The Amazing Race 4, Episode 6: Packed to the Gills - Literally!

Previously on The Amazing Race, eight teams left a mansion in France and headed to Amsterdam. Chuck & Millie fought most of the way, and both questioned if they were compatible with one another. Tian & Jaree also fought most of the way with Tian getting on Jaree’s case for everything she did or said. Chuck & Millie went for the fast forward and landed in first place. Air traffic controllers Steve & Dave came in last and were eliminated. Seven teams are left; let’s take a look at the order in which they will be leaving this pit stop and their current status.

Millie & Chuck (Chillie) – Dating 12 years/Virgins

Jon & Al (The Clowns) – Circus clowns/Best Friends

Kelly & Jon – Engaged/My pick to win/Sentimental favorites

Reichen & Chip – Married gay couple/Get the short end of the stick sometimes

Monica & Sheree (The Supremes) – NFL wives/Sentimental favorites

David & Jeff (the Goats) – Best friends/Who even knows sometimes

Tian & Jaree – Models/Singers/Actresses/Female version of Grumpy Old Men

Chillie is the first team to depart the pit stop at 2:25 a.m. The clue tells them to go to Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay), India. Once there, they must make their way to Film City, home of the Bollywood film studio, and find their next clue there. Chuck says that sometimes they get a little too competitive and become frantic. That puts a stress on their relationship because neither trusts what the other is doing. He then goes on to say that trust is the most important thing in a relationship. I’m sorry, but did it really take them 12 years to realize they aren’t that compatible? Go figure…

It is now 3:15 a.m. and the Clowns depart from the pit stop. They both say that they are happy to be in second place and are working very well with one another while having a good time. I like these two. I wouldn’t say I love them, though, because sometimes I really don’t find them all that funny. They go out of their way to be entertaining instead of being naturally entertaining like Kevin & Drew or Ken & Gerard were. At 3:34 a.m., Jon & Kelly leave. Jon says that they are really starting to work together as a team and that Kelly is not as stressed as she was when the Race first began. I can understand where he’s coming from. Kelly is looking even more relaxed and cuter than ever. Right now, Chillie are on their way to the airport and using a cellphone to find out that KLM has a direct flight to Mumbai.

At 4:25 a.m., it’s Reichen & Chip’s turn to leave. Chip states in an interview that he is disappointed in them right now and they should not be in fourth place. He admits they need to hustle a little more. They head off to the airport after reading the clue. At 4:42 a.m., the Supremes leave the pit stop. Both say that they have grown closer together and grown as people because of the Race. Unlike the teams that have left so far, the Supremes take a train to the airport instead of a taxi. At the airport, most terminals are closed as the Clowns meet up with Chillie. They are happy to see one another and right after the clowns get there, so do Jon & Kelly. All three teams eye up the KLM direct flight as the way to go.

David & Jeff leave at 5:05 a.m. and they discuss how they need to be more precise and keep focused during the Race. After reading the clue, they head to the airport via taxi. Most teams are now at the airport while Chillie and the Clowns are booking their flight on the phone. Reichen & Chip discover that there is an Alitalia flight that will get to India sooner. The Supremes arrive at the airport with the Goats, and the Supremes head right over to Reichen & Chip because apparently they get along well with them. David & Jeff go right to KLM and book their flight there. Chip tells the Supremes about the faster flight, but the Supremes are nervous about the close connection since it’s not a direct flight. They decide to take the safe way and stick with the pack.

At 5:42 a.m., Tian & Jaree are the last team to leave the pit stop. Tian says she is sick of the fighting. Jaree states that they need to work together as a team and stop the bickering. Meanwhile, Reichen & Chip decide to take their chances on the Alitalia flight, which has a connection in Milan. The Models get to the airport and are happy to see the other teams. They get on the KLM flight with everyone else. Reichen & Chip’s plane leaves and stops in Milan; they scurry and just manage to make their connection. Honestly, after what happened to the Goats and Steve & Dave in the last episode, I would be too scared to try to make a close connection like that. Good for them for making it, though! I like these guys. Then the KLM flight leaves Amsterdam.

