The Amazing Race 4, Episode 5: Diggin’ In Poo for a Clue

Previously on The Amazing Race, nine teams had left Austria. Chuck was struck with a case of claustrophobia during the roadblock, Tian & Jaree were ostracized by the other teams when they were told to cut in line – then they went for the Fast Forward. However, when all was said and done, father and son Steve & Josh were the last to check in and were eliminated from the race. I wasn’t too thrilled about all this because I was actually starting to like them. Oh well. Anyway, let’s take a look at the order the teams will leave the Château in Marseilles, France and what their status is right now:

Tian & Jaree – Models/Actresses/Singers/Belly Dancers/What don’t they do?

Jon & Al – Best friends/Circus clowns/GREAT source of entertainment

Millie & Chuck (Chillie) – Dating 12 years/Virgins/Sexually frustrated

Monica & Sheree (The Supremes) – NFL wives/Sentimental favorites

Reichen & Chip – Married gay couple/You either love them or hate them

Dave & Jeff – Best friends/Need to plead for camera time

Kelly & Jon – Engaged couple/My pick to win/Sentimental favorites

Steve & Dave – Old heads/Best friends/Air traffic controllers

The models are the first to depart from the pit stop at 2:26 a.m. Their route info tells them to drive to the airport in Marseilles and head to Amsterdam. Once there, they will need to get to the Magere Brug, a famous bridge on the Amstel River, and they will find their next route marker. The Models begin to drive to the airport, fighting as usual. At 2:41 a.m., Jon & Al (the Clowns) and Chillie leave the pit stop. They both quickly open up their route info and head for the airport. Millie states that Chuck may not know her and it’s making her question their relationship. I think this girl is looking for ways to get out of this relationship and is using the race as an excuse. Jon & Al state that they are having fun and doing the race for themselves. Then, at 2:45 a.m., The Supremes leave the pit stop. Both state that they are getting along very well and are happy that their team isn’t destructing like the Models. How right you are, Supremes. I love those girls!

At the airport, it seems that the Models have arrived to find most terminals and booking agencies closed. They find out that Air France opens at 5:00 a.m. and camp out at the beginning of the line. It’s now 2:54 a.m. and Reichen & Chip are leaving the pit stop. On the way to the airport Reichen says they need to learn how to concentrate because they tend to get caught up in the moment and drive by things. Or, in accordance to last week’s episode, never even drive up to the route marker! Dave & Jeff leave at 2:57 and Jeff says he is scared that he may be leading the team too much. I wonder if Dave cares that Jeff is becoming a dictator. We’ll never know because up until this point we have seen such little footage of them. At 3:00 a.m. Kelly & Jon leave the pit stop. She says that she is horrible with maps but their team is learning how to function. Kelly is amazing, I love her! By now, the Clowns and Chillie have both gotten to the airport as well and camp out right behind the models. Lastly, Steve & Dave leave the pit stop at 4:19 a.m. and head for the airport. They say they are the tortoise and that even though they move slowly, they are thorough in what they do.

Kelly & Jon, The Supremes and Reichen & Chip all get to the airport. Reichen says they are going to do the respectable thing and get at the back of the line, however they think it will screw them in the end. They decide to ask the Models if they will buy their plane tickets for them. The Models deliberate and while they discuss it, Millie demands to know what is going on. The Models tell her they are not sure yet if they will buy tickets for Reichen & Chip so Millie goes into outrage mode. I really don’t like her. AT ALL. Anyway, the Clowns and Chillie decide not to chance it and head for British Airways, which is opening soon as well. At Air France, the Models are getting their tickets and Reichen & Chip ask again for help. The Models say they have to ask Kelly & Jon, who are right there. Jon says no way, throws out a threat along the lines of “Don’t you dare, I’ll punch your lights out,” (though it might have been “punch your eye out”) and Reichen & Chip are off to British Airways. You know what, good for you Jon! Unlike when Steve threw out an unnecessary threat to the Models last week, Jon was right when he told Reichen & Chip to back off. However, I commend Reichen & Chip for trying to get tickets another way when they thought they were doomed.

The Supremes also headed to British Airways and found themselves on the second flight leaving Marseilles with Chillie, the Clowns, and Reichen & Chip. The first flight leaving, via Air France, holds the Models and Kelly & Jon. Dave & Jeff just get to the airport and find both flights are sold out. They take another indirect flight that has them having to make a connection in an hour at another airport. Coincidentally, Steve & Dave end up on the same flight. The first plane leaves and the second soon after. The third plane leaves about an hour behind them. When the third plane lands in Paris, both teams have to get a cab to the Charles de Gaulle airport. It will be tough to make their connecting flight and things get worse when both teams get caught in traffic. Meanwhile, the first plane gets to Amsterdam with the second flight right behind them. Everyone scurries for transport to the next route marker. Mostly everyone chooses the train except for Chillie, who opt for a cab. They are told it will be more expensive but probably faster. The Models, as usual, lollygag around in the airport and have to take a separate train from everyone else because they wasted too much time asking about transportation.