AMAZING RACE CANADA WITH GORD & WAYNE
  • Gord & Wayne HQ
  • Gord's Amazing Reviews
  • Wayne's Amazing Reviews
  • Gord & Wayne's Amazing Videos
  • Gord & Wayne's Amazing Guests
  • About Gord & Wayne

TARC S3E4; Beer Smoothies With A Side Of Lobster

7/30/2015

Comments

 
I'm running behind this week as I'm once again on the road and playing catchup. No worries though, I'm sure that if I miss anything Wayne will point it out soon enough.

Neil & Kristin won the last leg of the race and are the first to depart at 8:41am and they're on their way to Halifax, Nova Scotia, the home of the Canadian naval fleet. This is also the last stop on a cross-Canada bicycle trip that my cousin is currently on. Gino & Jesse leave in second place with Nick & Matt once again in third. Since the teams are all flying Air Canada all teams will be on the same flight from Buenos Aires back to Santiago then on to a stopover in Toronto, and from there to Halifax. You didn't really think there was a direct flight from Buenos Aires to Halifax, did you? 

Since Leilani is from Halifax this leg could easily move them up to the lead, but they'll have to keep an eye on Brent & Sean who are hoping to get that second Express Pass. While waiting for their next flight in Toronto, Gino & Jesse make their move to convince Hamilton & Michaelia to give them the second Express Pass. Not to be outdone, Brent & Sean make their play and Hamilton reveals to them that he's transgender. The designers seem genuinely shocked but honoured that Hamilton would trust them with such a big secret (not that it's much of a secret outside of the race now, but it was then). The kids had to give it to someone and the connection they feel with Brent & Sean closes the deal. Of course all the other teams think it's a waste of an Express Pass but they're just grumpy they didn't get it. From Toronto all teams are now on their way to Halifax. 

As the teams arrive in Halifax they need to search the airport for the woman in the BMO kiosk who has their next clue. All teams are now off to the new, five-storey, Halifax Central Library where they'll need to count the correct number (134) of black & white images displayed on smart phone cards from a 5,000 piece art display designed by Cliff Eyland, right that number on an index card and race up to the fifth floor to present it to the librarian. If they get the wrong number they need to run back down to the first floor to get a new index card,count again and head back up to the fifth until they get it right.
 
Dujean & Leilani are first to the library with Brian & Cynthia right on their bumper. Both teams realize it's a little more difficult than they thought. Four more teams arrive and the pressure mounts. Dujean & Leilani think they have the right number and race up to the fifth floor but they're low, as are Brent & Sean right behind them. However, Hamilton & Michaelia and Nic & Sabrina get the right number and both teams are now off to find the Roadblock. 

In this Roadblock; Who's Got An Eagle Eye, one team member needs to make their way to the top of the Angus L MacDonald Bridge, celebrating its 50th birthday. They need to climb over 340 feet up an internal ladder within one of the bridge's pillars and then they need to use binoculars to locate their next clue. Once found they can rejoin their partner at the bottom and head to that location.

Hamilton & Michaelia and Nic & Sabrina race out of the library to hail cabs as Brian & Cynthia and Dujean & Leilani get the right number and trail behind them. Brian & Cynthia were lucky enough that their cab driver actually waited for them, something none of the others requested. Once the first four teams have left the library Kristin decides the other teams need to work together so they all head down with different numbers on their cards. 

Brian & Cynthia, thanks to their patient driver, are the first to the Roadblock and Brian gets into the gear and heads up.  That pillar is pretty narrow, especially for a big guy like Brian, but he's the first to the top and quickly locates the marker and heads back down. Brian & Cynthia are now off to the Halifax Citadel, otherwise known as Citadel Hill, a former British naval fort which defended Halifax from invaders. 

As Brian regains his breath in the cab, Michaelia and Nic are making their way up the pillar, and there goes Leilani. Once at the top all three have trouble spotting the marker, but Leilani beat the other two and back down she went. She already knew she was going to Citadel Hill so there was no miscommunication to the driver. 

Meanwhile back at the library, Nick goes into teacher mode and assigns sections to each person. Hey, whatever works. I'm a detail person so this wouldn't be a big task for Wayne and I but apparently with 5,000 pieces it gets a little daunting for others. 

While Michaelia is spotting the marker Hamilton realizes that he doesn't know where his passport is and without his passport they can't check in at the mat with Jon. Michaelia is less than impressed when she gets back down to Hamilton and he thinks he left his passport on the plane. There's a lot of understandable tears and Michaelia figures they should just go home because they're done without that passport. I'm sure Hamilton feels even worse when Michaelia  points out that he may have cost them the race. More tears.

Hamilton decides to call back to the airport and hopes that someone finds it and they can pick it up before they check in but after they finish all the tasks. Personally I'd want to deal with it now rather than risk being too far from the airport, but then again I wouldn't lose my passport. On the other hand, Nic still can't find the marker and is all alone at the top of the bridge. Oh look, there it is, . . . maybe.

Back at the library the teams are still working together. Neil & Kristin try 124 while Gino & Jesse try 144, both of which are wrong. Then Brent & Sean try 134 and get the next clue. They also called the others back with the correct number. Everyone is finally off to the Roadblock.

Having arrived at Citadel Hill to receive their next clue, it's now tIme for Brian & Cynthia to head off to the Halifax Public Garden where they'll find an Orange Julius kiosk featuring a line of smoothies. Teams will then need to correctly identify five of the ten premium smoothie flavours in a Dairy Queen/Orange Julius challenge. Brian & Cynthia are up for the challenge, but they blow their first attempt. 

