Month: October 2009

The Amazing Race 15 Episode 3

The Amazing Race 15 Episode 2 came down to duck herding, and Garrett & Jessica were eliminated.

The pit stop isn’t exactly stopped. Since it’s a boat, it picks up anchor and moves.

Teams depart in the order in which they arrived.

First: Gary & Matt – 5:45AM
Second: Sam & Dan – 5:55AM
Third: Herbert & Nathaniel – 5:56AM
Fourth: Lance & Keri – 5:57AM
Fifth: Zev & Justin – 6:07AM
Sixth: Meghan & Cheyne – 6:10AM
Seventh: Maria & Tiffany – 6:11AM
Eighth: Mika & Canaan – 6:14AM
Ninth: Marcy & Ron – 6:15AM
Tenth: Brian & Ericka – 6:29AM

Matt is getting frustrated with his father trying to take the father role. Sam is more spontaneous than his impatient younger brother Dan. One of the Globetrotters lost his dad two days before the race, and the last thing he heard from him was to win the damn race. Lance thinks of himself as a lion waiting to take out the gazelles. Marcy’s dad was shot down and rescued in Vietnam in 1968. She apparently would rather enjoy the area than run the race.

Teams will travel by taxi to Hi Chi Minh City, where they will grab a clue at a water puppet theater, which they eventually find out is about 2 hours away.

The clue they are given is a postage stamp, and they must figure out that they’re looking for that building, the Ho Chi Minh City Main Post Office. Two teams have bigger challenges to overcome. Matt needs to listen to his dad rather than insisting on running an unknown distance/direction toward the post office. As for Lance & Keri, they need to figure out that the thing they’re holding is a clue. When he finally shows her the clue, Keri tells him that they have to go to that building.

The detour is a choice between child’s play or word play. In child’s play, teams will go to a local park and choose a concrete animal to transport along the bumpy walkways of the park. In word play, teams will go to a hotel and find the observation deck, then scan the intersection below to identify six Vietnamese letters moving with the congested traffic, which they will then unscramble to spell the word for independence.

Child’s play: Herbert & Nathaniel, Zev & Justin, Gary & Matt, Meghan & Cheyne, Sam & Dan, Maria & Tiffany, Keri & Lance, Brian & Ericka, Mika & Canaan
Word play: Marcy & Ron

Dan & Sam and Maria & Tiffany are remaining attached at the hip, although the girls send Dan on his way when their dolly breaks so as not to get in their way. Zev & Justin pick the most awkward animal possible, a giraffe, which they end up smashing. Tiffany, a member of the only all female team, is gasping for breath as she lugs her animal around. Makes me wonder why Maria’s not switching off. Lance throws his animal around, much to the shock of the lady waiting to pass out the clue. Marcy & Ron finally realize they’re not going to figure out the word on their own, so they ask the locals, who know immediately what the word is. They do not, however, realize this fact before they’re in last place.

As the race goes on, Lance & Keri continue to get more fed up with each other. Meanwhile, Sam is getting tired of his brother’s complaining.

The next destination is Dien Co 008. The road block is to find out what it is like to work in the business of breaking down electronics, which means using tools to smash VCRs into parts.

Road block (in order of arrival): Flight Time, Cheyne, Matt, Brian, Sam, Tiffany, Justin, Canaan, Lance, Ron

The pit stop for this leg of the race is the Reunification Palace. Cheyne beats the pro athletes in a footrace, but they leave Meghan behind. That’ll probably be the most interesting race of the night because it’s becoming pretty obvious how the ending is going to play out here.

First: Herbert & Nathaniel (win a trip to Aruba)
Second: Meghan & Cheyne
Third: Gary & Matt
Fourth: Brian & Ericka
Fifth: Sam & Dan
Sixth: Maria & Tiffany
Seventh: Mika & Canaan
Eighth: Zev & Justin
Ninth: Lance & Keri
Eliminated: Ron & Marcy

Ron & Marcy have been eliminated from the race.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of The Amazing Race 15 Episode 4 Sean Penn Cambodia Here We Come (Cambodia), which airs Sunday at 8/7c CBS.

Survivor: Thailand Episode 10

Sook Jai continued to be sacrificed, and it was Ken’s turn to go in Survivor: Thailand Episode 9.

Ted is surprised that he got three votes, and he immediately knows where they came from. He’s trying to figure out why, so he confronts Jake, who tells him the truth, although he leaves names out of it. Ted doesn’t believe any of this anyway and dismisses it outright.

