Note: I blog while I watch and due to the swift action of this program and its length, this summary may have errors in it (not game play errors; but spelling mistakes, missing words, grammar mistakes etc.). I apologise in advance if this guide is hard to read. I am trying to improve.
Last week was the launch of the year. The Amazing Race Australia was finally launched and I was impressed; but from what I’ve seen in promos, I might not have seen the best this show has to offer. I’m super excited for another episode complete with all eleven teams, are you?
We are treated to a nicely shot recap of the week beforehand and some of what is to come before the opening titles role.
Grant opens the episode to remind us of the state of play. Sam and Renae were first across the line and are therefore the first to leave for Ho Chi Minh City after a mandatory rest period where they must search for some lady in a group of ladies wearing a traditional hat. Seems easy enough. One of them will be holding a fan with their team name on it and this person will give them their clue.
Dave and Kelly are off in second, and Ryot and Liberty in third as the models get their tickets. Meanwhile, the wierdnamers arrive at the travel agent. Meanwhile, Jeff and Luke depart the pit stop in fourth place, Matt and Tom in fifth, the surfers Nathan and Tyler in sixth and lovebirds Chris and Anastasia in seventh. They all get on the same speed boat to Denpasar airport. Dave doesn’t like Chris too much as he is quite arrogant, calling him White trash. Hmmm… not very sporty of you mate! Meanwhile, Alana and Mel leave while explaining to us that ‘trying is not enough’… that’s the spirit. The Big W ladies leave next before the FABelievers leave afterwards (not before Joey pronounces Ho Chi Minh City incorrectly). Mo and Mos, who arrived last at the last non-elimination leg, leave last with no money. Grant tells us that other than the wierdnamers Ryot and Liberty and the models Sam and Renae, all contestants are on their way to Denpesar airport.
Nathan and Tyler randomly tells us how good being on the Amazing Race Australia before Jeff tells us how fit he is. Very random. Meanwhile, a funny scene ensures as Matt and Tom (farmers) try to book a flight to HCMC. They explain that never being overseas before, this is quite a difficult process.
After the bikers and surfers arrive by fast boat; the next are the FABelievers and the Big W ladies, who don’t know which way to go. Meanwhile, Richard is asking over the phone which countries are close to Vietnam as there are no flights direct to HCMC I assume. Meanwhile, the lovebirds, bikers and surfers make it to the airport and are out of luck finding direct flights. Oh dear, that’s a huge chunk of the competition out of luck.
As the lovebirds find out how long they will have to wait for a plane; the arrogant Chris yells at Anastasia who impatiently wants to find another flight. He tries to explain himself in a cutaway but it just isn’t working as an argument between the pair ensures at the airport. Chris calls Anastasia an evil woman. What an ass, haha. He’s being really chauvinistic.
Meanwhile, the Big W ladies are at the internet café to attempt to buy tickets online. The bikers get their tickets and the lovebirds finally sort something out. See, nice and simple isn’t it.
Meanwhile, the wierdnamers and Sam and Renae are on a plane to HCMC to connect with Chris and Anastasia and due to arrive in HCMC by 12.30pm. All other teams are on separate flights due to arrive at 3.30pm, 4.20pm and 6.15pm. You can see the advantages to be had by some of the contestants there.
As the models, the love birds and the weird namers arrive, they quickly enter a cab and race to their destination. The models notice the girls and start their search, as do the lovebirds. They aren’t having too much luck when the wierdnamers arrive. The models realise how to find the right girl and after a bit more searching, they find the right girl. The next clue takes them to Hue, Vietnam. The must fly there and find a garage which contains their next clue. The lovebirds find their name quickly as well and are on their way in second place. The wierdnamers are still looking and start to fight a bit. They don’t really know what to look for but find their names finally and are on their way in third place.
Meanwhile, the models and lovebirds are at the airport shortly followed by the wierdnamers. Mo and Mos, and the surfers arrive next as do Alana and Mel who are surprised by the amount of scooters on the road.
The surfers and the sister’s work together to find their names while the Arab friends are also looking. The sisters are confused on what they are trying to look for but find their names and are in fourth place and after just 30 minutes; they are off to Hue. The surfers are still there as are Mo and Mos. They just barely find their name and they leave in fifth place shortly followed by the surfers in sixth.
The bikers are next to arrive in HCMC and are off to find their names. Meanwhile, the flights to Hue containing the weird namers, love birds and the models are cancelled. The sisters, Arab friends and surfers are able to catch up.
Meanwhile, the bikers are having no luck finding their name on the fans and Dave believes their team will be the first eliminated. Cheer up Dave; you’re only in seventh place!
Kelly reveals that the reason why the teams were having so much trouble with the challenge was because the ladies weren’t opening their fans containing their names to their full extension. She finally finds the right girl and they are off. Meanwhile, the Big W girls, the farmers Matt and Tom, the father-son duo and the FABelievers arrive on the last plane. It’s already sunset! They have a lot of catching up to do (oh right, the other guys are stuck at the airport, not so bad after all!).
