Thoughts on Episode 1 and Outlook for Episode 2

Thoughts on Episode One -- The Race Is On

Donkeys proved the determining factor for some teams, while others struggled to find their way The start was a case of the last shall be first, and the first last as the first flight on British Airways to Ireland landed behind the second flight on Aer Lingus. Still, all teams made it on the same ferry going to Inis Mor Island, the largest of the Aran islands. After the ferry landing, the first extended run of the race began as teams, all decked in slickers and raincoats frantically asked for directions to Teampall Bheanain, the ruins of a very small church. Those who asked at the counter inside the ferry station got correct directions, while those who got directions from a stranger outside the station got incorrect directions, and had to backtrack. At an outdoor makeshift sign-in booth below the church ruins proper, teams had to sign up for one of three ferries leaving the following morning back to the west coast of Ireland, and head to the bed and breakfast lodging for the night.

Departing on the 8 AM ferry the next day were Lorena and Jason, TK and Rachel, and Kynt and Vyxsin.

Departing on the 8:30 AM ferry the next day were Jen and Nathan, Ari and Staella and Azaria and Hendekea.

Departing on the 9:30 AM ferry the next day were Shana and Jennifer, Kate and Pat, Nick and Don, Ron and Christina and Julia and Marianna.

On the way to the Roadblock at Cleggan Farm, Kynt and Vyxsin had the chain break on their bike as they ascended the hill on the heavily rutted muddy road

Roadblock: Who is ready to pedal for their partner?

One team member had to pedal a bike over a gorge while their partner rode while suspended below the swaying bike that was held in place by safety rigging that was in plain view, to reassure the queasy.

Cleggan Farm Activity

Donkey: Each team had to load 15 pieces of peat into pouches on a donkey. They had to lead the donkey on a winding hilly path, some as later arrivals biked in the opposite direction. and tie it up on a fence line to receive their next clue. Little did they know at the start how much their order of finish was tied to the temperament of the donkey and their treatment of the animal.

Both Jennifer and Nathan and Ari and Staella lost time due to a spooked donkey on the way to the fence line. Jen and Nathan's supposedly lonely donkey was making a deep growling noise before they untied it. That would not a good sign, as a cat owner might guess. Donkeys could be easily spooked if the wrong tone of voice was used or the animal was struck. Nathan yelled at the animal, while Jen screamed her discontent with Nathan, not helpful. Ari and Staella yelled, cursed, grabbed and lightly struck their donkey--no wonder it froze! .Nathan finally got their donkey to move by a combination of pushing, pulling, and giving typical commands. Places for those leaving the Cleggan Farm got scrambled when TK and Rachel made a wrong turn. That lapse by the hippies vaulted Azaria and Hendekea into first.

Outlook for Episode Two

The ten remaining teams have diverse backgrounds, including a lesbian team of ministers, a black team, an Asian team, and a Latino team. This time, one focus was on family ties with a brother/sister team, a grandson and grandfather, two sisters, and a father and daughter.

The Race started with a strong start for some teams, and a scrambling of order for others. The hippies, TK and Rachel, the brother/sister team of Azaria and Hendekea, and the dating Goths, Kynt and Vyxsin, appear to be strong teams The bottom teams of Ron and Christina, Kate and Pat, Marianna and Julia, and Jen and Nathan could be in some trouble, except that Marianna and Julia and Jen and Nathan are so physically strong they can overcome other handicaps. Jen and Nathan, though, are seriously bickering, as with many teams that finish lower, and the All-Stars winning team, Eric and Danielle. Ronald and Christina have a lot to work through in their relationship, as do two of the dating couples, Loren and Jason, as well as Jen and Nathan. The grandfather, Donald, is struggling with his physical limits, as shown in the first episode and the preview of the second episode. That could pull down his team's placements, or be minor interruptions, as with Charla and Mirna. Is Nicolas strong enough to overcompensate for Donald?

What will Episode 2 reveal about the racers and who will be eliminated next. Watch Sunday, November 11 at 8PM Eastern/Pacific.

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