This episode began pretty much where everyone expected it to end: all the teams would get to the ferry to NFLD at the same time and they would be all caught up once again. But no, this time they don't even have to race across Nova Scotia to get the ferry; they just all climbed aboard a bus that took them to the ferry, no questions asked. So despite calling the last episode an extended leg, it was actually a non-elimination one but the producers didn't feel like calling it a non-elimination one and coming in last meant nothing. Very disappointing that move.
Of course, they came up with a lame idea to have the teams race off the ferry to snag one of three shuttles that will leave 15 minutes apart. Shuttle 1 will take only 1 team, Shuttle 2 also only one and then the two last place teams... well you get the idea about the shuttles. Sigh. At least the rest of the episode was fun.
Anyway, the Jody and Cory burst off the ferry and beat Jet and Dave to the first shuttle. So they leave first followed by the Bicep Bros. The Sisters and the Timmies get to hang out again on the third shuttle. Eleven hours later, the teams arrive in St. John's and have to find the Terry Fox Mile Zero Memorial, memorize the saying on the wall and then find and gain entry into a kitchen party by repeating the saying. Once inside, you participate in a Screech-In ceremony, which means you gotta kiss a cod and drink a hot of Screech. Yumm.
Sounds easy, right? You'd think so but nope. The Brothers think they've memorized the saying but Cory drops the ball. He just can't seem to get the second part, even though it's pretty much a repeat of the first half. So after a couple of tries, they jump into the cab to head back. A few seconds later, either they hit a bump that jogged Cory memory or something, but he's got it. They go back, say the passwords and get in.
Now this dude who's doing the Screech-In ceremony has the best job in the Amazing Race Canada so far. All he's got to do say a few words in a fine Newfoundland accent, make folks kiss a dead fish and then take a shot with the teams. No wonder they saved Newfoundland for last because if that guy had to do shots with all nine teams, he would have been wasted. Or maybe not. He's probably used to the stuff.
So while The Brothers are getting Screeched, Jet and Dave arrive (it was probably earlier but so what; I'm writing this for free) and get saddled with a dreaded bad cab. Their driver has no idea where the Terry Fox Memorial is because she just moved to Newfoundland and has been on the job only four days. What the heck, St. John's? Are all your native sons and daughters tolling in Fort Mac or on Hibernia that you have to hire cabbies from away? For shame.
But somehow the boys make it, memorize the saying and head off. And then arrive the Sisters and the Timmies, who do the same thing, but just a few minutes later. Same for the screech. Since the Brothers got screeched first, they're also the first ones to get to the detour. Couple of interesting choices this time: Tell a Tale, or Wag a Tale.
In Tell, the teams must find two fishermen who will tell them a fine tale in a stereotypical Newfoundland accent. Memorize and then walk down the dock and tell the same tale to another group of fine fisher folk. Make a mistake, go back and listen again. In Wag, teams have to find a group of Newfoundlanders (dogs this time), load up a wagon of milk and eggs, and have the dog pull the wagon to make four deliveries to houses on Holloway Street, aka Heart Attack Hill. Pssst, it's very steep.
Not sure what task Gord and I would have chosen. Probably Tell cause we're pretty good at telling tales, especially after a couple of drinks. But our own tales, not someone else's. And Heart Attack Hill isn't a good place for old guys like us to climb. Our version of Get Fit and Have Fun is a little different from Body Break's.
Anyway, the Brothers choose Wag, load up the wagon and head towards the street. Of course they're surprised with the steepness, but since they managed to ask for the name of the dog before they leave, they start out pretty good. Meanwhile everyone else gets screeched and head off, the Bicep Boys in the lead, heading to tell some tales. Surprisingly, they are still in the same cab and she has no idea where to do. So Vanessa and Celina, heading for the same task, race past them. Not sure why they kept the same cab; maybe they are hard to find in that part of town. Not a good sign for the boys.
Fortunately, the boys are faster after hearing the story and get to the listeners before the girls. But despite their attempts to hide their lack of memory through overacting, they fail. So do the girls. This repeats over and over, the boys getting a bit better each time but Vanessa just not getting the memory part right. This pisses of her sister, who as an actor, is really good a memorizing lines. But there's a better story yet to come.
Back at Heart Attack Hill, the Timmies arrive, grab a dog, load up and get going. Apparently Newfoundlanders drool a lot (the dogs I mean) and that bugs Tim Sr. for some reason. I mean, isn't the guy a nurse? So why should a bodily fluid, especially one relatively benign as saliva, bug him. Methinks he's not a dog guy. His son is, so once Tim Jr. the Dog Whisperer starts leading the way, they start moving. They even get done before the Brothers because Jody and Cory cracked a single egg before their final delivery and have to go back to get more.
The Timmies done, they are ordered to a music shop and the next clue, a Roadblock. It's relatively simple, grab a bunch of stuff from the store and use it to busk in a busy street. Earn $50 and you're off to the pitstop. Easy stuff for either Gord or me cause we're both goofs. But since I was once a semi-professional clown, it might work in my favour. I can also sing and play an instrument. And yes, the drums count as a musical instrument, right Jet? I was really stoked when I saw that Jet played the drums. Drummers rule!
But for some reason, not sure why, Tim Sr. is required to do this gig. The same goes for Jody, Vanessa and Dave. Wish someone reading this would explain this to me because I'm wondering if I'm missing something. So Tim Sr. can't sing, dance or play an instrument. But he can juggle so he tries that. I'm not surprised that Tim Sr. didn't use his Parkinson's in order gain sympathy because he's not that kind of guy to look for sympathy. But the Winnipeg thing seemed to work instead and people felt sorry enough for him to start giving him money. I'm just kidding, I love Winnipeg, sold a lot of books there.
And it's unfortunate that this story of honour and sacrifice got money a lot slower than a display of T & A. And while I don't fault the girls for using their assets to the best of their ability, I just wished things were different somehow, that a quick bit a titillation wouldn't be considered much more valuable than the story of man who lost his legs in a battlefield. Maybe you get what I mean but maybe you don't.
Well, not entirely champions. Tim Sr.'s doing okay with his juggling. Celina's Hooter Girl impersonation is drawing crowds and money, even from passing trucks. Jody's getting close. And you'd expect Dave, one half of the funniest team on the race, to be killing it. According to Jet, he can sing, he can play an instrument, he can dance, he can act, he's a quadruple threat. But he's dying out there. His rendition of Row Your Boat should be stricken from existence, it's so bad. He can't connect with the passersby which is shocking because he was able to connect to millions of Canadians on TV because of his personality. Maybe he's not a solo act, maybe he needs Jet to make it work.
As noted earlier, Celina gets $50 very fast and the Sisters rush to the Pitstop, Cape Spear, which is North America's most eastern point. And it seems they are going to win their first ever leg. But not so fast. Jody gets his cash and the Brothers are right behind them. The girls are dropped of at the sight and start running up some stairs. The boys are let out but their cabbie points them in the opposite direction, the other way. We've seen this scene before; while the Sisters look for the mat or whatever, the Brothers head in the right direction. They get there first (three in a row, nice job boys) and are the first team into the finals.
Although the Sisters lost their lead, they did come second and are also in the finals. The race is one for third place because for the first time in Amazing Race Canada history Jon said those fateful words: "The last team to check in will be eliminated." But despite some editing to make it seem close, it was already over. Tim Sr. got his $50 and the father and son team made it to third. Jet and Dave, the fan favourite since the demise of Body Break. They were fun, they won some nice prizes and they'll be missed. But not long because there is only one leg left.
Looks like the final destination is Toronto, no surprise there. Still, can't wait.