***SPOILERS***



Where to start?



1. Twinkies - just gross how they used their “sexual gifts” (interesting phrasing, that) to beg for money. It’s this kind of manipulation that I loathe about my fellow women. Ick. And the supposedly sultry looks they gave the cab drivers were weird and probably not too smart in Dubai. I cracked up when one tried to hug one cabbie and he pulled away. The Aussie (?) that eventually did give them money probably only did it because he was thinking, “TWINS!” Just ick.



2. Clue Reading - I don’t know why I still get surprised when teams continue to misread the clues. Teams get Philiminated because of boneheaded mistakes like that. My strategy would be to read the clue in it’s entirety before taking one step forward. But that’s just me.



Linda and Karen made some stupid mistakes, but they handled the cab/money situation much better than Colin did. Although I have to say, their screeching/whining was really, really annoying this week. Chill out, ladies!



3. From Dubai to Calcutta - I got a knot in my stomach when they read the clue telling them that they were heading for India. My first thought was, “I hope they don’t have to take a train anywhere when they get there.” *shudder*



4. Yield - Woo! We finally see the Yield. Wait, no one’s using the Yield. Harrumph. Well, that was a useless addition to the Race. I’m wondering if the producers will get rid of it for season 7 (too late for season 6, which is probably already done and just waiting to premiere next month).



5. Fast Forward - I think this is the most hilarious FF taks EVER. Shaved heads! How funny was it that the models are the only team that decide to attempt the FF. A small part of me was hoping they would do it. It’s just hair, it’ll grow back. I would have done it - vanity be damned for a million dollars. That’s what a baseball cap is for and then a nice wig later, when you get home.



That said, I have to say that Brandon’s attitude about not doing the FF with the full realization that they would be last to the Pit Stop was great. And their determination to continue the leg (pointed look at Marshall/Lance) was admirable. I really like this team. And for all that some may mock their open prayers, I loved that he took the time to pray for calm and peace about their situation as they returned to the Roadblock. That they were grateful for the experience even in the midst of their disappointment with almost certain Philimination was nice to see.



6. Roadblock - brick-making. Turns out to be harder than it looks, but once they got into a groove, they seemed to do really well. Colin was annoying, as usual, what a whiner. He’s one with a fragile ego - I love that Chip and Kim are fully aware of that weakness and are trying to exploit it. Smart strategy.



7. Trains in India - the cruelest thing the producers inflict on the teams is having to take a train in India. I’ve never seen anything like that and I can’t imagine how truly awful it is in real life. It was creepy how the guys on the platform were huddled around Brandon/Nicole and I don’t blame her for being completely freaked out at how intently they were staring at her. They looked a little demented. *shiver* Brandon was good to stick close and try to give her cover. Colin was a little more forceful when Christie was groped. I think future racing women just need to expect to be groped if they have to take a train in India - it’s inevitable. Ew.



8. Detour - interesting tasks. I’m wondering how much of a time advantage the later teams got because the locals knew how to help those teams after being recruited by Chip/Kim and Colin/Christie.



9. Pit Stop - I have a feeling that Colin/Christie are going to win this thing. Despite losing time on tasks in the past couple of legs, they still manage to get to the Mat first. And how many vacations do they plan to give out? Is that the 3rd one this team has gotten. Who thinks they’re actually going to still be together long enough to actually take advantage of the free trips? I don’t.



Twinkies reaction to not being last was amusing. Was it just me, or did Phil look a little disappointed that they weren’t last?



I have to admit to being surprised, pleasantly, to learn that this was the 3rd of the four non-elimination legs. And I loved Brandon and Nicole’s clear joy to still be in the race. I’m hoping they’ll take advantage of that morale boost, despite starting out with no money next week.