Recap, Episode 5: Soweto, South Africa
INTO AFRICA Departing the Pit Stop in first place at 3 am, engaged couple Rob & Amber learned they must fly over 5,000 miles to Johannesburg, South Africa, where their next clue would be waiting in a marked vehicle. Rob’s initial excitement soon turned to disappointment as all seven Teams took the same flight to Johannesburg, thus erasing his eight-hour lead over last-place Meredith & Gretchen. Landing in Johannesburg, Ray & Deana got a quick start out of the airport, discovering the marked vehicles first. Opening the clue inside, the couple found the first of only two Fast Forwards on the entire Race. For this Fast Forward, Teams must travel 26 miles to the town of Soweto and make their way to the top of a cooling tower. Then, balancing 30 stories above the ground, they must cross a narrow suspension bridge to earn the Fast Forward award. DETOUR: TUNNELS OR TRIBES As Ray & Deana headed to Soweto, boyfriends Lynn & Alex hopped in their vehicle, eschewing the Fast Forward for the Detour. In this Detour, Teams had to choose between Tunnels and Tribes. To complete Tunnels, Teams must travel 50 miles to underground caves and rappel 45 feet into the earth, searching the underground labyrinth for their next clue. For Tribes, Teams must drive 40 miles to the Lesedi Cultural Village, home to five different native tribes. Once there, they would find six traditional items, only five of which correspond to the five tribes in the village. To earn their next clue, Teams must deliver each of the items to the tribe that owns it. Opting for Tribes, Lynn & Alex sped away to the cultural village while Rob & Amber, unaware Ray & Deana were already en route to Soweto, decided to try for the Fast Forward as well. Married couple Uchenna & Joyce, forced to check their bags along with former POW and beauty queen Ron & Kelly, emerged from the airport last, choosing to rappel in the caves. FAST FORWARD As Rob & Amber got lost on the way to the Orlando Cooling Towers, Ray & Deana arrived, quickly suiting up for their dangerous walk across the suspension bridge. Ray attempted the task first, inching slowly across the expanse while Deana cheered him on. When Rob & Amber arrived at the towers, they were forced to wait at the bottom in hopes that the dating couple would not complete the task, which would allow Rob & Amber a chance to win the Fast Forward. After Ray successfully completed his walk across the tower, he commented, “The scariest thing I’ve ever done in my life.” As Deana inched her way across the bridge, from below, Rob tried to force Amber to decide whether they should simply leave and head to a Detour option. Before Amber could decide, the decision was made for her as Deana completed the walk, giving Ray & Deana the Fast Forward, allowing them to skip all tasks and head directly to the Pit Stop in Soweto, just down the street from where Nelson Mandela once lived. Driving away, a frustrated Rob remarked, “We can’t do a damn thing right today.” While Lynn & Alex arrived at the Lesedi Cultural Village and began delivering items to each tribe, Ron & Kelly began their descent into the dark, underground caves, followed closely by Brian & Greg. Ron & Kelly quickly made their way through the labyrinth of connecting tunnels, coming out into the sunlight on the other side, only to realize they passed the clue near the exit back in the caves. Having to go back down, the couple met up with Brian & Greg, and all emerged from the caves, opening their clue that instructed them to drive to Soweto and find the Baragwanath Market. RAV 4s FOR RAY & DEANA As Lynn & Alex finished delivering items to the tribes, Ray & Deana arrived at the Pit Stop, stepping onto the mat in first place. In addition to their victory, Ray & Deana learned from Phil that they had won matching Toyota Rav 4s, compliments of Toyota USA. With Rob & Amber commencing the Tribes Detour, the very lost Meredith & Gretchen finally arrived at the caves and started their descent with Uchenna & Joyce close behind. As the two Teams groped along the dark, winding corridors, Rob & Amber completed delivering the items to each tribe to earn their next clue. Arriving at Soweto’s Baragwanath Market in first place, Ron & Kelly opened their clue to find a Roadblock. In this Roadblock, one Team member had to search the marketplace and purchase five items for a local orphanage to earn their next clue. As Kelly purchased a blanket and backpack, Greg joined her in the market, searching for diapers. REALLY BAD DAY Meredith & Gretchen navigated their way out of the caves only to discover they had missed the clue below, forcing them to return as Uchenna & Joyce sped off, having completed the task. Slowly walking through the caves, Gretchen groaned, “My knees are killing me.” Suddenly, she fell through the darkness, hitting the rock below. As she received help from medics, Gretchen ordered her husband to find the clue. To allay Meredith’s concern, Gretchen joked, “I’ve been wanting a face lift for a long time.” After receiving