The Amazing Race 25

[MNNHFLTX]

So the Dentists avoid elimination AND get to hang on to the save? Boooo. I think part of the save should be that if you use it prematurely you lose it. Makes it a little more interesting.

Totally agree, Maryanne. There was no risk in using the save if they were allowed to keep It because of a non-elimination leg.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

First thing, the Save is only to be used when a team faces elimination. As has been the case on many of the last several seasons, leg #4 was non-elimination. The dentists were never eliminated and then forced to produce the save. What should have happened would have been for Phil to do his usual "I'm sorry to tell you, you are the last team to arrive....pause........however, this is a non-elimination leg and you are still in the Race." There would have been no need for the Dentists to produce the save. It wasn't an elimination leg, hence no need for them to use it or for Phil to keep it. Honestly, it felt like they may have prompted Jim to hand over the Save for effect when the reached the mat. I mean, they barely had their feet on the mat, and they were handing it over.

Second, TAR isn't Survivor, so to compare the Save to Hidden Immunity Idol doesn't make sense. In Survivor the rules are quite specific, and declared up front, you must play the idol after the votes are cast and prior to them being read. Those are established rules. We don't know exactly what the rules are for the Save, but its apparent that you only need it if eliminated. If Phil had said "you are the last team to arrive, I'm sorry to say, you have been eliminated from the Race" that's when they pull out the Save. There is no reason to pull it out until Phil says those words "you have been eliminated". Again, that's why I think there might have been some prompting going on for dramatic effect.

Regardless, the Save was handled properly as it wasn't an elimination leg.

I would assume one team would try to u-turn them next week to try and get them to burn it.

I did notice that Phil made no mention of a Speed Bump for the next leg. Usually his non-elimination speech has something like "you know of course, that at some point on the next leg you will have to perform a task that no other team has to". If he did say it, it was edited out.

Tonights episode looks to be pretty good.

[PirateLover]

I understand the rules. I'm just saying it would be more interesting if the team had to weigh the odds and decide whether to risk it being a non-elimination leg and burning the save ar hanging on to it. I'm not a fan of the save to begin with so I'm just throwing out an idea that in my opinion would make for better TV.

[Kenny1113]

For me it was a general "creep" factor. Can't really give a better answer than that.

DH gave me a hard time about calling the dentist creepy. I got to throw the "I'm right" card when I saw Joel called him creepy on the soup last week.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

I thought this last episode was really another good one.

Two things that they are doing this season that I really like are:

-Phil injecting himself "live" into the Race
-More add'l tasks (like the vendor cart set-up)


As if we really needed any more proof, the Mother/Daughter team is not the brightest bulb on the tree. A complete waste of their one and only u-turn, simply to spite another team. Especially on the first u-turn of the Race, most teams not in danger of elimination will choose not to use it, basically understanding that its more important to save their one use for the time they may actually need it. So it was no surprise to see the first 3 teams choose to not use it. But for Shelley and Nici to use it, when not one but two teams were still attempting to complete their same detour, was idiotic. They didn't do it eliminate a strong team (Keith & Whitney have already quit on roadblock, and have basically finished at the back of the pack on all but one leg) and they didn't do it to protect themselves from elimination. They did it simply out of spite, and the best thing is, it didn't matter. By the time K&W switched detour tasks, completed the one and then went to the u-turn, all the teams had already checked in. So u-turning them was a complete and utter waste of their one and only u-turn opportunity.

Those two clowns can't be eliminated soon enough for me.

The Cyclists are the only ones I find myself cheering for at this point. Teejay/Tim and the Scientists are just kind of blah, whatever, and the Soul Surfers are nice and all, but just seem like "Kris & Jon lite". The wrestlers are kind of a guilty pleasure, and surprisingly despite the stupid comments, they have actually been quite entertaining. Jim and Misty, I can get over the uber competitiveness, but they (Misty in particular) are consistently missing clues and making mistakes where they shouldn't, and eventually that has to come back and bite them. As for mom-daughter, hopefully next to go.

[MNNHFLTX]

I understand the rules. I'm just saying it would be more interesting if the team had to weigh the odds and decide whether to risk it being a non-elimination leg and burning the save ar hanging on to it. I'm not a fan of the save to begin with so I'm just throwing out an idea that in my opinion would make for better TV.

Still in 100% agreement of this.

