The Amazing Race 10: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Episode 5: Priorities

No, you didn’t miss it, my column for last week was never written thanks to a cocktail of computer problems, an anniversary, and birthday party all in the space of a few days. I was too exhausted over the weekend to do much of anything, so my apologies. Really, there wasn’t much to talk about. They rowed a lot and yelled, and Tom & Terry, who I didn’t DISlike but were starting to annoy me, were eliminated.

One other bit of interest – I mentioned McCain’s flight suit two weeks ago, and got the following email from a man named Roland that I thought was quite eloquent, and which I also agree with 100%, so I thought I’d pass it along:

Although I do agree that is was kind of freaky to have McCain's flight suit there on display, but did you notice that only a few of the contestants stopped and paid respect to our great Senator? I (as a Vietnam Veteran) feel that the least these people should have done was to pause for a moment to pay their respects!

We lost more then 58,000 American Troops in that War, and these people that were probably just a gleam in their parents eye when this happened, at least should have done this! I noticed more then half didn't even look at the suit, it was embarrassing for me, as a Veteran to think that the only thing people today think of is MONEY, PERIOD! Not the people that allowed them the freedom to do the things they are doing today!

Well said. I’ve said it a million times, but one million and one won’t hurt. Yes, they’re on a race for a million dollars, but they’re going to places that they may never see again. Recent events in my own life have reminded me how wonderful memories are. Do these people want their only memory of such a historic segment of our country’s past to be jostling each other around for a little yellow envelope? As Roland said, it’s disrespectful, bordering on the pathetic.

The Good:

Non-Elimination is Good?: Frequent readers know my anti-non-elimination stance (at least when it doesn’t benefit a favorite team). Well, that’s changed. My biggest beef with the rule was the lame “give up all your money and possessions” which, nine times out of ten, doesn’t matter a lick by the first commercial.

Now, the producers have pulled one out of their asses and come up with a truly inventive penalty. Now a saved team can’t just toil in the rear like they have been able to in the past. If David & Mary don’t finish first, they will receive a thirty-minute penalty. Obviously, this means that they have to fight through the pack and finish high enough to keep that penalty from killing them.

It’s what I’ve been asking for – a true penalty that actually affects the game. It’s what this sort of game-saving “second chance” is supposed to be. “Hey, we’re saving you this time, but you’ve got to step it up next leg!” Perfect.

Of course, there will probably be an immediate equalizer, in which case, I’ll retract everything I just sad.

And Oh, By the Way: David & Mary didn’t get eliminated! WOO-HOO! Here’s hoping they finish first next leg and the prize is a family trip to Disneyland. I would pony it up, but I’m still trying to save the money to take my own family. Donations accepted, of course.

Dustin & Kandice: I haven’t said much about the beauty queens, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised, like most people, with how shrewd and quick they are. Especially in quickly seeing through Peter’s crap. We get a lot of teams talking about breaking stereotypes, but here’s one doing it with a sledgehammer, so good for them.

The Bad:

We Wuz Robbed: Rob and Kim’s arguing isn’t getting to me, nor does their hideous whining about foreign countries. After all these seasons, it almost just rolls off. What annoys me more than anything, though, is that these idiots keep finishing high!

What Cho Talkin’ Bout?: I have to tell you, I think the idea of bringing a fake cell phone to psyche out the other teams was a fantastic idea. The problem is, the Cho Brothers chose a horrible time to utilize it. Of course, it gave other teams (particularly Peter) the idea that they could call ahead also.

What they should have done is used it at a random moment. On a taxi ride to some monument somewhere, pass another team and make sure they see you with the phone to your ear. They’ll go crazy wondering who you’re calling and why. Basically, any time where a phone WOULDN’T have made sense – any time except when you’re on your way to the airport!

Also, I’m all for honesty and playing fair, but telling other teams your plans just because they asked isn’t very smart. Yes, I know what I said above about racing for the experience, but if you get eliminated for not racing, you won’t get to experience much, will you?

Baby, You Can Drive My Car: I don’t even like driving in St. Louis. No way I would have done that Roadblock!

Not to be Rude: But is anyone else sick of hearing the models talk about overcoming drug addiction? I know it had to be horrible, I know how hard it must have been, but last time I heard, isn’t overcoming addiction all about going forward?

The Ugly:

Peter is Yadda Yadda: This is going to be quick. Everyone is, now that the producers are hitting them over the head with it, loudly proclaiming what a jackass Peter is. Since I realized this a few episodes back, I’ll refrain from commenting here.

I will say one thing, though. I sincerely hope that Sarah breaks out of the Amazing Race mode of proclaiming that everything is OK at the end of the race, and she really does care for him. You know, exactly the speech Kimberly will make when they leave us. I can see why she fell for him. Everyone, man or woman, likes to be taken care of. Her leg was bad, he made it better, swoon. Let’s hope these open eyes don’t close back up at their (hopefully soon) Philimination.

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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