a single stitch and being bandaged up, Gretchen emerged from the cave with Meredith and the clue. Looking at herself in the mirror, a horrified Gretchen exclaimed, “I can’t go to Soweto market like this!” FOR THE KIDS Meanwhile, at the market, Kelly purchased a toy and shirts to complete the Roadblock. Opening their next clue, Ron & Kelly learned they had to take the newly purchased items to the Orlando Children’s Home, where the director of the orphanage would hand them their next clue. Arriving at the orphanage, Ron & Kelly were greeted by dozens of happy, cheering children. After opening the clue that directed them to the Pit Stop, Kelly remarked on her experience of meeting the children, “I loved that. That was the best thing we’ve done.” As Ron & Kelly stepped on the mat in second place and Brian & Greg took third, Amber received help at the Roadblock from an excited local who recognized her from SURVIVOR. This aid allowed Rob & Amber to finish in fifth place, leaving only the very lost Uchenna & Joyce and Meredith & Gretchen in a battle to avoid last place. Ultimately, Uchenna completed the Roadblock for his Team, giving him and Joyce the edge to finish in sixth place. On the mat, a teary Joyce remarked on the experience in the orphanage, saying, “The kids were so sweet. It just touched our hearts.” Stepping onto the mat in last place, Meredith & Gretchen received a surprise from Phil. This was a non-elimination leg and, according to a new rule, Meredith & Gretchen were stripped of all their money stripped and all their possessions except their passports and the clothes on their back. The stunned married couple complied with the order, not comprehending how they would make it through the next leg of the Race. A NEW DAY Departing the Pit Stop in first place at 10:41 pm, Ray & Deana discovered they needed to travel 30 miles to the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve and sign up for one of two shuttles, one at 8 am and the other at 9 am, into the reserve to feed wild lions to earn their next clue. The following morning, with all the Teams at the reserve, Meredith & Gretchen, with no possessions to their name, asked the Teams for money. While most agreed to help the couple, Rob quipped, “They’re the biggest con artists going.” Ray added that Meredith & Gretchen are “sacrificial lambs.” At 8 am, Ray & Deana, Ron & Kelly and Brian & Greg took the first shuttle into the reserve. The Teams marveled at the majesty and ferocity as the animals hungrily ripped at the meat each racer threw their way. After the feeding, Teams opened their clue to find they must fly 150 miles to Gaborone, Botswana and then travel 440 miles by train and bus to a giant aardvark outside a small village to find the next Route Marker. While Teams took two different flights to Gaborone, everyone met up at the train station. Tensions simmered between Rob & Amber and Lynn & Alex after the boyfriends had refused to share a large taxi with the engaged couple. Rob remarked, “Lynn’s got his head up his ass. He might be able to run Alex like a little farm boy, but he can’t treat everyone like that. I’m done being nice.” ROADBLOCK: ON TARGET Arriving at the giant aardvark, all seven Teams opened their clue to find a Roadblock. To complete this Roadblock, one Team member had to perform a bushman hunting training exercise of throwing a spear through a moving target 20 feet away to earn the next clue. While everyone initially struggled on the task, tossing spears that barely hit the target or ones that sailed clear past, eventually Brian penetrated the target first, soon followed by Ron and Lynn. Opening their clue, the brothers learned they must drive 35 miles to a remote cattle post known as Xua Xarra. With Ron’s military experience in driving humvees, he and Kelly took an early lead through the dangerous, sandy roads of the bush. Unfamiliar with the treacherous terrain, Brian skidded off the road, crashing his vehicle, which flipped over with a shattered windshield. While the brothers weren’t injured, their cameraman was. Stunned by the flipped car, Lynn & Alex stopped to make sure everyone was okay, while Rob & Amber continued on. Rob commented, “There was no way we were stopping. It’s a competition.” A furious Lynn remarked on the engaged couple, “It’s so typical of their game.” Waiting for a replacement car, the brothers watched as every Team passed them, all stopping to make sure everyone was unharmed. DETOUR: FOOD OR WATER Arriving at Xua Xarra in first place, Ron & Kelly opened their clue to find a Detour. In this Detour, Teams had to choose between Food and Water. For Food, Teams must use a traditional wooden container and two sticks to grind enough corn to the specific standards of bush women to fill a basket. Teams opting for Water must use reed straws to suck enough water from an underground spring to fill 12 ostrich eggs and then bury the eggs underground for cool storage. As Ron & Kelly began grinding corn, Rob & Amber arrived at the cattle post to fill the ostrich eggs with