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

Chuck & Millie find someone who knows where the plaza is. They graciously follow the lady to the next route marker. Hmm, I guess pathway was the better of the two choices. Millie & Chuck beat every team on the gondolas. They must get to the Palazzo da Mosto, where they will attend a party at 5 p.m. (though they don’t know about the 5 p.m. part ‘til they get there). Amanda & Chris get the next route marker, with Jon & Al right behind them. Steve & Josh arrive there next, followed very closely by a pack of teams including Monica & Sheree, Reichen & Chip, Russell & Cindy, and Dave & Jeff. Dave & Steve bring up the rear.

Back on the other train, Tian is telling Jaree that they can’t beat Jon & Kelly in a foot race. Jaree disagrees and thinks that Tian is only saying that she is slow so that it will make her look better. Jon & Kelly are really enjoying the fact that Tian & Jaree are having it out. Their train finally gets to the station and both teams head for the detour. Tian & Jaree quickly choose waterway, while Jon and Kelly go for pathway. Both teams seem to be confused. It must suck not having all those other teams in the water to follow. Doesn’t matter to Tian and Jaree though, they are enjoying themselves in Venice. I guess as long as they don’t stop for coffee again it’s all good. They finally get to the route marker, while Jon and Kelly seem to be lost. They seem to be doing a lot of arguing, but soon find the route marker and move on to the next task.

As the teams rush to find that the party doesn’t start until 5:00, they realize that everyone is going to be on an equal playing field. Even Tian & Jaree catch up with everyone, as Kelly states that, “Even the blondes beat us here.” I love Kelly, she is so cute! Steve & Dave know they need to rest, and decide it would be better just to go for the fast forward. I’m glad they are taking my advice. In my preview article I stated that they should go for it early in the race, and pray for a good start on everyone else. I hope this works for them.

To claim the fast forward, they must go to one of the plazas and perform in a Commedia, which is basically street actors. At some point, the fast forward will show up, and they must claim it. They begin to do the skit and it seems that Steve has to be operated on. Dave comments that they are taking out all these body parts like Steve’s brain. Dave didn’t even know Steve had a brain because he never uses it. I love these guys. They are like the Gutsy Grannies, in male form. Falling apart, but having fun. They claim the fast forward and proceed to the next pit stop at Citta di Padova, on a boat docked on the plaza.

All the other teams are sleeping outside of the party entrance as Steve & Dave get to the pit stop and check in as the first team to arrive. They seem happy enough, and I wouldn’t say it was a waste of the fast forward. They are not in the best physical shape, and it looks like they have a nice buffer over the other teams. Back at the party, the doors open up and the teams face their first roadblock.

A roadblock is a task that only one team member can complete. They must choose the member before the task is read. The person doing the roadblock must take a photo from the doorman, enter the Polotso, and find the person that matches their picture. The problem: many of the people look almost exactly the same, and the room is filled with people who are all walking around. If they find the right person, they will receive the next route info envelope. If they give their picture to the wrong person, that person will take the picture and walk away. If this happens, the racer must go back outside and wait in line. Only four people are allowed in at a time.

Russell, Josh, Monica and Chip are the first four to enter the room because some of the other teams saw they had a long time to wait and wandered around rather than claiming a place in line. They are frantically looking for the person that matches the picture they each have. Josh seems to rush it, and gives the picture to the wrong person. He has to go back outside. Jeff is the next one in. Chip finds the right person and receives the next route marker. It tells him to head to the pit stop, and the last team to arrive will be eliminated. Tian heads into the roadblock while Russell finds the right person. Wow, that was quick, Tian has found the right person too. Jaree was right, she WAS perfect for this roadblock. Jon from Jon & Kelly goes in and so does Chris. Jeff and Jon both find the right person and are on their way. Millie enters the roadblock. Then we have Chris who has handed it to the wrong person because he was too quick to finish. Back of the line. Al is the last one to enter, and Josh goes in for his second try. He is successful. Josh & Steve begin their run to the pit stop. Chris goes in again.