Preview of Episode 8 "I Just Wanna Win" in Havana, Cuba

Leg 8 heads to Havana, Cuba. I can hear the complainers now, droning on with their persistent crap about the Canadian Race should stay in Canada, and what does Cuba have to do with Canada? Well, you morons, think: the U.S. embargo on Cuba while Canada maintained a relationship with them. And also think of Trudeau and Castro. That's Pierre Elliot Trudeau, not Justin. Really. But I have figured out why these people are so adamant the show stays in Canada. They really don't know too much about their own country and have to depend on a reality program to learn about Canada. Well, watch TVO or go take a night class somewhere or something, because this is the format for Amazing Race Canada.

Meanwhile...

I've got SPOILERS here...

Nikki Grahame's Episode 8 "Tim-Meltdown" in GIFs

During Week three's live eviction episode, we were treated to an extended sequence featuring Nikki Grahame having a meltdown. Seems Nikki had an issue with Tim getting too close with Cassandra. She explains it to us in the DR...

Obviously I'm not for the whole Cassandra-Tim relationship thing, but I know my bond with Tim is stronger than theirs could ever be. I mean she's just a young, shallow girl that just...I don't know, she just needs all the help she can get to play this game.

First, she wandered through the house looking for Tim. When she can't find him, she heads out to the hot tub. There she finds Mitch, Kelsey and Christine - her audience. Of course Kelsey had to ask Nikki if she was having a moment. Nikki lets it all out... 

 But she's not done stewing. She heads up to the HoH and is comforted by Loveita. Tim walks in, asks her if she's doing good, then leaves. This only sets her off again.

The whole sequence resulted in a lot of people commenting that Nikki and Tim behave like a married couple. Maybe. But the studio audience erupted into laughter and applause. Nikki Grahame isn't just live-feed or TV gold. She's comedic genius. Just look at her troll face! 

Big Brother Canada 4 Episode 8: The BBGrand Dismisses Maid for Sleeping on the Job

To paraphrase Tim, it's funny that the person who was on the block last week is running the show this week. He's not wrong, but he's not quite correct either. There is dissension among the ranks. This is Loveita's second HoH, Will this one go the way she wants - to get Cassandra evicted, or will it be another wasted HoH?

Cassandra began campaigning for support the minute Loveita nominated her. Christine on the other hand, continued with her 2-fold strategy of staying in bed or fulfilling her duties as the BBGrand house maid. She only went into campaign mode after the POV Ceremony. And when I say campaign mode, I mean a half-hearted attempt at best.

Amazing Race Canada 3 Episode 8 "All of These Are the Same" OR The One With All the Namas and Lakshmis

Sorry, this recap is late this week, but it IS the last week of August and a late-summer, mid-week getaway was in order. So I said, "Screw it" and went to the cottage for a few days. Besides, I already knew what was going to happen...at least the bigger picture.

Amazing Race Canada 3 Preview of Episode 8 "All of These Are the Same"

There are only five episodes left to this season. This week, the six remaining teams are off to Kolkata, India.

Just a quick post for this week's episode because there weren't any filming spoilers for this leg. NONE. AT. ALL. If you've been following my posts, you know this leg was complete speculation due to the gap in sightings.

BBCan3 Episode 8 Round 2 Eviction - "Lonesome Glove"

When evictions get predictable, the episode becomes boring. That's what we have this week as Bobby and Graig - or whom JP refers to as Dumb and Dumber, find themselves on the block. And if you are a Live-Feeder, even the scenes used as fill for the episodes are ho-hum. Of course, part of the problem is with Brittnee's nomination choices. Sure, her master plan was very well executed and it played out great. She thought she was making a "big move", but in the end she just took the easy way out. Dumb and Dumber are simply Bruno's meat shields.

The episode "filler":

• An update for all the Zach and Ashleigh shippers out there. They have been growing closer.
  
  Much closer. The PG-rated episode shows some kissing, and that's it. It's no secret to the Live-Feeders that the two have taken it a bit further. In the Have Not room. Under the sheets. And despite Zach's superfan claim, he asks JP if there are cameras in the Have Not room. Tsk, tsk. Zach, you are fooling no one except maybe the very casualist of viewers out there. Stop playing innocent! 
• Kevin investigates the trigger for the alarm in the Have Not room. He has figured out the trigger is the two pressure sensitive tiles in the centre of the room. He tries to stick a piece of paper between the tiles, and tests the sensitivity level. Surely to God, he must know there is some kind of twist involved with it. Then he turns around and shows JP and Pilar. WHY??? What the hell are you doing? You should be keeping this info close to your chest, just like your Poker hand. Forget sharing it with your showmance or any alliance members - real or fake!!! Geesh.
• Bobby's terrible attempts at campaigning for votes. He is absolutely horrible at lying and he's being way too obvious. The problem is he tried to convince Sarah and Brittnee he is not a threat. The obvious part happens when he tries this with people whom he never talks game with. He's keeping most of his game talk with his Chop Shop alliance when he should be talking some level of game with everyone. At least he knew enough to lay low this week and let Graig dig his own grave.
• Graig's campaigning seems to be to convince Bruno and Godfrey to campaign for him. What

