The Amazing Race 8: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Episode 10

I’m somewhat impressed with the final three. I’ve been fans of the Linzes since day one (although they started off third in my book behind the Aiellos and Gaghans), and they’ve done nothing but entertain me. In fact, from the perspective of providing sheer fun and joy, they rank right up there with Chip. Do they ever argue, at least bitterly, like the Godlewskis and Paolos? They’re having a great time, and since sometimes nice guys finish first, I can think of nothing more appropriate than a Linz victory. Hopefully it won’t have to come at the last second, like their Bengals’ cheap victory over my beloved Browns last week.

After dressing down Wally Bransen in the beginning for coming into the race so out of shape, I’ve changed my mind about him. He still could have gotten a bit more fit, knowing the exertion levels required in the race, but just like Mama Paolo, he’s never given up. The girls really haven’t inspired me, but they’ve obviously done something right to be so high in the standings the whole time. They’re the quiet team that usually finishes in third.

As for the third team… well, you’ve got to have a villain every year, don’t you? And much as I hate to say it, a couple of wrong turns aside, they’re run a damn good race.

The Good:

Togetherness: Didn’t you love how, at the equalizer outside Turtle Ranch, all the teams hung out and had fun interacting with each other? It’s always nice to see competitors staying friendly.

Umm…: The last couple episodes have been pretty dull, what? Um, I like the Linzes. Yeah. They’re cool.

The Bad:

Linear Leg: These linear legs are driving me nuts. They equalized at the Turtle Ranch, and basically whoever was last coming out of the detour was going to finish last in the leg. There was no real chance to gain position, unless one of the teams got lost or horribly screwed up the roadblock. It just takes the fun and competitiveness out of the game.

I know they had to ratchet down a lot of the challenges to go easy on any children that would still be around, but this is getting ridiculous. Riding on golf carts? Teepees?

It’s in the Hole!: Good thing I wasn’t on this roadblock, or there was no way I would have thought to look in the holes. I know, it’s stupid, but when Wally Bransen kept looking in holes, I thought he was being an idiot.

Michelle on a Rampage: Man, what crawled up Michelle’s ass this week? I don’t remember her being quite so cranky. But then, none of these sisters seem to get along, so I can’t imagine why they wanted to come on the show in the first place.

Maybe I just have no patience with them since they’ve annoyed me from the start (screeching incessantly and talking over each other so fast that you couldn’t understand them) but I couldn’t bring myself to root for them, even considering who came in third place. I just wanted them gone from my race. Some teams, like the Paolos, I came to like at the end. Not the Godlewskis.

Gas Morass: How do you stop at a gas station during The Amazing Race and NOT get gas? That’s got to be one of the dumbest moves this season, and I’ll be shocked if it doesn’t bite them in the ass.

Wyoming Cops: They need to be less lenient. I’m surprised no one smarted off to him and got them in worse trouble, much as I was hoping for them to.

The Ugly:

One Hour Photo: Was I the only one who thought the Pink Ladies looked hideous in their old time photo? In fact, none of the women (except one) was done any favors by the old west garb. I hate to say this, because everyone seemed to like the task and had fun with it – especially the Godlewskis, who flirted with Buffalo Bill while waiting for the photo – but they looked like whores. You know the ones, who always run down the stairs of the saloon to greet the returning hero?

Of course, Megan just looked hot as hell. I don’t know why, but MAN. She’s not classically beautiful or anything, but there’s just something about her I like a lot.

Mike DeGeorge is an Accountant from St. Louis and is also Associate Editor for RealityNewsOnline. You can reach Mike at rno.mike@gmail.com.

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