They haven’t been able to eat crabs lately because the tide has come in and the water’s too high. The chickens are all gone. With that said, they’re resorting to eating chicken feed. So obviously, considering they’re whining about food, the reward challenge is a big food reward. The challenge is a four stage obstacle course. Their reward will be going via boat and helicopter to the mainland for an elephant trek, which will take them to a Thai lunch. They have to choose partners. Jake is left out, so he is eliminated at the starting line. The pairs must then make their way across platforms using planks. Clay and Brian are the first across followed by Penny and Ted. Jan and Helen are out. They must get under the belly crawl as individuals. The first three advance: Clay, Ted, and Brian. The next leg is to get over the wall, which requires the aid of another tribe member. Somebody’s gonna be left out. Brian and Ted help Clay. He tries to help both of them but can’t, so he eventually goes with Brian. The final leg is a bamboo balance beam. Clay falls as Brian is half way there. Brian wins reward. There’s room for somebody else. He invites Clay for his assistance in the challenge.

Ted’s kind of shocked that Brian picked Clay, which he takes as a warning that their bond is closer than he originally thought.

Since his plan to convince Ted didn’t work, Jake is now trying to work on Helen. The last thing Clay and Brian said before they left was to keep an eye on Jake the snake, so she’s been expecting this. He says that Clay and Brian would win the game if things keep going the way they are. He also warns her that they’ve got a pecking order. Everything he’s saying is true, but it’s just a matter of getting someone to bite.

After their feast, Brian and Clay will be returning to camp with canteens filled with beer and soup.

Penny doesn’t want to be around Jake any more because she’s aware that his time on this island will be short. She goes to Clay, who tells her she will be in the final four with him, something he’s told everybody else on the island.

For the immunity challenge, their knowledge about Thailand will be tested. In addition, it is also a pecking order challenge. For each correct answer, they will be able to extinguish one of each person’s three torches.

Thailand was formerly known by which name?
Siam. Everybody but Clay is correct. Penny takes out Jake. Brian hits Helen. Jake hits Brian. Helen hits Clay. Ted goes for Penny. Jan also goes for Penny.

At some point in every Thai male’s life, they are expected to…
Become a monk. Jake and Jan are correct. Jan eliminates Penny. Jake goes for Clay.

Sanook is an integral part of Thai life. What does it mean?
Having fun. Jake is right. He eliminates Clay.

Which of the following innovations originated in Thailand?
None of the above. Everybody but Brian is right. Jan hits Jake. Jake hits Jan in response. Helen hits Ted. Ted eliminates Jake.

Thais will often greet each other with the phrase “Have you eaten rice today?”
True. Helen is correct. She goes after Brian.

In Thai, Bangkok means City of Angels.
True. Jan and Helen are correct. Helen eliminates Brian. Jan targets Ted.

The capital of Thailand is…
Bangkok. Jan and Helen are correct. Jan hits Helen. Helen responds in kind, sparing Ted.

According to Thai etiquette, what should be used for eating?
All of the above: chopsticks, fingers, and fork and spoon. Helen is correct. She has a choice who to eliminate. She decides to eliminate Jan.

Which country does not share a border with Thailand?
Vietnam. Helen is correct and wins immunity.

The thing that bothered Jake about that challenge is that Penny snuffed him.

Ted is threatened by Penny because she might be able to charm Brian and Clay. Brian and Clay want to eliminate the snake. They’d better make a decision fast because they’re given very little time to do much following the immunity challenge that occurs at night.

Votes
Jake
Penny
Jan
Jake
Penny
Penny
Penny

With 4 votes, Penny has been voted off the island. Certainly not the most threatening person on the island. Jake voted for Jan for some reason, while Clay and Brian voted for Jake.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another recap of Survivor: Thailand Episode 12 A Big Surprise… and Another.

Survivor: Thailand Episode 9

Sook Jai continued their losing streak and voted Erin out in Survivor: Thailand Episode 8.

Chuay Gahn is split. Will Sook Jai vote off Erin or Ken? Either way, they’re not overly concerned because they realize now that they have an advantage of 5-3, which are pretty insurmountable odds.

Jake’s trying to get on the other tribe’s good side by telling tales of his adventures and attempting to prove that he is an adventurer, even if he is an old adventurer. Chuay Gahn isn’t interested in whatever he’s selling.

When they arrive at the challenge, they get videos from home. The reward for the challenge will be the whole video plus a cool beverage. Before they get to that, Jeff pulls out the buffs, finally forming a merged tribe. The first part of the challenge is an obstacle course to be run in pairs chosen at random. The winning pair will then compete against each other in a final mental challenge. Jake and Jan compete against Clay and Ken in the first heat. This is not even remotely fair. Clay and Ken advance to the second heat. Ted and Penny go against Brian and Helen in the next round. Like the last time, it’s not even close, as Brian and Helen advance. Brian and Helen end up winning and will copmete against each other to replicate a pyramid of wicker balls. Brian wins reward.

