Amazing Race 14 Episode Recap: "Alright Guys, We're at War!"
On the sixth leg of the race, the seven remaining teams travel to India, where roaming animals presented no problems but taxis did. And while some teams are dancing in the streets, it isn't all fun and games for the teams hauling a supply of camel food and decorating an elephant.
And they're off!
Leaving behind the freezing temperatures of Siberia, teams flew nearly 2000 miles to the heat of the Pink City, also known as Jaipur, India. Last week's first-place team, Margie and Luke, had a head start, but since all teams were required to take connecting flights through Moscow and New Delhi the playing field is leveled once again.
Luke states he is the strategist while his mom is the communicator. Less analytical was Jaime who is just looking forward to ditching her puffy "marshmallow-man jacket." Though I didn't witness any stress from them this week, Kisha mentions that she's bothered she and her sister don't get along. But as Mark once again starts out in the wrong direction, his brother Michael remarks that their "short little legs will do the job."
Heading by taxi to the outskirts of town, Tammy and Victor zoom to the front of the pack. But there is a lot of commotion as the other teams dealt with their cabs. Mel and Mike want to switch cabs, but then can't get their things out of the trunk. Later, the driver tells them he is doing his best and probably is, but most likely he really doesn't care. Mel is most stressed and screams at the guy. But he swears he'll feel bad about it for the rest of the day.
Christie and Jodi's driver stops for gas, prompting them to ask if there is a "hurry button." Even with their eventual mandatory Speed Bump, I wonder if this little delay affected the outcome of the elimination.
With cows in the streets, monkeys on the roofs and children playing with little or no clothes on, Jaime and Luke respond emotionally. The contrast of location and racers hoping to win a million dollars lends a perspective not often seen on reality shows. Travelling down the single-lane road, Mike dubs this a "caravan of fools," but the ever-perceptive Victor observes: "We're in the middle of nowhere."
As teams reach their destination in Dhula Village, a man wearing a turban is sitting next to a bright red telephone with a sticker instructing them to dial one of the numbers for their clue. This was such a surreal image that I couldn't believe that the stuntmen ran right up to the man in the turban yet somehow walked past the telephone. To be fair, they weren't the only team to do this. But Victor apparently is the only one unable to understand the message and asks their driver, Babu, to interpret.
Roadblock
It's not often one gets to care for a camel. But in this roadblock, one team member has to choose a group of a maharaja's camels, and — using a set of traditional tools — carry enough food to satisfy their appetites and fill a trough with water. Not seeing the bigger, lightweight baskets, most teams start the task using a bucket for the water and to transport the feed as well. But had she been more aware, we might not have seen Kisha stuffing her shirt with dry straw-like mess.
I'm not convinced, but Luke notes that the other teams call his mom the Bionic Woman. If anyone appears bionic, it was the huffing and puffing 68-year-old Mel who finishes the task second. While Mike is on the sideline agonizing for his father, Mel doesn't want to let down Mike. Victor and Tammy finish first. Right after we see a man get kicked by a camel, Tammy trips. But — also in bionic mode — she gets right back up. As everyone is finishing, Christie and Jodi show up.
Speed Bump
Since the flight attendants were last in a non-elimination round, they are the only team required to decorate an elephant with what looked to be fluorescent Day-Glo paints. When Jodi comments she wants her daughter to learn to never quit, it was like a red flag signaling the end was near.
Detour
Are you a Mover or a Shaker? Shakers are to don traditional camel-looking costumes and makeup, head over to a busy intersection and collect one hundred rupees. With lots of music and merriment, it was poignant when the picture went silent giving us a glimpse of the experience Luke was having. Mike points out that in the midst of poverty, there is also festivity and generosity. Cara and Jaime were feeling none of it when they assume their taxi cab driver took off with their bags. He shows up 20 minutes later.
The stuntmen brothers are the only Movers. They were to cycle for over a mile through the congested streets with barrels piled up high. Then, at the destination, they must search through the containers to find a little elephant charm in the haystack.
Pit Stop
Tammy and Victor sped through the challenges and were first at Pit Stop. Standing next to host Phil Keoghan was a smiling man with at foot-long mustache playing wooden piccolos — through his nostrils!
Christie and Jodi must have breezed through the Speed Bump because it is neck-and-neck with Mark and Michael for last place. But the stuntmen luckily squeak by, making the hard-working flight attendants the eliminated team.
Return Trips
• Tammy and Victor each won an ocean kayak.
• Mel: "Would you fly on an airline named Kacca?"
• Was the cabdriver really named Babu or did Victor and Tammy nickname him that?
• Victor: "Camel feed doesn't taste that good."
• I don't recall but are there a mandatory number of roadblocks each team member has to do?
• This episode reminded me of a song by Southern Culture on the Skids, prompting me to occasionally sing: "Oowwwee baby, you make me want to walk — like a camel."
Order of Finish:
1. Tammy and Victor
2. Mel and Mike
3. Kisha and Jen
4. Margie and Luke
5. Cara and Jaime
6. Mark and Michael
7. Christie and Jodi
To watch clips of The Amazing Race, ride a camel over to our Online Video Guide.
