TAR Episode 3: Welcome to the Jungle

We move from China to the original
Survivor local of Borneo in Malaysia.

Compared to last week's strategy (and blunder) driven plot, this week's Amazing Race disappointed. Still, there were plenty of interesting and fun moments, and there's lots to talk about, so let's get into it. We have Survivor Week 3 Power Rankings coming to you tomorrow morning, plus a quick recap of the episode late tomorrow night. (Image credit to CBS)

At last, a change of location! We move from China not to Indonesia, for once, but to the original Survivor locale of Borneo in Malaysia. And a change of place also meant a change of pace for our racers: they had the choice of two different flights, one leaving three hours ahead of the other. Wait. Back up a second. THREE HOURS?! Sigh.

Sadly, the Race killed itself yet again. Any suspense and drama that might have been created in Borneo was limited to the second flight of three (couldn't it at least have been more teams on the 2nd flight?), as the first 6 teams had 0% chance of being eliminated. All they had to do was duke it out for 1st place.

While the location was stunning, the tasks themselves were not. Fortunately, the unique style that the race was set up in this week, which we see very rarely, helped add some interest. Instead of a traditional go here, do a Roadblock, go here, do a Detour, go to the Pitstop format, everything after the Roadblock took place along one river.

This gave the teams more airtime, and travel time got less, which can only be a good thing for the race. The Roadblock itself was fairly simple (for everyone but Jet/Cord (who knows which one) and Rachel, who's sequins were in danger), although it did include the Travelocity Roaming Gnome, which is always a plus.

I really enjoyed Flight Time and Big
Easy this episode, because they don't
really seem to care about winning at all.

Once the racers hit the river, the (relative) fun began. I really enjoyed Flight Time and Big Easy this episode, because they don't really seem to care about winning at all, wasting plenty of time partying and dancing with the natives. They were in no danger, but it's not the sort of thing most racers would do. You have to remember that they're trained performers, after all, and are there to entertain. Since I don't want any of the 3-timers to win, it was gratifying to see Flight Time and Big Easy complying with my request. But really, out of the three 3-time teams, the Globetrotters are the least obnoxious and most entertaining, so I'm fine with them sticking around.

The Cowboys, on the other hand, can be eliminated as soon as possible. They're just too good. It seems like they were brought back to float through the race. A particularly amusing scene from this episode was the struggling Afghanimals being passed by Jet and Cord who indeed were simply floating along the river in their raft.

The Afganimals' decision to tell the
truth about the Detour location spoke
volumes about what they've learned
from Season 23.

Speaking of Leo and Jamal, I'm enjoying them a lot more this season, especially when I consider them the underdogs when looking at teams like Jet and Cord and Brendon and Rachel (who, for their low finish this episode, are one of the strongest teams out here, I would say). Their decision to tell the truth about the Detour location spoke volumes about what they've learned from Season 23. Getting a 20-minute lead on a team at the front of the pack isn't worth being served a U-Turn at a more inopportune moment. Strategy aside, though, I would have liked to see the Cowboys float themselves down that river forever.

I got my satisfaction, though, when Dave and Connor beat Jet and Cord to the Pitstop, even though Team Achilles (ok, that's mean; sorry, Dave and Connor) had to do some heavy lifting and did some racing out of order. I have no idea how they beat the Cowboys and weren't handed a penalty, but they pulled it off, and good for them!

The other teams from the first flight, Caroline and Jennifer and Margie and Luke didn't have much airtime in this episode, so I'll mostly skip over them. I would like to touch on the fact that for doing relatively well placewise so far this season, Margie and Luke seem to be pretty frustrated, which will culminate in the big meltdown we see in the previews for the next episode.

Rachel is really surprising me this season.

As I said before, from the time they touched down in Borneo, either Brenchel, YouTube, or John and Jessica were doomed. I thought it was going to be non-elimination, so I wasn't too worried, but if I had known it wasn't, I would have been nervous for J and J at this time.


Not to worry, though, because John and (mostly) Jessica ran a flawless leg that could very well have netted them a first place finish had they been on the earlier flight. Brendon and Rachel struggled mightily, and I was half hoping for and half dreading a return of the old Rachel, but given the circumstances, she remained relatively calm. Very impressive. Rachel is really surprising me this season.

No team had worse luck or a worse
day than Joey and Meghan.

No team had worse luck or a worse day that Joey and Meghan, however. They were never the strongest racers to begin with, and I predicted at the beginning of the season that they would not be long for Season 24, and I was right. After letting their cab leave, Team YouTube was done for. I'm not too sad to see them go; all they brought to the race was cheerful optimism, which was nice, but I'd rather see more of Caroline and Jennifer or John and Jessica.

Next week it's off to...still Malaysia. Oh, well. Kuala Lumpur should be interesting. Dave and Connor are still my picks to win, and they took first this week, but the Cowboys are breathing down their necks. Stay tuned!