Topic: TAR 25 East Coast EP 1 SHOW updates and commentary **please read the rules**

[freds]

A short first leg with an interesting roadblock who change the places. It's a good start but i think that the others legs will be wonderful.

[Xarles]

As always... >R E A D   T H E    C L U E<.

I believe that the last three teams were off by the difference between the length of the whole shovel and the handle only, as I recall, they mentioned that the handle by itself is what measured one yard.

[theamazingracer21]

I would have pushed her too!

Here, here

[RachelLeVega]

After-episode analysis
LEG 1 (USA --> US Virgin Islands) ANALYSIS
BETTER TITLE QUOTE: "It's a Courtesy not to Throw Up on Other Teams" - Kym
Despite the rushed editing in the premiere, it quickly turned into an intense game of wits with no mercy until the pleasingly difficult Roadblock. Right off the bat, a Times Square starting line brought a fresh, intriguing beginning with Race alumni (like rage-mode Frank) greeting the 11 new teams. After a bit of airport drama at JFK, we were welcomed to a lush tropical paradise called the Virgin Islands. The first task after signing up to Lovango Cay was jumping off a two-story tall rock to retrieve a floating bottle in the Caribbean Sea. That proved to be a breathtaking experience for all the teams (except Shelley & Nici as we didn't see their jump ) and was a daring stunt for the new season. With all but three teams finishing one after the other in the daylight, the Race flashed a Switchback moment to when another group of firefighters, blonds, and once dating duo took a RB penalty on the beach. However, this time around the foot and taxi race to the Fort Christian Pit Stop was executed better than on TAR22 in Bora Bora.

ROADBLOCK: (Who can't read a compass AND tell direction?)
A very challenging task with mental and physical skill took its toll on many teams, even to the point of draining teams' energy level resulting in opts to take the famous 4-hour penalty. The task proved to be a test of time, patience, and measurement; it was a perfect combination for the premiere.
ROADBLOCK SCORE: 9/10 (Not a full 10, felt rushed.)

OTHER SCORES:
TEAMS: 10/10 (Weighs big on my scale)
DRAMA: 9/10 (Drama felt rushed, but worth it for the premiere!)
SOUNDTRACK: 7/10 (Monotone throughout the episode)
HUMOR LEVEL: 3/10
GOING BIG TO NOT GO HOME: 4/10 (Nothing special about being quitters. )
OVERALL: 8/10

[Philimination]

The rushing is why I like the idea of 90-minute premieres (like what Survivor did for their premiere)...

I agree that it was good but it felt a little rushed.

[Jimmer]

I thought the episode was okay as I thought most of it was a bunch of linear tasks. Thank goodness that the Roadblock saved it because it was a great way to shake teams up, and it was a skill task too (as opposed to the sandcastles)! I still felt like it was an underwhelming premiere and I wish we would have had more dramatic and non-linear tasks and just more tasks because the leg seemed really short tbh. When I saw the scene at the Pit Stop, I thought the stilts would have made a great task, but is was an opportunity missed IMO.

I haven't been impressed yet with this season, hopefully the next leg will make my opinions better!

[daeys]

The Roadblock saved an otherwise underwhelming first leg.

[RaceUntilWeDie]

The Roadblock saved an otherwise underwhelming first leg.

This sums up the episode entirely. I think the teams really helped save this leg too. If it weren't for the teams, we'd have ourselves another boring TAR 23/TAR 24 (can't believe I'm calling an All-Star premiere boring, but it's the truth imo) premiere. But I really liked this premiere. It's probably one of the better premieres with TAR 20 and 22.

I almost forgot Keith & Whitney existed until I saw them a few times at the Roadblock and then finally they convinced the other teams to take the penalty. Honestly hated that all of them were giving up - but just like TAR 22 - it did make for a suspenseful ending - & this one seemed better-executed than TAR 22's.

I thought the jumping-into-the-water part was pointless. I guess it's better than jumping out of a plane

Is it just me, or does Kym's face look a lot like Marie's (TAR 23)? Even their voices sound alike

I actually thought the blondes looked stronger (& they were definitely more fierce) than what we've had in the past. But the pen/marker-incident and the cab-shove incident made it hard for me to feel sorry for them.

Title Quote Choices:
"It's a Courtesy Not to Throw Up on Other Teams" - Kym
"I Think My Compass Is Broken" - one of the #CollegeSweethearts
"My Stupid Butt Hurts" (something like that, forgot the line) - Isabelle

LOVE: Kym & Alli, Brooke & Robbie, Adam & Bethany, Dennis & Isabelle, Shelley & Nici
LIKE: Amy & Maya
NEUTRAL: Misti & Jim, Tim & Te Jay, Keith & Whitney
DISLIKE: Michael & Scott
HATE: ---

[nosyrabbit]

Next week on The Amazing Race...