Not as bad as Nic blew the Roadblock when Nic & Sabrina find a yellow and red boat floating in the harbour instead of the correct marker on Citadel Hill. Back to the bridge they go as Dujean & Leilani hit the hill. When Brian & Cynthia see the other team arrive they go into overdrive and get all five flavours correct and receive their next clue.

Brian & Cynthia are now off to the Detour: Bubbles or Suds. In Bubbles, teams must locate the Aquatron at the Ocean Sciences Building on the Dalhousie University Campus and dive to the bottom of the tank where they'll each need to grab two lobsters and bring them to the surface where they'll need to band their claws and connect a locator beacon before receiving their next clue. In Suds, teams need to locate the Garrison Brewery delivery truck and then must deliver full beer orders and retrieve two empty kegs from three different pubs. This sounds like a job for Gord & Wayne. Brian & Cynthia would rather tag lobsters. 

Dujean & Leilani correctly identify the five flavours and choose Suds before heading off to catch up to Brian & Cynthia who are just about to hit the water. Brian had no problem getting his lobsters in record time but Cynthia doesn't dive well at all. As Nic & Sabrina head back into town Nic sees the marker as they cross a bridge and . . . Eureka, he's found it. 

Meanwhile, the other teams are all finding the marker, except for Jesse until Kristin spotted it without the binoculars and pointed it out while he was still looking the other way. Problem solved. At least he was nice enough to thank her. Everyone heads back down, grabs a cab and heads off to Citadel Hill. 

Meanwhile, Gino & Jesse gave the worst directions possible to their cabbie at the base of the bridge and are soon about to be wandering around in the middle of Point Pleasant Park. Nice place, but wrong. Seriously? Couldn't you just have pointed to where you wanted to go? What kind of directions are "that cross thing that has the flags on it surrounded by grass"? 

Hamilton & Michaelia pass the Smoothie task and chose Bubbles, while Dujean & Leilani begin Suds. They make their first delivery and off they go to deliver number two. Uh oh. 

As Hamilton & Michaelia arrive at the Aquatron and suit up, we find Cynthia still trying to get to the bottom. Come on, it's only 14 feet. Cynthia dives like a soccer ball, not so much, and they decide to switch tasks. Brian is not impressed. 

One team out, another one in. Michaelia's a little concerned that the lobsters might bite, and they might, but there's no time to waste with a missing passport still to retrieve. However, Once at the tank, Hamilton can't handle the depth of the water and wants to switch. Are you kidding me? There's no time to switch, kid. 

Gino & Jesse have finally arrived at the wrong location to find some crosses and flags, just not the right flag. Back to the Angus L MacDonald Bridge they go. Jesse feels he's let his brother down, and at this point he has as they've dropped into last place.

Hamilton really wants to switch so they switch, while Dujean tells Leilani to be quiet . . . setting off her temper just a little bit, but she gets over it. Delivery two done and still no empty kegs picked up.Brian & Cynthia have started on the kegs and managed to get help from a local couple. As Nick & Matt arrive at the public gardens for the Smoothie challenge they find that Nic & Sabrina are lousy at determining flavours and getting worse as other teams start arriving. At least most of the other teams also find it a challenge, except for Brent & Sean who get the flavours correct and choose to do Bubbles. Nick & Matt choose Suds.

As Gino & Jesse are riding back to the bridge to try again they notice the marker out of the corner of their eye and have the cabbie back up so they can point to it and thus save themselves some time. Couldn't they have just done that in the first place?

Brian is finding the Suds task torture for a beer drinker, . . . all that beer and not a glass to be found, . . . But at least they're grabbing the empty kegs. Hamilton & Michaelia get started but make the same mistake as Dujean & Leilani who have made all their deliveries but . . . they failed to read the clue! They didn't pick up any of the empty beer kegs. Leilani decides she can carry two kegs at a time with her bare hands but she soon realizes how heavy an empty keg still is.

Nick & Matt don't make the same mistake. They make a delivery, they pick up the empties. Well done boys, there's hope for you yet. 

Back at the tank, Sean panics when he reaches for his first lobster and has to resurface for air.  He eventually gets over his fear and he and Brent have their lobsters. They feel a connection to their lobster fishing ancestors now more than ever. 

Gino & Jesse have arrived at the Smoothie task and realize they're still in it. Their arrival motivated Neil & Kristin to pass the Smoothie task and they're off to tag lobsters as Brent & Sean band their lobsters at the Detour. Easier said than done. 

Gino & Jesse and Simi & Ope both solve the Smoothie task before Nic & Sabrina who are still struggling, and probably getting sick of smoothies. Out on the street Hamilton & Michaelia are making the same mistake as the dancers and not picking up the empty kegs. This is not helping them any as they continue to compound one mistake on top of another. They don't even notice Nick & Matt as they pass by them with a delivery.

Dujean & Leilani complete the Detour and are now off to the Pit Stop at the Halifax Seaport Farmers Market, the oldest market in North America, with Brian & Cynthia close behind. Hamilton & Michaelia finish their deliveries but are now informed that they haven't completed the task, which is when they finally Read The Clue. Rule Number One, dammit. Off they go in search of empty kegs as Nic & Sabrina finally figure out the flavours of all five premium smoothies.


