TAR:10 - Down & Dirty

November 13, 2006 · Filed Under popmedia

A nicely entertaining installment. I’m not a huge fan of the “no-pitstop” episodes, as it usually means that there will just be an equalizing bottleneck (usually related to catching a plane) right at the start of the next episode. That said, it’s still fun to see the racers spout their race-related assumptions, only to have said assumptions dashed to bits by the ever-sneaky producers.

The Blondes ran another strong leg, continuing to make smart racing decisions. Combined with their overall good attitude, this cements them even more firmly into being the team I want to see win the race. (Thus, I have given them the kiss of death… )

Racing-wise, no one else really distinguished themselves during this grueling leg of the race (huge amounts of travel & very physical tasks).

Mostly, things bubbled on the interpersonal side. The BackPack alliance moved ever closer to a final rupture, but not before they took the time to further antagonize Rob & Kim. KarLyn showed once again that they are this season’s most polarizing team, and the team that I most desperately want to be banished from my TV. (Thus establishing them as the odds-on favorites to win it all… ) Their hateful venom towards the Blondes was embarrassingly shallow, and their reaction to the video email was just annoying. I. don’t. like. them. at. all.

Overall, the star of this episode may have been Finland. It looked like a great place to visit, with gorgeous countryside & friendly locals. Granted, the locals might be a bit, shall we say, odd, what with the mud & muck training grounds, but I guess that centuries of long winters might do that to a people…
Only a few episodes left, with two more eliminations before the final three teams compete over the final two legs. Let’s hope it’s an interesting & tight race to the finish.