It wasn't that difficult to realize by the second or third place finisher that episode five was likely a "keep on racing" leg and that was confirmed when Simi & Ope arrived last to stand beside Neil & Kristen at the mat. Both of these teams had a hard fifth leg and it would have been sad to see them go after that, despite taking penalties, but by extending the leg both teams are still in it. For how much longer is anyone's guess but for now they're all off to Sudbury, Ontario.
Gino & Jesse were the first team to continue their race at 5:57pm and they were off to catch the ferry to P.E.I. where they could then catch a flight from Charlottetown to Sudbury via Toronto. Missed it by that much. The next ferry doesn't leave until 8:00am giving all the other teams ample time to catch up. That kinda sucks when you're in the lead but I do understand it from a production point of view, you don't want your assets spread all over the map or it becomes a logistics nightmare.
All teams arrive in Sudbury together but it's Gino & Jesse who are first out of the airport, into their Chevy Tracks and off to the community of Copper Cliffs in search of the Vale Mining Company where they once again get to wait until the miner comes out of the office. Once he does teams find that they will descend two at a time 1.3 kilometres beneath the surface into a nickel mine. Gino & Jesse and Neil & Kristin are the first two teams to go down.
When they get to the bottom and exit the freight elevator they find the pile of freshly drilled ore, pick a large chunk and set it down to start hammering away at it until they find a nickel pellet inside. This is a task that could be really hard on your arms, especially with the weight of the sledgehammer and the reverberations every time you hit that ore. The boys are on it like Thor swinging Mjolnir, while Kristin just keeps chanting "ex-boyfriend, ex-boyfriend," until she actually breaks the hammer.
The second elevator down has Nick & Matt and Brian & Cynthia, other teams will follow in the order they arrived. Not that it matters to Gino & Jesse who have already found their nickel pellet and received their next clue. Nick & Matt just laughed as the boys passed by but Brian & Cynthia were a bit less impressed, hoping their luck runs out soon. Not so far.
When they reach the surface the boys open the clue to find just a nickel, but they immediately decipher that clue to lead them to the "Big Nickel" a Sudbury landmark. Standing 30' tall and 2' thick that's a lot of coin. While Gino & Jesse race to find it, Kristin cracks her ore with her new hammer and finds their nickel pellet . . . followed closely by Brian & Cynthia who decide to follow Neil & Kristin to the nickel. As they pull away Nick & Matt find their pellet and head up.
At the Big Nickel Gino & Jesse are first to the clue box and find they have a choice, they can do the Detour, or the Fast Forward. When you're in the lead you pretty much have to take the Fast Forward and they do. Wayne and I certainly would. They're off to Science North to Feed the Turtle, and unbeknownst to them, feed themselves as well.
When Neil & Kristen and Brian & Cynthia arrive at the Big Nickel they both know that the boys would have taken the Fast Forward and decide not to bother. They're off on a Detour to the Laurentian University to either Synchronize, or Analyze, . . . but there's a catch. Each Detour only has slots for four teams at a time forcing a team to either wait or switch detours.
In Synchronize, teams need to practice a synchronized swimming routine in the shallow end of the pool before joining the synchronized swim team in the deep end to perform the routine. Do it correctly and they get they're next clue, . . . do it wrong and it's back to the kiddie pool. With so many teams this season unable to swim I'm thinking there's going to be a log jam at the other Detour.
In Analyze, teams get to go over a 3'x3' crime scene in the woods to locate and identify bits of teeth and bone and then correctly transfer the locations of each piece to a graph sheet. If their graph matches the official overlay they'll receive their next clue but if it doesn't they need to go back into the woods. Analyze is a simple math task that teams should just breeze through and I'm pretty sure this is what Wayne and I would choose. Of course, if we screwed it up I'd never hear the end of it from my wife the math teacher.
No surprise that Brian & Cynthia decide to do Analyze as they're both police officers in Winnipeg (my home town) but apparently they've forgotten the rule about not choosing something you're supposed to be a professional at. Just ask Nic about his soccer debacle. They figure they can zip through this ahead of everyone without revealing that they're police officers, especially Neil & Kristen who have also chosen Analyze.