  

  Bruno: Dumb is the clear choice over Dumber.

  he doesn't know is that neither Bruno nor Godfrey really care if it's he or Bobby evicted this week. Bruno prefers Bobby is evicted. He's a bit smarter and much stronger than Graig. Bruno tries to convince Ashley, Zach and JP. But Bruno is going to comply with the rest of the house and not risk making a target of himself. Poor Graig. You're just not worth it at this stage of the game. Other than Graig's meagher attempts at campaigning, he spent most of the two days leading up to eviction as "Lonesome Glove". Moping about, being alone and even disappearing for extended periods of time. This even led some Live-Feeders to speculate he might try to self-evict.
• There is a ridiculous OxiClean product placement reward challenge. Colour coded shirts are placed around the house and the house guests must collect 30 of them - one at a time, and put them on hangers. The winner gets $1,000 and an advantage in the upcoming HoH comp. Zach wins. Ho-hum.

Like I said...boring episode. When the Eviction Vote goes down, nobody wants to vote against the house. Graig is evicted unanimously.

The HoH comp is another OxiClean product placement called Through the Wringer. The goal is to spell out the phrase, "Fight Dirty Laundry" by recovering one letter at a time, printed on washcloths. The HGs must slide down into a giant washer of OxiClean soapy water, grab a washcloth, squeeze themselves through a wringer (do any of them even know what a wringer washer IS?), drag themselves along a clothesline and put the washcloths on a drying rack. Just one question. What the heck is up with the tight short shorts? Ugh. Oh and there is an added encouragement to get these HGs who don't want to win HoH and try to throw it. Five thousand bucks will go to the winner.

Arisa announced a new Twistos Twist fan vote. This one is for a choice between 2 options for the

PoV: a "Forced PoV", where the PoV holder MUST use it on one of the noms; OR a "Double Veto" where the PoV holder has the option of using it on both of the noms.

Next episode is Sunday at 7: HoH comp will conclude and this week's nominations will be revealed.

Recap of Episode 8 "I Said Yes!" OR How to Go from Dating to Engaged on your Team I.D.s... Amazing Race Canada 2

Yes, it happened. But lets start this story from the beginning...

The teams have an early morning departure from the medieval town of Bayeaux. They must travel by train to Paris, then make their way to the Arc de Triomphe. Here are their departure times:

Preview of Episode 8 "I Said Yes!" Amazing Race Canada 2

Yes, by "Preview" I mean spoilers.

Hmmn. Interesting title. You don't suppose someone popped the big question, do you? After all, it is Paris - the city of love.

I have another question. Will this be another episode of "Getting Lost in France and Hating Yourself"? Forget about Rex and Bob's pitch for a show called Gay Acres. I want to see Ryan and Rob do this show! Seriously. The problem is this leg won't be their episode 2.

The Amazing Race Canada: Recap of Episode 8 'Clutch and Release'

The teams left Iqaluit at the following times:

Jody and Cory 11:39 a.m.
Tim and Tim 11:53 a.m.
Jet and Dave 11:55 a.m.
Vanessa and Celina 11:57 a.m.

Their next stop is Halifax, Nova Scotia, and their clue told them to find a Chevrolet Sonic - with manual transmission, on the rooftop parking lot at the airport. It also cautioned them that there is another U-Turn ahead. The flight to Halifax connects through Ottawa, so Jody and Cory ease their load by putting one of their backpacks and half their stuff in a locker (Jody is from Ottawa). I didn’t know that was possible, so I presume it’s not against the rules. Looks like Jody is taking some of the weight off those legs and letting Cory be the workhorse. All four teams are, needless to say, on the same flights. Meanwhile the girls are freaking out because they have only driven stick once before and it didn’t go too well. Sounds like a bit of production hanky panky going on here. I mean, how many people - and I hate to say this, but how many women, know how to drive a manual transmission?

They arrive in Halifax just before dusk. They have to use a provided USB stick to watch a MyLink video in the car. Monty tells them their next destination is the Pier 21 National Historic site where immigrants to Canada were processed between the years 1928 to 1971. Needless to say, Celina has a hard time driving and stalls the car a few times, while Vanessa panics in the back seat. God help their cameraman who can only sit there and not interfere. She gets it going, and her strategy is to not use the brakes. It’s slow going. Very slow. Although they fall way behind the other three teams, they catch a break because Pier 21 is closed until 6 a.m. the next day. So all the teams will start off in the morning at the same time.

Their task is to collect 7 stamps on their “passports” from stations set up throughout the museum. They are given time to contemplate Canada’s immigrant heritage. Jody and Cory actually find a display that shows the ship their grandparents sailed on. It was actually kind of cool. The task itself just seemed like an activity for kids. Actually I am sure it was. You know what I mean…the kind of activity that parents get suckered into doing when the kids very quickly lose interest. Mom and/or Dad think the cute little passport will make a nice souvenir. Then it gets tossed when they get home. I just think they could have made it a little more interesting, a little more challenging. Throw in some interesting factoids at each stamp station. After they collect all their stamps, a Customs official says “Welcome to Canada” and gives them their next clue.