Dujean & Leilani arrive at the Seaport Farmer's Market and are Team Number 1. They have also won a flight to any one of Air Canada's Caribbean locations and they each get 2.5 million PetroPoints to trade in for 6 months of free gas. Today was the anniversary of Leilani's mom's passing and she pushed through for mom. Nicely done, and in her home town to boot. Brian & Cynthia have come from the back of the pack and are Team Number 2.

Hamilton & Michaelia finished their deliveries and retrieved all the empties and are now heading to the airport in search of their missing passport as Neil & Kristin dive for lobsters. As they exit the tank with their lobsters they find Brent & Sean are just leaving in search of the Pit Stop. However, not before Nick & Matt, who are Team Number 3.

Hamilton & Michaelia arrive at the airport and the fact that the guy says "you must be Hamilton" is a pretty clear indicator that somebody found it. That, or he was the guy that Hamilton talked to earlier. Every second counts at this point and it's not looking good.

Gino & Jesse arrive at the Ocean Sciences Building, just ahead of Nic & Sabrina, but Nic is afraid of water. Nic thinks he can overcome his fear by diving into a tankful of lobsters. So much for that idea when he gets to the tank, but he still thinks he can do it. No fear of water from the brothers as Gino & Jesse make quick work of grabbing their lobsters and getting back outta that tank. They know they're in the back end and they need to start to focus.

Brent & Sean are Team Number 4, while Neil & Kristin have completed Bubbles and are moving on just as Nic & Sabrina finally decide to switch. More wasted time. Neil & Kristin are off and running, leaving Gino & Jesse behind. 

Back at the airport Hamilton is still waiting for his passport and as it gets handed back he swears to never let it out of his sight again. It may be too late to worry about that. They head back out of the airport and hope they're not last.

Simi & Ope are Team Number 5 and right on their tail Neil & Kristin are team number 6, while Gino & Jesse are Team number 7. Bringing up the rear will be Hamilton & Michaelia returning from the airport and Nic & Sabrina who just finished deliveries and it's looking like it'll be a close race to the Pit Stop.

Nic & Sabrina wandered around the main floor before heading up to be Team Number 8 and that makes Hamilton & Michaelia the last team to arrive and they have been eliminated from the race. Jon congratulated Hamilton on behalf of all Canadians and himself for being brave enough to be himself. I didn't think they'd make it to the end but I had hoped this was a non-elimination leg. Alas, it was not. They had a good run but this was a terrible leg for them.

It was a really good episode this week. It just raced by with a lot of quick edits as the teams spread out more than usual. We appear to be seeing a lot of repetitive tasks this season that are the same as last season, or worse the flip side of this season's tasks but hopefully this will become less obvious. Granted it has to be difficult to come up with original tasks for every episode but it wouldn't hurt to try. Next week teams are off to Quebec and we're all looking forward to the first ever FaceOff and the dreaded Double U-Turn. Until that time.
Comments

TARCanada 303: Tango Down The Field

7/22/2015

Comments

 
While Wayne is on vacation this week, I'm also not home but I am able to catch the broadcast so I'll do my best to cover the episode with my usual details. With an official title like "I Said Straight, You Gorilla" you're never sure if teams are going to get stuck at a zoo or the wrestlers are going to start to swerve but we'll find out soon enough. We start episode three with Jon's quick recap of Hamilton & Michaelia's win and Susan & Sharn's elimination followed by the prize review and then . . . the race is on. 

Hamilton & Michaelia are the first to depart Santiago at 3:46am and they're on their way to Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Latin city of love. Brian & Cynthia are an hour behind but we know they're all going to be on the same flight so nobody really cares. Gino & Jesse are the last to depart and once teams get to the airport it's game on to get that second Express Pass as everyone starts sucking up to Hamilton & Michaelia.

Once teams arrive in Buenos Aires they need to search for Plaza Canada and the totem pole that was carved in 1961 and presented to the city of Beunos Aires. There's the mad rush for the cabs and a bunch of teams arrive at once to find the totem pole and get their next clue.

Teams must now make their way to Barrio La Boca, which looks like a great place for a Roadblock. Nic & Sabrina are the first there and need to gather Mentos candies from corner stores to spell out four famous Argentinian's based on four clues. The problem I'd have with this is not eating the Mentos. 

Brian & Cynthia arrive followed by Neil & Kristen and Cynthia and Neil decide to work together to get the Roadblock done faster. Sabrina has no problem gathering the candies and answering all four questions as Nick & Matt and Dana & Amanda arrive in 4th and 5th place, only to find that she's missing letters. 

Nick and Dana decide to work together, and Dujean & Sean also decide to work together. Sabrina solves her "p/d" problem when she realizes all she needs to do is flip the letter and now they're on their way to Futbol Madero. Meanwhile Simi & Ope and Gino & Jesse are both at the wrong place having been dropped off at the Canadian Embassy. That's definitely going to slow them down. The brothers get directions from a local and run to Plaza Canada while Simi & Ope check a map and grab another cab. While they were busy playing catch up, Dujean and Sean got all the questions answered by a local, nice. 

Hamilton finds himself on his own at the Mentos challenge and I hope it's only because they won the last leg and have proven themselves to be competitors. 

Nic & Sabrina have arrived at Futbol Madero where they must maneuver a soccer ball through a course and score on net blindfolded. Nic was a professional soccer player until his injury and he puts on the blindfold while listening to Sabrina's directions and this is where they slow down. Another of Gord & Wayne's Rules; Never do the task that seems tailor made for you.  

