The Amazing Race 4, Episode 2: Snowrafts, Gondolas, and Masks – Oh My!

At the Calalzo station, Jon and Kelly rest their things. This looks to be the closer train station, because they are the only team that has arrived there so far. Jon & Al are doing the rafts. Reichen and Chip are leaving the pit stop, and say that since some of the other teams are playing dirty, they will too. You know what, I like these two. They came to run a clean race, but they can change their strategy at the drop of a dime. They weren’t necessarily screwed in the first leg, but they are right when saying that other teams are playing dirty, specifically Josh from the father/son team.

All the other teams get to the rafts in a rather quick way. Not Russell & Cindy. They manage to get lost and have yet to get there. Meanwhile, Reichen & Chip have already finished. These two amaze me. Russell & Cindy manage to always get lost and lose a lead they have over someone. This will not be the last time we see this happen.

Steve & Josh arrive at Calalzo station, where they find most of the other teams. Jon and Kelly are not there of course because they opted for a slow bus instead of a quick cab ride. Dave & Jeff leave the pit stop and quickly get to the rafts and hurry to the station. They know that they came close to being eliminated during the last leg and want to have as few mistakes as possible. At the station, Reichen & Chip arrive and say that Josh and Steve are their enemies. I agree with them. Steve & Josh are evil. My how time flew by, it’s already 2:42 a.m. and Tian & Jaree have left the pit stop. By this time, Russell & Cindy have finally gotten on the snow rafts.

This is where things start to get good. Over at the bus station, Monica & Sheree tell Reichen and Chip that some of the other teams are trying to get rid of them because they are two strong males, along with Dave & Jeff. They specifically mention Steve & Josh as the camera shows them being evil. Reichen & Chip decide that just because there is a line for the bus station, they don’t want to wait in it. They then proceed to move Steve’s bag and hold onto the doors at the bus station. Steve tells them that his bag was there while Reichen & Chip really don’t care. I admire this, and love the fact that they are doing it. Josh & Steve say it isn’t fair what they are doing, then Reichen & Chip state it wasn’t fair for them to reserve tickets for Steve & Dave over them and Monica & Sheree at the Swiss Air terminal during the first leg. That is such a valid point, I’m glad they brought it up. I also love how Steve & Dave don’t say a word because they also know it’s true. All this drama and it seems like everyone is getting a little snippy. Just then, Russell & Cindy get to the station. Tian & Jaree finish with the rafts. At this point, a bus shows up and they find out that it’s going to the train station with the earlier train, so everyone gets on board, ending the standoff.

Tian & Jaree get to the Calalzo station where they see Jon & Kelly – and nobody else. By this time, all the other teams have boarded a train to Venice. The other two teams see one another on the train and know something is up because they are the only two teams on that train. Cut to the first train arriving at Venice station. They all frantically get to the route marker where they find a detour.

A detour is a task a team must complete in order to get to the next route marker. They must choose between two tasks, each with their own pros and cons. In this detour, teams will have to choose between Waterway and Pathway. Waterway has each team board a gondola, cruise the river streets of Venice with only a map, and find the next route marker without asking for directions. Pathway would have the teams running through the streets looking for the next route marker, but they are allowed to ask for directions. It may be strenuous on the legs, but they are pretty much guaranteed to find someone that will show them the way.

Every team from the first bus chooses waterway except for Millie and Chuck. They see all the other teams boarding the gondolas and decide it may be easier for them to just do pathway since they are good runners. Meanwhile, Josh & Steve are in their gondola with Josh saying that he knows exactly where they have to go. Ugh, you said the same thing in L.A., Josh, when leaving Dodger Stadium, yet you were not the first team to the airport. Dave & Steve are just having fun as their gondola driver is passing everyone.

Millie & Chuck look frustrated but are still running around the streets of Venice asking people where to go. Dave & Jeff seem to know where the route marker is, but their gondola driver cannot make a turn and has to go back the other way. This is bad luck because everyone behind them can turn around easier. Chris & Amanda, who were in the back, are now in the lead. Chris still tells Amanda she sucks. I’m really starting to not like this guy. Why doesn’t Amanda curse him out like she did those drivers on the Interstate in the first leg. We know she has a potty mouth, might as well put it to good use.