Heading the pack for this leg the Cowboys are out at 2:26 pm and receive their first clue . . . fly to Colombo, Sri Lanka and find the Gangaramaya Temple to receive a blessing. Jet & Cord know it doesn't take much to go from first to worst just like Brendon & Rachel did so they intend to be careful. That's always a good call, no matter where you are in the pack. Speaking of which, Brendon & Rachel are the last team to leave at 6:08pm, three and a half hours behind the Cowboys.
It's no surprise that Jet & Cord are first to the airport and first on the flight, set to leave at 11:00pm. Six teams managed to get on the first flight while Brendon & Rachel go for broke and try to make a connecting flight through Singapore. It's a risk, even the ticket agent advises against it, but when you're in last place you do what you gotta do. Wayne and I would have done the same but Margie & Luke decided to try for standby on the first flight, which is even more risky.
FlightTime & BigEasy see Brendon & Rachel race through the airport on their way to catch the Singapore flight and realize that the last leg was a non-elimination leg. The Globetrotters mention it to the Country Singers who tell two friends who tell two, . . . you get the idea. Brendon & Rachel are already in the air and on their way to Singapore while everyone else is still waiting to board.
It was close but Brendon & Rachel raced through the Singapore Airport like their life depended on it (which on the race it did) and made it through to their connecting flight, even allowing for Brendon to notice he dropped a bag and go back for it, just as the gates were closing. Realistically it was probably more due to editing than actual timing. There's probably somebody still standing in the lineup for a Starbucks, while the final boarding is being called for. They arrived in Colombo and beat everyone to the Gangaramaya Temple, only to find it doesn't open until 5:45am.
Margie & Luke missed the standby and are now on a morning flight, ten hours behind everyone else, while Brendon & Rachel have already moved into first place in Colombo waiting for everyone else to arrive, except for Margie & Luke who are still waiting in Kuala Lampur. Their chances of beating anyone to the Pit Stop are rapidly slipping away.
The Gangaramaya Temple opens and everyone pours through the gate like honey, dresses appropriately to enter the temple, and receives their blessing. It's quick, it's easy, and it's just meant to level the field. Almost. We find out that Brendon has been studying Buddhism and that he and Rachel are much more enlightened than they used to be. That would explain the fact that they're a lot more likeable this season. I guess they've found their centers.
Teams must now proceed to the King Coconut Stand in Galle. During the train ride the Country Singers reveal they're stalking the Cowboys. It's a match made in reality TV heaven. All teams enjoy the jungle on one side/ocean on the other side train ride and get a chance to slow down and catch their breath again. Teams take the train to the Galle Railway Station and then take tuk tuks (which is like a three wheel enclosed bike taxi) to the King Coconut Stand and this leg's Detour.
Fishing Pole or Spin Control: in Fishing Pole, teams must wade into the surf and climb onto a pair of fishing stilts then, using a traditional Sri Lankan fishing pole, catch two fish and put them in a bag to present on shore; in Spin Control, teams must perform a traditional Sri Lankan dance while continuously spinning a plate (or whatever that was) on a stick. Dave & Connor, Jet & Cord and John & Jessica go fishing while Globetrotters, BigBrother, the Afghanimals and the Country Singers go for the spin. I'm thinking the dance might have been easier as I've spent entire days fishing and caught nothing but mosquito bites.
Connor catches the first fish, which reminds me of a perch, while Dave takes credit for teaching Connor how to fish. John almost had a fish but it got away when he tried to get it in his bag. Dave catches the second fish and he and Connor receive their next clue; make your way to the Trendy Confections Garment Factory. Damn, now I want candy.
Meanwhile Margie & Luke have finally arrived in Colombo. They're not as far behind as they think they are thanks to that 5:45am opening, but they're still way behind and it's not looking good for them. Not sure they'll manage a miracle at this stage but it could happen.