Nick and Dana have solved their Mentos task and both teams are off while Hamilton is still working on his own and falling further behind as Gino gets it. The other teams start arriving at Futbol Madero and I was right about the gorilla comment, it was the wrestlers. Nic is getting a little down on himself feeling he's taken too long now that all the teams are there.

Neil & Kristen are the first to make it through the challenge, receive their next clue and are now on their way to El Obelisco. Gino & Jesse are out on their fourth attempt. Nic & Sabrina are still there so Sabrina convinces Nic to take the penalty. Why they don't just switch positions is beyond me, but maybe there's something in the rules about that.  

At El Obelisco Neil & Kristin find the Detour; Dine or Dance. In Dine teams work as chef and server to three customers, while in Dance racers must perform Argentina's national dance, the Tango. I guess Wayne and I would choose Dine because we'd look pretty silly dancing together. Neil & Kristen chose Dance, as did Gino & Jesse. The catch to this leg's Detour is that there are only six spots for each side.

Back on the field Dana & Amanda are on their fifteenth attempt while Nick & Matt come up with "the hop" and complete the task. All the other teams follow suit using "the hop" to get through the challenge. Maybe Nic & Sabrina should have stuck around.

At the Detour Nic & Sabrina choose Dine and Sabrina takes on the role of the waitress, while Nick & Matt and Brian & Cynthia both choose Dance, where they find Neil & Kristin and Gino & Jesse practicing. Neil & Kristin actually look good, as long as nobody looks at their feet. Brent & Sean finally get the soccer task in their 26th try, right behind Dana & Amanda. 

Sabrina had the customers repeat the orders several times as she repeat them back and it worked. Nic & Sabrina are now on their way to the Pit Stop for this leg of the race, the Puente De La Mujere. As they leave, Simi & Ope have arrived. 

Nic & Sabrina are the first team to arrive at the Pit Stop but now they need to sit out their two hour penalty and hope nobody catches up to them. 

No surprise that Leilani & Dujean chose Dance, but it makes Kristen second guess this side of the Detour. Meanwhile Simi & Ope have already decided to switch from Dine to Dance because there's no way they can remember the orders in English let alone Spanish, but they may have no choice as the six slots are already full. Neil & Kristin decide against switching and that forces Dana & Amanda to choose Dine. Brent & Sean also choose Dine, not that they had a choice.

Neil & Kristin complete their tango on their 2nd attempt and they're off to the Pit Stop. Neil & Kristen are the second team to arrive but thanks to Nic & Sabrina's penalty they are Team Number 1 and also win tickets to Beijing, China and gas for six months from PetroCanada. 

Nick & Matt also completed the dance on their second attempt, followed by Gino & Jesse. According to my wife Nick & Matt made a cuter couple on the dance floor than Gino & Jesse. Both teams are off to the Pit Stop and it's a foot race across the bridge. Man, those wrestlers move fast for their size, just not quite fast enough. Gino & Jesse are Team Number 2, while Nick & Matt are Team Number 3. Tic toc, tic toc, Nic & Sabrina are still waiting. 

Dujean & Leilani nail the Dance on their first attempt, an exception to the rule, while Dana & Amanda mess up the dining orders. Simi & Ope actually got it right on their second attempt, surprising themselves more than anyone as Brent & Sean also complete the Dine task. 

Dujean & Leilani are Team Number 4, Simi & Ope are Team Number 5, Brent & Sean are Team Number 6, and Hamilton & Michaelia are Team Number 7. 

Dana & Amanda finally complete their Dine Detour around the same time that Brian & Cynthia complete their tango and it's coming down to the wire for Nic & Sabrina with four minutes left on their penalty. They just made it by the skin of their teeth and Nic & Sabrina are Team Number 8.

Brian & Cynthia are Team Number 9 and right on their heels Dana & Amanda are the last team to arrive and have been eliminated. As fellow police officers Brian says that they represented their force and their province with honour. Nicely said Brian. I do find it interesting that what should have been three strong teams have been the first three to go. 

As Wayne usually handles the exit interviews we'll be missing the chance to talk with Dana & Amanda unless we can set something up on the weekend. It could happen but don't count on it. We'll also be a little late on our video review this week but hopefully our fans will survive. Next week the racers are coming back home to Halifax where somebody loses their passport and may have cost themselves the race. Until that time. 
Comments

TARCanada 302: Dancing Off To Chile

7/16/2015

Comments

 
I'm a little behind with my review of the Amazing Race Canada Episode 2 due to the joys (or quirks) of technology. Sometimes, no matter how often you check, when you set your PVR to record an episode that you may be late for due to family commitments it doesn't always do what it's told. Case in point, episode two, officially titled "We're Going To Dance", did not record and thus I had to wait until the following morning to catch the upload. I'll just consider it a Roadblock and move on. 

We open episode two with a quick recap of Gino & Jesse's first place finish and Max & Elias' unfortunate elimination before Jon recaps the prizes and then . . . We're back in the heart of Toronto where Gino & Jesse are the first to depart at 1:32pm. That's the way to start your race day, right after a leisurely breakfast and a cup of coffee, none of this up at five stuff. 

Teams are now on their way to Santiago, Chile (over 8,600kms away) and Teams are also racing for a pair of Express Passes that will be awarded at the end of the leg. Gino & Jesse race off to find a cab and I'm beginning to wonder about these two when they question if Chile is a part of Europe. Seriously? Why are people so geographically challenged? 

