TAR8/EP4: Racing in the Gulf

EPISODE 4

The teams departed the Huntsville space center last night in search for the world's largest office chair. From there, they proceeded to Talladega race track to make a lap around the arena in a party bike. They then went to a mobile home dealership where they discovered would be their lodging for the night. When each team arrived, they had to search the trailers for a departure time for the morning (each just 20 minutes off from one another). The next morning, the teams departed for a BP station where they discovered that they would be traveling to the Pelican State (Louisiana). This is where they encountered this leg's detour, work or play. In work, the team had to saw logs the old fashioned way and had to cut off four pieces. In play, the teams had to row to a steamboat casino and had to win a game of cards three times. Work proved to usually be the fastest task. The teams then headed for New Orleans and the French Quarter. The Bransens not only arrived first but was also involved in an interstate mooning incident against the Linz family. Ironically, the Schroeders were eliminated in their hometown.

TRUST THE LOCALS!

One major mistake that the Shroeder family made last night was to not trust a local (a sheriff to beat it all). If you have watched the Amazing Race at all, you should know to always make friends with local people and use them as resources. Locals are always willing to help and prove to be very beneficial. Jonathan (the wife beater) in Season 6 was great at this; he always paid a local to follow them around and show him and Victoria where to go. This strategy is priceless and always works out for the best. The Shroeders, however, decided not to follow this practice. They asked a sheriff how to get to the mobile home dealer (which they only knew the name of and not what type of place it was); for some reason, they didn't believe his correct directions and decided to drive around aimlessly for a while. Of course they found out later at a gas station that the sheriff was indeed correct; this resulted in much wasted time and arriving at the trailer park last. Of course the teenage daughter said, "if only they had listened to me!" This did not have a direct effect of their downfall last night but certainly heavily contributed to it. If you ever get on the Race, always made friends with the locals! I was glad to see this horrible family get booted so no complaints here!

AN EMOTIONAL NIGHT

Last night's episode started off with a message from CBS about how this was filmed before Katrina hit and how they were deeply sorry about the disaster. If you watched, you knew exactly where they were headed for: the Gulf coast. I didn't expect it but they actually ended the leg in New Orleans. It was somewhat eerie seeing the teams race through the streets that were awaiting the force of Katrina. Also, this leg was very emotional for the Weaver family. This team lost their husband and father in an accident at the Daytona race track; last night, they were forced to go to the Talladega raceway. I was so afraid that they would just give up and not be forced to encounter what they dreaded, but they didn't. They encouraged one another and headed to the track standing tall. I just really hope that the Race producers did not plan that after finding out about their tragedy; if they did, that would have been one of the Race's lowest points. Also, a member of the Godlewski family just started bawling for no reason while driving to New Orleans. She kept saying something about wanting to carry the backpacks to the finish mat while the others didn't want to. It was obvious she was very tired and could no longer control her emotions. Also, the teenage daughter of the Shroeder family opened up the waterworks too. She was flippin' mad when her dad would not listen to her while looking for the mobile home dealership; of course she started screaming and crying once they finally arrived.

GOOD NEWS
A preview of the next episode of the Race informed us that the families will be leaving the US for the first time! I am so glad that they finally get to travel to other countries! So far, the rumors have been true. So will this lead to a Niagara Falls finale?


Looks like Phil is ready for some non-American Amazing Race.

filed under: amazing_race_8

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