He gets the full video and passes around the lemonade. His wife gets a little crazy, but at least she keeps her clothes on. He really didn’t want anyone to see more about him than they have to, but since Probst invited everybody to watch his video, they’re seeing his house. Included in that is not only a glimpse at his family but also the fact that he’s got brand new cars and a baby grand piano. Helen’s theory is that he doesn’t need the money.

Ken hopes that individual immunity challenges will help him. Either that, or he’ll be seen as a threat and be voted out the first time he doesn’t win.

Ted’s getting bothered by little things that people are doing that he considers annoying, so he goes off on his own for a long time in the canoe. He’s not doing himself any favors by isolating himself from the group.

Jake is trying to find somebody to get on his side from the other side. It would be stupid for anybody to flip now. Even if he gets one person, that would be a 4-4 tie. It’s a little late to be thinking like this. Shii Ann had it right when she was doing this two episodes ago. He’s gathered that they’re tired of Ted.

The immunity challenge is a test of memorizing Thai numbers. Miss one, and you’re out. They have 30 seconds to memorize the numbers 1-9. Jake, Helen, Jan, Ted, and Brian are out after one round. Penny is eliminated on the next round. That leaves Clay and Ken in the final round, which is to find discs through a grid and go from one buried disc to the next. The person who uncovers all 10 buried discs wins. Clay’s off to an early lead as Ken stands there mostly confused. Clay has a 4-1 lead. Then he extends that 7-2. Ken would be better off just digging randomly. Clay wins 10-3 to take immunity.

Ken realizes his neck’s on the chopping block and that they would be stupid to get rid of Ted. Jake comes up with an alternate plan. Get rid of Brian. He wants Clay and one of the women to vote with them. Why would people in the majority join a new alliance where they’re now down 3-2? Since this isn’t going to work, Ken decides to just vote for Ted and hope.

Votes
Ted
Ted
Ted
Ken
Ken
Ken
Ken
Ken

By a vote of 5-3, Mr. NYC has been voted off the island.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another recap of Survivor: Thailand Episode 10 While the Cats Are Away.

The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 4

Stefan wanted to prove that Damon had some humanity left in him in The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 3, but when his brother killed the coach for no good reason, that plan didn’t seem to have worked, no matter how much he still loves Katherine.

Elena wakes up and sees a news report of her death, then she sees Damon and panics. It’s a dream alright, Stefan’s dream.

Damon’s covered his tracks. They caught the animal who has been doing all that attacking. It was a mountain lion. A big one.

Elena invites Stefan to the founders’ party. Through his mind control, Damon also gets an invite from Caroline. He tells her she’s got to get rid of that dress she’s wearing, and when she takes it off, she’s covered in bruises. She’s in no danger of being turned into a vampire, though, at least not at this point. So is he going to kill her? No. Not yet.

Zach has a plan to get rid of Damon, a plan he’s growing in his basement. If he ingests that herb, it will weaken him. That’s their only hope since Stefan refuses to drink human blood.

Bonnie got Caroline to spill about Katherine, which Bonnie in turn is revealing to Elena. According to Damon, Katherine chose him, which caused Stefan to go mad and do horrible things.

Stefan’s plan of spiking a drink with vervain fails to catch his brother off guard. Now Damon has to go to the party angry. This won’t end well. Stefan is pleased with how things went, though, because Damon won’t expect him to try again so soon.

At the party, Elena is looking at a guest list from the original party long ago. Interestingly, there’s someone named Damon Salvatore on the list. Oh, yeah, Stefan Salvatore, too.

At Damon’s insistence, Caroline asks Stefan to dance, leaving Damon free to chat with Elena. He tells the story of how Katherine died, at the battle of Willow Creek. Whatever he may be planning, he’s not going to get anywhere with Elena tonight.

Ty’s invited Vicki to the party, where he hides out all night so that he doesn’t have to introduce the girl from the wrong side of the tracks to his parents.

Bonnie’s able to light a candle with her mind. As offensive powers go, that’s not one.

Logan, the guy from the TV news, is looking to patch things up with aunt Jenna. Since she hates his guts, that may take some work.

Elena wants Stefan to open up, but he doesn’t want to. So now they’re mad at each other again. Damon may not be making any progress, but he’s making a good effort at driving a wedge between them.

Damon grabs a crystal, one he put there a long time ago. Since it’s his, it’s not stealing, even if he is taking it from somebody else’s house.