Nic & Sabrina are off at 2:51pm, over an hour behind the lead, but I have a sneaky suspicion they're all going to end up on the same flight to South America. I really like this team and with four languages under their belt (English, French, Italian and Spanish) they're going to have the upper hand in communications which should keep them at the front of the pack. 

Brent & Sean are the third to depart at 3:34pm and are two hours behind the lead with Hamilton & Michalia close behind. When they meet Gino & Jesse at the airport, Brent & Sean congratulate them on their first place win and this is a great game move because it shows a good attitude while fully understanding who their competition is. So far there's no talk of any alliances but watch for it, it'll happen. All the other teams are heading out pretty closely packed and in last place are Susan & Sharnjit, leaving at 4:41pm, just over three hours behind.

As I predicted they're all on the same flight to Santiago and upon arrival need to grab a cab and make their way to the Geoventura Parque Outdoor on the outskirts of the city to find their next clue. There's the usual mad dash out of the airport and Nick & Matt are the first to grab a cab.

As the cabs all head out of town it becomes fairly apparent that cab drivers in Santiago are about as observant as anywhere else. If Nick hadn't seen the sign for the Geoventura park there cabbie would've overshot it and just kept going, . . . pretty much the same as Simi & Ope's cabbie did even after Simi pointed out the sign.

The Flatliners are first to the Roadblock, "Who Wants A Better View?" This Roadblock has one member of the team pair up with a professional paraglider and then Paraglide over Santiago before reuniting with their partner to receive their next clue. Nick & Matt rock, paper, scissors to decide who gets to glide and Matt wins as Dujean & Leilani arrive on the scene. What happened to Simi & Ope? Leilani chooses to get the view, but begins having second thoughts after reading the instructions. 

Matt gets suited up first, runs down the hill and off he goes, leaving Leilani stressing about her decision. That's one heck of a view. Leilani is terrified of heights and probably deafened her guide when they launched but she calmed down quickly once she realized she was safely strapped in. If we were in this season, either Wayne or I could do this task but he'd probably prefer it as I already have a better view.

Most of the other teams eventually arrive and Nic is a lot quieter heading into the air, . . . as is Brian. Unfortunately Simi & Ope, Dana & Amanda, and Brent & Sean have all caught the wrong cabs and are currently lost on the outskirts of Santiago. Why Simi didn't demand her cab turn around is beyond me as she saw the sign when they drove past. They eventually convince their driver to head back the other way.

With their feet back on terra firma Matt & Nick (and all the others) receive their next clue. They need to make their way back into Santiago to the working class borough of San Miguel to find the mural "Sanación Equilibrio" (Healing Balance) at the Outdoor Museum to find their next clue. Everyone runs back to their cab and I really like Nick & Matt's cab driver's attitude "Número uno, let's keep it that way." This guys a keeper.

The last three teams finally make their way back to the park and hopefully they're not too far behind. In the meantime, Nick & Matt have located the next clue and now need to find five specific murals spread out over a ten block area in the borough in the first half of this challenge. Once they find the murals they need to take an old school "selfie" using the cameras provided (no smartphones here) in front of each of them before the museum curator will give them a wooden briefcase that will direct them to the second half of the challenge for their next clue.

Nick is 35 and has never "selfied" before. How is that possible as a professional wrestler? They both need to be in the picture and their first one was a little tight but it worked. Off they go in search of another mural as Dujean & Leilani arrive and with them, the drama. Brian & Cynthia arrive, followed closely by Nic & Sabrina and it's about to get crowded. Sabrina complains that she can't run because she's not fit and I'm sure Wayne's thinking, neither is Gord.

Back at the paragliding Sean wants reassurance that all he needs to do is live through the experience and not actually do anything. I'm pretty sure he'll live through it. Down the hill and into the air he goes, followed by Simi and Amanda. Out on the streets Hamilton & Michaelia start taking "selfies" while Brian & Cynthia struggle to get both of themselves in the frame. Apparently as police officers they're not trained to take selfies. They're kidding, right?

I wasn't a big fan of the selfie tasks in the U.S. Dating version and I'm still not keen on it. I think the teams should've had to redraw the five murals, but maybe it's just me. As Sabrina saunters along behind Nic when he asks if she can jog I realize why she said "no," her backpack is bigger than she is. When Dujean starts snapping at Leilani to run she decides to just walk to upset him and I wonder why these two would agree to be on the race together. We all know why they were cast but even the local dog wonders why they're together.

Everyone is now on the "selfie" task and somehow Susan & Sharnjit have fallen into the back of the pack again. Not a great place to be after their performance on the first leg. Brian & Cynthia and Hamilton & Michaelia are the first to complete the selfies and are now looking for the curator, who is found first by Hamilton & Michaelia just ahead of Brian & Cynthia. Must be those teenage legs. They're both given the wooden briefcase and are on their way to the next location, the Centro Cultural Angela Davis Recoleta, followed soon after by Nick & Matt who apparently had some issues finding the murals.

Nic & Sabrina decide to have their cab drive them up and down the streets to save time. Based on Sabrina's speed that's probably not a bad idea. The second half of this challenge has teams help local kids paint a new mural for their community centre. Seems like a really Canadian task as Jon points out how much Canadians like to help. They'll need to have the marked colours translated from Spanish with the help of some of the local kids and then paint their section to receive their next clue and this is definitely up my alley. The breifcases are filled with much needed art supplies and will be presented to the children at the end, and the completed mural will be hung in the Centro to inspire other children in the community. 