water. The two Teams battled for first place as Lynn & Alex began grinding corn, telling Ron & Kelly that Rob & Amber didn’t stop for the brothers. This prompted Kelly to tell Ron, “Come on, honey! Rob & Amber do not deserve…” The former POW and beauty queen quickly completed the task to earn their clue instructing them to drive seven miles to the Pit Stop at the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans, the largest salt pan in the world. With Rob & Amber finishing soon after, the race to the Pit Stop ended with both Teams pulling up at the same time. Beating Rob & Amber in a footrace, Ron & Kelly claimed first place. As Lynn & Alex continued to grind corn, they were joined by Ray & Deana, Meredith & Gretchen and Uchenna & Joyce. While all struggled to grind the corn down to the correct consistency, eventually, Uchenna & Joyce and Lynn & Alex completed the task en route to third and fourth place finishes, respectively. PHOTO FINISH Now with only Meredith & Gretchen and Ray & Deana grinding corn, Brian & Greg, having received their replacement vehicle, arrived at the cattle post squarely in last place. With no other option, the brothers began the task of filling ostrich eggs in hopes of passing at least one Team. While Meredith & Gretchen worked together, Ray & Deana began to fall apart. Ray sniped at Deana, “You bitch way too much. It’s depressing doing this with you.” Their situation became a whole lot worse when Meredith & Gretchen, down for the count in the last leg, completed grinding the corn to earn a fifth-place finish. When Brian & Greg and Ray & Deana finished the Detour at the same moment, a car race to the Pit Stop ensued, with elimination on the line. Knowing that a footrace would be inevitable, both Teams prepared to sprint to the mat. Pulling in moments ahead, Ray & Deana got a quick jump out of their car, but Brian & Greg proved too quick on their feet, arriving at the mat in sixth place. Stepping onto the mat in last place, Ray & Deana became the fifth Team eliminated from THE AMAZING RACE. About their relationship, Deana remarked, “ just needs to realize that this relationship has two people. Ray is not always going to get what he wants.” Ray added, “We need to figure what it is that’s both holding us together and ripping us apart.”
RAY & DEANA FALL APART
As THE AMAZING RACE moved from South America to South Africa, two Teams beat the odds to remain in the game. Retired married couple Meredith & Gretchen, finishing in last place after Gretchen took a serious fall, were saved by a non-elimination leg, but had all their possessions taken away along with their money. In the next leg, brothers Brian & Greg became involved in a car accident in rural Botswana causing them to fall to last place. In the end, on-and-off dating couple Ray & Deana, didn’t work together, and were eliminated after a footrace to the mat with come-from-behind Brian & Greg.
http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race7/show/ep05/race/story/
INTO AFRICA Departing the Pit Stop in first place at 3 am, engaged couple Rob & Amber learned they must fly over 5,000 miles to Johannesburg, South Africa, where their next clue would be waiting in a marked vehicle. Rob’s initial excitement soon turned to disappointment as all seven Teams took the same flight to Johannesburg, thus erasing his eight-hour lead over last-place Meredith & Gretchen. Landing in Johannesburg, Ray & Deana got a quick start out of the airport, discovering the marked vehicles first. Opening the clue inside, the couple found the first of only two Fast Forwards on the entire Race. For this Fast Forward, Teams must travel 26 miles to the town of Soweto and make their way to the top of a cooling tower. Then, balancing 30 stories above the ground, they must cross a narrow suspension bridge to earn the Fast Forward award. DETOUR: TUNNELS OR TRIBES As Ray & Deana headed to Soweto, boyfriends Lynn & Alex hopped in their vehicle, eschewing the Fast Forward for the Detour. In this Detour, Teams had to choose between Tunnels and Tribes. To complete Tunnels, Teams must travel 50 miles to underground caves and rappel 45 feet into the earth, searching the underground labyrinth for their next clue. For Tribes, Teams must drive 40 miles to the Lesedi Cultural Village, home to five different native tribes. Once there, they would find six traditional items, only five of which correspond to the five tribes in the village. To earn their next clue, Teams must deliver each of the items to the tribe that owns it. Opting for Tribes, Lynn & Alex sped away to the cultural village while Rob & Amber, unaware Ray & Deana were already en route to Soweto, decided to try for the Fast Forward as well. Married couple Uchenna & Joyce, forced to check their bags along with former POW and beauty queen Ron & Kelly, emerged from the airport last, choosing to rappel in the caves. FAST FORWARD As Rob & Amber got lost on the way to the Orlando Cooling Towers, Ray & Deana arrived, quickly suiting up for their dangerous walk across the suspension