They all race to the square to find their names. Matt and Tom believe Asia is way to busy for them with one farmer claiming they are not in Australia anymore. Well, duh!
Richard and Joey try to find their names with Joey being as borderline racist as she was last episode. Meanwhile, the Big W ladies find their names and are off to Hue. The FABelievers are not having much luck but Jeff and Luke; now in 9th place find a fan just before the farmers do. For ignorant farmers, they are doing quite well.
Richard and Joey finally find their clue but are now in last place. Meanwhile, Jeff and Luke and the farmers make it to the airport and have caught up to Mo and Mos who have a 30 minute time penalty. Not looking good.
The teams are now on the plane and we meet up with them in Hue. They then ask for directions to the garage and they find out that it is closed for the night. We are fast tracked to the morning as the garage opens. It is every man for himself. It is literally neck and neck. The clue instructs them to pick an army vehicle in which they must change the oil and tyres before receiving their next clue. Everyone gets into it. It’s funny seeing the fighting lovebirds and the lovely Big W lady. It was a simple but fun challenge. That’s the best thing about the show; even the simplest things can be the most horrid.
Mo and Mos are having troubles and are further cementing their position in the show as the goofs. The bikers are having no trouble but they are fighting. Meanwhile, the Big W ladies car falls on one of the contestant’s heads, hilarious.
Meanwhile, another team not doing too badly is Jeff and Luke who finish and get their next clue; a detour. After a quick recap definition from Grant on what a detour actually is; we are told that the contestants must chose between Carry Fowl in which they must carry 20 chickens in a traditional way to a stall or they can choose Carabao in which they must move a water buffalo and a plough through muddy rice field to uncover a rice bag for their next clue.
Luke and Jeff choose Carabao as the sisters try to complete their oil changing task. The lovebirds are still having trouble as is Tracey who covers herself in mud and oil. Tyler and Nathan and the bikers finish with the surfers doing Carry Fowl. I believe the bikers are doing the same. Meanwhile, the models are having trouble with the task and start bickering. They are a little upset with themselves. Meanwhile, the farmers finish (and pronounce Carabao wrong; they are so funny). They choose Carry Fowl before the sister’s finish and are on their way; as are Mo and Mos and the lovebirds. The lovebirds and sisters choose Carabao while Mo and Mos can’t make up their mind. We get a good view of one of the sister’s dirty bottom. Meanwhile, the father son team begin their Carabao challenge and the surfers start their Carry Fowl challenge. Dave and Kelly arrive at Carry Fowl and begin their chook collecting. Meanwhile, the Big W ladies are having troubles but finally finish before the weird namers and the models in tenth place. The Big W ladies are a bit nervous to drive in the car that they serviced; lovely ladies.
Meanwhile, the FABelievers are last and are panicking. Meanwhile, the lovebirds arrive at Carabao, as do the sisters who are turning into the jokers of the series. They are quite hilarious. The FABelievers finally leave their challenge as the lovebirds start their challenge. The bikers and farmers are attempting to carry their chickens. Dave is so sincere and official about the process it is really quite funny. Meanwhile, the surfers finish their Carry Fowl challenge to receive their next clue. They must travel to Khai Dinh Tomb where they’ll find their next clue. The surfers didn’t quite like the chicken poo.
Mo and Mos start the Carry Fowl challenge, which is quite funny in contrast to the models who are really concentrating. Meanwhile, Dave and Kelly are still trying with their CF challenge and the farmers finish theirs in second place.
Meanwhile, the wierdnamers are having a spot of trouble with their Carabao as are the Big W ladies. They are so funny and interesting to watch; I hope they don’t get eliminated.
Meanwhile, the lovebirds become the first team to finish the Carabao challenge and are on their way to the tomb in third place.
Sam and Renae are still trying to load up their chickens and the FABelievers turn up to the CF challenge. They have a strategy in place to win this involving Joey’s squatting skills. Meanwhile, the bikers and the Arab friends are still going with their CF challenge. Joey is also having a lot of trouble with the weight of the chickens. My god this is entertainment people!
The wierdnamers are bumbling their way through with no luck on the Carabao. Meanwhile, the sisters encounter a snag and the Big W ladies are just fooling around now; quite hilarious. They give up in the end and go to try the chickens. This could cost them but the sisters and the wierdnamers also follow suit.
Meanwhile, Joey and Richard are crapping on with their ‘focus, believe achieve’ stuff but it seems to work and find their clue fourth. Sam and Renae are sixth behind Mo and Mos. Dave and Kelly are in seventh place.
Jeff and Luke are the only team doing the Carabao and are arguing. It looks futile as they contemplate leaving the challenge. They give it another couple of goes and find their clue in eighth place.