Hamilton & Michaelia get a helping hand from Victor. Nick & Matt arrive and Nick, as an elementary art teacher, has trouble staying within the lines. Everyone else is finishing up their selfies as Hamilton & Michaelia finish up their mural section and present Victor with the case of supplies. When they open their next clue they find they have a choice . . . just do the Detour or choose the Express Pass  to Patio Bellavista to find the couple performing a traditional Chilean dance who will hand them the pair of Express Passes, one for them and the second to give to another team before the end of the fourth leg. Hamilton & Michaelia decide to go for the Express Passes, which is exactly what Wayne and I would have done.

Brian & Cynthia and Nick & Matt also decide to try for the Express Pass as other teams arrive to paint, . . . with the exception of Susan & Sharnjit who are walking in circles in search of murals. The kids had no problem getting to the Express Passes first and are now on to the Detour; Motion, or Emotion. In Motion, teams must locate a statue, get into costume and then perform a dance with the Rapa Nui, natives of Easter Island off the coast of Chile, to receive their next clue. In Emotion, teams must locate the national historic library and each member will need to learn a verse in Spanish from the poem "Vallee de Chile" then head down to the courtyard to recite their verse and receive their next clue. 

Hamilton & Michaelia choose Motion but when they find out how revealing it is Hamilton decides there is no way he's getting into that revealing a costume at this stage in his crossover so they decide to use their Express Pass. They are now on their way to the Pit Stop at Cerro San Cristobal the second highest and most visited peak in the city where they'll find Jon waiting for them.

Back in the borough, Susan & Sharnjit finish their "selfies" while Brian & Cynthia get into costume for the dance, as do Nick & Matt who feel this is a lot skimpier than their wrestling tights. Neither first attempt is good enough, but it's probably better than Gino & Jesse who have chosen Emotion.

Hamilton & Michaelia arrive at the Pit Stop and are Team Number 1, they also win a trip to Delhi, India and 6 months of free gas. When Jon asks if they feel using the Express Pass so soon will be a problem later on Michaelia believes it was the best time to use it. Nicely done. 

Brian & Cynthia's fourth attempt got them their next clue, while Nick & Matt had to wait until their seventh. Way behind, Susan & Sharnjit have just started painting as other teams depart. They're still in it but it's looking pretty tight. Meanwhile Gino & Jesse have decided to switch Detours only to find that their cabbie didn't wait for them so they decide to run to the other task where Dana & Amanda were done on their second attempt and looked pretty good doing it.

Brian & Cynthia are Team Number 2, while Nick & Matt are Team Number 3. Watching Dujean race out in his costume while covering his crotch was kinda funny. As a dancer you'd think he'd be used to skimpy revealing costumes. Nic & Sabrina had no problem nailing their recital, unlike the subtitle guys who messed up on just four lines of text. Come on guys, you can do better than that.

Dana & Amanda had the misfortune of having their cab drop them at the bottom of the hill to the Pit Stop and with no other cabs in sight started hiking the 2.5 kms up the road. Meanwhile Neil & Kristin nailed the dance on their fourth attempt while Susan & Sharnjit finally finished their painting. As cabs start passing Dana & Amanda they start falling further and further behind. Damn. Maybe they'll grab one on the way back down. 

Nic & Sabrina are Team Number 4, Dujean & Leilani are Team Number 5, Neil & Kristin are Team Number 6 and . . . Dana & Amanda are Team Number 7 and seriously out of breath. As it gets darker Brent & Sean are Team Number 8, while Simi & Ope are Team Number 9. Gino & Jesse are on their sixth dance attempt but they nailed it just as Susan & Sharnjit arrive. 

After their last taxi experience Gino & Jesse decide they can run to the Pit Stop and that may be the only thing that will save Susan & Sharnjit who also completed the dance on their sixth attempt. It's a race to find a cab when the brothers realize their mistake and we all know how this is going to be edited regardless of how close they are. 

In the end Gino & Jesse managed to catch a cab first and they are Team Number 10 and realize they had a lot of bad luck this leg. Just goes to show how easy it is to go front the top to the bottom. That leaves Susan & Sharnjit as the last Team to arrive and they have been eliminated from the race. Look forward to our exit interview coming up real soon.

Overall this was a really good episode with a lot more coverage of all the teams. There are still a few Teams that aren't quite making a connection on screen but it's still early and it has to be difficult to ensure every Team gets enough coverage without omitting any of the others. Obviously if you do something that stands out to production you'll get airtime, but if you continue to just plod along, not so much. 