The road trip continues. It’s on to St. James Anglican Church in Mahone Bay. The town is known for it’s ’3 churches’… all in a row down by the shore. It’s idyllic. There’s a Roadblock here - “Who wants to find their long lost twin?“. There is a re-creation of their annual Scarecrow Festival and there are scarecrows all over the place, set up in little themed vignettes. One team member must locate a scarecrow that matches the picture on their Blackberry, and bring it to the gazebo on Main St. Here, they have to assemble and dress another scarecrow to match, then take a picture to get an approval from the judge. Cory, Tim Jr, Jet and eventually when the girls show up, Vanessa do the task for their teams. Each person gets a different scarecrow to do - some are more difficult than others. But overall, it sounds easy, right? Well the problem is all the pieces and clothing are in a mountain in the middle of the gazebo. Dave gets mad at Jet, because once again Jet doesn‘t look like he‘s taking it very seriously. He tries to get an approval from the judge with his scarecrow…without arms. Nice try. Just because the judge was a woman, doesn’t mean she’s a pushover for those massive muscles. Tim Sr gets mad with Junior. Then Junior gets sarcastic at Dad. The only team that keeps their wits about them is Jody and Cory.

From here, it’s on to Lunenburg. They must go to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. Time for the Detour and that pesky Double U-Turn. It’s called ’Surf OR Turf’. In Surf, the teams must catch and band 6 lobsters, then deliver them to the chef at the Grand Banker Bar and Grill. For Turf, the teams had to go to the Boscawen Inn and memorize 12 types of German sausage, then head back down to the docks and identify them. Jody & Cory and Jet & Dave do the lobster, while the Tims and the girls do the sausage. Okay, that didn’t come out right, I know. But isn’t ’turf’ supposed to be steak? Jody & Cory soon learn just how nasty lobsters are. They have a grip roughly equivalent to 100 men or something. Plus I kind of wonder how smart these things really are. One of their lobsters grab onto the cage and won’t let go…like it knew it was dinner and it wasn‘t giving up easy. Jet and Dave learned why their claws are banded when you buy one at the grocery store. They called it ’neutralizing’. The Boscawen Inn, for the ’turf’ is a couple of blocks uphill from the dock, and Tim Sr. says the uphill run is very hard on him. I’m really feeling for this guy. But the turf task sounds a lot easier, right? They just have to memorize 12 types of sausages…that’s 6 for each person. The problem is…the names are in German of course. Not so easy. But probably better than dealing with the death grip of 6 lobsters.

They finish their Detour challenges in this order: Tim & Tim; Jody & Cory; Jet & Dave; and finally Vanessa & Celina. Their next clue sends them to St. John’s Anglican Church. There are a lot of churches in this leg for some reason. The Double U-Turn is here along with another clue. Everyone takes the high road and decide not to use the U-Turn on anyone. Wow. Even the Tims, who vowed to U-Turn anyone they could. Well, it could have just been a production error. In the original U.S. version, each team is allowed to use it only once during the entire leg. I think the Tims actually couldn’t and they just didn’t edit that bit into the final cut of the show. Kind of boring - all that hoopla, build-up and drama for nothing. Oh well. The clue is in a little wooden box. It’s the Canadian dime. That’s it.

Okay, listen. If you don’t immediately recognize what’s on the Canadian dime….then shame on you. It’s time to pack up your hockey sweater, your toque, your mandatory bottle of maple syrup and get the hell out of here. I mean really. I am pretty sure it’s even in the Grade 8 history textbook. At the very least, even if you didn’t know, did you never, ever look at the dime and say to yourself…“what is that ship?” Or…"Hey…it must be of some kind of important boat if it’s been on the dime for like, ever”. Or they couldn’t put two and two together: see the boat, remember you’re in a seafaring town. Well, it’s the Bluenose II, and Lunenburg is it’s home.

I hate to point fingers, but I will anyway. The Tims didn’t know. They ask around, then start calling it the Bluenote. When Vanessa and Celina see it, they think they have to spend it somewhere and start looking around for a coin slot. Vanessa wants to look for a money factory. Celina thinks they should look for a wishing pond. They ask someone and then Celina remembers she saw a sign for the Bluenose. Good God. I want to throw my bottle of maple syrup at the TV. What a bunch of arses. Everyone in the Maritimes must have laughed so hard they had a collective pants-wetting over that one.

The Bluenose II is the Pitstop for this leg of the race. They finish in the same order as in Iqaluit. Jody and Cory win for the 2nd time and get 2 round-trip tickets to anywhere in South America that Air Canada flies. The Tims are second, Jet and Dave third, and Vanessa & Celina are last. But this leg is the first half of a double leg, there is no elimination, no Speed Bump, and they are given their next clue directing them to St. John’s, Newfoundland. But take note - despite the editing making you think the girls hit the mat soon after Jet and Dave, they are an hour and 15 minutes behind the other three teams, who finished within 20 minutes of each other. Why do you think nobody used the U-Turn? They are in trouble, especially if they have to drive some more. Their only hope is to make up some time at the airport…or a ferry maybe?

Check back on my homepage on Friday for a preview of Episode 8, including spoilers.