bridge. Ray attempted the task first, inching slowly across the expanse while Deana cheered him on. When Rob & Amber arrived at the towers, they were forced to wait at the bottom in hopes that the dating couple would not complete the task, which would allow Rob & Amber a chance to win the Fast Forward. After Ray successfully completed his walk across the tower, he commented, “The scariest thing I’ve ever done in my life.” As Deana inched her way across the bridge, from below, Rob tried to force Amber to decide whether they should simply leave and head to a Detour option. Before Amber could decide, the decision was made for her as Deana completed the walk, giving Ray & Deana the Fast Forward, allowing them to skip all tasks and head directly to the Pit Stop in Soweto, just down the street from where Nelson Mandela once lived. Driving away, a frustrated Rob remarked, “We can’t do a damn thing right today.” While Lynn & Alex arrived at the Lesedi Cultural Village and began delivering items to each tribe, Ron & Kelly began their descent into the dark, underground caves, followed closely by Brian & Greg. Ron & Kelly quickly made their way through the labyrinth of connecting tunnels, coming out into the sunlight on the other side, only to realize they passed the clue near the exit back in the caves. Having to go back down, the couple met up with Brian & Greg, and all emerged from the caves, opening their clue that instructed them to drive to Soweto and find the Baragwanath Market. RAV 4s FOR RAY & DEANA As Lynn & Alex finished delivering items to the tribes, Ray & Deana arrived at the Pit Stop, stepping onto the mat in first place. In addition to their victory, Ray & Deana learned from Phil that they had won matching Toyota Rav 4s, compliments of Toyota USA. With Rob & Amber commencing the Tribes Detour, the very lost Meredith & Gretchen finally arrived at the caves and started their descent with Uchenna & Joyce close behind. As the two Teams groped along the dark, winding corridors, Rob & Amber completed delivering the items to each tribe to earn their next clue. Arriving at Soweto’s Baragwanath Market in first place, Ron & Kelly opened their clue to find a Roadblock. In this Roadblock, one Team member had to search the marketplace and purchase five items for a local orphanage to earn their next clue. As Kelly purchased a blanket and backpack, Greg joined her in the market, searching for diapers. REALLY BAD DAY Meredith & Gretchen navigated their way out of the caves only to discover they had missed the clue below, forcing them to return as Uchenna & Joyce sped off, having completed the task. Slowly walking through the caves, Gretchen groaned, “My knees are killing me.” Suddenly, she fell through the darkness, hitting the rock below. As she received help from medics, Gretchen ordered her husband to find the clue. To allay Meredith’s concern, Gretchen joked, “I’ve been wanting a face lift for a long time.” After receiving a single stitch and being bandaged up, Gretchen emerged from the cave with Meredith and the clue. Looking at herself in the mirror, a horrified Gretchen exclaimed, “I can’t go to Soweto market like this!” FOR THE KIDS Meanwhile, at the market, Kelly purchased a toy and shirts to complete the Roadblock. Opening their next clue, Ron & Kelly learned they had to take the newly purchased items to the Orlando Children’s Home, where the director of the orphanage would hand them their next clue. Arriving at the orphanage, Ron & Kelly were greeted by dozens of happy, cheering children. After opening the clue that directed them to the Pit Stop, Kelly remarked on her experience of meeting the children, “I loved that. That was the best thing we’ve done.” As Ron & Kelly stepped on the mat in second place and Brian & Greg took third, Amber received help at the Roadblock from an excited local who recognized her from SURVIVOR. This aid allowed Rob & Amber to finish in fifth place, leaving only the very lost Uchenna & Joyce and Meredith & Gretchen in a battle to avoid last place. Ultimately, Uchenna completed the Roadblock for his Team, giving him and Joyce the edge to finish in sixth place. On the mat, a teary Joyce remarked on the experience in the orphanage, saying, “The kids were so sweet. It just touched our hearts.” Stepping onto the mat in last place, Meredith & Gretchen received a surprise from Phil. This was a non-elimination leg and, according to a new rule, Meredith & Gretchen were stripped of all their money stripped and all their possessions except their passports and the clothes on their back. The stunned married couple complied with the order, not comprehending how they would make it through the next leg of the Race. A NEW DAY Departing the Pit Stop in first place at 10:41 pm, Ray & Deana discovered they needed to travel 30 miles to the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve and sign up for one of two shuttles, one at 8 am and the other at 9 am, into the reserve to feed wild lions to earn their next clue. The following morning, with all the