbowed him so that was why Big Easy seemed to be upset. He knows now that Dan didn't elbow him and that Flight Time just got tangled up. Yet if it was the last leg, he's sure they would have gone right through them.

For Flight Time, he recognizes that Sam & Dan have about the same number of top three finishes as they do. There's respect between the two teams for that accomplishment. Flight Time had assumed that Matt & Gary were the stronger team because of their navigation skills, but we've all seen how well those skills held up recently. Sam & Dan have run a smart race and it's gotten them here to the final four teams remaining. Big Easy has nothing but respect for all the teams that are still there but more importantly, he respects the race itself. You're more likely to be competing with yourself than you are with other teams.

Sam & Dan Sound Off: Sam considers the Globetrotters their rivals at this point. They're athletic, another all-male team, and well-traveled so they're tough competition. The rivalry also exists because of their accusation that Dan elbowed Flight Time off the wooden path. Sam is surprised that with them being athletes that they'd make such an accusation. He's also annoyed because the accusation was made so passively, with it being, "if they're going to push, then I guess we're going to have push too." Dan finds it ridiculous as you're not even allowed to push in the race anyway as you get a penalty for aggressive physical contact.

Sam didn't like that the Globetrotters were accusing them but still trying to come across as the good guys. Dan didn't like that the Globetrotters wouldn't just admit that Sam & Dan beat them. Dan admits that Big Easy did admit that they thought they were running for first place, as did Sam & Dan at the time. But upon realization that it wasn't for first place while up on the mat, both teams agreed that it was good to just still be in the race. Sam continues to harp on it and Dan interrupts him and tries to get him to calm down. Sam ignores Dan and proceeds anyway. He thinks it's ironic that Big Easy would accuse Dan of elbowing others when Big Easy was throwing elbows while running up stairs in Vietnam. Sam considers it hypocritical.

Sam also thinks that the Globetrotters are supposed to present an image of good-natured fun and optimism. Yet he thinks they've failed in that objective by their accusation of Dan. Personally, I think Sam just needs to take a big deep breath and look at the big picture. I'm sure today he has to be over it but with the stress of the race, it probably wasn't something he could process rationally. There's a million dollars at stake, Sam! Get over it and just race. Anyway, back to Sam's rant. They both believe that the Globetrotters were just upset that they had been beaten, even if it was only for second place. Sam found it inappropriate and not very tasteful.

Extra Race Footage

Gary & Matt Unpack: Gary & Matt get settled in their room on the ferry that will take them to Estonia. I have taken a long-distance ferry ride myself (from Washington to Haines, Alaska) and can relate as Matt is trying to help keep the place livable while suggesting to leave one of the foldaway beds stowed to keep some room open. Gary looks through the bathroom and Matt humorously notices there's no hair dryer. Gary laughs as that's what he was actually looking for too! Gary lets us know that they've got a 16-hour ferry ride ahead of them so they're getting comfortable. It's Matt's first cruise and he mentions this trip has had lots of firsts, including his first subway ride.