Teams go hunting (or was it punting?) while Scott flips out. Michael & Scott flipping pancakes.

In a race to the finish, emotions run high. Seems like Shelley & Nici and Dennis & Isabelle are in last and Shelley & Nici are slightly ahead. Dennis is basically pulling Isabelle as they run.

 

[abollo]

I have a question.
Could the girls have returned to the roadblock before checking in at the mat seeing they were last or once you leave the roadblock the penalty is already counted?

[Hysha]

Ughh I felt those girls had so much potential!!

I loved the episode, nice start! 

The tasks were nice! The pirate task changes the positions a lot.

To be honest, at first I was so neutral with the realtor sisters, but I can see a lot of potential in them, so I feel sad for them, I like these girls!

At the moment:
Love: Kym & Alli, Brooke & Robbie, Adam & Bethany, Amy & Maya, Lisa & Michelle.
Like: Misti & Jim, Dennis & Isabelle.
Neutral: Tim & Te Jay, Shelley & Nici, Keith & Whitney.
Dislike: Michael & Scott.
Hate: -

[gamerfan09]

After watching the Premiere, I'm glad to say I haven't been this excited to see the Race since Unfinished Business. The leg was VERY short and very TAR22-esque, but it was entertaining enough!

Sad for Lisa/Michelle though

Cast Rankings:
Love: Amy/Maya (get more screentime though please <3), Keith/Whitney, Shelly/Nici, Kym/Alli, Lisa/Michelle, Dennis/Isabelle, Brooke/Robbie
Okay: Tim/Te Jay, Adam/Bethany
Dislike: Misti/Jim, Michael/Scott

[WinTar]

To be honest, I liked this first leg! Not too difficult, but not too easy.
My only problem though was how they edited this episode.

LOVE: Brooke & Robbie, Shelley & Nici, Lisa & Michelle
LIKE: Amy & Maya, Keith & Whitney, Dennis & Isabelle, Kym & Alli, Tim & Te Jay, Adam & Bethany, Misti & Jim
NEUTRAL: Michael & Scott

I actually don't dislike any teams as of the first episode, but there may be as the Race progresses.

[Platrium]

TAR on its silver anniversary!  Amazing start for an amazing leg. I'm glad I don't have to complain about Leg 1 this season.
~First of all, all the teams are amazing in different ways!
~Lots of connections with TAR22, that's what I noticed first. I should post what I can connect on the coincidences thread.
~The drama between the firefighters and the blondes this leg was also amazing. Karma coming back around this leg.
~Roadblock isn't luck-based. Teams were able to catch up normally because of that.
~Beach destination. Already knew this from the spoilers, but I'm saying it right here.
~Save is really the most powerful. I doubt anything in the future can beat that. I just wish the EP would be still around.
~I'm neutral with the hashtags, though I prefer them to be a separate thing on the TV screen.
~Love seeing teams racing under the night sky. I just love it.
~I wonder how the next leg will be. It looks like I know who's finishing 9th.

[ERamos]

Just saw the first episode. It's great and short but there's a lot of kissing especially Keith/Whitney (they kiss before the flight, they kiss after opening the clue, they kiss before riding the seaplane,etc.)

The finish is very TAR22. One F/F, M/F, M/M taking the penalty, only difference is the F/F team was eliminated 

Love: Dennis/Isabelle, Misti/Jim, Amy/Maya
Hate: None
Meh: All other teams

[Platrium]

I have no teams to hate so far. I think I'm all thumbs up for now.

~Lisa & Michelle, they would've been the next CaroJen, in which they could've finished 10th in Leg 1, and then come back for a 2nd place finish in a future all-star. We would've seen more entertainment from them if they survived.
~Michael & Scott, I like how they got their payback. Lisa & Michelle started it after all with the pen.
~Keith & Whitney, they're okay to me. I didn't like how Whitney is telling Keith to hurry up at the roadblock.
~Shelley & Nici, I felt a bit sorry for them after Shelley told Brooke & Robbie on how to use the compass.
~Dennis & Isabelle, they easily lost their first flight lead. How sad.
~Amy & Maya, looks like they're having a good start.
~Adam & Bethany, so close to 1st, yet so far. They look like a strong team after all, so they'll most likely make it far. Bethany was amazing with the climbing before the leap of faith task.
~Brooke & Robbie, the Mona & Beth of TAR25. Last at some point in the leg, then catching up at the roadblock, and then falling back by one placement at the pit stop. There are more TAR22 throwbacks this leg.
~Kym & Alli, another strong looking team. That's all I can say for now.
~Tim & TeJay, they did better than I expected! I underestimated them, I though they were getting 4th-9th.
~Misti & Jim, well, they showed the other teams how strong they were. They're the last ones on the 1st flight (JJ connection from TAR22), then they won the leg! I'm amazed that they won despite missing the sign-up board at first.

