Amazing Race: Penalty Leg

Amazing Race
I Want to Be in the Circus, That’s Where I Belong

At the end of the last race, the tattoo couple came in last place, but it was a non-elimination leg. They should have had a speed bump during this leg, but apparently during the Russia leg, they turned in the correct sheet music to the judge much earlier than anyone else but he said they were wrong. To make up for that goof, they didn’t have an extra task to do in this leg. No clue why the producers or Phil didn’t explain any of this during the show. Did they hope no one would notice?

Leaving the Pit Stop

Jill & Thomas were the first team to leave at 8:30 am. The home shopping queens left next at 8:35 am and the father/son team left in third place at 8:40 am.

Clue: Teams had to join the circus. They needed to travel by taxi to Avtovo Circus to find their next clue.

When the first teams arrived, they found the main entrance closed so they had to wait, which let the other teams catch up to them. When the doors opened, they found the clue was a detour.

Circus Tasks

Detour: In Circus Band, teams pick an accordion player to teach both team members a Russian folk song.  When they learn the song correctly, they would get their next clue. In Circus Clown, teams would learn a traditional plate spinning routine. If they could keep 10 plates spinning simultaneously for 10 seconds, they would get their next clue.

While teams were deciding what to do, circus performers came and put red clown noses on them. Almost all the teams chose the spinning plate task. Kevin was having a hard time at it while Michael seemed to be getting it quicker. It took the home shopping queens a few tries but they finally got the hang of it. Stephanie was having problems while Chad was telling her exactly everything she was doing wrong. Nick seemed to get it right away and found it easy. He did mention he hated clowns so he didn’t want any of them touching him. Jill was also having a tough time with the plates, but Thomas kept encouraging her.

Outside the big top tent, the doctors and father/daughter teams were trying to learn the song on the accordions. The doctors decided to turn the song into numbers so they could remember the keys the guy was hitting. Mallory found the music task fairly easy since she has a musical background. That did not seem to help at the music task in Russia though!

Inside, the father/son team were really close to getting 10 plates, but when they got nine going at the same time one would fall down, and then another, and then another, and they had to start over. Outside, both teams got down the first part of the song before they realized it was only the first part. They had to learn the middle and the ending too. It was harder than they thought!

Inside, Jill would get the plate spinning but she had to pass it over to Thomas so he could put it on the tall pole. They would lose it each time. Thomas didn’t seem to be too good about the spinning so they were having troubles. They decided to go out and try the band task.

The home shopping queens focused and got their task done so they were the first team to get the next clue.

Clue: The teams had to solve a Russian mystery. They had to figure out they were looking for Bank Bridge. It told them to find the bridge that had four creatures with golden wings.

Soon after the home shopping queens left, the doctors played their song correctly and got the next clue. The father/daughter were getting closer to done but not there yet. Jill & Thomas were excited when they got the first part done but once Thomas heard there was more, he got frustrated and said he couldn’t do it. Sounds like someone is about to use their Express Pass!

Inside, Chad was spinning the plates too hard and saying he wasn’t gentle enough with them. He also thought it was stupid. He wanted to switch tasks. When they started learning the song, Chad said it was like guitar hero. The tattoo couple finished their plate spinning task third so they were off to find the bridge. Meanwhile, Jill & Thomas had learned the second part but Thomas said he forgot the first part already. Then he learned there was a third part and he found the task crazy. The father/daughter team got their song memorized and completed the task. They were off. Kevin and Michael finally got the plates spinning so they took off too.

Exercise Time

The home shopping queens found the bridge and the next clue.

Clue: Teams had to go on foot from the canal bridge to 1 Vladimirskiy Prospekt Tower. They could ask locals for help but they could not pay a taxi to lead them. Once there, only two team members at a time could climb up to the tower. At the top, they had to figure out that the figurine on the ledge was telling them to go to the Church on Spilled Blood to find their next clue.

Soon after they left on foot, the doctors and tattoo couple arrived on the bridge and then took off on foot. The father/son team arrived at the clue box next, but Kevin told the cab driver to show them where the tower was located. This was after Michael telling him to read the clue carefully. Not good! The father/daughter team showed up next and left on foot, alone, like they were supposed to.

Back a the detour, Chad & Stephanie figured out the song quicker when they numbered their fingers and remembered that sequence. It was similar to what the doctors did.  Jill & Thomas were being frustrated with the song again and decided to go back to the plates. Once they got back inside, they realized everyone finished it already. Chad & Stephanie got their song done and they were on their way. That left Jill & Thomas in last place at the detour. Why didn’t they use their pass?

The home shopping queens had a local person help them find the street the tower was on so they gave the guy a kiss, of course. Then they said to check every doorway for the flag. I think they ran by it. The other teams were still running around looking too. Jill & Thomas finally got the plate spinning down and left the detour.

The doctors had found the tattoo couple looking for the tower so they decided to work together. They were hoping they were the first two teams. They did find it and Kat and Nick headed up to the top of the tower. Their clue told them they would find what they were looking for up top. There were a set of binoculars on a ledge and the figurine was behind them. Neither one turned around so they were at a loss of what they were looking for. Nick said they were probably over thinking it. I don’t think he suffers from that problem.

