After two weeks of fate rather than brainpower eliminating a team, a weak team was eliminated due to their own behavior this week. Brainpower continues to be the deciding factor on this race around the world. What was smart, and what was not in week 5?
After two weeks of fate rather than brainpower eliminating a team, a weak team was eliminated due to their own behavior this week. Brainpower continues to be the deciding factor on this race around the world. What was smart, and what was not in week 5?
To begin with, the fast forward. For the second week in a row, nobody went for it. Probably this was smart. There are likely a number of equalizing tasks or travel methods in the future which would negate a temporary advantage. Use of this now wouldn't be wise.
Listening or puzzling? Since everybody picked listening, there is no way to judge if that was the smartest choice or not. Most teams were intelligent at this phase of the game, and this was not a reason for elimination or top positions.
How did each team do?
Drew and Kevin (Frat Brothers). Nothing to complain about here. They've done well in the race. Suckering Team Guido just enhances my opinion of their smarts. They found a chance to delay another team, and pulled it off. This team will last far into the race.
Bill and Joe (Life Partners, Team Guido). I've stated before that their arrogance is their biggest weakness. While they are a smart team in racing, they have made poor choices in how they have interacted with the other teams. They got suckered by Drew and Kevin. While strategic, this was also personal. It's a direct result of their previous behavior, and they deserved it. I'm amused by the way the other teams refer to them as Bert and Ernie. They brought it on themselves.
Nancy and Emily (Mother/Daughter). I'm slowly revising my opinion of these two upwards. They seem to have formed a game plan and are pulling it off. They've changed from a team consistently in the tail end to one that is among the leaders. They have a fast forward option still, and could surprise everybody.
Rob and Brennan (Lawyers, best friends). I'm revising my opinion of this team as well, but this is a downward move. Simply put, they are not executing as well as they did in the beginning of the race. They've squandered their fast forward pass and have nothing in the way of time or allies to make up for it. If they can't regain their focus, they could be heading for elimination.
Frank and Margarita (Separated Parents). This team is also slipping. They have lost their focus, and it is showing, both in the standings and their relationship. They need to pick up their game, and fast.
Lenny and Karyn (Dating). How lucky can they get? They are the weakest team remaining, and have fate to thank for avoiding elimination. Relying on the bad luck of others is a strategy that they can't depend on forever.
Paul and Amie (Engaged). This has always been a weak team, and it caught up with them. It was only a matter of time before their team self destructed. At least they left on a happy note on their personal relationship.
Jeffrey Clinard has a Master's degree in marketing, a job he could not be paid enough to return to. He applies logic and strategy to the events of reality TV shows.
