This week, Lorena channels Linda Blair, critters once again foil several of the contestants, Shana's Jennifer makes numerous unflattering comment about Africa, and the teams go to school! Also, why did I not notice that at last week's Pit Stop, there was a bra flapping in the breeze behind Phil's head? Hmm.
Ron had to receive medical attention during the mandatory rest period because he allegedly overexterted himself pedaling his bakfiets, which sounds kind of naughty. I think it's because he treated his daughter so poorly. As Ari said in the first leg, "Karma's a bitch." However, a doctor pushed the tissue from a hernia back into Ron's abdomen so he could continue competing. Ouch.
Lorena & Jason depart the Pit Stop first, at 4:19 a.m. Teams have to "figure out" that the next destination — Ouagadougou — is in the West African nation of Burkina Faso, more than 3,000 miles from the Netherlands. Ah, shades of earlier seasons, when teams had to solve clues to find their next destination, sometimes with no more than a miniature flag or a photograph of a person at a specific locale. Those were the days! All teams mangle the pronunciation, by the way. Once in Burkina Faso, teams will take a taxi to the city's train station for their next clue. Jason makes a joke about how when Lorena gets stressed it reminds him of the movie The Exorcist. Nice! But not altogether untrue, as we shall see over the course of this episode.
Nate & Jennifer a.k.a. Hate-ifer take off at 4:30 a.m., followed 1 minute later by Shana & Jennifer. Hate-ifer claims to be "a little lippy sometimes" and "in her heart" she knows she's been working on her behavior. Uh huh. Shana says she and her Jennifer may not look their best right now, but they want the million dollars. At the airport, the three lead teams discover that Ouagadougou is in Africa, and there is only one Air France flight daily from Paris to Burkina Faso.
Kynt & Vyxsin, Azaria & Hendekea, and TK & Rachel depart within 3 minutes of each other. Marianna & Julia, Don & Nicholas, and Ron & Christina soon follow. Don does not consider himself old, and he is going to "let it all hang out on this thing." Even more than during last week's Fierljeppen challenge? *shudders* And Ron admits his behavior as a father during the previous leg wasn't his finest. He was "too harsh in a way that sort of demoralized Christina." Sort of? Yeesh. To win the Race, he will have to be more "uplifting" for her. What about in real life, Ron? Maybe you can be less critical then as well?
As all of the teams sans father and daughter book their flights, Nate & Hate-ifer manage to catch an earlier one after being placed on the waiting list. There's some "suspense" about Ron & Christina as they arrive only half an hour before departure and have to run through the airport to the gate, Ron's hernia paining him the entire way. But they make it. More plane drama ensues as the Air France flight is delayed due to mechanical problems. Nate & Hate-ifer, already in Paris, hope their competition will be forced to follow them tomorrow, but the other eight pairs get on the plane in time. Hate-ifer offers completely ungenuine "Glad you made it"s to every Racer she sees. Ugh.
In Ouagadougou, teams acquire taxis. Shana & Jennifer haggle a bit for a cheaper fare, and Jennifer" jokes" that they are going "to be sold to people... for money." Boo. This backfires as their driver refuses to give them the correct change and grins his way to an extra 1,000 Francs. The next clue instructs all teams to take a train to Bingo. They will have to listen for their stop to be announced, because they will be let out "in the middle of nowhere." Actually, it's in the African savannah. Once there, they ill search for their next clue. Everyone discovers that the ticket counter is closed for the day, and the teams spend the night outside the station. Marianna, Julia, and Lorena all dance as locals play drums; Don leers, "The one in the middle — which one is she?" See? I'm not the only one who can't tell them apart! He chuckles, "If I were a little younger," as Marianna or Julia invites Don to dance.
On the morning train ride through the savannah, Shana and Jennifer complain about the flies, they way people smell, their own clothes, and the garbage lining the tracks. Nate, on the other hand, is appreciative to see another place and culture, "knowing these types of places in the world really do exist, and how lucky we really are to be here." Really? After being dropped off, teams find the clue box. Roadblock! "Who's ready to work up a thirst?" One person must milk a camel. Once the proper amount is collected and then drank, pairs will get their next clue. If a camel runs out of milk, people must wait until all other teams have finished with their personal camels before moving on to another camel. Oooh. That's mean. Also, a little-known Depeche Mode B side. The instructions include the warning "Be mindful that camels are sensitive to fast movement and loud noises."
TK, Don, Christina, and Vyxsin all speak softly and soothingly to their camels and finish the task fairly quickly. Lorena squeaks as her camel moves and bumps her and the bowl, and Azaria yells at Hendekea, who is shouting from the sidelines. Hate-ifer screeches at Nate, who hollers back. Julia gets a cantankerous camel, and Shana's Jennifer is disgusted by the flies and dirt in the milk as she tries to fill her bowl. Several of the camels move or kick at the milkers, who spill the milk to the ground.
After TK drinks his milk — which he describes as "a little grainy, a little sweet and warm" — he gets the next clue. Teams will lead four camels to waiting Tuareg nomads, who will give them Detour options. TK & Rachel wander off in the wrong direction, followed closely by Don & Nick, Ron & Christina, and Kynt & Vyxsin. Christina wants to find the marked path, but Don repeats his mantra about wasting time, so they follow the small pack. TK & Rachel may be laid back, but they need to stop and think about the next step to be more successful. They have taken at least one wrong turn in every leg so far. And the other teams need to not blindly follow. As the four teams realize their mistake and turn around, Nate & Hate-ifer catch up and move into second place behind TK & Rachel.
