The Amazing Race 10, Episode 2 First Class and Cargo Class Awards

Another exciting episode of The Amazing Race is behind us. How many of you were hoping for more camel humor? And how about having not one, not two, but three mini-meltdowns on only the second leg? I knew this season was going to be a good one! You’ve hopefully read Jen’s always-insightful recap, so you know who was eliminated and who is still racing. Now, it’s time for some awards!

The recipient of this week’s First Class award was a little difficult for me to decide. I really didn’t think any one team showed true First Class behavior, so I decided to pull in some “real-life” information and award First Class to Tyler & James (aka Team Zoolander). Zoolander started the leg in first place but fell victim to some really bad luck at the start. First, they got lost on their way to the temple, ending up in the last group to enter. Then their Russian jeep suffered a flat tire and they discovered their jack was broken. Shame on the producers for not making sure the jack worked! This is different from a cab driver not having a spare tire, these jeeps were provided for the racers, they had no choice but to take one. James & Tyler were obviously and rightfully frustrated by this situation, however they did not let it get to them. They were fortunate to get help from some passersby and kept going, knowing that you’re never out of the race until Phil says you’ve been Philiminated. They completed the rest of their tasks without delay and ended up in second place. Though they fell a position, it was a great recovery considering how they started the leg, and they never lost their positive attitude.

Aside from their race performance, Tyler & James have overcome tremendous odds to even be alive to compete. In my life as a Public Defender in Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC I’ve dealt with people who have all kinds of addictions. It’s a difficult thing to overcome, and the fact that Tyler was arrested three times tells me that he was in deep and very close to the end he foresaw. These two have pulled themselves up out of a bad situation, and are making the most of all of their experiences. They work well together—something that was probably born of their shared recovery experience—and are stopping to savor every moment on the race so far. So, Zoolander, for how far you’ve already come, and for racing very well so far, head on in, settle in the comfy leather chairs, and enjoy a hot towel! Rest assured you will not need to look for a jack on this trip!

I’m also awarding honorable mention, and seats in Business Class, to Duke & Lauren for overcoming whatever difficulties they had before coming on the race and becoming as close as any father and daughter I’ve ever known. They clearly have a lot of respect for each other and have two solid finishes to show for it. And also to Mary & David, for allowing Team Dublyn follow them to the water, and for giving them a barrel of water. Helping other teams is not always a good idea, but when you’re ahead and it will cost you neither time nor effort to do so, it’s usually a smart thing to do. Were Mary & David to find themselves in need of help later, Dublyn is likely to remember their kindness and possibly return it.

Cargo Class, on the other hand, was fairly easy for me to award this week. Cheerleaders Kellie & Jamie began the leg solidly in the middle of the pack. (Remember, in these early legs it’s only important to avoid elimination.) When they arrived in Mongolia they had the advantage of having the customs official write the name of the temple in Mongolian for them, and they were first to arrive. That’s where it all came undone for the cheerleaders. Although they stopped for directions several times, they continually got lost, and even considered backtracking to the temple and starting over again with a map. Why didn’t they have a map to begin with? Several other teams were seen with maps. When their jeep stalled, Kellie had a mini-meltdown. First of all, it’s WAY too early for that behavior. But more importantly, it does nothing to improve the situation. Instead of trying to solve the problem, Kellie allowed her emotions to get the better of her. When Jamie finally calmed her down, she got the jeep restarted and they were on their way. But they had lost so much time they were in last place.

Although they arrived at the Detour in last place, Kellie & Jamie worked well together and finished at the same time as Dublyn. They were still in the running when both teams had difficulty getting their jeeps to start, and even left before Dublyn because some locals helped them get on the move. However, they once again got hopelessly lost, having to turn around at one point. That sealed their fate and once Dublyn arrived at the Roadblock ahead of them they really had no chance. Kellie gave a great effort on the Roadblock, refusing to go out as a quitter, but they were clearly going to be Philiminated by then. So, Kellie & Jamie, I hate to add insult to injury, but you’ll be riding with the baggage on this flight. I hear it gets cold down there, make sure you have an extra blanket!

I’m also awarding dishonorable mention, and seats in the overhead luggage compartments, to Peter and Rob. Their partners, Sarah and Kimberly, suffered mini-meltdowns during their Detour tasks. As I mentioned with Kellie, it’s just too early in the race for that to happen. But worse than the mini-meltdowns were the reactions of their teammates. Peter and Rob both yelled at and lectured their partners, which only made the situation worse. This is a BIG contrast to Jamie, who realized what was happening to her partner, and did everything to calm her down.

Peter and Rob are both showing sides of themselves that their partners don’t like, and both Sarah and Kimberly commented on that very fact. So, Peter and Rob will be riding overhead for their harsh treatment of their teammates, and Sarah and Kimberly will be receiving no beverage service during this flight for their failure to hold it together. There is so much of this race left to go, teams have to be working well early or they’ll fall apart when the competition heats up. And for misplacing their helmets, Godwin & Erwin and Kandice & Dustin will also receive no beverage service.

Next week one team runs out of money, and two other teams fight! I can’t wait! I’ll be back to hand out First and Cargo Class again, and make sure you stick with Reality News Online for full coverage of The Amazing Race 10!

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out these other recent Amazing Race 9 articles:

Sandy Lamparello is an Assistant Editor for Reality News Online a Legal Editor for a publishing company in Washington, DC. You may reach her at realitytvjunkie@gmail.com.

Be sure to sign up for our e-mail update so you can stay informed about new articles on the site! And take a look at the rest of the site. You can find all of our recent articles on this show at our The Amazing Race 9 page and take a look at our sections on Survivor: Cook Islands and The Apprentice. You can even buy reality show stuff at our Reality TV Store!

For more news about The Apprentice, be sure to check out SirLinksALot: The Amazing Race!