The father/son team arrived and found the tower. They were waiting at the bottom for someone to come back down. The home shopping queens finally found the tower and ran up. Kevin made a comment that they were carrying their bags. Brook informed him that they were supposed to leave their cab and walk. Uh-oh!

At the top of the tower, Kat was looking at some graffiti on a tower and wondered if that was the clue. Nick said that it was usually obvious. He’s right about that! Then he turned around and saw the figurine. He pointed it out to Kat, saying, “Look at how dumb we are.” They found the building that matched it, but before they went down, Nick said he was going to tell the other teams that were down there that the only thing they could find was DS13.  While heading on up, Kevin said, “I don’t think Nick would lie to us because he’s awesome, but let’s check it anyway.” Kevin and Claire went up to look. They went up there and were looking around, not seeing the figurine.

Chad & Stephanie must have had a slow cab driver since they finally arrived at the bridge, well after Jill & Thomas did. While the doctors and tattoo couple were headed to the church, Kat asked Nat if they could take a taxi. She read the clue that said, “You must walk to your next destination.” Jill & Thomas were running around when they came across Gary & Mallory. Mallory asked if they could work together and Thomas said yes. Both teams took off running where they thought it might be located.

Back up at the tower, Claire finally turned around and asked if the figurine was a clue. Then they saw the church and knew where they needed to go. When they got downstairs, both the home shopping queens and father/son took taxis to the church. Phil is not going to be happy!

Jill & Thomas and Gary & Mallory found the tower. Thomas and Mallory went up to the top. Thomas said he wanted to assume they would be looking for a red and yellow marked flag. Mallory agreed and started looking through some binoculars. Chad & Stephanie were out on the street getting direction from a local to the tower. Thomas turned around and finally saw the figurine. They started to head down the stairs to go there. Thomas informed everyone they had to walk there so both teams headed towards the direction of the church. While they were running, they saw Chad & Stephanie. They were all thrilled they weren’t in last place.

The doctors and tattoo couple found the church and the next clue.

Clue: The clue was a riddle that would lead them to Peter and Paul Fortress. Once there, they would have to search for their next clue.

They asked an information guy if he knew where Peter the Great was buried and he didn’t know. They asked some other locals that didn’t know either. They started to wander around to ask some more people. The father/son and home shopping queens arrived at the church in their taxis. Nick saw them show up in their taxis. When he mentioned it, Nat told him that they would be penalized for it. Kevin told Nick he knew that he lied to him. They got their clue and both teams went to go ask Kevin and Micheal’s taxi driver if he knew the answer.

The first two teams climbed onto a tourist bus to ask the guide. They were told about the fortress. Nick said they should take taxis since their clue didn’t say anything about walking or not taking taxis. The tattoo couple had brought their bags with them so they were going to grab one there while the doctors had to go back to their original taxi to get their bags. Kevin’s cab driver knew where it was located so they were headed to the fortress. Kevin said he wanted to beat Nick & Vicki to prove that lying wouldn’t help them. He’ll find out that getting penalized won’t help either!

Chad & Stephanie finally found the tower. Stephanie went up to the top. She was looking around for a red and yellow flag. The tattoo couple were having trouble finding a free taxi. The doctors made it back to their taxi and were on their way. While heading to the fortress, Claire reread their clues and found out they were supposed to walk to the church from the tower. They told their taxi driver to head back to the tower. Kevin was confused about where they were when he noticed they weren’t following them. The home shopping queens felt bad about Kevin & Michael but there was no way to let them know what was going on since they were already going to waste time going back to the towers.

Stephanie gave up at the towers and came down to let Chad go up and look. He couldn’t find anything at first. She was yelling up to him, asking if he could see anything. He said no at first and then he turned and saw the figurine. He said, “It was right in front of your freaking face–a figurine!” She said, “I love it when he rubs it in.” They got into a cab to go to the church. Bad move!

Russian Bowling

The doctors were the first to arrive at the fortress and found a roadblock.

Roadblock: It asked, “Between the two of you, who is the real player?” It told them they had to master a century-old Russian game to receive the next clue. It was some Russian version of bowling where they had to throw a stick at a formation of blocks. They had two tries to knock down the formation. They had to knock down three formations before receiving their clue.

Kat decided to do it. She threw her stick and knocked the blocks down, but two were remaining on the playing area. They had to be knocked out of the playing area completely. She got the remaining blocks down on the second try and moved onto the next formation.

The tattoo couple finally found a taxi to take them to the fortress. Jill & Thomas and the father/daughter teams got to the church and started asking people where Peter the Great was buried. The home shopping queens finally got back to the church after walking from the tower. They also found a taxi quickly and were on their way to the fortress. Jill & Thomas and father/daughter finally found a local that knew some Russian history. Both teams headed back to their original taxis to get their bags.

Kat cleared the second formation while Kevin & Michael showed up. Michael decided to do it. Kat missed her third formation completely. Michael threw the stick and knocked down the blocks but none of them left the area. The home shopping queens showed up and Brook decided to do it. Michael threw another stick and missed again. Brook threw her stick twice and sailed over the blocks both times. Kat finally got her third formation done so they finished the road block. They got the next clue.

