The Amazing Race 4, Episode 3: You Can Only Mess Up So Many Times

Since I received so much mail last week saying that Reichen & Chip are evil while Steve & Josh are good, I decided to give Steve & Josh the benefit of the doubt and start them off with a clean slate. Concerning Reichen & Chip, I will try to look more deeply into them and try and see all this evil that apparently others are seeing. On that note, let's take a look at what happened this week on The Amazing Race.

On last week's show, 11 teams left Corina, in the Italian Alps, and made their way to Venice, Italy. Along the way Reichen & Chip were shown as threats to the rest of the racers, Russell & Cindy fought most of the way and in the midst of all this, foul mouth Amanda & Chris the jerk were eliminated. Was it because they didn't get along? Was it because they were horrible racers? Was it destiny? Who knows, but they're gone. This week, someone else will be gone as well. Let me tell you who is left, and in what order they will leave the pit stop:

Steve & Dave - Air traffic controllers/Best friends/Old heads
Reichen & Chip - Married gay couple/Considered evil by many who email me
Jon & Kelly - Engaged couple/My pick to win/Sentimental favorites… they have a lot going for them.
Tian & Jaree - Models/Actresses/Singers/Boom-Boom room dancers, you get the idea.
David & Jeff - Best friends
Jon & Al - Circus clowns/Best friends/Good source of entertainment.
Russell & Cindy - Friends/Dating couple/Seem like bitter enemies/Horrible racers
Millie & Chuck - Dating 12 years/Virgins
Steve & Josh - Father & Son/Getting clean slate from me
Monica & Sheree - NFL wives/Sentimental favorites

At 2:45 a.m. it is time for Steve & Dave to depart. They receive the first piece of route info for this leg and it tells them that they have to get to Vienna, Austria, by train. Once they get there, they must find a specific intersection that will have them scurrying through the historic sewers of Vienna to get to their next piece of route info. Dave says in interview that his knee still hurts and it is trouble for him to run. Therefore, they take their time getting to the train station. A local tells them that the fastest way to get to Vienna would be to take a train from Padua. Steve & Dave board a train from Venice and head to Padua.

5:20 a.m. and Reichen & Chip are next to leave the pit stop. Both state that they know other teams look at them as a threat and that is not what they wanted in the race. However, they will roll with it. At 5:21 Kelly & Jon leave the pit stop. Isn't Kelly so cute? She states that at first, she was doing the race for Jon. Now she is doing it for herself. Her reasoning behind this is because she realized she is 50% of the team, and just like marriage, everything has to be 50/50. Therefore, both have to be equal on the team.

Back at the pit stop, it's now 5:23 and Tian & Jaree are off. Tian feels like she is sacrificing too much, while Jaree simply states she is trying her best. I guess she was really trying her best when she stopped for coffee in the first leg and also needed to rest while walking to the first pit stop. 5:24 has Jon and Al leaving. Jon says that they want the rest of the teams to look at them as the "fun guys" but also as the guys that will never give up. Russell & Cindy leave at 5:25 and even while waiting to leave the pit stop they are bickering. I swear, it never ends with these two. Cindy says there is tension and isn't sure where they stand right now. Millie & Chuck leave, and then, at 5:27, Steve & Josh leave as well. Josh says that he doesn't always see eye to eye with his dad, but they are working well as a team. I think I know why this team was rubbing me the wrong way. They remind me too much of my dad and I. We get along, but don't really agree on anything. I think I relate to them, but in a bad way. Go figure. Lastly, at 5:31, Monica & Sheree head out. Both say they knew they were almost eliminated in the last leg but refuse to give up.

At the Venice train station, Kelly & Jon, Tian & Jaree, and Reichen & Chip are all looking for a train to get to Austria. Right after them, all the other teams start filing in, and all hear that the next train does not leave for 10 hours. All seem to be asking locals where to go, but Jeff & Dave, along with Reichen & Chip, find someone that tells them of another station where they will have better luck. As Monica & Sheree are looking for a train, Reichen & Chip pull them aside and tell them where to go. Monica says they have a special bond with Reichen and Chip because they are the only minorities in the race. BS. I'll explain why I say that later.

