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The Amazing Race 14: She'll Talk About It But Won't Do It On TV
Commentary and Rankings by RTVC Staff Writer Joseph Braverman
May 4, 2009 |
On this week’s episode of the Amazing Race, the final four teams continue their excursions in China, attempting to navigate through the foreign barriers as well as the bustling streets.
In the end, these forces were not enough to stop the craziness that is Jaime and Cara, but the elemental compounds of two hydrogen mixed with one oxygen was enough to end the journey of Kisha and Jen. I have to say, I have too much respect and love for this team, through their struggles as well as the narcissism being directed toward them from Margie and Luke, that I cannot hang this entirely stupid, last-minute decision over these gals’ heads. Jen, why, oh why, did you have to use the bathroom? No one would have faulted you, even on national television, for peeing on yourself in the hopes of getting one step closer to the million dollars.
Unfortunately, modesty and bodily needs triumphed over conviction and teamwork, and Kisha and Jen were eliminated.
I am not taking away anything from Cara and Jamie, because I would have rather seen the god-awful team that is Margie and Luke be eliminated this week. To me, they are too unlikable, whiny, and boring for me to ever root for them. If they win, they will not be the worst winners, but they certainly would not be up there in my favorites. Speaking of, there are not many winners I like, but that could be a good thing. The Amazing Race is an unpredictable show, where the most hated contestants make it the furthest, because they cannot be voted off either by America or their peers. In that sense, the show seems more genuine, unpredictable, and really hinges on the strengths of the teams.
This week will be my final rankings and commentary on this season of the Amazing Race, so I just want to point out some of the highlights of this season.
A definite moment that stood out for me was Amanda and Kris’s elimination. I think none of the teams or America ever saw this coming, as they seemed like an incredibly strong team, but it goes to show you that the u-turn can spell disaster for even the strongest teams. It also showed America that Luke was a lot more devious than his competitors thought, and therefore both America and the teams underestimated his competitiveness and drive.
Jamie versus the locals’ portion of the season, I will always remember with a smile on my face. Yes, many people can argue that Jamie is a giant b word who deserves every single catastrophe that falls upon her, but I personally find her endearing and entertaining as a television viewer. If the locals gave in so quickly, the segments would be half as fun, so I give kudos to them for dealing with the Jamie dragon.
Finally, the spat between Kisha and Jen, and Margie and Luke was one of the standouts of the entire season. It was the fight of all seasons, and its tension displayed amazingly, no pun intended, on the show. Its too bad Kisha and Jen left before the drudge that is Margie and Luke, but I wish them luck in their endeavors, and hope that Jen understands the importance of money over bathroom use.
After all is said and done, I am rooting for Tammy and Victor to win the entire shebang, but I am sensing the show is setting viewers up for a first girl/girl team victory. Therefore, here are my final Amazing Race rankings. It’s been a good season everyone, and thank you for reading!
The teams rank as follow:
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Kara And Jamie
Current Ranking: 2
Even though the team barely scraped by this week due to some unforeseen luck, I think the show has been setting viewers up for their win since the very beginning. There has never been a girl/girl team to win the Amazing Race, and Jamie and Cara are my second favorite girl/girl team, under Charla and Mirna of course. Yes, Jamie is an obnoxious brute who belittles every foreigner she meets and yells to the point of extreme intimidation, but the team’s competitiveness and segmental bits of Jamie versus the locals have made me an extreme fan. I still want Tammy and Victor to win, but I feel combined with being the most competitive and physically imposing, Jamie and Cara will walk away being known as the first girl team to win the Amazing Race.
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Tammy And Victor
Current Ranking: 3
Tammy and Victor were very fortunate this week that the teams were still in China, and that none of their tasks this week were physical. While I am not quite certain the teams will still be in China for the final leg, I do know that there is a physical challenge, and it looks like Tammy will fall by the wayside during it. Physical challenges have always been the Achilles heel for this team, aside from the communications problems in Romania, and it may be the one thing that prevents this team from winning. I also rank them above Margie and Luke, because of their intelligence in using the u-turn against a strong team. Plus, Tammy and Victor have virtually never had a problem locating a destination on a route info. I hope these two win, but my theory is that they will be just shy of the grand winnings.
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Margie And Luke
Current Ranking: 3
I am disappointed that this team is still here, but their strong acumen and quick work in the challenges moves them into the final leg of the race. This week, it seemed their teamwork was finally cracking, as Margie snapped at Luke for the make-up job he was putting her through. If the two can work on their teamwork, and hold well physically they may just crack a win. Still not a fan however, and their win would be a big disappointment in my book.
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Lakisha And Jennifer
8th Philimination
A few weeks ago, I never would have imagined Kisha and Jen would make it all the way to the final four. From the beginning, they seemed like a weak team that would be eliminated quickly, but slowly their drive and talent as adept racers has been increasing. Their lack of focus and navigation skills could hurt them, but if they can get it together and not be burdened with the tension of the last leg, they could pull out a surprise win.
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Mark and Michael
7th Philimination
For me, this team should have gone way before the three teams who previously got eliminated. They were always unfocused, made terrible strategic decisions, were consistently trailing behind, and never even showed the physical adaptability to challenges one might think stuntmen would possess. This elimination was long overdue, and the strongest four teams remain.
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Joseph Braverman is a 20 year old film student at the University of Santa Cruz,
California. Aside from being a reality tv junky, he loves reading, watching
films, and spending time with friends and family. You can contact him at
jbravj@gmail.com.
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