TAR Episode 4: Smarter, Not Harder

It's time to recap the fourth episode of The Amazing Race, which built on some poorer early episodes. (Image credit CBS)

It's time to recap the fourth episode
of the Amazing Race, which built on
some poorer earlier episodes.

Ethan's Amazing Race Recap: 

At the start of the fourth episode, Jet and Cord, Dave and Connor and Leo and Jamal each arrive at the Roadblock in quick succession, where they must jump on a bamboo trampoline to grab a flag. The Afghanimals and Dave and Connor quickly three tries grab the flag, within three tries.. Jet and Cord take over fifty tries to do it, but are so far ahead of the other teams that no one else passes them. This is certainly unusual for the Cowboys because they usually finish any task first.

Next was a race to get the first three plane tickets on the plane that left an hour and a half before any of the others. The first three people to leave the pit stop got these tickets because they had such a huge lead, which made the beginning boring; the Roadblock made no difference to the people at the head of the pack.

Following this, the other teams trickle in with contrasting results. Many of the teams such as Flight Time and Big Easy and Brendan and Rachel speed by, while teams like John and Jessica take 20 or more tries. Jessica actually injures her foot on he bamboo from the repeated friction and pressure that she applied to the rough bamboo, but is able to complete the Roadblock and continue on her way. 

Jet and Cord win the leg (again).

After the first flight leaves, the second flight, which was supposed to leave and hour and a half behind the first, is delayed. The teams affected by this are Flight Time and Big Easy and Margy and Luke, who are delayed behind the third flight by five minutes. The first three teams now have a two hour and fifteen minute head start, and land in Kuala-Lumpur. 

They then head to a party on the twenty-third floor of the Traders Hotel where they have a Detour; the teams can either mix drinks or mix music. Most of the teams pick the cocktail, which can be achieved faster, but is much harder to actually do than the more practice-based music counterpart. The biggest problem with the drinks was that the stack of seven cups was supposed to arc down rather than up like a bridge. One by one, each of the groups finish their task, and Jet and Cord win the leg.

Brenchel provides support to the
"tantruming" Luke.

The final two stragglers working on the drinks task are Brenchel and Margy and Luke. Brenchel provides support to the tantruming (that's not a word, is it?) Luke, who in the end finishes before Brenchel. This encouragement was definitely strange for Brenchel, who are  usually the ones having a tantrum. They arrive at the pit stop three and a quarter hours later tired and dejected. While Brenchel is expected to be eliminated, they are elated to find out that they are safe (which was fairly likely), except for a speed bump.

A note from Marcus:

The Evolution of Brenchel

I hate to say it. I can't believe I'm admitting this. Can it be true? 

I may have ever so slightly become
a Brenchel fan.

After this past episode of The Amazing Race, I have...It is possible that...I may have EVER so slightly...become a Brenchel fan. There, I said it. Terrible, isn't it? 

Honestly, though, Rachel's behavior on Sunday night's episode, and throughout this entire season, is changing my entire perception of her, which, if you read my pre-season analysis, was not very high. Here's what I had to say about Brenchel prior to the start of Season 24:

"ULLLLLBLGGGGHHAHGGK!!!!! 

That's the feeling I get in my throat when I see Brenchel...I cannot bear their constant whining, crying, cheesy romantic lines, narcissism, power trips, sulking, pity parties...oh, wait, that's all of them. Yeah, if you hadn't figured it out by this point, I hate Brenchel."

I love it when TAR does nighttime legs!

And now...they're bearable! Who would have guessed that after just four episodes, Brenchel (mainly Rachel) would have become entertaining, enjoyable, and easy to root for? They've had no major meltdowns and I'm looking forward to seeing how they progress. Later on in the season maybe I'll be back with another Brenchel Evolution Update.

P.S. I thought this episode was great because I love it when TAR does nighttime legs! One of my favorite episodes ever occurred in S22 in Berlin, where the teams completed their tasks at night.

Tomorrow we have a mid-week update on Big Brother Canada after an interesting Sunday night episode, and then Survivor power rankings and an episode recap, so stay tuned!