So much is going on at this train station. In another corner, Millie is having an asthma attack. She says that sometimes when she has to run she will have them. I hate to see what happens the first time she has sex. Can I say that? Anyway, Jon & Al stay behind with Chuck to make sure that Millie is OK before they start racing again. Meanwhile, the first train has left. It holds Dave & Jeff, Monica & Sheree, Reichen & Chip, Tian & Jaree, and Kelly & Jon. On the train, Tian & Jaree are fighting over whose implants are bigger. No, not really, but they really are fighting. Tian is upset that Jaree will not empty anything from her pack. Jaree tells Tian to learn how to speak to her in a pleasant manner. Tian looks so pissed. How does she put up with Jaree? You would think Jaree would WANT to lighten the load especially seeing how slow she is. The whole time, Kelly is next to them laughing. I love Kelly. Just thought I would throw that in there. This train is the first headed to Verona, which will take them to Vienna.

On the second train we see Millie & Chuck, Jon & Al, Steve & Josh, and the worst racing team ever, Russell & Cindy. They managed to get lost and get to the train station last. Why am I not surprised? In Padua, Steve & Dave find out that they can not get a train to Vienna there, and have to head to Verona first. Their lead from the fast forward is officially gone. The second train is an hour behind the first, while the third train, holding only Steve & Dave, is an hour behind the second and two hours behind the first.

The first train gets to Vienna and all the teams head for the route marker. When they get there, they find out that the sewers will not open until 8 a.m. the next morning. That means that everyone will catch up, and they do. The second teams arrive in Vienna and find the sewers don't open as well as Steve & Dave finding the same thing and that all the teams have been equalized. They now know their lead is gone. Could they have kept it anyway? I doubt it because they didn't have enough time to catch the sewers even if they had gotten the right train from the beginning. Therefore, they only lost some sleep time. All the teams go and find somewhere to stay for the night.

Good Morning! All the teams are at the sewers at 8 a.m., with Tian & Jaree leading the pack. The sewers are opened and the teams jump in like roaches. Everyone is looking for where to go with us viewers getting comments such as "Is THAT toilet water?" and "This place smells like sh**." That one came courtesy of Josh. You know what? These two (Josh & Steve) are not bothering me at all this episode. I retract my feelings of hatred for them. They are now neutral in my eyes, like Dave & Jeff. Looks like Jaree is falling behind again and Tian is getting pissed. Meanwhile, Jon & Kelly are the first team out of the sewer and they get to the route marker. The route info tells them that they have to claim a horse and carriage and make their way to Schonbrunn Palace, about six miles away. When they get to the cart, they must pull the ticket off to claim that the carriage is theirs. Only three or four teams can go in each heat, and each group will leave 30 minutes apart.

Now, by the time Jon and Kelly climb on their carriage, most of the other teams have reached the route marker and gotten the route info. Monica & Sheree get in their carriage and pull of the ticket. Reichen & Chip get in their carriage and sit there. Jon & Al, actually reading the directions, take the ticket off Reichen & Chip's carriage, telling them that it is now theirs. Reichen & Chip are pissed, but you know what, they didn't read the directions, and in the words of Jeffrey Clinard, "That's not thinking smart." Jon & Al are now on the first heat of carriages. Tian & Jaree do the same to Kelly & Jon, who also get really pissed. Jon tells Tian & Jaree they will have a meltdown anyway, so it's no big deal. Kelly is pissed and I feel bad for her. Stupid strippers.

As the first heat of carriages sets out, the other teams are left there looking all kinds of bitter. They know that the next heat will come in a half hour so they know to be on the lookout for them so they can get one. Steve & Dave make a deal with Reichen & Chip to distract the other teams while Reichen & Chip grab tickets for both teams. When the horses for the second heat draw near, everyone starts running. Millie and Chip fight over a ticket with Chip actually getting it after pushing Millie back. Millie turns around and grabs another one. Jon from Jon & Kelly gets the third ticket. Dave & Jeff are pissed because Reichen & Chip didn't hook them up. They apologize, but Dave & Jeff say they really have no alliance anymore, and will only use Reichen & Chip for information.

