(S15E06) One of the many things I learned tonight on The Amazing Race is that Dubai is probably hotter than anyplace I really want to visit. Every team was sweating; every team was complaining. At least those teams who didn't have a clue about where the Persian Gulf is or whether it's a country in and of itself will remember it now. If nothing else but for the heat. Oh. And the way cool six-story water slide into shark infested waters. At least one team will really remember that water slide.
Since the Keri and Lance team got Philiminated last week, there's no team that totally irks me. Right now the Globetrotters, Big Easy and Flight Time, are my favorites. Perhaps it's because I like "Sweet Georgia Brown," I don't know. Tonight they weren't shining as brightly as they could have been because Big Easy didn't look for the obvious -- the time on the watch -- to open their briefcase. Hmmm... thinking of what the show does with music, they should have gone for the "Theme from Peter Gunn" while the teams were running around with the briefcases.
So, what did I learn tonight other than Dubai is way hot?
- Sometimes a watch just tells the time.
- If you're big enough, arms can do better than oars.
- Basic math skills are great, but asking for a calculator can do wonders.
- Hookahs are easier to smoke than to assemble.
- When a team starts two hours before any other team and runs the leg well, they once again will come in long before the others arrive.
- The striped hose on the hookah needs to match the striped base. (We weren't that picky about it back in my college days.)
- You don't go on the show if you have any fears that are going to cost you the race. Too many other folks are trying to get on the show and work past their fears.
The strongest team at this time is definitely Megan and Cheyne. Now, I like them but I don't like them (if that makes any sense). I like that they're strong and seem to catch on well to get the job done each leg. I like that they don't argue. They seem like a nice couple. But, let's face it... they're a bit boring. I'd like to see them get behind a bit to see how they handle pressure.
We know Mika and Canaan don't handle pressure too well. Call me cold-hearted, but Mika should never have gone on the show if she's that panicky about both heights and water. The Amazing Race always has extreme heights and water challenges in it. What was she thinking? Sure, a lot of the racers have fears. However, almost every single one struggles to overcome them.
She just threw away the chance to win the million dollars. Although I thought Canaan became abusive when he almost shoved her down the water slide, in the end he was a lot kinder to her than I would have been. I'd find myself a new gal pal at that point. What do you think? How would you have reacted if you were Canaan?
[Watch episodes and clips of The Amazing Race over at SlashControl.]
The TV Squad Podcast: Vik Sahay of Chuck, Oprah talk, brutal timeslots, and more!
TV Squad Ten: Top Ten ESPN shows from worst to first
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-26-2009 @ 1:26AM
Ryan said...
It's hard to blame Mika. I mean there I was watching and yelling at her to just do it, but then I started about whether *I* would be able to do it, and I just don't know. But yes, this is why I haven't applied to be on the Amazing Race (even though I really really want to). In the end though, she should've sucked it up. Brian and Erica were afraid of heights and water respectively and even when they got to the bottom of the slide, they both were still a bit shook up from the experience, but they did it anyways. Good on them.
Not sure why you're confused about the Poker Girls thinking Sam and Dan are hot. I know plenty of girls who have found many gay guys hot. And I bet we all know plenty of guys who have found lesbians hot. But speaking of the alliance, pretty advantageous for both teams in this leg! I wonder how long it'll continue.
I agree about Meghan and Cheyne in that they're a good team, but can be a bit... vanilla. It IS nice that it seems they're the one team that have been really taking time to go ooh and aah at the sights and exotic locales they've traveled to. I bet it's difficult to just "enjoy" the locations while you're racing, but these two are doing nicely on both fronts.
Reply
10-26-2009 @ 1:55AM
Derek said...
I have been on a waterslide about that size. And trust me, its a blast!
It's a great way to get *over* your fear of heights, because its really not that bad. On the "Crazy Stuff Amazing Race Makes You Do" danger scale (1 being wandering crowded markets, 10 being skydiving), I'd give the water slide a 6.
If I were Cannan, I'd have serious trust issues w/ Mika from then on. I'd keep thinking to myself, "If you can't go down a stupid waterslide for $1 mil, what else *won't* you do?". Cannan is a bigger man than I.
Reply
10-26-2009 @ 2:57AM
HD said...
Mika acted like a three year old - she could have simply refused, apologized and been done with it...however, she cried, she pouted, she whined, she splashed - she did everything except go down a waterslide actual children have gone down. My blood pressure went up just watching her...
