They get the first clue which sends them to the remote city of Civita Di Bagnoregio, 80 miles outside of Rome, for their next clue. Jennifer & Caroline are behind them at 8:26 so they have a 30 minute lead on the rest of the teams. The girls are caught up by Dave & Connor at a hotel where they get some direction. Too bad their directions included a traffic jam. Dave & Connor are a little upset they've lost the girls and the girls are upset that Dave & Connor would lose them. Seriously? Everybody eventually gets the same directions, with the Globetrotters bringing up the caboose. This is not the leg for them to maintain their sixth place status.
Brendon & Rachel are the first to the clue box and this leg's Detour; Donkey Run, where they get to race real donkeys, . . . or Donkey Build, where they get to build a wooden donkey to present to Gepetto. Brendon & Rachel decide to build their donkey but somehow end up on the other side of the Detour so it's back to the races again. Both of these tasks look like fun but I'm thinking Wayne and I would try the donkey race.
Dave & Connor get to the Detour and choose to race donkeys. There's a big band playing as Brendon & Rachel saddle up (okay, there's no saddle) and ride off, until Rachel slides off her donkey and when Brendon tries to help he does the same thing. As Brendon says, "we are the ones who look like a couple of asses." Dave & Connor arrived and Dave asked Brendon where the gear was but Brendon ignored him, upsetting both Dave & Connor. Regardless, Brendon & Rachel finish the race and get the next clue, which sends them off on foot to Hostaria Del Ponte.
Time for the Double U-Turn and Jet & Cord know they need to use their Express Pass on this leg and figure they should do so to get past the U-Turn board. Meanwhile the Globetrotters haven't a clue where they're going on their sightseeing tour of Italy. When they arrive at the board Brendon & Rachel decide to use the U-Turn on Dave & Connor, which Rachel really didn't want to do because she likes Dave & Connor, but Brendon points out how close they are and that there's no other choice. Well, there's always another choice but I agree with his logic. They get the next clue and drive themselves to La Badia di Orvieto for their next clue.
Dave & Connor complete their fourth attempt and meet up with Jet & Cord who used their Express Pass to skip the Detour as they intended. When both teams got to the U-Turn board Dave & Connor were upset that Brendon & Rachel would U-Turn them and the Cowboys were a bit concerned because they knew that Dave & Connor had to U-Turn somebody. It's a good thing that Dave & Connor like the Cowboys because that would have been the obvious choice but they chose instead to U-Turn the Afghanimals. Lucky Cowboys, who also couldn't believe that Brendon & Rachel would U-Turn Dave & Connor.
When they see the Afghanimals heading in to the Detour, Dave & Connor tell them they had to U-Turn them but decide to work together to get the task out of the way quickly. Off to Gepetto's workshop to build a donkey go both teams. Leo & Jamal weren't happy to be U-Turned but they like Dave and the way he plays the game so they accepted it as a gift. Some gift.
Meanwhile, Brendon & Rachel have encountered this leg's Roadblock; The Write Stuff, replicate an illuminated manuscript by hand to the approval of a local monk. That is an awesome task, I've done many of those and I'd be all over that, even if it has been a few years. Rachel figures her artistic background and calligraphy courses should make this a breeze.
Back at the workshop, the donkeys are not getting approval, . . . and it's for a really obvious reason that neither team sees. Finally Dave reads the clue again and it all comes into focus. Well done Dave. Now they just need to deliver their donkey, but for some reason they go back and help the girls. Again? As they head past Leo & Jamal we get a quick cut to the Afghanimals being so impressed with Dave & Connor, and how well Dave has raised his son. It's nice and all but it's getting a little thick.
Dave & Connor and Caroline & Jennifer head off still cursing Brendon & Rachel. Leo & Jamal have finally finished their race and race to catch up as we return to the Roadblock where Rachel and Jet are both working carefully and quietly on their page. Hilarious watching the monks with cowboy hats.
Hey look the Globetrotters have finally arrived at the races, only to find uncooperative donkeys so they switch. It doesn't help because they get stumped at the same point as everyone else while building their donkey. Leo is enjoying the view as he sidesteps his way back down to their car to head to the Roadblock, where Rachel's first attempt has been refused, despite all her prayers.
When Dave & Connor arrive at the Roadblock they sarcastically thank Brendon for U-Turning them, then they go in and do the same with Rachel. I'm not sure why they feel the need to make this personal. This is a race for one million dollars, not nicest race team. We would have U-Turned them too, they're a damn good team, but they take things a little too personally, and then they whine about it.
Rachel, Jet, Caroline and Connor are all working on their manuscripts. Rachel gets her second attempt approved and they're off, as the Globetrotters have decided to switch again. They were so close too when BigEasy picked up the hinged crate and looked at the donkey, . . . and shrugged. Leo gets started on his manuscript page.
Brendon & Rachel must drive to the funicolare stop, take the funicolare to the top then race to the Piazza Del Duomo for the pit stop. Lots of lead time on FlightTime & BigEasy who have just finished their donkey race, while Jet gets his page approval.
Brendon & Rachel are again Team Number 1 and have each won $7,500.00 for after the race. Caroline gets her page approved and the girls are off. Cue background on the Globetrotters and you know how this is likely to play out, until Connor considers taking a penalty for the Roadblock, which makes me wonder about the dialogue about how impressed everyone is with him and his father. Leo gets his approved, but instead of running off they wait for Connor's results. Fortunately, Connor did better than he thought and both teams are off and running again.
Jet & Cord are Team Number 2, as FlightTime starts in on his manuscript. Dave & Connor and Leo & Jamal catch up to the girls as they get directions to the funicolare and then pass the girls as they get back in their car. Not sure it would have mattered much since they were all on the same cable car to the Piazza.
Leo & Jamal are Team Number 3, Dave & Connor are Team Number 4 and Caroline & Jennifer are Team Number 5 as the Globetrotters get approval for their penmanship. Cue the sad music as they are the last team to arrive and FlightTime & BigEasy have been eliminated from the race. Third time was not the charm, but the boys took it well.
Next week the Cowboys become hotel maids while Brendon & Rachel become public enemy number one as everyone starts picking on Rachel. Frankly I think they're all being a little childish and naive if they think that bullying Rachel is a good thing. So much for all of Dave's great parenting skills. Leo & Jamal, Dave & Connor, and Caroline & Jennifer make a big show of a final three alliance but unless they all intend to step on that final finish line mat at the same time somebody's not going to be happy. There can be only one winner, and every time they've picked on Rachel in the past she's just gotten stronger.
That's it. That's all I've got tonight. Hope everyone enjoyed the show, or the blog review, or both. Be sure and check out our video review coming up soon and join me again for Wednesdays review of Survivor. See you real soon and once again, Hoppy Easter.