The Amazing Race 8, Episode 10: “Do We Need to Wear Pants?”

Previously on Keep the Camera Guys Away from the Batteries: Four families departed Salt Lake City, where the Weavers confronted the Linzes about “wasting” their Yield. The teams rode in hot air balloons and the Bransens and Linzes experienced the world’s slowest collision. At the detour, the Weavers pulled ahead of the Pink Ladies and caught up to the Bransens. It didn’t wind up mattering, since there was no pit stop, just a lovely meet-up with Phil and the news that the leg wasn’t over. Four families are left:

The Bransens: Wally, Beth, Lauren, and Lindsay - Father and daughters/Managing to stay in front even with Wally’s dead weight

The Weavers: Linda, Rachel, Rolly, and Rebecca - Mother and kids/ARG

The Godlewskis (Pink Ladies): Christine, Michelle, Tricia, and Sharon - A little easier to tell apart now that they’re not all wearing pink

The Linzes: Tommy, Nicky, Megan, and Alex - Brothers and sister/Really should have received a time credit after that battery debacle

We get a replay of the end of last week’s episode, with the Weavers and Bransens racing for the non-pit stop. Phil hands out the clues, which tell the teams to drive 49 miles to Turtle Ranch in Dubois, Wyoming. Whether or not it’s supposed to be pronounced “Du-BWAH,” as it would be in French, everyone pronounces it “Du-BOYS.” Wally says that this double leg is ridiculous. The Bransen girls are all frustrated as they get back in their car.

On their way to the ranch, the Pink Ladies debate calling for directions. The Linzes forego this option and just keep driving. The Pink Ladies attempt to call the fire department, because apparently there are no other options, but can’t get through. They worry that they’ll be eliminated. Michelle and Christine fight. Michelle is very combative this week, so get used to it.

The Bransens are hungry. Beth says that it’s bad for their family to go without food. Wally is apparently the only one who doesn’t get cranky when he’s hungry, but that’s only on the race. In the Weavers’ car, Rachel encourages Rebecca to stop and get gas, which will allow them to stop and ask for directions. Rebecca thinks this is a waste of time but stops anyway. While they’re asking for directions, Rachel hounds Rebecca to get gas, but Rebecca decides that they have enough for now and can wait until later. As they run back to the car, Rachel shouts that Rebecca isn’t the smartest one in the group, so she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Sadly, I think Rolly is actually the smartest one in that group. Linda says they’ll get gas tomorrow.

The Linzes reach the ranch and are in a very good mood. They start calling out for “the Philiminator,” their “dog” (or possibly their “dawg”). When they reach him, he tells them they’re in third place and gives them their clue. This means that if this had been an elimination leg, they would still be in the race. The Linzes immediately head back to their car to keep going, because they are awesome. They say that it’s important to be in the front of the pack because you never know when a pit stop will come up.

The Pink Ladies are fighting and Michelle says that she’s just going to give up. Christine is – shocker – crying. Tricia says that everyone loses sooner or later. Yeah, unless they win. The sisters reach the mat and are pretty much resigned to being eliminated. Phil tells them that they have to keep going, yelling this after them as they head back to their car. One sister calls back that he’s torturing them. One of them says that they can never give up. Christine wonders if they’ll have to eat turtles at the Turtle Ranch. On this show, you never know.

The Bransens reach the ranch and learn that it’s only open from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Of course. It’s after 7 p.m. now, so they’ll just have to wait. In the Weavers’ car, the kids wonder how Turtle Ranch got its name and Linda suggests that it’s “where they make lots and lots of turtles.” For someone who most likely believes that all creatures are made by God, she’s being quite sacrilegious, isn’t she? The Weavers arrive and Linda notes that they’ll all be starting out even in the morning. They head into their camper, not wanting to see the other teams.

The Linz boys are ecstatic, though I’m not sure what about, exactly. Not that it really matters with them. Megan is at least a little more subdued. They arrive at the ranch. The Pink Ladies spot a sign for a Turtle Bar and wonder if they’re just seeing the word “turtle” everywhere. They reach the ranch and are happy that everyone has to wait. The Weavers complain in their camper that everyone is out to get them. Nick interviews that this is all in their perception. Everyone goes to bed. One of the Weaver girls says that they don’t need the other teams.

In the morning, the teams are directed towards some vans. They had to wait all night to get in some vans? Man, this show is so different than it used to be. Someone asks if Wally is ready to run. He’s not, of course. The Linzes reach their van first, followed by the Weavers and the Bransens. The Bransens hope they’re not going to have to do something in this order. Megan wonders what will happen. The Bransens laugh over how they’re all tired from running.