Nick & Matt get to the Big Nickel and also choose Analyze, leaving only one slot left, while Gino & Jesse have arrived at Science North. The boys locate the turtle display and are shown how to feed the turtle his lunch and then they pick their turtle based on the one that's moving. Well, he was moving until they tried to feed him but now he's a little wary of his replacement feeder. They figure the whole Fast Forward relies on that turtle eating every worm, super worm and cricket in his tray, and they're halfway right.
Brent & Sean find the Big Nickel, realize there's no sense going after the Fast Forward and choose Analyze. Which is where we find Brian & Cynthia and Neil & Kristen suiting up just as Nick & Matt arrive on the scene. I love how Brian pretends he doesn't know a thing about police work and Kristen agrees with him. I guess we'll soon see who makes the better officer.
Kristen's gameplay for this task is pretty much exactly what Wayne and I would do, just keep talking and talking to break everyone else's concentration. It works because every time Kristen talks Cynthia gets a confused look on her face. It doesn't seem to phase Nick & Matt though, probably because Nick is also a school teacher and used to numerous voices chattering away while he works. Not to mention all those screaming fans as he piledrives an opponent.
Nic & Sabrina arrive at the Big Nickel and choose Analyze because Nic is afraid of water but they may be a little late for that. When Dujean & Leilani arrive she really wants to do Synchronize but Dujean reveals that he can't swim, especially not in sync with anyone else. I understand casting people who can't swim for the added drama, but why would you audition if you can't swim? Case in point, Simi & Ope also choose Analyze because Ope can't swim. There's always going to be a swimming task. Always.
Back at Science North Gino & Jesse are thinking they picked a bum turtle but then he finally starts snapping at his lunch. Just as Gino dares Jesse to eat one of the worms along comes a tray of delicious protein for the boys to eat. The same worms, super worms and crickets as the turtle gets. Rather than wait for Jesse's one bug at a time system Gino picks up the tray and dumps the whole thing in his mouth. Down the hatch.
While the boys enjoy lunch Dujean & Leilani have gotten lost in Sudbury and can't find the University. At least Dujean finally stopped to ask for directions but while he was getting set on the right path Brent & Sean arrived at Analyze. The designers didn't really get the task and realized that all the teams there had been way ahead of them so they decided to switch. That switch leaves an opening for another team and in race Nic & Sabrina just in time, cutting ahead of Simi & Ope.
Father and daughter discuss whether they should just wait but Ope decides they should at least take a look at the other side of the detour. Nic & Sabrina get started on their crime scene and it becomes apparent that the ten years between their ages creates two different ways of approaching this task, both wrong. At least they stay supportive and loving in their miscommunication.
Speaking of miscommunication, the professional police officers, Brian & Cynthia, have blown their first attempt at recording the crime scene. So much for doing what you're good at. They head back to remeasure their crime scene unaware that they only have two items wrong, which is better than Neil & Kristin who incorrectly measured half of their clues.
Brent & Sean have arrived at Synchronize and immediately feel good about their choice as the crowd cheers them on. They look pretty . . . let's go with cute, . . . in their flowered swim caps. Did they steal those from somebody's grandmother? It's not an easy routine as they start to count it out in eights and go through the moves. Way more difficult than measuring ten points on a grid, but the boys stick to the challenge.
Finally Gino & Jesse get the turtle to take his last bite and they get their next clue. After successfully completing the Fast Forward the boys are off in search of the Bell Park Gazebo where they'll find three members of the Sudbury symphony orchestra accompanying Jon with a little background music at the Pit Stop for this leg of the race.
Over at Analyze, Nick & Matt have proven to be better cops than the undercover ones as they solve the crime on their second attempt. Brian & Cynthia are not amused. The Flatliners are now on their way to the Sudbury Outpatient Centre at Health Sciences North to find their next clue.
Meanwhile, Brent & Sean feel they're ready to perform the routine. It's an entertaining attempt but they're not there yet. Back to the kiddie pool boys. As they head back to the shallow end Simi & Ope arrive to check out the task and immediately Ope starts sweating. This is not the task he is looking for so they decide to head back to Analyze and wait for a slot to open up.