Reichen & Chip land in India first and start to make their way Film City via taxi. As they are riding along they can see what bad conditions the people in India have to live in. Reichen comments that he didn’t think it would be that graphic. Indeed, we see shots of tents that are used for housing, litter everywhere, and people that look like they have been through hell. Reichen gets a tear in is eye as he says it’s something he’ll never forget. At this point, the KLM flight containing all the other teams arrives in India as well. All the teams scurry for taxis. The Supremes say a quick prayer before they leave the airport because they are a little scared and intimidated by what they have seen so far in this country. Kelly shrieks that this is her “worst nightmare” while John chuckles at her. I’m glad to see they are getting along much better than we have seen before. The Clowns entertain some locals, the Goats are confused, and the Models say they’re comfortable so far. That won’t last long.

Reichen & Chip are the first to the route marker and get their next clue, which tells them to enter Bollywood and look for Soundstage 10. When they get there, they will have to find the next clue located somewhere inside. It doesn’t open until 9:30 a.m., almost eight hours later. They decide just to wait for it to open and pull out their sleeping bags. All the other teams begin to arrive and meet up with Reichen & Chip. They all decide to sleep on a big slab of concrete as they wait for the studio to open. It looks like a lovefest, but as one racer noted, “It’s just the calm before the storm.”

When morning finally arrives, everyone looks uncomfortable. It looks like a scene from Survivor! Everyone comments on the way people are living in India. Millie says that if she won the money, she would love to come back and do some good. It’s such a shame; everyone looks so depressed. The studio opens and everyone hurries inside to find the bikes they have to use. Everyone rushes to soundstage 10 and all look like they are having fun. Of course, Jaree is WALKING with her bike! Sometimes I want to reach through the TV and shake that girl! The Goats find the soundstage first and quickly find the clue. It’s a Detour – Suds or Duds. In Suds, teams must make their way to a well-known outdoor washing area and wash a bag of dirty laundry; they will find the clue imprinted on one of the garments. It is a very dirty task, but it is easy to find. In Duds, teams must find a little ship in the Indian marketplace and search its many racks of garments for the one that has the next clue imprinted on it. It is a clean task, but is very tedious and will be harder to find. Both detours require the teams to take the train to their destination. The Goats choose Suds, as do Reichen & Chip and Kelly & Jon , who have just gotten their clues as well. Chillie and The Supremes also decide to go for Suds, while the Clowns figure it would be easier to do Duds. The Models haven’t gotten there yet because they are taking their time. Reichen & Chip are the first to get on the bus to the train station. Shortly thereafter, all the walking teams except for the Clowns and the Supremes get on the bus as well. Even the Models, who by now have gotten their clue and chosen Suds, get on.

Reichen & Chip are the first to the Mumbai train station and come to see that in order to get on the train, they are going to have to shove and compact other people on. They do just that and get on the train. This looks really gross. I’m sorry, but from what I have seen on this show from this season and the first, I NEVER want to go to India. Kelly & Jon get to the train next with the Goats. The first train comes and they can’t even board because there are so many people on it. Both teams are amazed. When the second train comes, they all push their way on. Kelly is really repulsed and says that someone grabbed her ass. Chillie gets to the train station next and also have a huge problem getting on. Millie gets on while Chuck is having problems pushing his way through. She gets pushed so far back she is not even visible while Chuck has to hold on for dear life on the edge of the train! The Models are now at the train station and are totally skeeved. They wedge their way on the train and both are getting groped. The Clowns board next and say that the crowding even tops New York’s subways! The Supremes are just now boarding a bus and are currently in last place.

At the Suds Detour, Reichen & Chip arrive first. They have some initial problems finding the bag of laundry they need to wash, but eventually spot one with the familiar yellow and red markings. As they start to wash the clothes, they say that everything around them is filthy. The Goats get there next with Kelly & Jon and they both start washing their clothes. Reichen & Chip find their clue and it tells them to head to the Sassoon Docks to find the next route marker. The Goats are right behind them finding their clue as well. Both teams climb into cabs and are off just as Kelly finds the clue as well. They board a bus and head to Sassoon Docks. Kelly says there is no way they were taking the train again. Can you blame them? Chillie get to the Detour next and Millie starts washing some random clothes that she finds. I’m sorry, but I really did call her a dumbass when I saw her doing that. I mean, don’t you think the whole Detour would be a little more organized than just picking up someone’s clothes and rewashing them? Heck, even Millie said that she thinks she dipped them back in the dirty water! Anyway, Chillie finally come to their senses and find the bag of laundry they really should be washing. The Models also get there by this time and are still complaining about the groping on the bus. They really were violated, though, so I’m not annoyed. Millie is yelling to Chuck that she needs help, while the Models seem to be somewhat working together! The Clowns are still on the way to the other Detour, while the Supremes finally board the bus to the train station.