So like I said, I like all the teams for now. My least favorite is Keithney, but I still like them. Lisa & Michelle could've been my least favorite, but they're gone, so I don't have to see a possible CaroJen deja vu.

[Belle Book]

I enjoyed the first episode!  That said, I think the Roadblock and the fact that I got reminders of having watched the Race during the first season (the history aspect) really made the leg great!

I was a tad disappointed that an all-girl team was the first eliminated as I'm all about all-girl teams, but this team probably deserved it because of their actions at the sign-up sheet.

I think I like Amy & Maya the most but I also like Adam & Bethany.  The others I'm a bit more neutral on but I think I dislike Brooke & Robbie the most, although I don't really hate them -- yet.

[runningblind]

"Hi mister phil" xD That should be a title qoute xD Cool to see Phil and the teams outside the pit-stop for once.

Love that moment! Phil commenting the action "live"

Also: Misty & Jim surprised me in a positive way - seemed arrogant at first, I was shocked when he helped other teams at the roadblock

[Jobby]

I do not like The Save. Gives a potentially strong team the potential to potentially save themselves from potential elimination, giving the possibility of potentially a predictable and potentially boring race and outcome, which can potentially ruin a season (aka TAR 20).

Too many potentials, therefore it's bad.

And Leg 9? Seriously.

[NMC]

Although I enjoyed the episode, I couldn't help but feel it was one of the shortest 1st Legs we've seen in a long time.  Even a Detour placed after the RB, would have been something else to shake up positions. OR a task at Flushing Meadows.

I still can't get my head round Misti & Jim though?  I want to like them but Jim's soooooo intense it really reduces their likeability factor, but I was pleasantly surprised to see him helping other teams work out how to use the compass.
And regarding them winning the Save, I remember calling it from the moment I saw a photo in the Spoilers Thread of them and Kym & Ali I think it was, running from a plane.

Was very happy to see #MiamiRealtors eliminated.  They started a battle with Michael & Scott, which could've turned into an all out war had they survived, which could have been AMAZING.   But out of the three last teams, they were my least favourite so I'm rather happy with the outcome.

Team Analysis:
LOVE - Michael & Scott.
LIKE - Amy & Maya, Kym & Alli, Dennis & Isabelle, Brooke & Robbie.
NEUTRAL - Tim & Te Jay, Keith & Whitney, Misti & Jim.
Dislike - Shelley & Nicci.

Also, EVERYTHING Jobby said!  ^^^^^

[fossil-racer]

Loved the start
Must be one of the most competitive seasons
I don't think the save will be used.

[georgiapeach]

Oh wow Michael was there when the explosions happened

Not only was he there...he was a HERO. Google gives you more.

[georgiapeach]

I have a question.
Could the girls have returned to the roadblock before checking in at the mat seeing they were last or once you leave the roadblock the penalty is already counted?

Once you SAY you are taking the penalty, the time clock starts.

[Vitoko]

I have a question.
Could the girls have returned to the roadblock before checking in at the mat seeing they were last or once you leave the roadblock the penalty is already counted?

Once you SAY you are taking the penalty, the time clock starts.

I'm sorry I think this could be missundertood... If a team says they are taking the penalty, the clock starts as soon as they get to the mat unless they arrive last and if that happens the 4 hour penalty is added to their start of the next leg...

The way I read your comment peach is as if the 4 hour penalty started when they left the beach to Fort Christian so let's say it took them 3 hours to get to the mat, there is only 1 hour left on the penalty clock so that would be added at the start of the next leg... so you might want to rephrase that :/

[couchracer]

I enjoyed the leg and all the placement changes. Dislike mass penalty taking-play it to the end if at all possible. Our channel or cable company kept blurring the blonde realtors swimwear, and we did not see the final race to the mat. Boo-hiss local CBS or Cable. I shall watch on CBS online. Better title,"the sun rises in the west and sets in the east, right".