Too bad that Dujean & Leilani beat them to Analyze and took the spot that the wrestlers opened up. Leilani still wants to switch but Dujean admits he can't swim and takes control of the task at hand. Simi & Ope have no choice but to wait. Fortunately it wasn't a long wait as Brian & Cynthia go up for their third check and they've done it, opening up a slot for Simi & Ope. Third time's the charm I guess. Simi & Ope get started on their crime scene as the designers hit the deep end in their third attempt, and fail again.
Nick & Matt have finally found the Outpatient Centre and this leg's Roadblock; Who's Got Heart. One member of the team will join the ER and perform 2 minutes of CPR on a computerized mannequin during an emergency simulation. If the dummy has a pulse they'll get their next clue, but if the dummy dies it's back to class. Matt decides he has more heart, but they realize it should have been Nick's task as he's a certified CPR instructor. Good thing Matt has taken nick's course.
Matt's first attempt looked a bit like Dr Evil to Nick, and I'm sure it takes a second to assess the scene when you first walk in to the simulation. Matt has to go back and practice his CPR. At least the report card tells him what he did wrong so he knows what to fix next time.
As Matt readies himself for another simulation Gino & Jesse have found Bell Park Gazebo. They race up the hill to jump on to the mat and Jon introduces them to Alex Trebek who welcomes them to his hometown. It's Jeopardy, baby. Gino & Jesse are Team Number 1 and also win a flight to any of Air Canada's California locations as well as 5,000,000 PetroPoints to redeem for a year's worth of gas. With three wins the boys are definitely painting a target on their backs, but I don't think they care.
Attempt number five for Brent & Sean looked really good despite the silly caps, and they did it. They're now on their way to the Sudbury Outpatient Centre for the Roadblock, which puts them ahead of Nic & Sabrina who have messed up 80% of their crime scene, and Dujean & Leilani who missed four clue locations. Neil & Kristin on their fourth attempt are still messing up the same five clues. Maybe it's time to switch who does the measuring.
I kinda like Kristin's sense of humour when she says that she knows why there are so many dead people in the woods, they all started out trying to do this task, failed, and died. Not so for Simi & Ope who solved the crime on their second attempt and are moving on. Nic needs to stay more focused on his own task rather than worrying about whether another team has completed the task of not. As Sabrina says, it doesn't matter.
Back in the ER, Matt's fourth attempt finds a stable pulse and he gets the next clue. Nick & Matt are now on their way to the Vale Living With Lakes Research Centre where they'll need to paddle a canoe 1 kilometre across Ramsay lake to the Pit Stop. As they race out, hoping that Gino & Jesse didn't get the Fast Forward and chose to swim, Brian & Cynthia arrive.
Cynthia decides she has more heart and Brian is sure that'll work in their favour when they read the clue as Cynthia used to be a paramedic for 13 years before becoming a police officer. Did they not learn anything during their undercover task? Wayne and I really need to write down the rules so everyone can memorize them before they audition. All those years and she still couldn't resuscitate the victim. Gotta give her credit though, she got right into the scene, even to the point of consoling the fake "mom".
Brent & Sean have now arrived and Sean thinks he can do it. As long as he doesn't exert himself too much and puke all over the dummy before he passes out. It probably wouldn't look good if Sean needed CPR himself during the task. No surprise he misses his first attempt but what's with the confused look on Cynthia's face when she blows her second try.
Both of Cynthia's report cards have different errors and she apparently hasn't a clue what she's doing wrong. Here's a thought, . . . read the report card. Good thing she changed careers. At least she redeemed herself on her third attempt and the dummy lived. As Brian & Cynthia head out, Simi & Ope arrive.
Simi feels she has more heart and takes the Roadblock while Neil & Kristin hand in their seventh crime scene. There's a long pause before the lead investigator hands them their next clue and again Kristin seems to come alive. She may be more fun than her past edits have shown. They're off the Outpatient Centre leaving Dujean & Leilani and Nic & Sabrina alone in the woods.