The Globetrotters made short work of the dance, as did Leo & Jamal, but BigBrother is still trying to find their groove. Jet & Cord catch both their fish which makes John & Jessica think about switching. Caroline & Jennifer get their spin on while Brendon makes his 10th attempt. Finally Brendon nails it on his 14th and they're moving on. John & Jessica are still debating on switching, which cost them last time, but they finally decide they have no choice and they make th switch.
Arriving at the Trendy Confections Garment Factory the Globetrotters are the first to find the Roadblock: A Stitch In Time Saves Nine, in which one team member needs to create a shirt on a sewing machine. BigEasy, Connor and Jennifer all decide to do it for their teams. They watch a seamstress show them how to assemble and sew the shirt and then it's every racer for themselves. At least Connor has used a sewing machine in high school, but nobody else has ever used one before. Jet and Leo arrive and get started right behind the others.
Apparently John & Jessica were right to switch detours because they finished the spinning dance quickly and moved on. Hopefully they didn't lose too much time, but since we still haven't seen Margie & Luke I think they're good.
Meanwhile Brendon & Rachel finally hit their SpeedBump: Pass With Flying Colors, they need to screen print 15 shirts with the Sri Lankan flag before continuing on to the Roadblock. This is an easy task as the shirts have had some of the work already done and all they need to do is line up and imprint the last color, as long as they can line up the art. They finish the screen printing fairly quickly with only a few early mistakes and Brendon moves on to the Roadblock. Leo offers 1000 rupees to anyone willing to sew the shirt for him, but he gets no takers. Sounds like something I'd do.
Jennifer and Connor decide to work together on the Roadblock. That seems to work because Connor gets the approval on his shirt and the next clue; make their way to the Colombo Rowing Club for the Pit Stop. Jennifer gets her approval and she and Caroline are right behind them. Meanwhile, Leo is joking away with everyone around him and having a great time. The Afghanimals have become a lot more likeable this season, and they've been more focused.
Jessica is now on a machine while Margie & Luke are still on a train. Brendon decides to try and work with Jessica while Jet gets the okay and the Cowboys are off and running.
It's a foot race to the Colombo Rowing Club but in the end it's Dave & Connor once again as Team Number 1 and each winning $5000. Caroline & Jennifer are close behind as Team Number 2, a nice move up for the girls.
Leo gets the okay on his shirt and they're out. Now the remaining teams start to question how close Margie & Luke could be, especially when Rachel worries that Margie could be an amazing seamstress. Maybe, but I doubt it as it tends to be a dieing art, even for mothers. My wife just got her first sewing machine for Christmas, and now she can darn socks.
It's getting awfully quiet in the factory when FlightTime brings out his official globetrotter basketball to cheer everyone up. I seriously question why the heck they would drag that along on the race but it works, . . . spirits soar, everyone laughs and the teams regain their focus. While FlighTime is goofing around, Jet & Cord are no longer butter but they are Team Number 3.
Jessica takes her shirt and gets it approved and she and John are on the run out of the factory just as Leo & Jamal arrive at the mat and are Team Number 4. Brendon also completes the Roadblock and they're out, with the Globetrotters on their tail as John & Jessica hit the Pit Stop and are Team Number 5.
FlightTime & BigEasy are still Team Number 6 after paying the bus driver not to make any stops along the way and thus passed by BigBrother, but Brendon & Rachel have managed to squeeze ahead just enough and are still in the race as Team Number 7.
Unfortunately, as the sun sets on their day Margie & Luke are the last to arrive and they have been eliminated from the race. They're okay with it. Luke has taken it really well and they're both thankful to have been able to compete a third time. I think the race has really helped Luke to mature. Sure he still has some anger issues and whines a bit when things aren't going his way, but so do most of us. They've run a good race but in an All-Star season you can't make any mistakes and a good race just isn't enough.
Next week it looks like Rachel causes a traffic jam and it has nothing to do with her underwear. I think she's finally found her screaming voice again, which is too bad for those rickety Sri Lankan cab drivers. See you all next week, except for those who are following my Survivor reviews. In which case, see you on Wednesday. Keep an eye out for our video review coming up soon.