The Amazing Race 8, Episode 4: Moon Over Louisiana

Thanks to everyone who e-mailed to explain that the teams who did the Muddy Waters roadblock last week couldn’t have walked to the visitor’s center because they were too far away. Let’s hope I never overlook anything like that again, because I don’t think my e-mail inbox would be able to handle it. Also, thanks to everyone who wrote to tell me that they like the Weavers, too. It’s nice to know I’m not alone!

Before the episode begins, we get a message with a voiceover from Phil, telling us that this episode was filmed in Mississippi and Louisiana before Katrina hit. It is dedicated to the people who lost their lives and the people who are now dealing with the aftermath. By the way, I’ve heard that the Schroeders and Rogerses are all fine in the aftermath of the hurricanes. I think they suffered some losses, but fortunately, no losses of life.

Previously on The South Shall Rise Again (But, Unfortunately, Not the Aiellos): Eight teams traveled from Middleburg, Virginia to Huntsville, Alabama. Everyone hates the Weavers. The Bransens did well but the Aiellos ran into trouble, especially in the Muddy Waters detour. The Gaghans passed them again. After a spin in the centrifuge and the most annoying roadblock ever, the Bransens hit the mat first and the Aiellos, sadly, were eliminated. Seven families are left. They are:

The Bransens: Wally, Lindsay, Lauren, and Beth - Father and daughters/I like them more every week

The Linzes: Megan, Alex, Nick, and Tommy - Sister and brothers/Running a pretty good race

The Schroeders: Char, Mark, Hunter, and Stassi - Stepmom, dad, and kids/Starting to grate

The Godlewskis (Pink Ladies): Christine, Sharon, Michelle, and Tricia - Sisters/Very excited

The Weavers: Linda, Rachel, Rolly, and Rebecca - Mom and kids/Screechy but strong

The Paolos: Tony, Marion, Brian, and D.J. - Parents and kids/Lose already

The Gaghans: Bill, Tammy, Carissa, and Billy - Parents and kids/Need to do something to get out of last place or I’ll be sad

Everyone is in Huntsville, Alabama, home to NASA’s research facility. Will the Weaver family continue to ostracize themselves from the other teams? Will the Gaghans continue to stay positive, even though they keep winding up in second to last place?

The Bransens are the first to leave at 1:15 p.m. Their clue tells them to find the world’s largest office chair, which is in Anniston, Alabama (no relation to Jennifer Aniston). One member of each time has to climb up to the chair to get the next clue. The teams get $51 dollars for the race. I love the completely random amounts they get. Why $51? Why not $50? Wally says that he’s tired but is holding up. Every time they get a new clue, he gets a rush of adrenaline. In the car, the girls discuss Alabama and Wally sings a little banjo music, probably thinking of Deliverance.

The Linzes leave second, talking about their sense of family and how they’re trying to figure out how to move into first place. They think their time will come. In the car, Megan and Tommy hit each other. Don’t let Char see you guys doing that! Speaking of Char, the Schroeders get their clue as Stassi says that she wants to be first. She thinks they’re underdogs and she wants to win.

The Pink Ladies leave fourth with Sharon driving. Her sisters tell her that she’ll be on the same road for a while, but Sharon says she’ll be turning soon. Tricia interviews that Sharon and Christine clash a lot. The Weavers leave fifth and Rachel prays for safety. Linda says that her husband’s death was traumatic and she had to reach inside herself for strength. Now she knows that she has that strength inside her.

The Schroeders complain about the Weavers, because focusing on other teams is always a great way to get ahead in the race. Stassi says that Linda is the Wicked Witch. Char says she’s evil, possibly trying to do a Dr. Evil impression. Mark asks what happened to peace, love, and harmony. Maybe their panties are too tight, Mark. The Paolos leave and immediately start fighting (surprised?) because Marion has misplaced their information. Why do they give her that stuff if they think she’s just going to lose it? Brian interviews that Marion and D.J. argue a lot because they’re so similar. I think if you took Brian out of that family, he could be a very decent person.

The Gaghans are the last to leave. Bill interviews that he can’t imagine what the race looks like from his kids’ perspective. Carissa says (in what’s probably the same interview from the first episode where she said she was small but not stupid) that she’s smart, funny, and can keep her team going. Rock on, Carissa. Actually, rock on, all of them, because they all beat the Paolos back to the cars. Marion accidentally (or so we’re led to believe) gives Brian a paper cut on the back of his neck. The Gaghans and Paolos wind up taking different routes. Carissa asks if they’re taking the faster route; Bill tells her that the Paolos are taking a longer route, so they’ll make up some time.