Next, we find out that Millie apparently gave Chip a bloody lip when they were shoving for the tickets on the carriages. Chip goes over to apologize and Millie says she didn't mean to hurt him but that he pushed her first. When Chip leaves, Millie and Chuck laugh about it. You know what? I don't think that Reichen & Chip are evil. I like them. So what, they get in a little frenzy for tickets. They did go over and apologize after it happened. These two are still alright in my book until I see otherwise.

The first horses get to the route marker where they find the detour. This detour asks the question: Mozart or Beethoven? Mozart would have the team carry a very large string base to what is known as "The Figaro House" which is several miles away. It may be tough to carry, but their destination is well known and will be easy to find. Beethoven has teams carrying a small file of sheet music to a location where Beethoven would compose music. The sheet music may be light, but the destination is further and there are several spots that may need to be checked because the site is not as well-known.

All three of the first teams take Mozart. Tian & Jaree work with Monica & Sheree. Sheree says they are working with Tian & Jaree because it's all about "girl power." Now, that is why I said "BS" earlier. Monica & Sheree will work with anyone who is around. Then, they make up reasons as to why they are working with them. For example, being minorities, girl power, etc. Don't get me wrong, I don't hold this against them and they are still sentimental favorites. If anything, I love them more for making up excuses to work with people. If they said, "We are doing this because that's the only team around us," it wouldn't have been as funny, hence, why I love them so much. Moving on, the second heat of carriages arrives. Millie & Chuck and Reichen & Chip both take the Mozart detour. Jon & Kelly choose the Beethoven one because Kelly thinks it would be easier. Aww, Kelly, your so cute. However, they fight about directions, seeing that neither knows where they are going at this point.

The third heat of carriages finally gets there, which has Dave & Jeff and Russell & Cindy both taking the Mozart detour. Josh & Steve however, go for the fast forward. I think they were right to take it. They knew they are straggling and need a break. In this fast forward, they have to find a room in the Palace, put on formal wear, and cross a dance floor with many couples waltzing. Oh, not to mention they are carrying a tray of filled champagne glasses. Both of them look nervous and both fail on their first try. However, Steve gets over on his second try, and coaches Josh through on his second try as well. They claim the fast forward and Josh is happy as a clam. Yeah, this team is OK. The fast forward tells them to skip all tasks and head for the next pit stop, Seeschloss Orth, a 400-year-old castle located in a lagoon in Austria. They catch a cab to the train station.

Back at the detour, Tian & Jaree and Monica & Sheree find The Figaro House after tricking Jon & Al into thinking they had not. Very nice job, I must say. Jon & Kelly are still looking for the Beethoven house. The girls get to the route marker and the route info tells them to make their way to the Donauturm Danube Tower. This tower is 1150 ft. tower, and looks over much of Vienna. Meanwhile, Millie & Chuck, Jon & Al, and Reichen & Chip all find The Figaro House and get the next piece of route info. Jon & Kelly are still lost at this point and Kelly admits that they should have done the Mozart detour instead of Beethoven. However, after pulling themselves together and getting on a train, they find a nice woman who leads them to their destination where they complete their detour.

Monica & Sheree, along with Tian & Jaree, get to the next route marker and find out it's a roadblock. The roadblock question basically screams they will be bungee jumping off the tower. Tian goes for her team while Sheree does it for hers. Both women finish it rather quickly and find out their final task this leg of the race is to get to the city of Gmunden, which is 185 miles away. The next pit stop is located there and they must get there by train.

Several minutes later, Reichen, Jon, and Millie suit up to do the roadblock for their teams. Reichen goes first, then Jon finishes, but Millie is apparently having another asthma attack - and she left her inhaler in her pack, which she didn't take up with her for the jump, obviously. Now, why would she want to do this if she knows she has asthma? What if she had an attack while making the jump? This whole scenario doesn't seem right to me. Stupid Chuck… can't bungee himself, can't commit to a real relationship, and never knows where he's going. Poor Millie. Anyway, she eventually gets over her attack and makes the jump successfully.

