Well, we saw some friendships pay off (like when Kaylynn and Haley U-turned Frank & Jerry to save their friends Leo & Alana), and we saw some rivalries blossom (when Will & James U-turned Leo & Alana for not helping them with the horn in the last leg). Everything comes full circle, and karma is sometimes a bear. Was it wise for Will & James to use a u-turn this early? Why not?! It set back Leo & Alana and makes for some great tension heading into the next episode.
8. Leo & Alana- Leo & Alana were so butt hurt that Will & James U-turned them but cmon…it’s a race! It’s a game! And Leo & Alana did something to piss off Will & James when they refrained from telling them about the horn in the previous leg. Do I think Will & James should’ve been THAT mad? No…But I do think Leo & Alana seemed a bit TOO surprised by the U-turn. I really think this sets Leo & Alana back pretty far. They were already showing themselves to be a weaker team each week, but this past episode REALLY made them look weak. I wonder if they’ll bounce back. Right now, I do think their attitudes are a bit strong, but there’s always room for redemption.
7. Michelle & Victoria- Michelle & Victoria were really high on my radar, but after this last week, I really felt bad. They had the clue in front of their face, and totally walked aimlessly for no reason for A LOT OF TIME before realizing their mistake. If you make a blunder on the Race, you have to recover fast, and they certainly did not. I do think they have a few more legs in them, but their momentum is now at a stand still. They’ll need another leg like week 1 to truly bounce back.
6. Eswar & Aparna- Eswar & Aparna surprised me prior to last episode, but this previous episode, they faltered in my expectations yet again. They really struggled, and showed it. I do think they have the makings to be a great team, but it does seem like many of the other teams are just emerging as much stronger competitors than them. They could squeak by another week or two, but I don’t think they’re going to go the extra mile—or leg.
5. Kaylynn & Haley- So I guess the preview lied and Frank & Jerry really were in danger. Kaylynn and Haley were my elimination prediction, but did incredibly well! They managed to pull off third place, U-turning Jerry & Frank to seal their fate, and saving their friends Leo & Alana. I do think Leo & Alana now owes Kaylynn and Haley for helping them out, and whether or not we see them pay it forward, we’ll see. I do think these two are in a pretty good spot now. I wasn’t on board, but now I think they’re actually a stronger team than some give credit for.
4. DeAngelo & Gary- DeAngelo and Gary didn’t have as good of a leg as they had in the previous week, but I do think they’re still a pretty strong team that just needs to make as little mistakes as possible. They’re growing as a team. This was a set back, but I’m not concerned for them.
3. Riley & Maddison- These guys have surely been consistent, but are always the bridesmaids. 3rd place, 3rd place, 4th place. They can’t crack the top 2, and that’s the reason why I have them at number three on this ranking yet again.
2. Hung & Chee- What’s the next best thing after first? Second. Hung & Chee have been pretty dominant and consistent. Them going home at this point would be a travesty and huge surprise.
1. Will & James- They won their first leg! Good for them. They were really on thin ice with the terrible misreading of the clue with the horn assembly task. But I do think they learned from their mistakes, and ended up dominating that leg of the race. AND they U-turned their biggest opponents in Leo & Alana, not completely succeeding, but setting them back a LOT. There was really no contest, as they many other teams made the same mistake of forgetting their bags. Very happy for them. They earned the top spot.
I do think we may see a non-elimination (if they’re following suit with previous recent seasons) this leg. If we DO see an elimination, I think Leo & Alana have been losing momentum, but Michelle & Victoria and Eswar & Aparna also had rough legs this past episode. It’s anyone’s bet at this point.
1. Will & James (+5)
2. Hung & Chee (-1)
3. Riley & Maddison —
4. DeAngelo & Gary (-2)
5. Kaylynn & Haley (+4)
6. Eswar & Aparna (-1)
7. Michelle & Victoria (-3)
8. Leo & Alana —
Biggest Rise: Will & James (+5)
Biggest Drop: Michelle & Victoria (-3)