The Amazing Race Canada: PREVIEW of Episode 8 'Clutch and Release'

There be spoilers here, matey.

This week, the four remaining teams will travel from Iqaluit to Nova Scotia's beautiful south shore. It's the same area that the TV series Haven is shot, and that production was filming at the same time. The preview at the end of last week's episode showed two things to worry about: another dreaded Double U-Turn; and what's worse, Jet and Dave fighting. Oh no.

They fly into Halifax and then it's a road trip to Mahone Bay and Lunenburg. But it's not smooth sailing for the girls - I guess they don't know how to drive stick. There's some trouble...they pull off to the side of the road, while other drivers' start honking. They were probably shown a few fingers as well, which I am pretty sure didn't mean they needed a manicure. Cheer up, don't you guys know that on a road trip getting there is half the fun? Should have stopped at that Timmies for a couple of double-doubles...I'm sure your Interac Flash budget could handle it.

Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia (see notes)

It was hardly a surprise that Amazing Race Canada had set their eyes on filming in the small community of Mahone Bay. Seems everybody there knew. Production asked the town to recreate their annual Scarecrow Festival on May 20 (this year's real festival is to be held October 4th to 6th). They were asked to make 30 to 40 scarecrows. All of this was for a single Roadblock, which appears to be recreating a scarecrow. The exact location is the gazebo on Main St., right beside The Gazebo Cafe and Grill. It's here that Dave apparently loses his patience with Jet. I guess Jet just can't get his scarecrow looking like the sample or something. The scarecrow Jet picks is dressed like a harem girl. Not exactly scary in a scarecrow kind of way - more like a 'Chucky' kind of scarey. He's probably distracted, trying to think up a few one-liners. Maybe the preview is just making a bigger deal out of this than necessary. I think they just need to fill a drama 'void' now that the docs are gone.

Lunenburg dock - Lobster challenge. (see notes)

The Detour is in Lunenburg. It's either lobster fishing or identifying varieties of sausage. There was a sighting at the Grand Banker Bar, and apparently the teams must retrieve a clue from their chef. My guess is they have to deliver fresh lobster there. In the CTV Gamisodes extra preview, the girls are seen trying to identify different sausages from a stand with a sign that reads 'Wurstelstand'. Before you ask about German sausages in a fishing town, Lunenburg had an influx of German settlers.

Beautiful St. John's Anglican Church, Lunenburg, N.S. (see notes)

Then it's the second Double U-Turn. The board is located a couple of blocks from the docks where the lobster Detour was set up. It's inside St. John's Anglican Church. Wow, what a beautiful church. The preview shows the Tims wondering if they should U-Turn anyone. If they follow the same format as in the original U.S. series, they can't. There, the U'Turn can only be used once per team, and the Tims used theirs back in Regina on Hal and Joanne. BUT, Monty didn't say that when he explained the U-Turn rules back then. So, if they can, they probably will. They said their strategy is to U-Turn anyone they can. So we'll just have to see. It would depend on if they are in the lead, or if they have a target in mind.

The teams were also seen in the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. They were given a clue - the Canadian dime, and from what I can tell they were supposed to determine it's importance in Lunenburg. Apparently at least one team had to ask someone. Come on! Seriously? I mean really. What I really mean to say is...what the hell were they thinking? Canadian dime. It's right there in between the words 'Canada' and '10 cents'. Ship. It's called the Bluenose. It's supposed to be a Canadian icon. Like beavers, maple syrup and those guys wearing bright red coats that made them make their beds back in Regina. The Bluenose II is in Lunenburg. Geez. Last week's preview showed Jet and Dave in the museum. You know, I bet if they looked around, there just might be another clue....like over your shoulder, Jet.  I would put money on the locales getting a good laugh watching this episode. Even I anticipated a Bluenose connection as soon as the teams were spotted in Lunenburg. So I kept my eye on the lovely webcam positioned on the Bluenose II. Unfortunately, we won't be seeing the ship in it's full glory. It was covered and in dry dock for work being done on the hull. Shame really. Sure enough, the production vans showed up, set up the mat, and Monty and the local greeter got in position to welcome the teams.

The Bluenose II (see notes)

Three male teams showed up, and then the girls.

Of course, I can't say for sure if they are eliminated. But they were at the mat a long time.  So, let's look at a few facts:

There are 4 teams left, and after Nova Scotia, only 2 episodes remain: St. John's, Newfoundland and the finale in Toronto. Three teams race to the finale, so only one more team will be eliminated over these last 3 episodes. This could be a non-elimination, but that would be 3 non-elimination legs in a season consisting of only 10 episodes. That is unlikely. Or, Nova Scotia could the the first part of a double leg...where the teams "keep racing" on to Newfoundland.


Notes:

• Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. From Wikimedia Commons. Photo uploaded by user SimonP. (altered/cropped by myself for use here) http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mahone_Bay.JPG
• Dock in Lunenberg, in front of the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. From Wikimedia Commons. Photo uploaded by user Dlanglois  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lunenburg_Nova_Scotia_3.jpg
• St. John's Anglican Church. from Wikimedia Commons. Photo uploaded by user Dr Wilson. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_John_church,_Lunenburg.JPG
• Bluenose II. From Wikimedia Commons. Photo uploaded by user Raphodon. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bluenose_II.jpg

The Amazing Race Canada: Pre-Finale Speculation, Teams, Legs and Spoiler Recap

This post contains spoilers. If you don't want to know, then just turn around now and leave the way you came!

