Finally watched the 1st episode, in full!
I liked watching the schoolyard pick!
~Seth picking Olive was reasonable.
~It's also cool how Matt didn't know Redmond's name until the former chose the latter. I think it's another reasonable choice.
~I noticed that Shamir & Sara were beside each other even before the task started, so that made sense.
~Scott & Brooke
Well, the pause of hesitation when asked by Phil at the pit stop was a bit funny in this regard.
~Becca & Floyd, #TeamFun
They seem to work well together, too.
~Vanck picking Ashton made me think what strategy was behind that choice.
I don't remember a reason being revealed, but I'm gonna guess that the more diverse the team is, the more tasks they can do. I don't know.
~Tara picking Joey was something. I like Tara's way of thinking that just because he finished last doesn't mean he's a bad partner. I wonder how this team will do in the race.
~LoLo
I have no idea, but they seem to get along well.
~Long hair don't care. That's easy!
I remember them even somewhat working together doing the SLT, so this pairing makes a lot of sense.
~Mike & Liz: I don't know. Maybe Liz was the one who made the best impression among the remaining 3.
~Francesca & Jessie being a pair was quite funny.
I remember Jessie saying she is not following Francesca because the latter brought former to the wrong direction during the SLT, and now they're a team!
Yes, they did exchange a few words during the task.
Just from the schoolyard pick and the 1st leg overall, I'm already wishing this twist comes back next time in a future season of TAR.
I like how the twist, when shown as TV commercials, was already interesting. Now after seeing the episode, it's even better!
Onto the leg proper...
I know I said this earlier, but I really like how it's self-driving on Leg 1. More teams get lost, and it actually tests the communication skills between partner to partner, so Leg 1 self-driving is a really good design to match the season's biggest twist. We also got to see some character development even from the 1st boot, and it's something I barely see on other seasons wherein the premieres are either awful or mediocre.
The language barrier was another interesting obstacle on this episode. Adding having to ask for directions due to self-driving, the first leg doesn't seem to be easy despite it having a detour only, with the rest of the leg filled with navigation (and the SLT).
Did Seth & Olive win something? This can't be like TARA5 right? They better have a prize, even if it's just prize money at the very least.
Vanck & Ashton remind me of 2 groupmates who just met in a class.
They respect each other, but they get on each other's nerves.
It was so entertaining watching their dynamic, because it was so obvious they are polar opposites. I wonder how they'll do next leg.
Liz & Michael were so lucky with that timing, in which Kevin & Jenn didn't have the chance to complete the detour. Although I wish I could see Kevin & Jenn race further.
Can we at least have Elimination Station back please?
Team fun was a really fun team to watch!
Next to that would be long hair don't care, because they both act like siblings and they seem so calm and relaxed as they casually interact.
At least I got to see enough of them before they go. Then again, I wish they weren't eliminated this fast.
Now that I remember, TAR should be consistent with "may be eliminated" on premiere legs and penultimate legs, because it's gonna come out obvious every season, ever since the introduction of the penultimate ZHPS and Leg 1 NEL respectively.
The Express Pass! Ever since the EP curse found in the past few seasons, I think giving it away randomly by luck is a good step from it. Not only is it given by luck and by random, but no other team will know which team has possession over the 1 and only EP in the season, so it doesn't put a target on their back. This randomness actually reminds me of the FF given on the latter half of a TBC leg back in the old days.
Overall, not am I only glad that TAR is finally back, but I'm also glad Leg 1 did not disappoint!
