TVSquad

(S10E03) On the list of my frustrations with the Amazing Race is the hurry-up-and-wait phenomenon when teams rush around and then are equaled out when waiting for things to open. This week we get a lot of that but it's easy to forgive it for one reason, the teams have no money. That's right, no money for this leg of the race. For most of us making our way through the world with no money would be impossible but for these teams it always seem to work out. I suspect it's the power of the cameras.

This week's inter-team battle (there always has to bee one) is between the beauty queens and the gay Hobbits, a little alleged line-cutting in the reservation lines may be just the thing to set these teams up for a battle in the future.

Duke and Lauren decide to wait to take a cab with a woman from Vietnam with them which Lauren thinks is a foolish move. It proves to be even more foolish when the woman makes them drop her off first.

In Hanoi, the teams have to hunt for John McCain's flight suit in the "Hanoi Hilton." The only teams moved by the experience enough to take a moment of silence are Terry and Tom and Erwin and Godwin.

This week's roadblock involves selling flowers in the marketplace. It's a good day for blondes and those with a distinctive look, not such a good task for the Brothers Win.

In a voiceover Phil tells us teams are forbidden from riding on motorbikes in Vietnam for safety reasons, next thing you know we see Tom and Terry enjoying a little moped jaunt.

The detour, fowl or fuel involves either building a bird cage or making bricks of coal. Duke and Lauren get lost and end up making birdcages but everyone else opts for fuel, one of those classic dirty challenges that has everyone ending up at the pit stop in desperate need of a shower. David and Mary have a tough time of things because David is distracted by thoughts of his father in Vietnam and because they also nearly lose one of their bags.

Erwin and Godwin are the first team and win a home entertainment system. Tom and Terry are the second team but get penalized for their little motorbike jaunt. Often a 30-minute penalty makes no difference. This time most of the teams quickly file in and they become team number eight. That shows how competitive all the teams are this season. Duke and Lauren are last and get eliminated. Phil seems to be pushing to get Duke to admit that he now accepts Lauren's sexuality but Duke doesn't quite go that far. He does admit that he is proud of her. Still, I'm sorry to seem them leave.

It was nice to see that David and Mary have bonded with Lyn and Karlyn, the Hobbits and the Brothers Win. If they worked as an alliance they might be able to do some damage. At least maybe they could help get rid of Peter and Sarah. Never has a team with one disabled partner been so unlikeable. Watching him stride ahead of her toward the pit stop while she crawled through the rice paddy was a new low. I know he would say that she doesn't want special treatment but still, he could have at least walked with her.