The Amazing Race Episode 10--A Kafka-esque Experience

Once again, ignornace of world literature trips up players on the Amazing Race. Big Easy obviously did not read Kafka in college or he would have remembered that Franz was the guy's first name and he was from Prague. Just like last season, when only Victor recalled Chekhov was the name of a Russian playwright and was able to spell his name.


The more serious question is was Sam (or was it Dan?) wrong in not giving Big Easy the answer after agreeing to work with him? He was right not to help since it worked in knocking the Globetrotters out of the game and leaving a weaker team--Brian and Ericka to compete against. But he did say he would work with Big Easy, implying that if he got the right answer, he'd share it. I would not have agreed to work together with Big Easy in the first place since at this late stage of the game every second counts. The brothers are being roundly condemned for stealing Brian and Ericka's cab last week and now not living up to their word, but their strategy is working. However, Chayne was almost as bad when he told Brian and Ericka he'd call them a cab a few weeks ago and never did. I agree with all the Sam and Dan haters who are tired of their bickering and screaming. Dan is a big baby, moaning about how heavy their golem was and continually telling Sam to shut up.

This was one of the better episodes since there was no time wasted at the airport and it was in a city I have visited. I remembers several of the sights including the Charles Bridge and the synagogue. The speed bump for Brian and Ericka looked easy--drinking some absinthe--but then they all seem to be. The poker chicks had to deliver some tea and Pinkie and the Brain had to sit in a sauna.

The suspense was good because it was never entirely clear if the Globetrotters would be eliminated since there was the possibility the broken arm on Sam and Dan's golem could have disqualified them or delivering the booze would have taken too long for Brian and Ericka. I also enjoyed seeing Sam, Dan and Brian shirtless in the deep freeze cabinet. I don't feel too badly for the Globetrotters, they won a trip to Turks and Calcos and some other prizes, plus they must make at least six figures each as professional athletes so they don't really need the $1 million prize.

Chayne and Meghan will probably win--I hate it when one team wins most of the time. Sam and Dan will fight too much and Brian and Ericka aren't as organized and skillful with Ericka always bitching about how everything's so hard.

Day 15--(or so, there's no way of telling if they've had more than one day of rest)--Kafka challenge with ringing telephones and stone-faced bureaucrats which probably none of them got the references to kafka's work, Flight Time and Big Easy give up and take four-hour penalty; Brian and Ericka have boozy speed bump; Cryo-freeze chamber; Golem or beer delivery road block; Cheyne and Meghan win again--two flat-screen TVs. Globetrotters eliminated.