[PirateLover]

Wow it's been a month since anyone posted in this thread! I have to say I like some of the challenges this season but I guess I'm just not latching onto a specific team to root for, so it makes it a little less fun.
This weeks episode was interesting. I really don't understand the cyclists' logic in going for the Fast Forward. They were at the head of the pack, and have been on quite a roll. I would've just kept moving through the leg, knowing that you had a team of SURFERS behind you that would likely attempt the Fast Forward!!

The wrestlers really come off as dopes.

Also the rule change was interesting-once you book a flight you cannot change it. I wonder why they instituted this?

[MNNHFLTX]

The wrestlers really come off as dopes.

I never thought that I would say this, but I would rather the wrestlers go first before the dentists at this point. Over the course of the race they have continued to wear on me--Brooke's constant "I can't do this!" and the snide remarks about other teams (Brooke mocking Amy's gait related to her ankle injury stands out). That, combined with the fact that they have not impressed me at all with their racing skills, including this past leg, where they were rude and clueless about strategy. At least the dentists run a fairly good race.

[PirateLover]

I never thought that I would say this, but I would rather the wrestlers go first before the dentists at this point. Over the course of the race they have continued to wear on me--Brooke's constant "I can't do this!" and the snide remarks about other teams (Brooke mocking Amy's gait related to her ankle injury stands out). That, combined with the fact that they have not impressed me at all with their racing skills, including this past leg, where they were rude and clueless about strategy. At least the dentists run a fairly good race.

Totally agree. Jim still creeps me out sometimes but I don't dislike the dentists as much as I did at first. Brooke is always complaining about something- not being able to find a cab, not being able to find a clue. And I really don't understand why they didn't u-turn the cyclists and threw candy girls off the scent of the final clue on purpose. The cyclists were a strong team-wouldn't you want to ensure that they would be eliminated?

[Kenny1113]

I was dissappointed to see the cyclists go. They weren't my favs but I would have like to see the wrestlers or dentists go before them. I felt bad for them on camera with their make up smeared all over their face during the wave practice and watching the surfers, realizing they were done.

I agree the dentists still creep me out but I can appreciate them as good racers

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

My choice for final 3 was the Cyclists, Surfers and Dentists, which I think would have been far and away the strongest F3 in a long time, and I would have been fine with any of them winning.

The Cyclists made a big mistake letting the Candy girls know which flight they were on. They may still have figured it out, and I understand wanting to keep a weak team with you, but with the u-turn, and the fact that the wrestlers tagged along, it put 3 teams ahead and not just the one or two. Had it been just the two teams, even had the candy girls u-turned them, the cyclists could have u-turned a team behind them. I think they were worried that if they didn't finish first out of the detour, they might get ganged up on (like Abbie/Ryan) and be forced to be the only team to do the u-turn. The problem with the detour, the massage side of it was basically timed, whatever order you went in, that's the order you left it, so if Kym/Alli got there 3rd, they'd leave 3rd. I think the thought of the u-turn spooked them into the bad decision of going for the FF, but I'd contend the first bad decision was sharing the flight info.

The wrestlers, not sure there are any words to adequately describe what a pair of morons these two are. I confess in the early goings, I kind of liked them, but by about the 4th leg, Brooke's incessant whining and the whole grunting schtick just really wore off fast. They spent two legs convincing other teams to u-turn the cyclists, then when they have the clear opportunity they don't? Idiots. I thought Robbie's head was going to explode when one of the scientists tried to explain how stupid their decision was. Then they thought they were so smart by lying to the candy girls. Again, idiots, you are trying to keep a stronger team in the Race? These two may top Dan and Andrew as TAR's dumbest couple.

I have to also confess that the "Bethany is a God" edit is also getting a bit tiresome. Yes she is overcoming a lot, yada yada yada, we get it already, especially after 9 legs. They show the dentists, and they put that little glint on their teeth, surprised they don't put halos and angel wings on Adam and Bethany. Wasn't crazy either that the FF (granted I assume this was set up before the season started) fit so well into one team's wheelhouse.

At this point I guess I'm cheering for either Dentists or Surfers to win, both have run for the most part solid, non-bickering races and would be good winners.

I did like the rule change about not being able to switch tickets. Should have been done years ago. I don't think it was set up to save production money, but instead is a hedge against team working together. This was if a team (like Dentists) just take another teams flight, they are penalized if a better flight is revealed, they just can't buy new tickets. Its a good addition to the Race.