Canaan is either a saint or a moron for putting up with her. You know if they stay together he'll be throwing the whole waterslide thing in her face forever.
Reply
10-26-2009 @ 3:00AM
HD said...
Oh and the water-wings - don't get me started on the water-wings... Mika knew she was on camera right?
Reply
10-26-2009 @ 3:37AM
Val said...
When Canaan tried to force Mika down the slide.. Made me cringe that's all I can say.. She was screaming "Help Me! Help Me!" to the "Slide Usher." No one else find it hilarious/ironic that the final obstacle was called the "leap of faith" and the most religious group couldn't get it done?
I felt so sorry for Mika when she started to walk down the stairs.. Its like she rather stay in the slide cove than face Canaan.. (she was so cute in her little pink floaties)
Love the Globetrotters! when Flight saw Easy struggling with the combo he was so calm still had a smile on his face even when they were in last place.. Heart was beating I thought they were done today..
Reply
10-26-2009 @ 4:41AM
Mike said...
I think the Trotters (also my favorites) are way too used to digital watches and didn't figure out the time at first. The Pokerettes are playing the nice guys for now, until they don't need them anymore. The ettes need to go. I agree with the preconditions of the competition. At least everyone else seems all in for the challenges whatever they may be.
Reply
10-26-2009 @ 6:20AM
Jen said...
You know, there is fear and then there are true phobias (if you think the two are exactly the same, check the definition of phobia again). It's one thing to say you're afraid of heights because they make you uncomfortable and a bit nervous. For Mika, it obviously is much, much more.
So, yes, to someone who hasn't experienced it (such as myself), I'm sure it looks irrational and even irritating. If we were in Canaan's position, I'm sure we'd be ticked off. But it's easy for us to condemn her, without trying to understand how difficult it is to overcome such an irrational fear. And I'm sure when she signed up on the show, she thought she could deal with it. Obviously, that's not the case.
Reply
10-26-2009 @ 8:57AM
Bob said...
The Globetrotters are my favorite team, but I wish they had been a little classier at the end. There was no need for them to get involved in the Mika drama.
10-26-2009 @ 11:07AM
VP said...
I am sorry Bob but what are they supposed to do? Encourage her to go down the slide so they can get eliminated. This is a race, and you take advantage over other teams both physically and mentally.
In TAR history that was not the most hardest thing to do, this show did bungee jumping, skydiving and other crazy things. If it something like that yeah i would feel sorry. If you can't close your eyes for a five second slide you just wasted a spot on the race that could have gone to a more worthy team.
10-26-2009 @ 7:41AM
sp51156 said...
I know this is a game and anything goes, but I thought the conduct of Flight Time and Big Easy towards Mika at the water slide was disgusting. I realize that they knew they would probably be eliminated, but taking advantage of her fear was disgusting! I thought they were better men than that! I agree with Canaan. They are not cool!
Reply
10-26-2009 @ 8:31AM
David said...
Reading this, and other recaps and comments, I guess I'm in the minority here, but I lost a lot of respect for Flight Time with his trash-talking. I thought it was uncalled-for, mean, and showed no class. Makes me wish Lance was still in the race to get all over his butt with the briefcase: "Whassa matter, Big Man? Having trouble tellin' the time? Hey, there are five letters in "Rolex," I'm just sayin'... Do they have watches in The Hood? What would your DAD say?"
I'm just sayin'...
Reply
10-26-2009 @ 2:17PM
Bob said...
I just think it would have been classier, especially since they are representing the Globetrotters, to get undressed and keep their mouths shut. I certainly did not expect them to encourage Mika to take the plunge.
10-26-2009 @ 9:57AM
Bri said...
Mika was not just scared of heights and water, it is a phobia. Poor girl, I wish she had done it, but with the irrational fear it is very difficult, she would have felt so empowered after doing it. Canaan went a little overboard trying to push her, did not like that much. I am surprised if it was me I would have hauled off and hit him. The Globes, now they are from a sports background they are in a game, I am sure it came natural to them to trash talk. But I didn't like it and I am glad Canaan stood up to them and defended his girlfriend even though he was so pissed at her. I wonder if they are still together.
Reply
10-26-2009 @ 11:36AM
Jana said...
