After-episode analysis
LEG 2 (US Virgin Islands --> England, UK) ANALYSISBETTER TITLE QUOTE: "Punting Was Made for the Devil to Punish the English" - Shelley & Nici
First thing I must address is the Express Pass's return...
I wanted it out of the race for good, not deal with it later. Back to the program, I admired the English architecture of Tower Bridge. There, we saw teams get their next clue from the Pearly Royalties (hint hint wink wink: Blackbeard). After dealing with the fairly tough Detour, teams traveled by train to Oxford where they punted and went to Churchhill establishments. While Adam & Bethany were fortunate with a win-win situation, the TAR superfans received the short ends of the stick when the river current dragged them out of course and into exhaustion. While Shelley & Nici got it bad, Dennis & Isabelle had it worse as they became the second team eliminated. Ending the episode however, I still feel like editing was rushed with noticeable errors as such, "Currently in 10th place", and the unaired clips of Phil revealing team placements.
DETOUR: (Flipping Out the British Soldiers or Flipping Pancakes)
In FOtBS, when the soldier choreography appeared on my screen I immediately thought of Dandrew's marching during the Boots or Borscht Detour in Russia.
Although originality is a bit lacking, the iconic role of the changing of the guards in London and difficulty of the moves resulted in a good, educational experience for the teams while entertaining the viewers with the judge's frankness. In Flipping Pancakes, I was actually impressed how hard the task really is after the dentists and surfers left. Michael & Scott STRUGGLED throughout the task and it opened my eyes to added pressure. Not only did they have to beat the clock, teams had to flip pancakes consistently AND successfully. Original, but a solidly entertaining task.
DETOUR SCORE: 8/10
ROUTE INFO: (Oxford punting)
From rowing the wrong way to peeing in a river, this task became the highlight of the episode. Although I wish the punting was part of a Roadblock, a route info brought the best and worst in teams all stuffed into one package.
ROUTE INFO TASK SCORE: 9/10
OTHER SCORES:
TEAM DEVELOPMENT: 9/10 (We saw more background info about teams this episode so that is always a plus)
DRAMA: 8/10
SOUNDTRACK: 7/10 (kind of monotone)
PHIL NOT ANNOUNCING PLACEMENTS BETWEEN 4th - 8th: 0/10 (extremely disappointed)
NICI BEING THE FIRST RACER TO PEE THEMSELVES: 11/10 (Thanks for setting the irreplaceable record Nici!
)
OVERALL SCORE: 8/10