Lorena continues her meltdown. It's not pretty. She weeps and cries out for Jason as she falls to her knees. He feels terrible that he can't help her. Azaria, Jennifer, and Julia are also unable to get enough milk, so all of them are allowed to switch camels. Azaria and Jennifer manage to complete the Roadblock and pick up their camels to take to the Tuareg.
The first four teams arrive at the Detour, choosing between two educational experiences: Teach It or Learn It. In Teach It, they must choose a local child who speaks no English and teach them English words for ten common items, one of which is a cowboy. I would love for a cowboy to be one of my common items. Ahem. In Learn it, teams must learn ten Möre words and recite them properly. TK & Rachel, Nick & Don, and Ron & Christina opt for Teach It, with the latter two teams thinking they won't retain much on "no sleep." Nate & Hate-ifer, Kynt & Vyxsin, and Azaria & Hendekea decide to learn, figuring they should rely on themselves rather than anyone else. At first, most teams can't find the school and wander into the equivalent of Tuareg front yards, asking the locals for directions. Azaria & Hendekea find a local to lead them to the school.
In CamelTown, Jennifer finally gets enough milk, and she and Shana grab four camels. Shana is proud of her partner for not complaining once. Well, within Shana's earshot, that is.
To no one's surprise, Ron is a bad teacher, and the editors let us know it with appropriate sound effects. Hate-ifer is hateful, and Nick's not sure his pupil was the best choice. Azaria & Hendekea memorize five words each, and they quickly finish and depart for the Pit Stop on the outskirts of Bingo. Teams sleeping outside in a rustic locale at a Pit Stop? Another nod to seasons past! As the sibs run, thunder rolls, and wind and rain start sweeping across the savannah. Animals bolt for shelter, and Julia huddles by her camel and tries not to spill any milk.
For arriving first at the mat, Azaria & Hendekea win a five-day trip to the Elbow Beach Resort in the Bahamas, which must sound mighty good when you're being pummeled by an African rainstorm. Phil and the greeter are under an umbrella, but her clothes and his shirt is soaked. It is pouring down, with water all over every camera lens. TK & Rachel, Nate & Hate-ifer, Kynt & Vyxsin, Ron & Christina, and Nick & Don all finish the Detour within minutes of each other and can't find the marked path at first. Then Nate sees it, Hate-ifer spots Phil, and it's a mad dash for the mat. TK & Rachel barely beat out Nate & Hate-ifer, with Kynt & Vyxsin right behind. Ron & Christina and Nick & Don are there as well, and Phil notes, "I cannot believe that after all those thousands of miles that all of you guys have turned up at exactly the same time here on the mat."
Julia finally gets enough milk and drinks it down. She and Marianna take their four camels, walking slowly the entire way, keeping in mind the earlier instructions. Finally, finally, finally, Lorena manages to complete the task and cries in Jason's arms when they get the clue. He is determined to catch up to the Miami sisters, so he and Lorena run with their camels. She asks if he still loves her, and he of courses that he does.
Shana & Jennifer Teach It and arrive at the mat as team number seven. Jennifer cries and is happy to still be in it. Perhaps she won't mock the countries she visits in the future.
Marianna & Julia are still walking when Jason & Lorena appear behind them. It's a race not to be eliminated as they both decide to Learn It. Tense moments as they memorize and recite, and in the end, Jason & Lorena arrive before Marianna & Julia. Jason gives his girlfriend credit for her being the reason they are still in the Race, which is sweet. Marianna & Julia are classy in defeat, saying they never caught a break but don't regret anything. I wish they had stayed long enough for me to figure out which sister was which.
Next week: A dancing task makes Jason feel as if he's on American Idol, and Shana & Jennifer make a controversial decision.
LEG 3: Durgerdam, the Netherlands, to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (via Paris), to Bingo, Brukino Faso
PIT STOP: Outskirts of Bingo, Burkina Faso
ROADBLOCK: Camel milking, then drinking the milk ("Who's ready to work up a thirst?")
1st: TK
2nd: Don
3rd: Christina
4th: Vyxsin
5th: Nate
6th: Azaria
7th: Jennifer
8th: Julia
9th: Lorena
DETOUR: Teach It or Learn It
Teach It (teach a schoolchild ten English words):
TK & Rachel
Nick & Don
Ron & Christina
Shana & Jennfier
Learn It (learn ten Möre words):
Kynt & Vyxsin
Nate & Jennifer
Azaria & Hendekea
Marianna & Julia
Jason & Lorena
LEADERBOARD
Team Number 1: Azaria & Henekea [previously finished 1st, 5th]
PRIZE: Five-day trip to the Elbow Beach Resort, Bermuda
Team Number 2: TK & Rachel [previously finished 3rd, 6th]
Team Number 3: Nate & Jennifer [previously finished 10th, 2nd]
Team Number 4: Kynt & Vyxsin [previously finished 2nd, 4th]
Team Number 5: Ron & Christina [previously finished 8th, 9th]
Team Number 6: Don & Nick [previously finished 5th, 8th]
Team Number 7: Shana & Jennifer [previously finished 6th, 3rd]
Team Number 8: Jason & Lorena [previously finished 4th, 1st]
ELIMINATED: Marianna & Julia [previously finished 9th, 7th]
ELIMINATED: Kate & Pat [previously finished 7th]
ELIMINATED: Ari & Staella
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