I haven't done one of these for a show in a while but why not.
I was a bit apprehensive when I heard about no non-eliminations and this scramble twist but I actually think that the first leg was really enjoyable. I think the biggest problem TAR has had in recent years is monotony. I think this adds something unique and I think the cast itself is really fun which is important.
1st - Dx and Claire - I'm so happy that they got off to a good start. I loved them on BB and I think them getting out the gate strongly will give them a confidence boost. Hope that they will continue to do well in the season.
2nd - Glenda and Lumumba - I think this will be a team that will be a force during the challenges. They seem to have good synergy and I think overall they will go pretty far.
3rd - Quintin and Mattie - I don't really remember them much but you can never count out a team with dancers. If they are this competitive on a leg without dance/rhythm it will be interesting to see them on dance heavy legs. I think they will go far.
4th - Linton and Sharik - I dont really remember them much in the leg. Either for 2 reasons. 1, they go really far and will have other legs to be the focus... or 2 that they are an early boot.
5th - Emily and Molly - I feel that this team was prominent in the episode. I seem to remember them a lot and I think them doing solidly in the top half that they will be around for a while.
6th - Marcus and Michael - I really didnt like this team. Something about them turned me off. Despite that I'm sure they will do fine for a while.
7th - Tim and Rex - Urgh, I understand stunt casting to bring in people but football really. I didnt like this team but I think they will last a few legs and be eliminated early just due to physical limitations / age.
8th - Abby and Will - Surprisingly bad performance. I thought that they would have done a bit better. Obviously it is just the first leg but I thought that they would be a team to come out swinging. I guess time will tell.
9th - Rich and Dom - I think this will be a super polarizing team. I didnt really like Dom's energy and I think Rich is just a follower. I guess time will tell though.
10th - Luis and Michelle - I'm shocked that these two did so poorly to be honest. I thought that this team would sail through the leg. I think that the fact that Quintin and Mattie were the stronger performing ''dancer'' team also could bode badly for Luis and Michelle.
11th - Aubrey and David - Another dancer team that was my least favourite of the three. I think that they deserved to be at the bottom of the pack. I don't see them making it far.
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12th - Aastha and Nina - I'm really sad that these two are out. Not only did we lose a cute multicultural couple, but a gay couple at that. Not to mention that for some reason there were only TWO fem/fem teams cast for this race leaving the twins as the only pair of girls left. Sad to see them go.
In the end I think this season has high promise. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. My top three prediction is Dx/Claire, Abby/Will and Emily/Molly. I think that Glenda and Lumumba will be eliminated in a shocking way. Either just consistent high performances and a shockingly bad day... or they are targeted by a twist (U-turn etc).
