TVSquad

(S12E10) Ohh ... it's the penultimate episode of The Amazing Race, determining which three teams will race to the finish on next week's season finale.

Now, I've been rather vocal about one team in particular I really want off of my TV set and out of my nightmares -- Jennifer and Nathan. I'm so adamant that I want them gone that I declared them my favorite team last week (and encouraged readers to join in with me) in an effort to jinx them.

Did our valiant efforts and chanting work? After all, it's rare that I enjoy all three teams in the finale. Could it be...? After the jump.

I'm not going to get into the winners of the leg or the Philimination just yet.

I have to talk about the Jennifer and Nathan dynamic a bit first. I've mentioned before that when all is going well, they're all lovey-dovey kissyfaced lovers. But when the going gets rough, they melt down and explode at each other. I'm still waiting for their heads to pop at some point.

Tonight they managed to attract a crowd as they screamed at each other. Way to go, you Hateful Harriets! Make yourselves look like raving lunatics, cause moped accidents as people turn to stare at you, and turn purple with rage. How could I declare you as my favorite team even in a move to get you Philminated? I fear there just might be a punishment in the afterlife for my wrongful thinking on this one. I will repent!

Tonight's show had a few ongoing themes in addition to the regular tasks faced by the teams. Yeah, Nathan and Jennifer's antics were one theme. Another was whether last place finishers from last week, TK and Rachel, would be able to hang in running three hours behind the other teams and make it through a Speed Bump, too. Of course, there's the Ronald behavior theme. Will he continue to treat his daughter better? Will Nicolas still be a bit goofy, but carry Donald's bags?

I groaned as my real favorites (since the Goths were eliminated), TK and Rachel, got messed up at the Umeda Sky Building while looking for the Floating Garden Observatory. Gack, not only did they waste time looking around the grounds, but then they passed the clue box! Thankfully, they caught up to the other teams at the airport.

Christina and Ronald really paced this leg well. They didn't really have much of a head start out of the Pit Stop and it didn't matter a lot at the airport. They snagged the first flight and Christina told the clerk to tell Nathan and Jennifer there were no more tickets for the flight.

Have I mentioned before that I really enjoy Christina?

It seems that there actually were no more tickets. From that point on Christina and Ronald just blew through the whole leg doing everything absolutely right and Ron was on his best behavior.

Donald and Nicolas seemed to plod along, but expend a lot of energy nonetheless. While they didn't like any team near them and were trying their best to get ahead, at least they didn't act like they hated TK and Rachel for catching up. Birthday girl Jennifer claimed TK and Rachel were lazing along and went into a thorny snit when they caught up.

I don't think the tasks tonight were the most challenging in the world, sort of the norm for this season. I think most of the challenges have been geared with older contestants in mind. In my personal opinion, although I have nothing against male eye candy, I think the tasks level the playing field more and it's obvious that any team could possibly win. I think I'd rather that than knowing the strongest all-male team has a better chance in the race.

The Roadblock with its teeter-totter car bit really didn't seem all that much to me. All they had to do was ride. Unless some weird quirk of fate sent the car over the edge, it was less dangerous than a roller coaster. The underwater drive was a bit more risky. I was worried that Donald might not make it and he'd take a breath before emerging from the water.

The Speed Bump task that TK and Rachel had to complete was just outright odd and a tad scary. Running through a gauntlet of exploding fireworks while wearing safety gear? That's actually something they do there? Sometimes I've felt like I've been doing that during parades in Chinatown, but ...!

The Detour not chosen would certainly have been stunning, but no one chose it, so we'll never know what 20 flaming lantern-balloon doohickeys going across the sky would look like. The pointy rocks task did seem quicker, albeit painful. I was so glad that (after Ronald and Christina), TK and Rachel got there first with Jennifer and Nathan coming in last.

A few quick observations:

• TK and Rachel really lucked out with the one guy showing them how to buy tickets for the rail from a machine. I commute by train myself and machines are always faster than the ticket agent.
• Jennifer and Nathan were told the subway would be quicker than a taxi due to traffic. When they found out they would have to take a bus after the subway didn't they realize the bus would also be in slow traffic?
• I liked the clown at the market in Taipei. I would like to order one for my workplace, please. He reminded me of a happier Pennywise.
• Ronald does come up with some good lines in his own curmudgeonly way.
• I have never yelled "you're the man!" at a guy expecting him to be the perfect leader. I have, on occasion, told a guy to lead, follow, or get out of my way.
• Thailand. Thai food comes from Thailand, Nathan. Not from Taipei or Taiwan.

In the end, we have three teams I can deal with winning set up for the finale next week. I think it's a first for actually liking all three teams at the end for me.

I'll admit that I'd like to see TK and Rachel win mainly because they treat each other decently even under stress. Yes, they may snap a bit, but there's no name-calling, no real animosity between them.

But if Donald and Nicolas win, that would be cool, too. Donald is the oldest racer ever. Ronald is no spring chicken, either.

But the true glory of tonight's episode was the Philimination of Jennifer and Nathan. Now, that was priceless, wasn't it?

Happy "belated" Birthday, Jennifer!

Who do you WANT to win The Amazing Race?

Donald and NicolasRonald and ChristinaTK and RachelVote

You told me who you want, now ... who WILL win TAR?

Nicolas and DonaldRonald and ChristinaTK and RachelVote