With just 4 episodes left in the season, I thought it would be nice to do a little review of the remaining teams and a summary of the spoilers for each leg. When I first decided to cover The Amazing Race Canada, I never even considered putting out spoilers. But I got sucked into it all when the teams were first spotted at Niagara Falls. I wondered where they were going and what could they do...in Canada. Then I thought, who are these people that were putting themselves out there, along with all their idiosyncrasies, practically signing their lives away, just to be on national TV?

This show simply cannot be filmed without being seen by the public. It doesn't make much of a difference anymore if it's just in Canada, or if it's an international road trip. There are franchises of it all over the world, and everyone recognizes what they are seeing when they spot two people with backpacks being followed by a cameraman and a sound tech. But, these sightings don't really tell you very much other than the where or sometimes the who. They were quite boring actually. So boring that I thought the show was going to flop badly. A lot of people thought the same. The sightings in Regina were a good example. It just all seemed so lame, yet that episode was one of the best, and the most difficult so far. All of the legs have been great. My only one complaint was the Vancouver leg which I found to be terrible. Sorry Vancouver, but I just don't think the show served your city any justice. Chinatown was nice. But they spent too much time there, when there are so many places they could have featured. Granville Island? Stanley Park? Gastown? Nope. Instead, we were treated to a marine cargo terminal. Not that cargo terminals aren't necessary to the economy, but nobody wants to see it. What a shame. I think everyone in Vancouver should get a petition going and demand a re-do in Season Two.

The Remaining Teams

Like I said, these teams practically signed their lives away on their contract. The show is free to include anything you say or do, and they have an open book when it comes to editing your character any way they want. Yes, it's considered the best in reality TV. There are worse shows out there. But it's still their show, their rules. If they want to portray you as cheaters, they will. Do you think Holly and Brett were the only ones who played dirty - like hiding the maps? The other teams were probably upset they didn't think of it first - if they thought they could get away with it they would. Or Vanessa and Celina cutting in line at the airport? If it was two women at the front of the line, you can bet that Jet and Dave would have asked them if they could cut in. The show is all in the editing. So when I make fun of the girls, or I point out how much I do not like the docs, I am just playing along with their characterization. Seriously, they should think twice before they open their mouths when that camera is rolling. If you're auditioning for the show, yes, you want to come across as one of these 'characters'. After all, this show is cast just like any other TV show. But once you are signed up and the camera is filming you, then don't do or say anything you will regret later.

Holly and Brett - At first I found them charming. They were pediatricians after all, and they've pledged a portion of their cash winnings to the Children's Hospital in Montreal. How noble is that? Now? Not so much. I am very tired of the 'know-it-alls' who really don't know anything. Brett has turned into Mr. One Note. Canada just doesn't need to be reminded every episode that you two are doctors, and as doctors, you just don't have time for all the little things in life, like...cooking. That noble quality is now starting to come across as condescending. I'm sure there will be lots of tears when they're eliminated. Just not from me. I take that back. I will be upset because I won't have anyone to complain about. See you at the finish line Bones, not when you win...when you're cheering on the winning team.

Vanessa and Celina - My thoughts on these two are the exact opposite of the docs. At first I just couldn't stand them, and I made fun of them by saying things like they will need to stop to do their nails. I think it was that horrible team bio on the show homepage with all that stuff about being "mini but mighty". That just screamed annoying. But now they have kind of grown on me. Sure they take advantage of their how pretty they are. Why the hell not? Especially if they are competing against Jet's muscles. Sure all the crying and whining has been way too much, but it's also kind of funny now, and it's really going to come to a head in Iqaluit. I still stand by my suspicion that these two were cast on the show in the traditional sense, but it is what it is. It's a TV show after all. Was there ever really any expectation of these two winning? No, especially not against the alpha male type teams. I will miss them in the last couple of episodes, because seeing Vanessa and Celina getting lost in Toronto would have made for great TV. They will have time to clean up real nice and do their nails in time for the traditional winning team run-by at the finish line. Sorry fanboys, but they are next out after Mr. and Mrs. Bones. It's going to be an alpha male showdown in the finale.

Tim Sr. and Tim Jr. - I like these two. These guys have to be the up and down kings of Amazing Race. They can play a good game when they set their mind to it, or they can totally mess up to the point of being saved TWICE because of non-elimination legs. They keep fighting their way back into the game, especially when the going gets tough. They are not done yet. Despite their patience and determination, they've not had a first place finish in any of the legs. (as of the writing of this post) If they can get their mojo back (as Tim Sr. puts it), they have a fighting chance, but they have to stop getting lost, or second guessing themselves. Perhaps they just haven't peaked yet.

