TAR12 was foolishly left out of CBS’ fall lineup initially, but the good news is it’s back early. We’re looking at about a half an hour football overrun delay, which we can expect most of the season, but I will start the live recap when the show does start. In the meantime, check out The Amazing Race 12 cast list and meet the teams.
The starting point for the race is Los Angeles, at the Playboy Mansion. Kynt says he and Vyxsin are like cartoon characters. Jennifer has trust issues with Nathan. Hendekea’s concerned Azaria will want to dominate the race. Kate & Pat are the show’s first lesbian couple and also ministers. Ari says he’s a bitch.
There are 11 legs in the race. Only 8 of the pitstops are elimination points, so apparently the initial indication nonelimination legs have been eliminated was incorrect. I was okay with that move myself, though, but at least they stopped mugging people.
First stop is Shannon, Ireland. Grandpa Donald, at the front of the line, insists on counting the money before leaving, and all the other teams are behind him honking. Yeah, this team’s in some serious trouble.
Half the people go left, and the other half go right, which means half the people will end up getting lost before the first airport stop at LAX.
Lorena & Jason, who are from LA, get an easy jump on the rest, knowing exactly where they’re going. Some teams follow them, but most are going the wrong way and realize they have to turn around.
Lorena & Jason, Shana & Jennifer, Kate & Pat, Nathan & Jennifer, and Marianna & Julia get on the first flight, giving them a 45 minute advantage, or so they think.
Azaria & Hendekea and Ronald & Christina (who form a bit of an alliance and start to look up the next location on the Internet) and the rest are on the next flight. Due to a delayed takeoff on the first flight, this set of teams actually get in the lead by 7 minutes.
Ari & Staella are making enemies already, stealing Ronald & Christina’s taxi. Nathan and Jennifer start falling apart… already. Lorena’s a complete disaster as well. She compares their inability to communicate with real life.
Ah, the complete and total chaos of the first few episodes. Hard to figure out who’s who, even with the list right in front of me.
First ferry, 8:00 – Lorena &Jason, TK & Rachel, Kynt & Vyxsin
Second ferry, 8:30 – Ari & Staella, Nathan & Jennifer, Azaria & Hendekea
Third ferry, 9:30 – Shana & Jennifer, Kate & Pat, Marianna & Julia, Nicolas & Donald, Ronald & Christina
The next stop is Cleggan Farm. When they get there, the must ride a tandem bike through the mud. Teams must ride a bike on a suspended wire across a ravine, while their partner is attached below and taken along for the ride. Teams must then load their donkeys and guide them to their next destination. Donkeys are meaner than you might expect… and stubborn as a mule. Ari threatens to eat his donkey because apparently that will help. He then threatens to kick his ass’ ass. This takes me back to “My ox is broken.”
Ronald & Christina pass both Ari & Staella and Nathan & Jennifer, who have no luck with their donkeys, and she says donkeys have souls, too.
The pitstop for this leg of the race is Connemara Heritage Center, 13 miles away. I initially thought it was between the last ferry in a battle for last, but there’s hope for them yet.
First: Azaria & Hendekea (win a trip for two to Alberta, Canada)
Second: Kynt & Vyxsin
Third: TK & Rachel
Fourth: Lorena & Jason
Fifth: Nicolas & Donald
Sixth: Shana & Jennifer
Seventh: Ronald & Christina
Eighth: Kate & Pat
Ninth: Marianna & Julia
Tenth: Nathan & Jennifer
Eleventh: Ari & Staella (eliminated)
The donkey task screwed over the last two teams, and at the end of the day, we get the typical unexpected first boot. Things normally settle down after the first couple of episodes, as we start to really see a bit more of a realistic picture.
Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of The Amazing Race 12 episode 2 I’ve Become the Archie Bunker of the Home, which airs Sunday at 8/7c(ish) on CBS.