The Amazing Race 12, Episode 7: Sour Grapes in Wine Country

Previously on “I Hate You” Does Not Mean “Let’s Keep Seeing How This Goes”: Six teams raced from Lithuania to Croatia. Hendekea & Azaria accidentally bought the wrong class of tickets. Ron & Christina managed to work together while Jen & Nathan made us all realize something they can’t – they shouldn’t be together. Christina & Ron came in first, Nicolas & Donald bickered a little, and Azaria & Hendekea were the surprising next boot. Only five teams are left, and I’m guessing we’re in for a few weeks of double legs and non-elimination episodes.

Dubrovnik, Croatia, makes Phil look pretty. Will Ron keep letting Christina… you know, do stuff? Will Nathan & Jen stop fighting? Ever?

Christina & Ron are the first to leave at 2:19 a.m., and they’re going to Ancona, Italy, via bus, then ferry. Christina interviews that coming in first is a testament to their relationship actually being okay for once. They need to stay cohesive and strong. In their cab, they talk about the word “prego,” which Ron, of course, recognizes as a Spaghetti sauce.

Vyxsin & Kynt (Hot Topic) leave second and are excited about going to Italy. Vyxsin interviews that, basically, they’re awesome, and they always make each other do their best. Kynt says Italy is known for fashion, style, grace, so they’ll fit in well there. Why is he always so worried about fitting in? You’re racing, not making friends with locals. I mean, yeah, they can help you, but don’t worry about who’s going to be sending you a Christmas card.

Jen & Nathan, third to leave, are also happy about Italy. Nathan gives the understatement of the year when he interviews that they had problems on the boat in the last leg. Yeah, I’d say expressions of hatred are “problems.” Jen says that when they’re riled up, they can’t stop and it’s hard to fix the situation. She’s not sure where their relationship will end up.

Christina & Ron reach the bus station and learn that the first bus leaves at 5 a.m. Hot Topic join them and get someone to show them which bus to take. Ron & Christina talk about how Hot Topic always seem to be performing; Ron says they do Kabuki. Jen & Nathan arrive and are happy they haven’t missed the bus but that the other two teams will. Indeed, the first three teams are the only ones to make the 5 a.m. bus.

37 minutes later, Rachel & TK leave and TK interviews that they were alone for the entire last leg. In fact, they still haven’t seen any of the other racers, which causes them some anxiety. At the bus station, they’re still alone, and they hope to catch up after their 6 a.m. bus ride.

Nicolas & Donald leave at 7:06 a.m.. Wow, that’s a big delay. They hope for an equalizer. When they get to the ferry station, they learn that the other teams have been through. Fortunately, they’re all on the same ferry, so there’s the equalizer. During the ride, Hot Topic discuss getting focused… while they put on makeup. The others are playing cards, but Hot Topic want to compete instead. Ditch the makeup, guys, It’s not going to help you focus.

The teams arrive in Italy and almost all of them pass some actual roadblocks, where the clue is attached. TK & Rachel are the only two to spot the clues, which tell them to drive to Empoli, Tuscany, to a field. Across the country, millions of viewers say, “They’re going to have to make wine, aren’t they?” They also get a Blackberry, and during 200-mile drive, each team will get a message. They can’t use the Blackberry for anything else, though.

As the teams get on the road, Vyxsin tells us that she’s driving because Kynt is “a freshman in the school of stick-shift driving.” People, learn to drive stick before you come on the race! It’s like going on Survivor without learning how to make fire or how to swim. I can’t believe people still do that after 15 seasons.

Nathan & Jen get directions and are told to go to Empoli through Forli. Ron & Christina look at a map and decide to go through Florence. Kynt & Vyxsin told to go through Bologna to Florence, as are Nicolas & Donald. Rachel & TK are told to go through Rome and decide not to share their information, since they believe they know the fastest route.

Jen & Nathan find the exit for Forli and are happy to be going in the right direction. TK & Rachel don’t know where they’re going… and they left their clue behind. Oops! Ron & Christina and Hot Topic head towards Bologna. TK & Rachel scour their car for the clue, but as we know, it’s not there. They have the calmest argument ever about it. Like, Kris & Jon calm. Nicolas & Donald head to Bologna. TK & Rachel almost raise their voices and decide to go back for the clue. They know they’re sunk without it.

As TK & Rachel head back, Jen notes that she and Nathan haven’t seen any of the other teams. That’s because the others (beside Rachel & TK) are headed for Bologna. TK & Rachel return to where they left their clue, which someone has snagged, either for safekeeping or a souvenir. Fortunately, she gives it back, and now TK & Rachel know where they’re going and how to get there quickly.

Jen & Nathan get a text from their parents teasing them about how they better win. Ron & Christina get a message from her sister/Ron’s daughter, and Kynt & Vyxsin get a message from her parents. Ron is touched by Christina’s sister’s message about how strong their team is. Vyxsin is emotional about her message because she hasn’t seen her mom much recently. Donald has trouble answering the phone, but once Nicolas pulls over and helps him, they read their message from what sounds like Nicolas’ father/Donald’s son, telling Donald not to embarrass him. TK’s mother (I think) reveals that his initials stand for Thomas Kyle and gives him and Rachel some encouragement.

Jen & Nathan still believe they’re in first place. Ron is worried he’ll miss the exit. It turns out he should be worried about the traffic, which he and Christina, Hot Topic, and Nicolas & Don get stuck in. Rachel & TK may pick up some time here. Ron & Christina and Hot Topic decide to find another route to take to Empoli, but Nicolas & Don decide to ask when the road will be open, then wait. Bad idea!