Meanwhile, Chillie have found the clue while the Models are still looking. The Clowns get to their Detour destination and start looking for the shop in the marketplace. They say it is tough because the market is so big and crowded. They eventually do find it and start to look for the garment with the clue on it. By this point, the Supremes have found the train station and are less then thrilled while riding the train. The Models find their clue and hop in a taxi. The Supremes get to the Detour and start washing clothes just as the Clowns find their garment and zoom off to the Sassoon Docks. The Supremes wash all the clothes but don’t find the clue; they stress as they have to go back over everything. They eventually find it, hop in a taxi, and are off to the Docks to try to catch up with the others.

Reichen & Chip, along with the Goats, get to the route marker first. They find out it’s a Roadblock. One teammate must enter the fish market, find 20 palai fish, then bring them back to the manager who will give them their next clue. The instructions tell them that person must have a keen sense of smell. Jeff & Chip choose to do it. They stick together while finding the fish as they knew they had nothing to lose by doing so. Both fill up their baskets and head back. They are told they have 20 and receive the next clue, which tells them to go to the Gateway of India, the next pit stop. The last team there will be eliminated. Both teams look thrilled as they race to the pit stop.

Jon & Kelly get to the Roadblock next and Kelly tells Jon before the clue is even opened that he will be doing it. I love her. Jon reads the Roadblock and hurries to get the fish. Meanwhile, Reichen & Chip are racing to the pit stop with the Goats. Both look like they are going to be first, but the Goats just barely beat Reichen & Chip. They find out they have won a seven day cruise for winning this leg of the Race. Lucky. Anyway, Reichen & Chip check in immediately after as team number two. Jon finishes gathering the fish and heads to the start. Kelly is cheering him on as they find out they have completed it and head for the pit stop. Just as they’re leaving, Chillie arrive with the Clowns right behind them. A few seconds later, the Models are there too. Tian, Chuck, and Al all run to complete the Roadblock. All three come back to the start with the wrong fish. Chuck needs 10 more palai, Jon 12, and Tian 6. All run back in to try again. Meanwhile, Jon & Kelly arrive at the pit stop and are team number 3. I’m so happy they are getting along much better. They look so good together.

Chuck comes back with more fish and finds out he has the right ones this time. Chillie head for the pit stop. Jon also finally completes it and the Clowns head off as well. Tian is struggling, but eventually gets back to the start where Jaree is cheering her on. They are told they are good as well and rush off to the pit stop. Jaree says that Tian is being nicer to her and that makes her want to work harder and faster. That’s good. Tian really redeemed herself from last week. I like them again; in fact, I’m making them sentimental favorites! The Supremes finally get to the Roadblock and Monica struggles as she performs it. They finish it and head to the pit stop knowing they are going to need a miracle to stay in the Race at this point.

Chillie check in fourth and are happy. The Models are fifth and are also ecstatic. They say they are working better together and want to win. Wow, I really hated them when the Race began, but I have come to appreciate them. The Clowns are team number six and they are also happy. I like these guys as well! The Supremes get to the pit stop and run the whole way. They refuse to give up, and that’s why I love them. Anyway, they find out they are last and have been eliminated. Monica says they were strong and then begins to cry. Sheree finishes Monica’s sentence by saying they had a bad leg, but they really miss their children. Both girls cry and state how the Race has made them more humble. Lastly, they manage to sneak in that India is not their cup of tea. Don’t worry ladies; I don’t think it is to MANY people!

Next week, it looks like Kelly & Jon may be back to their little tiffs again as it looks like Jon is getting testy with Kelly! Everyone is dragged through the mud, while the Models may be heading back to old ways again as well. I can only wonder what they have in store for us next. Some closing thoughts from me? Sure! First, the teams that I love: Kelly & Jon, of course, as well as the Models and Reichen & Chip. All three of these teams have overcome so much bickering and drama which makes me love them. Teams that I like include the Goats, whom we FINALLY got to see more of, and the Clowns. Chillie is still on my disliked teams list. Even though Millie had an emotional moment that tugged on my heartstrings, it didn’t cancel out the fact that I think she’s a whiny and bossy bitch. That’s just me, though. Next week, I’m hoping Chillie mess up and get eliminated, but I have very good reason to believe it’s a non-elimination week. Guess we’ll have to see!

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

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