Jody and Cory - My second best favourites. Who the hell doesn't like these two? Jody really won me over at the RCMP boot camp in Regina. They are sure and steady, concentrated and determined. Cory has made a few mistakes, like the charter plane mishap in Yellowknife, but they took it with stride and didn't let it get to them. They seemed a bit too serious at first, what with all that talk of destroying the other teams in their bio. Kind of put me off a bit, but I'm okay now. Plus it looks like they've opened up a bit - in Quebec with Jet and Dave's fake clue. I think they found out they can have a bit of fun along the way. It's not all business, all the time. I really think their eyes are on the prize, and that they have just been biding their time. Their run to the finish line in Carcross showed that Jody can work through that pain, and he can put a good run in when he needs to. I really believe we have not seen them peak yet. Jody will probably strap on his blades somewhere between St. John's and Toronto (he said they are more efficient) and keep them on until the finish line. They are going to treat that final leg more like the 100m and less like a marathon.

Jet and Dave - If the truth be told, I wasn't a fan at first. Yuck. Typical alpha males. Ugg. Me Jet...him Dave. Now? I love these two big lugs. They are definitely the stars of the show. Champignons? Classic. That kind of stuff is a producer's dream come true. They come across as muscle heads, but when it comes down to it, they can reason things out....like in Quebec. Dave figuring out ham, cheese and...spinach. They are a much more confident team now that they have won 3 legs, than that pair we remember from Vancouver. Running around like ding dongs, getting lost and letting the Chinese translation get the better of them. Let's just hope they don't have to do a challenge in Toronto's Chinatown. Nah. Of course, maybe they have peaked already, and the rest of the race will just fall apart for them. All they have to do is concentrate now. Guys...just think of turning over the engines in those Corvette Stingrays. Yeah that's right. Think. Think. Think. Oh...car...shiny.


Remaining Legs

Leg 7 Iqaluit, Nunavut - by the look of it, it's going to be brutal. The docs and the girls just won't be able to keep up...it looks like they have simply burnt up everything they have. The sled pull challenge will exhaust them, then they have to do a run up that snow slope to the rocky top of the mountain. It's going to be dramatic. Expect some crying from Holly and Brett. Like I said in my preview for this episode, we will probably see the teams being given a tour of Iqaluit and the surrounding area when this leg is done. This could give the remaining teams a bit of a break and a time to recharge.

Leg 8 Mahone Bay and Lunenburg, Nova Scotia - After the teams were announced by CTV, there was a lot of complaining in the Maritimes about a lack of representation. Rightfully so. I am pretty sure that these next two legs will make up for the oversight, at least partially. Of course there were no teams or legs in New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island. But this won't be the last season of the show, and I am sure these places will be covered eventually. This will be a beautiful leg, even with all the rain they had. There will be a Roadblock in Mahone Bay which appears to be duplicating a scarecrow. This takes place at the Gazebo on Main St. In Lunenburg, there is a Detour involving lobster fishing. This leg has another Double U-Turn, and that board is inside St. John's Anglican Church. There is a Route Marker at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, and of course, what kind of leg would it be without a stop at the Bluenose II?

Leg 9 St. John's, Newfoundland - If you didn't fall in love with the Maritimes in the Episode 8, then this leg will cap it off. This episode is full of local flavour. The three remaining teams will be busking for money by performing with an ugly stick. Looks like there will be some adorable, gentle giant Newfies pulling carts (I want a Newfie!). And the Pitstop? Cape Spear of course. I believe this episode will be the first part of a 'double leg' and the three remaining teams will be told to keep racing on to the final leg. There will be no eliminations. Only the guys were seen in St. John's.

Leg 10 Toronto, Ontario - Well of course it's Toronto. Kind of disappointing, I know. But I do understand why they did it here. Traffic congestion up the wazoo. Confusion, anxiety, and lots of chances for teams to change positions. Oh the drama! Plus believe it or not, despite all the people, there is a certain amount of anonymity. It's like the old saying - you can't see the forest for the trees. There is always something being filmed here. The teams were originally set to rappel down the side of City Hall. It went through the approval process in City Council. Two things went wrong. First, it was discovered by the press. Second, May 24th just happened to be the day that every reporter in the city was at City Hall trying to cover the Rob Ford crack scandal. It was so bad that a live feed was fixed on the elevator and a Twitter account was started for it. There was no way the producers were going to film there. I don't know which challenge was substituted for it. They go to the Toronto Zoo (they were seen at the new Panda exhibit), the Cadbury factory and the L Tower (which is under construction). They were seen along the Esplanade and at Queen's Quay West. If they follow the format of the original U.S. series, one remaining challenge will be a memory game of the places they visited in the legs. Most teams have learned to take notes along the way for this very reason. Jody & Cory and Jet & Dave were spotted in Toronto.

Which brings us to the finish line. Where could it be? It has to be somewhere secluded. Well, let me tell you where the number one contender is.

Have you really watched the beginning of the show? Not the opening credits. Just before that when they describe the grand prizes. They show the First Class seating/beds on board Air Canada, a Corvette Stingray, then the $250,000 flashes on the screen. Take a good look at the car. What do you see? Yep, that's the Toronto skyline as seen from south of Toronto. There is only one place that could be and that's the Toronto Islands. It's not just CG either. The camera swings around - it's very quick, and you can see the reflection of the cameraman and the parkland behind the car. Those cars had to be at the finish line waiting for the winners - Chevrolet is going to make sure the winners turn that ignition and we can listen to that engine purr.  I can't say for sure this is the finish line, but it fits, and I just can't see them going to the expense of making that shot for some sort of foiler. Could be wrong, I admit it. Do they take the ferry or canoe? I don't know. Who will those winners be? I know who I am rooting for. In truth though, if any of those final three teams I mentioned end up winning, that would be fine with me.