Overall I'm liking the season, more so for the locations (A+) and since the last all-star was a let down, this seems much better in comparison. Challenges are hit and miss, but I love that they are throwing in add'l tasks almost each leg (that are not detours/roadblocks) and I love that Phil is getting "in game" camera face time, love it.

Next week is most likely non-elim. Since the dentists didn't need to use the Save, they have two legs (10 & 11) to eliminate one team, so one of the next two should be non-elim, most likely 10.

Finale is 12/19 (3 episodes left).

[PirateLover]

HHG I agree about the locations being great this season. Even though we knew last night would likely be a non-elim, it was still frustrating to see Brooke and Robbie get saved. Brooke was really over the top with her "Ewww it stinks" comments. Very annoying.
Angry eyes Jim came out again during that detour.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

HHG I agree about the locations being great this season. Even though we knew last night would likely be a non-elim, it was still frustrating to see Brooke and Robbie get saved. Brooke was really over the top with her "Ewww it stinks" comments. Very annoying.
Angry eyes Jim came out again during that detour.

I think had the Dentists used the save, then this leg would have been elimination and the switchback, which was basically just a task, would have reverted to a roadblock, which they didn't have last night. It looked evident just watching as the four teams checked in that they all thought it was non-elim, which with a needle in the haystack kind of challenge, I don't mind so much.

Wrestlers need to go though, they aren't nearly as funny as they think they are, and every time I think they've hit rock bottom on the stupidity/annoyance level, they seem to find a way to dig just a little deeper.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

No comments about the finale yet.

I have to say, I'm really disappointed in the 11th leg twist. I know a lot of people will by happy with Amy and Maya's win, but I can't, for me, it was totally tainted. Yes if you win the final leg, you deserve it, I know, but in my mind it comes with a huge asterisk.

I still don't get it. In 24 seasons of the TAR they have NEVER not eliminated a team (when there has been 4 teams) in the penultimate leg. There is only one time this entire race that I agreed with Brooke, and that's when she said "we ran this leg (11th) for nothing". A very true statement. They've never had a continuation leg at the 11th leg, so not only didn't the scientists not get eliminated as they should have, they also avoided any kind of speedbump penalty. They received the biggest gift in TAR history.

For the record, I would have felt this way regardless of which team finished 4th (even the Cyclists) and got saved. To make matters worse, the final leg was a terrible set up. Yes, the finale challenge was great, maybe a bit boring to watch, but difficulty level, equalizer level, great challenge. But I'm talking about simply, leave airport, drive to city hall, drive to studio lot, eliminate last team to arrive? Really, elimination based soley on self navigation for a small part of the beginning of the leg? Terrible idea. The idea of a team (even one I don't like) finishing 1st in the penultimate leg and not being able to race to the final mat is just wrong. If they were going to do something historic they should have let all 4 teams race to the final mat (not that the outcome would have changed), that would have at least been fair. How they eliminated the 4th team was, imho, extremely lame in design. If each team navigated properly, there was really no way to pass another team.

Anyhow, it was a season of great locations, I think most people agree on that. Casting was ok and the season as a whole was probably average, certainly not bad.

The upcoming blind date season, where 5 of 11 teams have never met. Not liking that. Putting Mark and Mallory together was a disaster, not sure why they are abandoning their core concept of "11 teams with a preexisting relationship will Race around the world". I can only think that its a ratings ploy, hoping that more than 1 of these 5 teams will severely implode. I guess we'll find out in February.

[Melanie]

Yep. I'm with you THG. Didn't like the 'non-elimination' and didn't like Amy and Maya winning. Very disappointing, although I was 'scolded' on another board for having this view and apparently not realizing that there are no 'regular' seasons of TAR. UGH.

And yeah, not too thrilled on the blind date aspect of next season. To me, TAR is so much about the relationships. The pairing of Mark and Mallory was a huge fail, but I have a feeling this is where the idea took flight. I am looking forward to seeing Jon from NKOTB though. He was my favorite New Kid.

[TheDuckRocks]

I also feel that the 4th team going through was not quite right. Overall I'm always disappointed when a team wins and they have not run the best race and this team wasn't even close to either of the other 2 teams remaining. When I saw what the final challenge was I knew the girls would win as they deal with remembering numbers daily in their work.
I think AR might not make it for me for a whole season with the new twist.