Next week the remaining ten Teams are off to Buenos Aries to find their passion and lose their balls. Sounds like it should be a fun episode. If you're looking for more from Gord & Wayne HQ be sure to check out our video review of this week's episode. Until that time. 
Comments

The Amazing Race Canada 301; Muscles & Authority

7/8/2015

Comments

 
We're back with the main event. the premiere episode of The Amazing Race Canada, Season Three. The producers have been very accommodating this season in the media promotion department with more advance information than ever before. We already know where the racers are starting from and some of the places they'll visit. I'm not sure I like that many spoilers, but many people do so we'll just have to see how it all plays out. Fortunately there's still a lot for Wayne and I to review that hasn't been revealed and we hope everyone continues to enjoy our take on things. This season we have a new location to film our videos, a new interview page on our site starting with another great interview with Jon Montgomery, and a few more surprises up our sleeves, . . . but right now it's time to race. 
Here's a recap of the twelve teams:

Max Altamuro (28) & Elias Theodorou (26),
the Lovebirds

Dana Hayward (23) & Amanda Johnston (23),
the Perky Police Officers

Brian (46) & Cynthia Boyd (41), the Married Police

Susan Hayre (38) & Sharnjit Gill (39),
the Corrections Officers

Hamilton Elliot (19) a& Michalia Driver (19),
the Kids

Nic LaMonaca (22) & Sabrina Mercuri (32),
the Linguists

Dujean Wiliams (25) & Leilani Ross (24),
the Exes

Neil (62) & Kristin Lumsden (31), the Champions

Gino (28) & Jesse Montani (25), the Italians

Simi (21) & Ope Fagbongbe (46), 
the New Canadians 

Brent (25) & Sean Sweeney (28), the Designers

Nick Foti (35) & Matt Giunta (33), the Flatliners
Picture
The premiere episode is entitled "Who's Feeling Sporty Now?" and I'm assuming that's going to lead us into a sports task somewhere along the first leg. No surprise with all the muscles this season. We start the episode overlooking the St. Lawrence River as we zoom in on Jon walking along the promenade past the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City. 

As the teams arrive via horse-drawn carriage to the starting line each team is introduced: the father/daughter team of Neil & Kristin get the first screen time and it's nice to have an Edmonton connection (even if neither of them is from Edmonton) followed by Dujean & Leilani, exes who admit there's no chance of them getting back together. Gino & Jesse are brothers who reveal that they're always competing against each other and it's time to take on someone else, such as Max & Elias who just started dating 7 months ago. Dana & Amanda look like they could take the brothers down and they're followed by Simi & Ope who emigrated to Canada in 2006. It's nice to know that Simi is happy to be a Canadian, eh. Susan & Sharnjit have worked together for 17 years, while Brent & Sean have put up with each other all their lives. Nic & Sabrina are another dating pair with a lot of languages under their belt and a lot of cuddling, while Nick & Matt are pro wrestlers who met 9 years ago and have been stuck together in the ring since. Speaking of rings Brian & Cynthia are the only married couple this season and lastly we have Hamilton & Michalia who are engaged. Michelle mentions that she met Hamilton as Hannah but it doesn't matter because Hamilton has always felt like a boy and decided to switch genders at 16 and has had his best friends support every step of the way. 

With the quick introductions out of the way here come the teams, racing along the promenade to meet Jon who welcomes them and gives his starting speech before sending them off. I like how he emphasizes Rule Number 1, Read The Clue. He also tells them what they'll win if they win the race, which is almost a million dollars in cash and prizes, the largest prize in Canadian television history. There's a long pause and then . . . GO!

All teams race for their bags and their first clue, and must now make their way on foot to Quai 22 to find their next clue. Well that's an easy one . . . so far. Dana & Amanda are the first to the next clue, and now need to find the pair of bicycles that the enclosed combination will unlock, then ride the bike to the ferry terminal to cross the St. Lawrence, where they'll find their new Chevrolet Sonics. Nic & Sabrina are already lost so I guess it's not as easy as it looks.

Most of the teams find the bikes pretty quickly and it's just a matter of luck if you get lock the first time. Apparently Brent & Sean have that kinda luck.

Gino & Jesse are the first on the bikes and off to the ferry, followed by Brent & Sean, one of which immediately starts vomiting after all that emotion. Dana & Amanda are in third place, while Nic & Sabrina are still wandering about until Nick sends them in the right direction. Why, Nick, why? 

The next clue sends the teams to Toronto, Ontario on one of two flights leaving one hour apart. Gino & Jesse are the first to the Sonics, and the first to the airport . . . while Nic & Sabrina are on track to be the first team eliminated from Season 3. They eventually make it to the ferry, and the airport, but they're definitely not pleased with their performance so far.

When teams land in Toronto they need to make they're way to the St Lawrence Market, which is older than Canada itself, and find the woman in the blue BMO shirt for their next clue. Since everyone has arrived at night the teams are all back on an even footing the following morning, which is great for Nic and Sabrina.

First thing in the morning and everyone gets their clue. They need to solve the scrambled letters to find Centre Street & Market Street in order to get their next clue and a BMO cash card from the butcher to use for purchases along the race. This is an easy one for me as I love word puzzles.

The next clue sends them to TSN to search for their next clue and so far Gino & Jesse are maintaining a nice lead, with Brent & Sean right behind them, except that they have no idea what TSN stands for. GIno & Jesse arrive at TSN in no time and are first to the Roadblock.

In this Roadblock one team member gets to master what it takes to be a sports broadcaster alongside James Duthie. Jesse takes this challenge, suits up and in he goes. Susan & Sharnjit are the second to TSN, while Brent & Sean have headed off to the Toronto Stock Exchange, or Timmie's Sports Noodle, or wherever. How can two designers not know TSN? 

Jesse looks a bit nervous behind the desk and ends up looking at the wrong monitor like a deer in the headlights. It's Susan's turn, and she reveals that she hates public speaking and freezes up almost immediately after saying her first name. A lot of the other teams are all pulling up at the same time, except for Brent & Sean who have now ended up somewhere in suburbia. That's not gonna be good unless Susan keeps freezing on camera. 

