First Impressions:
TEAMS1.
Leo & Jamal - went from disliking them in TAR 23, to being indifferent to them in TAR 24, to absolutely rooting for them this season? I don't know how that happened haha but great to see them win this first leg!
2.
Colin & Christie - I have never watched TAR 5 in full, but I've seen large chunks of Colin & Christie's time on it. I honestly think they might be boring/"bot"-like this time around but I can't help but adore them every time I see them on screen. The fact that producers reached out to them this season is a WIN itself.
3.
Tyler & Korey - surprisingly under the radar?? Even their first season had tons of personalities but somehow they're overshadowed. Obviously, it's only the first episode.
4.
Rachel & Elissa - I'm loving what seems like a really "fun" version of Rachel. There's clearly a different dynamic between her and Elissa compared to Brendon.
5.
Becca & Floyd - also pretty under the radar, but that's understandable because of so many teams right now.
6.
Nicole & Victor - they seem like a sweet couple. That's all I have to say for now, lol
7. Chris & Bret - One of them looks like JJ so thank god Art & JJ went out first lmao
8.
Janelle & Britney - Yikes, navigation is not going to be their best friend, it seems...
9.
Corinne & Eliza - the whole "mean girl" act is annoying.
10.
Rupert & Laura - Rupert has an interesting voice and Laura is incredibly dry for a reality personality.
11.
Art & JJ - From 2nd in their original season to 11th... I genuinely felt bad for them lmao but I think if I rewatch TAR 20 I won't feel as bad.
TASKSSand - this was a WASTE OF TIME considering all the teams were on the same flight and there was no advantage or disadvantage for the first/last teams. I don't think we've ever had a starting line task without a single advantage.
Route Info - I loved the camerawork through the crowded streets. Ambitious task for sure (with the "limited clues" and all) but it played out pretty boring.
Chocolate Roadblock - cool challenge! it got ruined by teams getting lost and being so far apart from each other though. I would've loved to see this task in action with like 6 teams at once.
Climbing Roadblock - when Leo first attempted this challenge I thought it was going to be super hard... but I guess it wasn't. This Roadblock should've been reworked.
ADDITIONAL POINTS- The editing was atrocious as usual. Sooooo many "blur" transitions during the Route Info task, for what?? Just play it out without the transitions, dang it.
- I've seen people say that there wasn't any room for movement in this episode. I would disagree--there totally was, it's just that too many teams got lost
- Overall the "reality showdown" concept isn't bad, I just wish this was a full TAR cast </3
- I'm so glad I forgot a majority of the spoilers, lmao. This is gonna be a fun watch.