TVSquad

(S10E02) One of the cornerstones of the Amazing Race is car trouble. Like plane reservations and traffic jams, car trouble can often make or break a team. Car trouble also serves as a test to see which teams will leave the others in the dust and which ones will lend a helping hand. This week the rugged terrain and uncertain mechanics of Mongolia lead to major car drama.

The first two episodes of car trouble happen on the way to the challenges in Mongolia. Tyler and James have a flat tire and Rob and Kimberley stop to lend a brief hand while Lyn and Karlyn go zipping by. Then at the first challenge, which involves riding horses, David and Mary get stuck in the mud and Lyn and Karlyn and Tom and Terry, who remind me of a pair of hobbits, ignore them.

The Detour involves either either dismantling a hut and packing it on a camel or leading an animal-driven cart to get water from the river. The hut task proves to be too much for Sarah and Peter who can't figure out the knots. Sarah and Peter are quickly turning into a yelling couple. Peter is definitely accustomed to being her coach rather than her boyfriend. Although Rob and Kimberley are still yelling too.

Dustin and Kandice who looked so strong end up slipping back because they lose their helmets. They still seem like one of the strongest all-female teams the race has ever seen though and I love that their beauty-queen hairstyles are getting a serious case of frizz. They stand out in sharp contrast to Kellie and Jamie who seem to be going the path of most cute female teams on the race, a whole lot of fluster and tears.

I'm still not certain who is my favorite team thus far. The sweetest team are definitely Mary and Dave who even give Lyn and Karlyn a bit of water for their challenge. But it's also very touching to watch Duke and Lauren interact. Lyn and Karlyn had me last week but this week their hypercompetitiveness doesn't endear me to them. But karma gets them. On the way back they as well as Erwin and Godwin and the cheerleaders all face car trouble.

At the pit stop the teams have to face a Roadblock which involves shooting flaming arrows. Peter and Sarah are the first team and win a trip to the Mayan Riviera.

The teams bringing up the rear are Lyn and Karlyn and Kellie and Jamie. The editing tries to make us believe that Kellie and Jamie actually have a chance but it seems that they are deeply lost. The sun goes down and they are still trying to shoot flaming arrows to get to the pit stop. They eventually give up and are eliminated. No tears for me this time. They are plenty cute but with two girly eye candy teams on the Race I get confused.