Meanwhile, the models find their way to the clue and it is a roadblock. One team member must travel in their vehicle to the Minh Mang tomb and search for seven coins and return to the original tomb for more instructions.
The farmers are second on the challenge at hand with the lovebirds third to begin followed by Mo and Mos, the models and Dave and Kelly. Meanwhile, the lovebirds realise that one of them had to stay behind and must turn back after racing towards the tomb. Oh dear.
Richard and Joey arrive at the clue next and Joey decides to compete. Meanwhile Sam is competing for the models and Kelly for the bikers. Tom and Nathan find the coins and write down the details. Anastasia is competing for the lovebirds with Mo competing for the Arab friends (I think; someone correct me). The surfers and farmers arrive at the Khai Dinh Tomb after collecting their coins and find out they must arrange the coins in order of the reign of each emperor. They may return to Minh Mang tomb for help if need be.
Nathan tries to arrange the coins in order as does Tom with no luck; they both return to the other tomb for more information.
Meanwhile, the sisters and Big W ladies arrive at the Carry Chicken task. They Big W ladies try to walk but Tracey slips and hurts something. The sisters go to help but Tracey does not want help. The sisters and the weird namers try their challenge with the sisters comically trying to carry the chickens.
The Big W ladies finish the challenge in ninth with the sisters in tenth and the wierdnamers in last place. Meanwhile, Luke and Jeff start their coin roadblock. Luke decides to compete. Joey finishes the first part of the challenge and along with Sam, begins to arrange the coins in order. While Joey tries many combinations, Sam decides to go back and find some more information. Anastasia and Kelly try their coin matching with Kelly goes back automatically followed by Joey who finally gives up. Nathan arrives back at the coin collecting tomb to collect the reigns of the emperors.
Meanwhile, the weird namers and the sisters begin their roadblock before the Big W ladies who are now in last place.
Anastasia is now trying to figure out her coins with no luck as Nathan tries his coins again. Anastasia finds out she doesn’t need to go back to the tomb as she completes the challenge in first place.
They are now off to the pit stop at Citadel. Tyler and Nathan finish in second place as Tom goes back to arrange his coins successfully and the farmers are off. Alana and Ann-Marie collect their coins. Meanwhile, Kelly and Sam help each other which picks up Kelly’s spirits.
Meanwhile, Alana has forgotten a pen and has written nothing down. Meanwhile, Joey is knocked back by Kelly and Sam for help as they believe Joey has never attempted to help them. Mo and Mos finish their challenge in fourth place before Luke and Jeff in fifth place.
It’s a race between the lovebirds and the surfers for the first place at the pit stop. Matt and Tom are there as well. Meanwhile, the lovebirds have no idea where the pit stop is; so Nathan and Tyler become the first team to arrive at pit stop 2. They win a couple of AFL Grand Final tickets before Tom and Matt become team number 2; shortly followed by Chris and Anastasia as team number 3.
Meanwhile, Joey and Sam try their luck as Joey shows some poor sportsmanship towards Sam. Joey is desperate as the models finish and head to the pit stop. Kelly also finishes and the bikers finally finish. Mo and Mos are a little annoyed as someone stole their pen (Joey). It’s their lucky two pen; so Joey better give it back. Meanwhile, the Big W ladies get ready to order their coins quite humorously. They finish their challenge and are off to the pit stop.
Mo and Mos arrive at the pit stop but have a 30 minute time penalty. They begin their penalty as the wierdnamers also give Joey the flick. The sisters help her out as they are in last place.
Jeff and Luke arrive just before the models. They arrive in fourth and fifth place respectively.
Dave and Kelly also arrive as team number six. Mo and Mos wait out their time penalty and are team number seven. Meanwhile, the Big W ladies Ann-Marie and Tracey arrive as team number eight.
Joey and Alana are still competing at the coin challenge. The sisters are currently in second to last place with Joey & Richard in last place.
Joey rearranges her coins incorrectly before the wierdnamers return to the temple to find some more information. Wait; hang on… I didn’t know they were last, I missed them! Oh well, meanwhile Alana has agreed to help Joey if they let the sisters go to the pit stop first. Meanwhile, the sister’s finish closely followed Joey and Richard and the weird namers in last place. Meanwhile, the sisters are overtaken by Joey and Richard which annoys the sisters. Both teams think they are in the right.
Richard and Joey arrive in ninth place as Alana and Mel arrive in tenth place and just scrape in. Ryot and Liberty arrive last and are eliminated. They blame it on the buffalo.
So that episode was longer than what it should have been in my opinion, I would have been more satisfied with an hour episode. Still, it had all the elements that you would expect from The Amazing Race. Team rivalry, tough challenges and a whole lot of laughs. This episode does well to entice viewers back next week but please Seven, trim it down!
Courtney’s Verdict: 8.5/10
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