Clue: Teams had to enter the fortress and make their way to the next pit stop.

They went to go look for Phil. Chad & Stephanie got out of their taxi at the church and picked up the riddle clue. They asked a local who told them it was the fortress and they got back in their taxi. Jill & Thomas and Gary & Mallory made it back to their original taxis and were headed to the fortress. The doctors found Phil and came in first place. As the winners of this leg, they won $5000 each.

Michael was still struggling with the task while Brook finally knocked down her first formation. Brook also had gained a fan base while three school boys were sitting there watching her play. Michael was still working on his first set of blocks when Brook knocked down her second set. She finally knocked down her third formation and they were off to search for Phil.

Kevin was worried about if another team arrived before his dad completed the task. I think it would be nice if his dad got one of the three formations down. The tattoo couple and Chad & Stephanie arrived at the roadblock. Nick and Stephanie decided to do it. Vicki was glad that Nick was doing it since he could take his aggression out on the blocks. Nick got the first one done in no time. He creamed the second one too. Jill & Thomas showed up and Thomas decided to do it. Nick finished like it was nothing and they went off in search of Phil. Thomas nailed the first formation immediately.

The home shopping queens found Phil right before the tattoo couple. They came in second and third place. Phil commented about the home shopping queens correcting themselves. Gary & Mallory showed up and Gary decided to do it. Thomas got the second one done as Gary knocking out the first one. Michael finally got one! Now, just two more to go. Stephanie got her first one too. Gary got the second one done just before Thomas got the third one. They were off to find Phil, but they had to pay their taxi first. Gary finished up the third one. They had their bags so they could find Phil faster. They checked in with Phil for fourth place.

The last two teams knew they were battling it out for not getting eliminated. Michael knocked down his second formation. Stephanie got her second one down too. Chad was actually being very supportive and positive. It was amazing! Michael got his third one down. Kevin said it only took him an hour to get the first one and then he finally got the hang of it. They got the clue and went to go find Phil after paying their taxi.

Jill & Thomas were having some issues with their taxi. Thomas said he didn’t have anymore money and the taxi driver tried to take the backpack off of Jill. Thomas told Jill to give him the rest of the money. Why didn’t they give it in the first place? Kevin & Michael also had problems with not enough money for the taxi. They gave them all their money and wanted to run off. The taxi guy wouldn’t give them their bags.

Chad’s time of patience was over. He was getting more and more frustrated each time that Stephanie missed. We found out that what Jill was holding was American dollars so Thomas had given all his rubles and then told the cab driver all they had left was American dollars. They gave it to him and took off running to Phil. Kevin & Michael were still arguing with their cab driver. I think they might have had American dollars too. Jill & Thomas checked in with Phil for fifth place. Jill thought they were in sixth. Michael finally found $40 American dollars somewhere and gave it to the cab driver, who finally let go of their bags. As they ran by Chad & Stephanie, she finally knocked over her third formation. They got the clue. They didn’t have their bags. Chad asked if they wanted to get their bags or just leave them since they had a shot of staying in. Stephanie said she would follow him so they just ran to find Phil.

Kevin & Michael were having problems finding where to go and Chad & Stephanie got ahead of them. Chad & Stephanie tried to check in with Phil, but he asked if they had paid their taxi yet. They said no, so Phil sent them off to go pay it. That gave Kevin & Michael a chance to get to Phil, but then they got the penalty talk. Phil told them they had broken some rules and they were clueless about it. Weren’t they informed of needing to not take a taxi to the first place at least? Conveniently clueless I say! He told them that they had a taxi lead them to the tower and they took a taxi from the tower to the church. Both of those were 30 minute penalties so they had to wait an hour before Phil could check them in.

Meanwhile, Chad told Stephanie they should jog to the taxi since anything could happen and they still might be in it. They paid their taxi (with no issues like some other people) and headed back to Phil. When they got there, Phil told them they had broken a rule when they took a taxi from the tower to the church. They had a 30-minute penalty. Phil said that since Michael & Kevin were waiting out an hour penalty, they were team number six and still in the race. They were relieved. Phil called Kevin & Michael over to let them know that they were eliminated.

Order teams came in at the pit stop:

  1. Kat & Nat – doctors
  2. Brook & Claire – home shopping queens
  3. Nick & Vicki – tattoo couple
  4. Gary & Mallory – father/daughter
  5. Jill & Thomas – dating
  6. Chad & Stephanie – dating
  7. Michael & Kevin – father/son

Questions

  1. What do you think about the show not explaining the lack of a speed bump for Nick & Vicki? Do you think that the last leg wasn’t a planned non-elimination but they made it that way after finding out the music judge guy sucked so a Speed Bump wasn’t planned?
  2. Are you sad to see the father/son team leave? What about Kevin not reading the clues thoroughly, even after another team told them they had probably done something wrong? Do you think Michael should have read through the clues too?
  3. Who do you want in the final three?
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