Archive > Amazing Race 21 Spoilers Archive
Ep 9 East Coast SHOW updates and commentary *start: 800PM or later* note rules
FishyFred:
I am hopeful for a rule change that prevents later teams from U-turning teams they already know are past it. The double was added when the single one just meant an automatic elimination for whoever got it. They removed all drama from the episode as soon as the Chips did it.
To be honest, this episode made me want to be done with this show. One of the things I always liked about TAR was that everybody played their own game. It didn't have that ridiculous strategizing that other shows had to sabotage competitors. Now each season they are adding more and more of that kind of thing. I'd much rather see each team run their own race and let the good (and lucky) teams win.
To me, it seemed production was rooting against A&R. From Phil's angry-sounding statement to the Beekmans "Would you rather I eliminate you" (sounded like he was personally mad that someone could like A&R) to playing the happy-sounding organ-grinder music immediately after their tearful fair well. Sounded like they were celebrating not having to hand over a $2M check. I even wonder if the U-turn strategy didn't come from production.
But anyway, as far as editing goes, my bet goes to Chippendales winning it all. They pumped up the family drama element, passed on a chance to edit them as villains for using the U-turn and instead cast them as sympathetic reluctant "game" players. Everybody else save the Beekmans were made out as villains.
Also, more possible production interference: Don't travelling teams normally take up 4 seats on a plane? 2 for the races, and one each for the cameraman and sound guy (with the racers asking to book 2 just for the cameras)? So how was 1 team allowed on flight with just 3 seats?
Topita:
--- Quote from: Dånooky on November 25, 2012, 10:02:58 PM ---Also, I really like the character development on this Season. At first it felt like Abbie & Ryan were the antagonists for stealing Amy & Daniel's shot at the 2Mill, and that Trexie and the Twinnies would be the good guys. Suddenly, the Twinnies are the hardcore amoral team that will do anything to win; Trexie were the formerly lawful good turned lawful evil, even being glad for getting rid of Abbie & Ryan; James & Jaymes were first the "alpha male" team, turned into the super friendly team, turned into the selfish team; finally, Abbie & Ryan turned from alpha couple to the team with extremely bad luck.
Very dynamic characterization indeed.
--- End quote ---
Interesting observation. :tup: True, it's not been stale and teams have done some surprising things.
Some of which I still think shouldn't be seen on the race.. (i.e. taking another team's money..) But the double u-turn was bound to be a game-changer whichever way it went. To me it's clear the plan came from the twins, and group pressure clearly got to the chippies. I don't blame them for doing it, the end result was to get a stronger team out which is justifiable I think.
I did really enjoy the episode but even the weather seemed to comply with the 'calm before the storm' theme/forebode that was over Abby and Ryan's head.. I just felt very sorry for them as the episode progressed. Obviously nobody could have forseen their airport problems and I wonder how Jaymes felt when he saw this on tv. Can't have been a good feeling I think.
But in the end this is a race, and as long as they did it for the right reasons (i.e not out of spite or personal vendetta) to me, it's just part of the game. Abby and Ryan just got very unlucky and the twins hatched a smart plan and were left out of the picture although they were the ones who put all the pawns in place.. I do agree that the Chippies let themselves be manipulated but they knew why they were doing it in the end.
As for it being boring - I think the fact that the Beekmans just more or less seem to have forgotten this IS a race and were just doing it together with Abby and Ryan (and vice versa) was more boring in that sense. :duno: It was nice I'm sure and very friendly but not exactly in the spirit of the race. Sure last time around they had the 4 hour penalty anyway so Abby and Ryan were safe regardless, but this time they should have shown a bit more spunk to stay in the race I think, even if they have become friends. For that reason I'm sorry they weren't the ones who got eliminated.. Basically they're just still in it because two other teams who seemed more competent racers (the rockers and Abby & Ryan) got eliminated because of bad luck and/or strategy of the other teams. They obviously don't feel like they should be in the race anymore either, judging by how they've been talking about it. :( I like them, don't get me wrong, I just think other teams deserved to be here more than they do at this point.
Maybe there'll be an Allstar second chance for Abby and Ryan yet. :)
BuuYaa:
yeah actually I get your point.
Not a lot of teams actually could recover once they got U-Turned. The first team to actually survived after being U-Turned is Brook&Claire from season 17, but the U-Turn appeared at that time was a double U-Turn,both are used and both teams actually had to perform both detours instead of just one, so one of those two teams get U-Turned would absolutely survive no matter what, and It happened to be Brook and Claire.