Until then, I will continue to do my weekly recaps on Tuesdays and weekly previews on Fridays, where I will elaborate on the details of the final legs. 

Recap of Episode 8 The Hometown Dates OR Families Really Suck

We all know that the hometown dates are soooo boring. But did this seem even more so, or what? ALMOST made me wish Sean kept Tierra around for another week...can you imagine meeting crazy Tierra's crazy family? Now that would have been great TV.
Instead, we get this:

Recap of Episode 7: Alien Eyebrow Syndrome

Geez,...this really was "The Tierra Show", wasn't it?

No introduction from Chris Harrison this week - guess he had better things to do. Instead there is a seaplane ride over the island and the girls to to the Buccaneer Hotel. Tierra is unhappy with the sleeping arrangements and immediately sets a cot up in the living room. Probably so she can be the first to jump on Sean whenever he shows up. 

The first 1-on-1 date card arrives. "AshLee, let's get carried away". Tierra's response is "the cougar's back in town". Now considering that Sean is the same age as AshLee, does this make any sense whatsoever? My husband, who is watching the show voluntarily tonight said, "she's an idiot". By the way, he is only watching it to see Thunder Thighs get her ass kicked out tonight. He wanted me to make that perfectly clear.

AshLee makes sure to let us know several times over that she is already in love with Sean. "This is my future husband". They go for a ride on a catamaran and the first thing they talk about? Well Tierra of course! Yeah AshLee, that's what future husbands do - ask you about other women. Of course, AshLee speaks her mind and Sean believes her. Oh but that not all, AshLee has what she believes is a bombshell to drop on Sean. After a lot of hemming and hawing, she tells him she was married in her teens, because she couldn't live with her mom anymore. Wait...didn't she go on and on about being and orphan and how she was adopted by a loving family...she was in tears about it! Seems like AshLee can put her own little spin on her past.

The second date card is "Tierra, let's explore our love in the streets of St. Croix". But poor Thunder Thighs isn't happy about her first 1-on-1 date with her future husband. She wanted an ocean date like AshLee. Waaah! Walking around the town? Yuck. There will be bugs. It's gonna be sweaty. My makeup will run! She meets him at the dock, which must have been a piss off since she wanted to go on a boat. Perhaps the producers were trying to make her cranky. Ya think?

But Thunder Thighs is a real trooper. She sets her face to perky and they go into town to shop for cheap tourist souvenirs. She's all excited. "He bought me the most incredible things". "I like to shop. He knew just where to take me". Yeah Tierra, he knew to take you to the Virgin Island's equivalent of the Dollar Store. A cheap date for a cheap girl. They dance in the streets and Thunder Thighs makes sure to do the boob bounce dance. Sean sits her down to ask her about what AshLee said. Jesus H. Christ Sean, are you trying to set off the thing that came from the lake or what? Can't you just keep your mouth shut? Now Thunder Thighs is very suspicious. She knows someone tipped off Sean. "Someone had the nerve to throw me under the bus!" So Tierra decides to do some damage control and whispers in Sean's ear...just loud enough for the crew to supply subtitles..."I'm falling in love with you". Then she says, "I want you to take that home with you for your consideration". Oh my, whatever can you mean by that, Tierra?

The third date card is for the group date. "Catherine, Desiree, Lindsay - Love is on the horizon". Sean decides to wake the girls up at 4:42 am. And how does he do this? Well...he goes into the suite wielding a flashlight. He seems quite at ease being a creeper. He looks at Thunder Thighs on the cot, who covers her head with the blanket. Ooooh scary stuff right kids? He wakes up the 3 girls. "I know women don't like to be seen without their makeup in the morning...they looked good". Wow Sean you're a real ladies' man!!! They jump in a jeep and go on a road trip. First stop is Port Udall to see the sunrise. Then we are shown a map that traces their stops. What? No little animated car to illustrate the journey. I was half expecting someone to compare love to a road trip. They stop at places called "Cafe", "Sugar Mill" and "Treehouse". I tried looking for these towns, but they weren't on the map I was looking at. I am starting to suspect this show is full of crap. Finally they go to "Sandy Point" to see the sunset. Here, Catherine tells Sean that he won't be meeting her father. He suffers from depression and he attempted suicide in front of her and her sisters. They don't get to see the sunset, cos it's all overcast. Later, Sean gives a rose to Lindsay.

Meanwhile, back at the hotel, Thunder Thighs is starting to put two and two together. She knows, oh yes, she knows it was that B AshLee that bad-mouthed her to Sean. She's a smart one, that Tierra. And this realization is starting to brew deep down inside her...and then brew some more. But for now, she's going to sit on that information, until the time is right.