Nick & Matt wasted 20 minutes trying to find the lake before stopping at Science North for directions. Good thing they did because it allowed them to get to the canoes just as Brian & Cynthia pulled up. The wrestlers may lack the skill of a canker but they more than make up for it with muscle, powering their way across the lake ahead of the Winnipeggers.
It's Sean's eighth attempt in the ER and he looks ready to collapse but this time his dummy has a pulse and Sean gets the next clue. Off the designers run to find the lake, where Nick & Matt are just hauling their canoe ashore. Nick & Matt are Team Number 2 and happy to meet Alex Trebek. They're glad to be moving up from third but they're getting tired of sniffing first. As they walk away from the mat, Brian & Cynthia are Team Number 3.
Leilani has had enough of Dujean taking control and she takes over the crime scene and hands in their seventh attempt. Once again Nic gets sidetracked by another team completing the task ahead of him. Focus, dude, focus. Dujean & Leilani move on, leaving Nic & Sabrina in the dirt.
Once everyone else was gone, and Nic had no more distractions, Nic & Sabrina made short work of the task and moved on in search of the Outpatient Centre. Too bad they'll be too late to see Simi nail the CPR on her second attempt. Ope is so proud of his daughter the doctor. Speaking of daughters, Neil & Kristen just arrived and Kristen steps up for the Roadblock.
While Kristen fails her first attempt (Really?) Brent & Sean arrive at the Pit Stop and Sean does a double take when he recognizes Alex Trebek and mentions how they were in a bit of jeopardy for awhile there. Alex laughed and thanked him for the plug. Nicely done. Brent & Sean are Team Number 4.
Nic & Sabrina seem to always catch a break, arriving at the Outpatient Centre before Dujean & Leilani who managed to get lost again. When Sabrina says that Nic should do it he asks why and she just shrugs and says "you know stuff". I'm pretty sure she knows stuff too, but apparently she may have some self esteem issues. She should work on that while Nic learns to swim. Nic does the Roadblock.
When Sabrina gets to the viewing room she's surprised to find Neil still there and no sign of Dujean & Leilani. She hopes Nic can race right through this and they can stay ahead of the Exes, but based on his compression technique Nic may be racing a little too fast.
Once more into the breach for Ope as he and Simi haul their canoe to the water's edge and he realizes he's about to be surrounded by water. His little panic attacks cause the whole boat to shake but he manages to hold it together and not tip them both into the lake. Again he has proven himself stronger than his fears to not let his daughter down. Simi & Ope are Team Number 5 and there's a nice moment of bonding from Alex Trebek who says he's proud of what Ope has done for his daughter and compares it to the bond he has with his. We Canadians are way too touchy feely.
Across the lake at the ER Kristen manages to keep her dummy alive on her third attempt and she and her father are off and running. It's a battle for last place as Nic is on his fourth failed attempt and Dujean & Leilani have arrived. When Leilani sees Nic she knows one of them may be going home.
Well, it won't be Neil & Kristen as they are Team Number 6. Nic is still way too fast with his compressions on his seventh attempt and Leilani's first attempt was all over the place, as obviously was her second. On her third attempt Leilani kept the dummy alive and as she race past Nic she was still reassuring him that he's got this. That's nice, but unless she and Dujean get lost again, Nic is going to have it a little too late.
Despite knowing they're in last place, Sabrina is really supportive of Nic and gives him a calming pep talk which is apparently all he needed. On his ninth attempt, even though he'd given up on himself and was walking out the door to try again, the nurse told him the dummy had a pulse and Nic was overjoyed. I guess Sabrina should have given him that talk a lot earlier.
Dujean & Leilani are Team Number 7, and as the sun sets on Sudbury, Nic & Sabrina are the last team to arrive and they have been eliminated from the race. I guess their luck finally ran out. They may not have won the race but they've proven their support for each other and that may be a far bigger win.
Next week the teams are off to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where they'll be bouncing all over the place, tied up in circles, and caught up in hoops while Brian & Cynthia have a meltdown. Sounds like a fun episode.
So there you have it, my review of episode six. It may be late but at least it's before the next episode. Hopefully this one I can catch on time and get my review up sooner. Until that time.