Back at TSN we find out that Elias can't pronounce one of the player's names, while the others also have problems with simple words as well as the player's names. Names are tough but James' face when the racers mess up is priceless. Neil feels right at home having had his own show at TSN for awhile but even he messes it up only to receive some well intentioned ribbing from James Duthie. I'd probably let Wayne do this one as he's more familiar with sports names than I am. Hamilton chooses to do it, as does Matt. Finally Brent & Sean have clawed their way out of suburbia and have arrived. 

Jesse gets the next clue on his 4th Attempt and he and Gino are out of there and on their way to Atlantis at Ontario Place. As they head out Brian gets suited up but fails because of his collar (not really), while Nic makes up for their initial debacle as the second team to complete the Roadblock in record time on his 2nd attempt. 

At Atlantis, Gino & Jesse find another Roadblock, a water-based obstacle course where the opposite member of the team needs to traverse a 120 foot cargo net, then  cross a plank and dive into the cold water below, swim to a rolling log and make it across before getting their next clue. It's Gino's turn, since Jesse did the last one. 

Simi gets the broadcasting task on her 5th attempt, while Brent gets it on his 4th attempt and Hamilton gets it on his 5th. Nic & Sabrina are next to arrive at Atlantis and the second Roadblock and she's not happy about this one. She's not the athletic one. Gino hits the water while Sabrina freezes at the start of the cargo net. 

Gino & Jesse get the next clue and they're off to find Center Court at Air Canada Centre, the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Toronto Raptors, and also where they'll find Jon and the First Pit Stop for the race. Dana gets her broadcasting task on her 6th attempt, Dujean on his 6th, Matt on his 5th and Brian on his 6th. 

Eventually everyone else finishes up at TSN and off they go to the second Roadblock, flipping spots. Sabrina finally made it across the cargo net and dropped off the plank as Ope gets started. Sabrina tells Nic to never speak of this again after completing the task but I would think she'd want to hear about this for years because she actually finished it, while Ope gets stuck at the plank because he can't swim. Guess he'd better learn . . . fast.

Ope faces his fear and leaps off the plank. Simi is so proud of her father at that moment as he begins swimming for the log walk. Way to go Ope. Sean passes Ope on the log, as does Michalia, when he falls in whenever he steps on the end of the log. 

Gino & Jesse have arrived at Center Court and are Team Number 1. They have also won 2 Round Trip Tickets to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil and two and a half million PetroPoints from PetroCan which they can exchange for gasoline. There are still teams back at TSN, but Nic & Sabrina have managed to become Team Number 2. Nice recovery for those two but look at the size of that backpack on Nic. You could stuff an extra racer in there.

Ope finally finishes the log walk and they're off to find the Pit Stop, where we find Brent & Sean arrive as Team Number 3 and Hamilton & Michalia are Team Number 4. Cynthia is taking her time on the cargo net as Nick passes over her. Meanwhile, Max & Elias are still stuck at TSN with Susan & Sharnjit, until Susan finally nails it on her 10th try and leaves Max & Elias in the dust. Now we find out that Elias has dyslexia and this is definitely not the Roadblock for him. Again and again he gives it his best shot, and on hIs 23rd attempt Elias finally nails it and they're still in this.

Leilani, Amanda, and Cynthia all hit the water one after the other but Leilani and Cynthia struggle on the log walk. Amanda made it look easy and she and Dana are off and running. Cynthia keeps falling and eventually takes a lunge at the end but misses and that's gonna leave a mark.

Simi & Ope are Team Number 5, while Nick & Matt are Team Number 6. Into the water goes Kristin as Cynthia finally makes her way across the log walk. When Kristin gets to the log she just straddles it and pulls herself along, causing Cynthia to just shake her head. Yeah, after the first time I fell off the log that'd be my way to get across.  Sharnjit is on the cargo net when Elias & Max arrive.

Dana & Amanda are Team Number 7, Dujean & Leilani are Team Number 8, Brian & Cynthia are Team Number 9 and Neil & Kristin are Team Number 10. Sharnjit finishes the second Roadblock just ahead of Max, who made up a lot of time on that net and it's a race to the Pit Stop. 

Susan & Shanrjit are Team Number 11 and next leg they want to drop a 1, and that makes Max & Elias Team Number 12 and they have been eliminated from the race. I think the two straight irons in her bag slowed them down but they took it well. Somebody always has to be the first to go and unfortunately this time it was Max & Elias, but the silver lining is they'll be first up on our exit interviews. 

Next week it looks like the teams are heading off to South America in a race for a pair of Express Passes. Tempers will flair, languages will be mangled, and Wayne and I will be right here to give you a review of everything that happens in episode two. Be sure to check out our pre-race interview with Jon Montgomery on our new Guests page and feel free to leave a comment on any of our pages. We love comments, especially good ones. 

Coming up in the next day or so will be our exit interview with Max & Elias where we'll find out why she needed two straight irons, and our video review where you can hear Wayne and I banter longer than we did in our CTV interview. This year we'll be filming our videos at the Druid in downtown Edmonton while we enjoy a beverage and some awesome Irish Potato Nachos. Until that time.
Comments

    Gordon L Gale

    Gordon L Gale is a Freelance Illustrator, a Graphic Designer, a Dad and (according to his children) an Ogre. 
    A big fan of the Amazing Race Canada & Amazing Race US, he is currently working on a  graphic novel with his good friend and future TARC teammate Wayne Arthurson. Occasionally you can find him aboard a time-travelling steam train.

    Archives

    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed


Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.