Reichen & Chip, along with the two "all girl teams," get to the train station and make the first train to Gmunden. Jon & Kelly just finish up the roadblock at this point. Actually, only Jon does while Kelly cheers from the bottom. They are on their way to the pit stop! By this time, Jeff & Dave and Russell & Cindy get to the roadblock. Jeff and Russell bungee. Steve & Dave are taking their time because they pretty much know they are last and know they can't keep up with the other teams. Dave & Jeff make the second train out of Vienna along with Jon & Al, Millie & Chuck, and Jon & Kelly. Russell & Cindy are bickering in the taxi on the way to the train station and moving at an ever-so-slow pace probably trying to lose the lead that they have on the other teams. They tend to do that. Sometimes I think it's intentional how often they do it. I swear, this team is Lenny & Karen revisited. Dave & Steve finally get to the roadblock and Steve does it for them. Dave jokes that Steve getting ready to jump was like an eclipse because his bulbous body blocked the sun. He also said Steve looked like a whale jumping. I love how they know how to joke about all this. They finish and head for the pit stop.

Remember Josh & Steve going for the fast forward? Well, they finally get to Gmunden and find out they are the first team to arrive. Steve & Dave finally get to the train station and get on a train. Russell & Cindy get there too and putz around for 45 minutes after buying tickets for a train to the wrong city, Gmund instead of Gmunden. By chance, they do find out their tickets are for the wrong place and they get them switched. They think they still have time to beat others. Meanwhile, the first train gets to Gmunden with the ladies and Reichen & Chip. Monica & Sheree find out they climbed out of last place and are team number two. They are so happy, I love them. Reichen & Chip are third and couldn't be happier. Tian & Jaree come in fourth. They are staring to get a little more consistent, I will give them that, but they really need to start getting along better. Russell & Cindy are now fighting on the train because they think they may be done. These two amaze me.

Millie & Chuck are very happy to hear they are in fifth, while we get a shot of Steve & Dave not being very optimistic about still being in the race after this leg. C'mon guys, I have faith in both of you! Make the Gutsy Grannies proud! Jon & Al check in as team number six, while Russell & Cindy are still fighting on the train. Dave & Jeff are next in seventh, while Jon & Kelly are team number eight. Kelly is happy because she thought they were ninth. Kelly, I love ya, but eighth is not good. I want your team in first! Steve & Dave along with Russell & Cindy are both rushing to get to the pit stop first. It is a little hard to figure out who was on the better train, but we find out it was Steve & Dave because they are team number nine. They really can't believe that they are still in the race and are very happy that they never gave up. They also realize they have to reevaluate their strategy in order to keep up with the younger teams.

Russell & Cindy run up to the mat to find they are last and eliminated. Russell says it was amazing and he is glad he did the race. Cindy says she realizes how competitive Russell is and that it can sometimes be a double-edged sword. She isn't sure how she feels about him and needs some time to think about it. I don't think Russell cares because he kept talking about the experience, not mentioning one word about their relationship. Next week looks like the racers will be on a high-speed race track. Tian & Jaree will get in a confrontation with Steve & Dave, which looks like it ends with Steve telling them to check their tires. Looks like the old cat still has claws! And that my friends, is that.

I do have some final thoughts. Russell & Cindy got exactly what they deserved. I stated in both my previous recaps that they were poor racers and always made horrible decisions. It finally caught up with them. I don't think Reichen & Chip are evil, and I still like them. Josh & Steve are now on my good side and I hope it stays that way. I do have a hatred for Tian & Jaree for pulling the ticket off my Kelly's carriage though. So I was right about who would go this week. Next week, I say it's time for Steve and Dave to go. They have no fast forward, and it's clear they are too slow for this. I like them, but it's their time. I picked three specific teams to go first in my preview article. All three are still in the race. Goes to show you how much I know. Can't wait for next week!

Phil Kural is a senior at Temple University, and can be reached at pkural@temple.edu.

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