Teams at the reserve, Meredith & Gretchen, with no possessions to their name, asked the Teams for money. While most agreed to help the couple, Rob quipped, “They’re the biggest con artists going.” Ray added that Meredith & Gretchen are “sacrificial lambs.” At 8 am, Ray & Deana, Ron & Kelly and Brian & Greg took the first shuttle into the reserve. The Teams marveled at the majesty and ferocity as the animals hungrily ripped at the meat each racer threw their way. After the feeding, Teams opened their clue to find they must fly 150 miles to Gaborone, Botswana and then travel 440 miles by train and bus to a giant aardvark outside a small village to find the next Route Marker. While Teams took two different flights to Gaborone, everyone met up at the train station. Tensions simmered between Rob & Amber and Lynn & Alex after the boyfriends had refused to share a large taxi with the engaged couple. Rob remarked, “Lynn’s got his head up his ass. He might be able to run Alex like a little farm boy, but he can’t treat everyone like that. I’m done being nice.” ROADBLOCK: ON TARGET Arriving at the giant aardvark, all seven Teams opened their clue to find a Roadblock. To complete this Roadblock, one Team member had to perform a bushman hunting training exercise of throwing a spear through a moving target 20 feet away to earn the next clue. While everyone initially struggled on the task, tossing spears that barely hit the target or ones that sailed clear past, eventually Brian penetrated the target first, soon followed by Ron and Lynn. Opening their clue, the brothers learned they must drive 35 miles to a remote cattle post known as Xua Xarra. With Ron’s military experience in driving humvees, he and Kelly took an early lead through the dangerous, sandy roads of the bush. Unfamiliar with the treacherous terrain, Brian skidded off the road, crashing his vehicle, which flipped over with a shattered windshield. While the brothers weren’t injured, their cameraman was. Stunned by the flipped car, Lynn & Alex stopped to make sure everyone was okay, while Rob & Amber continued on. Rob commented, “There was no way we were stopping. It’s a competition.” A furious Lynn remarked on the engaged couple, “It’s so typical of their game.” Waiting for a replacement car, the brothers watched as every Team passed them, all stopping to make sure everyone was unharmed. DETOUR: FOOD OR WATER Arriving at Xua Xarra in first place, Ron & Kelly opened their clue to find a Detour. In this Detour, Teams had to choose between Food and Water. For Food, Teams must use a traditional wooden container and two sticks to grind enough corn to the specific standards of bush women to fill a basket. Teams opting for Water must use reed straws to suck enough water from an underground spring to fill 12 ostrich eggs and then bury the eggs underground for cool storage. As Ron & Kelly began grinding corn, Rob & Amber arrived at the cattle post to fill the ostrich eggs with water. The two Teams battled for first place as Lynn & Alex began grinding corn, telling Ron & Kelly that Rob & Amber didn’t stop for the brothers. This prompted Kelly to tell Ron, “Come on, honey! Rob & Amber do not deserve…” The former POW and beauty queen quickly completed the task to earn their clue instructing them to drive seven miles to the Pit Stop at the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans, the largest salt pan in the world. With Rob & Amber finishing soon after, the race to the Pit Stop ended with both Teams pulling up at the same time. Beating Rob & Amber in a footrace, Ron & Kelly claimed first place. As Lynn & Alex continued to grind corn, they were joined by Ray & Deana, Meredith & Gretchen and Uchenna & Joyce. While all struggled to grind the corn down to the correct consistency, eventually, Uchenna & Joyce and Lynn & Alex completed the task en route to third and fourth place finishes, respectively. PHOTO FINISH Now with only Meredith & Gretchen and Ray & Deana grinding corn, Brian & Greg, having received their replacement vehicle, arrived at the cattle post squarely in last place. With no other option, the brothers began the task of filling ostrich eggs in hopes of passing at least one Team. While Meredith & Gretchen worked together, Ray & Deana began to fall apart. Ray sniped at Deana, “You bitch way too much. It’s depressing doing this with you.” Their situation became a whole lot worse when Meredith & Gretchen, down for the count in the last leg, completed grinding the corn to earn a fifth-place finish. When Brian & Greg and Ray & Deana finished the Detour at the same moment, a car race to the Pit Stop ensued, with elimination on the line. Knowing that a footrace would be inevitable, both Teams prepared to sprint to the mat. Pulling in moments ahead, Ray & Deana got a quick jump out of their car, but Brian & Greg proved too quick on their feet, arriving at the mat in sixth place. Stepping onto the mat in last place, Ray & Deana became the fifth Team eliminated from THE AMAZING RACE. About their relationship, Deana remarked, “