The last date is a 1-on-1 with Lesley. "I hope our love stands the test of time". I doubt it with this shows history. And despite all the kissing between Lesley and Sean, I don't think there is anything there. They go to Mt Washington, walk around, then have a sit down. This just doesn't look good. She wants to tell him her feelings, that she is falling in love. Nuh-ah. She can't do it. Instead, she says she wants to go pick fruit. It doesn't look promising for you Lesley. And that's the end of that date.

Poor Sean. He's so confused. And he's so confused about his feelings that he sent for his sister Shay - on her birthday too, so they can have a little chat. I guess a fireside chat with Chris Harrison just didn't cut it. Or maybe, this was pre-arranged for Shay to have a little vacation? 

Shay says, "our biggest fear is that you will get your heart broken". Then she explains that previous Bachelors on this show seem to pick the wrong girls and it never works out. Wow, I'm surprised ABC kept that in there. Cos it's true. While this conversation is going on....

Thunder Thighs just happens to decide this is the right time to confront AshLee. Right. No plot manipulation there. Tierra accuses AshLee of sabotaging her 1-on-1 date. AshLee tells her it's just her attitude, to which Tierra says "Men love me". She argues that she doesn't like everyone acting like they're in high school, when she is a woman fully grow'd. She basically tells AshLee she is too old to be here...she should be married already and have kids...she's a cougar. Tierra runs back to her cot and AshLee wastes no time in running off to tell Catherine and Lesley about the encounter. Thunder Thighs comes running back - why AshLee didn't hear her coming, I don't know. The fight really shifts into high gear now. AshLee tells Tierra she's rude: she doesn't say hello, stays by herself and is always raising her eyebrow at her.

This is where Tierra really goes ape-shit crazy. She yells crap at AshLee such as I can't help it...it's my face. The best one of all was "I can't control my eyebrow". Now I've heard of something similar....Alien Hand Syndrome. That's where people can't control their hand...like it has a mind of it's own. I have heard of "alien hands" trying to hurt other people, or their owners. Like something from a horror movie. Only Tierra has Alien Eyebrow Syndrome. Or AES for short. Poor girl. If I had only known, I wouldn't have made so much fun of her. Wait....no. I'm kidding. Hey maybe somebody should start up a telethon to raise money for research into a cure for AES. Finally, Tierra's eyebrow makes her run off, back to her cot. She cries. Well, she pretends to cry. Oh and by the way Tierra, I hope you never paid for acting classes, because I think you better ask for a refund.

Meanwhile, Sean wants Shay to talk with the girls, so he goes off to get them. ABC really knows how to build drama. And bullshit. Wouldn't bringing Shay in to meet the girls be the logical thing to do - instead of leaving her at a table outside. Hope those chairs were comfortable because she is going to be sitting there for a couple of hours.

Sean gets inside only to find Thunder Thighs in hyper tantrum mode. The tears are flowing...oh wait, those eyes are bone dry. She keeps rubbing them, hoping to irritate up a tear or two. It doesn't work. Oh oh, that's not a symptom of AES is it? My bad. She tells Sean AshLee is mean. She can't take it anymore. Sean goes outside for a walk cos he can't take it anymore. I hope Tierra thought he was going to get a rose, like several times before. Ha. Sean goes back in to tell Thunder Thighs it's best if she goes home. There's no discussion. Sean just walks her out. I guess the Alien Eyebrows called home and Sean stuck her in her spaceship. I mean limo. No bags, nothing. I guess it was just "bye-bye your bags will be dropped off for you back home". Sean finally put out the trash.

So how is it that the other girls didn't know Tierra had left? I mean, if I were one of them, I would be listening in, discretely of course. Or watching out the window. But the five remaining women head off to the Rose Ceremony without Tierra, whom they haven't seen in a few hours. They are wondering where she is and they think she will walk in with Sean with a rose in her hand. What did the producers do? Stick the five of them in a closet so they couldn't see what was going down? Really, I wonder about these things sometimes.

Sean walks in and explains "as you may or may not know, Tierra has gone home."..."I don't want drama". He also says there won't be a cocktail party. Catherine is in shock, and raises an eyebrow. Oh no. That Alien Eyebrow thing isn't contagious is it? AshLee is scared because Sean looked at her when he mentioned drama. Yikes.

Chris Harrison, in his first appearance of the episode, walks in to tell them Lindsay already has a rose, and there are only 3 more roses tonight. Thanks Chris. Everyone knows that next week is the hometown dates and there are 4 of them. So 4 minus Lindsay's rose equals 3. So it's 1...2...3 roses. Boowah-ha-ha. Sean starts:

Des
Catherine

Harrison comes back in to point out there is only one rose left. It goes to AshLee.
Sorry Lesley, but I don't think it would have helped if you had told Sean your feelings, if you had any for him, that is.

Next week: Episode 8 Hometowns. Desiree plays a joke on Sean pretending her brother doesn't think Sean is good enough for her. Catherine has a hard time convincing her family about Sean and the journey, just like the rest of us. Sean is nervous about meeting Lindsay's father - he's a General. Plus ABC has decided to expose us to an extra special episode on Tuesday called "Sean Tells All". Which of course he won't because he won't be telling us his Final Two girls. But apparently there will additional footage from the season.