Jenna reluctantly agrees to go to lunch with Logan. He says he’s growed up now and ready for a second chance.

After watching Ty’s mom yell at the help about unlit candles, Bonnie tries to light one, inadvertently lighting all of them instead. Now that’s a little more impressive.

While they’re in the bathroom, Elena finds out why Caroline’s always wearing scarves. She suspects Damon, so she threatens to turn him into Caroline’s mom, the sheriff. Then she goes to Stefan, who says he’s handling it. She’s just gonna have to trust him.

Jeremy’s on again off again relationship with Vicki appears to be on again, as she goes to see him after walking out of the party.

After she gets busted, Damon decides he’s so over Caroline. Upon drinking her, he realizes he’s made a mistake. She’s been spiked with vervain. Stefan’s captured himself a deadly beast, and all is well in Mystic Falls.

The rest of the town may be in the dark, but the cops know they’re dealing with vampires, which means they need to get the Gilbert watch, the one Elena’ given to Jeremy because he pouted about her giving it away (since it was supposed to go to the first born son).

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of The Vampire Diaries Episode 5 You’re Undead to Me, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on The CW.

Survivor: Samoa Episode 3

Foa Foa lost two more people in Survivor: Samoa Episode 2. First, Mike overexerted himself at the challenge and was removed due to medical reasons. Then, Betsy was voted out because Russell H knew she was on to him.

Jaison thinks Ben is the next to go. You had your chance on this last week, dude.

Russell H thinks his team is crazy and that nobody else is playing the game.

Ben doesn’t think his tribe knows anything and that they’ll die if he’s voted out. He tells the girls to not bother even trying to start the fire because they will not be able to do so. Despite his craziness, Russell H is not ready to get rid of him just yet because he’s decent in challenges and strong at camp.

Over on Galu, they’re taking a break. Time for some yoga and relaxation. Well, half the tribe anyway. Shambo has no interest in participating.

Russell’s decided which girl he wants to get rid of. He tells Ben that Ashley was gunning for him last time. When Ben goes to her, she acknowledges this is true. She asks who he found it out from. His response: not Russell.

Not learning from last week, there’s another battle challenge. Let’s just hope nobody drowns. The object is to go into the water, make their way through the battle zone, retrieve crates, and stack those crates so there are no repeating colors on any side. The winner will receive immunity and comfort. Russell H will sit out for Foa Foa. Shambo, Yasmin, Erik, and Brent will sit out for Galu. The women for Galu get to their first crate first. The gap gets even bigger when the men go. The women retain the lead. On the last run, the men continue to lead for Galu as they are the first back to the beach with all 4. With a puzzle to be completed, it’s still anybody’s game. Foa Foa thinks they’ve solved the puzzle. They haven’t. Galu, however, has. They win. Again. This is getting pretty hopeless for Foa Foa.

Russell S has a choice. Comfort or function? He opts for comfort because he’s looking to please the women. Also, this time, he will be sending Shambo to Foa Foa.

Unlike Yasmin, who was obnoxious to them, Shambo uses this as an opportunity to be nice and build relationships on the other side. She proceeds to bash her tribe, saying they’re like 90210 and she can’t relate to them.

Shambo gets clue #2 to the hidden immunity idol, which doesn’t matter since it’s already gone.

Erik says that Russell’s going to regret his decision of comfort for one reason: the tarp. The day it rains, every comfort item will be soaked.

Jaison has an ultimatum, although he doesn’t plan to actually act on it. Either Ben goes home, or he goes home.

Mick’s not sure which side he should go on. He’s loyal to Jaison, but Russell and Liz want to get rid of Ashley. Russell says Ashley first. His plan is to let yet another person know about the immunity idol to gain his trust.

Shambo’s barking up the right tree in the search for the idol from the looks of it, but it’s just a waste of time.

Russell continues down his path of getting rid of Ashley. His excuse is that he doesn’t want the girls to get the numbers. Not that they would because voting out the three guys would be foolish. Granted, it would not be the first time. We saw the group of older guys vote out all the physically fit guys in Vanuatu.

At tribal council, Jaison has a suggestion. Trade Ben for Shambo. Russell blames Jaison’s hatred of Ben on one thing (and he’s right), the fact that he said some comments that could be interpreted as racially motivated. Apparently, he would have preferred the word hood (Yasmin’s term) to ghetto (Ben’s term). I’m not a big fan of Ben, but Jaison needs to get over himself.

Votes
Ashley
Ben
Ben
Ben
Ben

For the first time, Russell was unwilling or unable to get his way, and Ben has been voted off the island.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of Survivor: Samoa Episode 4, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on CBS.