I agree Mika should not be on the race with her "phobias", but I also lost a LOT of respect for the trash talking the Harlem Globetrotters did. I have loved them all along and they were just outright mean. They could have encouraged her to go, and if she didn't they could have been on the high road! If she did, they are physically faster and they could have slid down right after them, and while she was freaking out at the bottom they could have surpassed them and checked in ahead of them. There was no reason for that outright meanness! They better watch out for karma!
Reply
10-26-2009 @ 11:49AM
Mike said...
I hope he dropped her dumb ass like a hot potato... when he said that her life would change, she'd regret it, and that things would never be the same, I hope that meant he was gone... I certainly would've been.
You folks wanting to defend the phobia... wow... Rationalizing the irrational... it's easy to see how she gets by in the world, her hand is held at every step and she isn't forced to do what she doesn't want to do.
Canaan was trying to shover her down because he knew that's the only way she was going to go. Oh well... I'm glad they're gone.
Here's a bit of a personal clue, though... She's never gone down a water slide because it terrifies her... and she simply won't do it... Well... she and Canann have never had sex before. Wonder why.... Something tells me it isn't them being Christians as much as her being scared. I've dealt with that before, and it is what it is... but it's not something you can change.
Run away, boy... run away...
And as for Flight Time... grow up. They had a 2 minute window. She might have bucked herself up if if weren't for their psychological taunts. As stupid as Mika was for not going down a kid's water slide, Flight Time would've been equally stupid for not trying to stay in by freaking her out.
Did you notice the attendant at the top? He didn't seem too concerned with Mika's fit... in fact, he looked like he wanted to slap the bitch himself.....
But this week Pinky and the Brain definitely took over first emotionally for me... The dad is great, encouraging, and funny. The son is nice, respectful of his dad, and out for a good time. Great team.
Favorite line of the episode:
Pinky: "And then you put the, uh... tobacco in here."
The Brain: "Really? That's not what we used to call it..."
Reply
10-27-2009 @ 9:47AM
Bri said...
Spoken like an unsympathetic man. Really? Do you not understand a phobia is an irrational fear? Definition of phobia is “: an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation." There is a real chemical reaction in the body when phobias are brought forth and panic sets in. So try and get an education and try and understand. She may have had the best of intentions of facing her fears but was unable to at that time. It is a game, he shouldn't of acted the way he did, he was frustrated that is understand able but to actually try and force her down the slide is the wrong tact to take with a person with a phobia. What is going to happen when real stress of everyday situations hit? The sex reference is comparing apple to oranges. I don’t think you truly will ever understand unless you have phobias or know anyone you care about that is affected by it. If she could chose to just get over it she would, for someone affected by a couple of phobias I wish I could just choose to make them go away, it affects all parts of your life. You showed real class anyway calling her a bitch, why I bother I don’t know you never get it.
10-26-2009 @ 11:52AM
jDub said...
I guess I am in the minority but I hate Cheyne. All he ever does is comment on how dumb and unable to control herself Megan is. He is so condescending every time she gets frustrated that he should get punched in the neck. Yes, she's whiney but he's no prince, either. Can't stand him. I only hope that when he hears himself on camera, he'll learn not to be such a jerk.
Canaan sure didn't show the supportive boyfriend side on the waterslide challenge - I was incredibly frustrated that Mika wouldn't go down but still can't condone trying to force her. Scary. After they watch this episode, she may be the one doing the breaking up.
Reply
10-26-2009 @ 3:01PM
Deb said...
Exactly.
10-26-2009 @ 2:11PM
Kat said...
Puh-lease- the Globetrotters did nothing wrong! Mika had PLENTY of time to gather her courage & complete the task before the Globetrotters arrived. When they were bunched up, she then got 2 more minutes to complete it but just sat there splashing water on herself. As far as Canaan's comments to Big Easy - pot meet kettle. Have to wonder what Mika & Canaan were thinking when they signed up for the Race since she was a terrible competitor. During the hooka detour, she just sat there complaining about the heat while he assembled all of them. Glad they're gone.
Reply
10-27-2009 @ 2:27PM
kate said...
Mika and Canaan were up there for 45 minutes. They had plenty of time to do the task. I don't blame the GT's for what they said. They were nicer about it than Canaan.
PS. I know they were were up there for 45 minutes because Mika and Canaan did an interview and confirmed it.
Reply