The Amazing Race: Leg 4

*Spoilers ahead, read at your own risk!*

“We’re going to win the race like friggen men!”

So says Jennifer as they decide to ignore the newest twist in The Amazing Race: The U-Turn.

The Amazing Race is always clever in the names they come up with for the things you do on a race. Detour, Road Block, Yield and now the U-Turn.

The U-Turn is a genius, if not utterly frustrating new pain in the butt for teams. If you happen to get screwed by getting nailed with one of these, not only did you have to complete the Detour task before getting to it, now you have to return and complete the OTHER task.

Yikes. Some of them are hard enough, but to think of having to attempt the second challenge is brutal. I’d rather take the 30 minute Yield and at least sit there waiting. Who knows how long the other task will be.

This new twist was of course the topic of much controversy. The L.A. Blondes decided to use it, although Shana (or the other one – who knows who is who?) was against it.

Sadly, they slapped that sucker on the team in last place, which also happened to be one of my teams: Jason and Lorena.

Despite Lorena’s mental breakdown last week and all the crying and screaming, they were totally enjoyable on this leg and I was truly sad to see them finish last and get eliminated. They had a good attitude and should have done better.

Of course, they probably should have been eliminated last week anyways, but the sisters helped them out, causing their own demise.

This leg had one of the best races for 1st to the Welcome Mat that I’ve ever seen on Amazing Race. Azaria and Hendekea raced Jennifer and Nathan to land in front of Phil, with the former making it 1st on a photofinish.

Azaria almost blew it by running mindlessly down a road, while Hendekea was screaming at him to turn. Jennifer didn’t take it well, proclaiming that since the other team had been first twice already, it was only fair that they let someone else take it.

Yeah, okay. She was also the one who tried out for the L.A. Clipper (that’s a basketball team) dance team, but couldn’t be creative enough to make the African natives enjoy her routine in the American/African Idol challenge.

Teams had to run around carrying a chicken in a bag that they received upon starting this leg. I was soooo sure one of them would forget theirs somewhere along the line, but alas, it didn’t happen.

The funny thing is, I couldn’t think of any team I really dislike enough to see them go. Maybe the blondes, maybe Christina and her father, Hernia. But overall, most of these teams seems likeable.

I liked Phil describing the “juggling” Roadblock challenge where teams had to pile on a lot of crap onto bicycles and then pedal it to a spot in a crowded African shopping area. You had a lot of junk and items, plus “a potentially uncooperative goat.”

Gotta love Phil.

What’s with all the animal challenges this season?

Azaria and Hendekea are an interesting duo. They seem so good and will likely be tough to beat, but man does Azaria get upset easily. I see it as a potential issue ahead, but Hendekea seems to let it roll off her back.

And Vyxsin brought a little perspective into this leg. The teams were in African for over two days, which gave them all a chance to see the poverty that abounds in these other countries. She was tearful in thinking about it and she had a good point.

But while you may weep for people who have nothing, it’s still amazing to see all the children running and laughing and smiling. I think it goes to show that whether you have a million dollars, or just a hut with some rice to eat, happiness is a state of mind and it doesn’t matter whether what possessions you have.

What did you think of the leg? Anything stand out?

So here is how the contest looks after the 4th leg. I was the only one to lose a team.

Mike: Azaria/Hendekea, Rachel/TK, Lorena/Jason

Jina: Azaria/Hendekea, Rachel/TK, Marianna/Julia

Tracy: Ari/Staella, Rachel/TK, Jennifer/Nathan

Scott: TK/Rachel, Azaria/Hendekea

Nicky: Jennifer/Nathan, Azaria/Hendekea

Kat: Nathan/Jenny, Kynt/Vyxsin