So I think the main reason the U-Turn appearing now doubled because it raised more outcomes,
If it's just single U-Turn, the outcome is always obvious, the team got U-turned will probably be eliminated. so like you said, having two teams performing both detours and just battle it out, possibly trying to avoid last place is one of the outcome that People would love to watch.
On the other hands, if a team feels like they're in front of the pack, and find a single U-Turn, that team would probably avoid using it. But if it's double, that team may have second thought, and decide to U-Turn one team that is right on their tail, basically aiming for first place. The team that gets U-Turned then actually don't have to worry about being eliminated, because there is still one spot for U-Turning another team.
But then that team has to guess correctly what team they need to U-Turn. What if the team they choose is ahead and they got stuck doing both detours alone. More outcomes.
this is what makes The Sri Lanka girl's plan to seal Abby&Ryan's fate so risky. Abby and Ryan were actually scheduled to arrive in Amsterdam ahead of Trey&Lexi. Had things gone right for Abby&Ryan, they would arrive at the U-Turn 3rd and mostly U-Turning The Sri Lanka girls (which would cost no effect), or probably Trey&Lexi if they somehow managed to think that way. If Trey and Lexi got to the U-Turn before Abby&Ryan and decided to leave alone the 2nd u-turn, Abby& Ryan could just U-Turn Josh-Brent since they already know those two were so far behind.
So the fact that Tweenies,Trexies,and Chips maanaged to pull that off perfectly is what makes this worth-watching.
Topita:
--- Quote from: FishyFred on November 26, 2012, 07:13:32 AM ---To me, it seemed production was rooting against A&R. From Phil's angry-sounding statement to the Beekmans "Would you rather I eliminate you" (sounded like he was personally mad that someone could like A&R) to playing the happy-sounding organ-grinder music immediately after their tearful fair well. Sounded like they were celebrating not having to hand over a $2M check. I even wonder if the U-turn strategy didn't come from production.
--- End quote ---
It's possible production preferred to see A&R go ito the $2M but I doubt they would go so far as to sabotage game elements or put teams up to this. There have been rumours about the twins and Texans taking the rocker's money being incited to do so from production though, and if that is the case, this is more than a little disappointing. :(
As for Phil's words to the Beekmans, personally I always felt that he has a soft spot for people who are passionate about the race and eager to win. Not eager at all costs but definitely eager. Makes for better tv too obviously. :lol:
So maybe this stemmed more from them all clinging together for two legs now and basically not seeming too eager or happy to still be in it. I think that's why he said it, not so much to do with A&R or whether they liked them or not. :)
FishyFred:
Thinking some more, I bet we would have seen this strategy last season. I long wondered why the team boarder patrol was so pissed at D&R for not using the U-turn when they were able to do it when they got there. I bet production edited out that part to keep it a surprise for later seasons.
Maybe the U-turn would work better if their was some kind of penalty for using it, like if the team you targeted survived, you got a 30-min penalty on the next leg. Then people would not be so quick to use it on teams that already went by (or use it at all).
Personally, I'd rather see the U-turn gone and the intersection return. I don't care what some say, detours and roadblocks are all I need.
--- Quote from: Topita on November 26, 2012, 07:35:58 AM ---
--- Quote from: FishyFred on November 26, 2012, 07:13:32 AM ---To me, it seemed production was rooting against A&R. From Phil's angry-sounding statement to the Beekmans "Would you rather I eliminate you" (sounded like he was personally mad that someone could like A&R) to playing the happy-sounding organ-grinder music immediately after their tearful fair well. Sounded like they were celebrating not having to hand over a $2M check. I even wonder if the U-turn strategy didn't come from production.
--- End quote ---
It's possible production preferred to see A&R go ito the $2M but I doubt they would go so far as to sabotage game elements or put teams up to this. There have been rumours about the twins and Texans taking the rocker's money being incited to do so from production though, and if that is the case, this is more than a little disappointing. :(
As for Phil's words to the Beekmans, personally I always felt that he has a soft spot for people who are passionate about the race and eager to win. Not eager at all costs but definitely eager. Makes for better tv too obviously. :lol:
So maybe this stemmed more from them all clinging together for two legs now and basically not seeming too eager or happy to still be in it. I think that's why he said it, not so much to do with A&R or whether they liked them or not. :)
--- End quote ---
Oh, I'm sure production could walk a fine line. They wouldn't tell them what to do, but perhaps "clarify" the rules for them. Like telling them they can't interfere with someones belongings, but could claim something they lost. Or that there is noting illegal about U-turning a team you know is already past. Not telling them what to do, but giving them possible ideas.
If Phil was just trying to get them competitive, he could have done it better. Something like "But be happy, you are in the top 4!" If he was really interested in competitive teams, he would have been sadder A&R were gone.
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