Expect the Unexpected on The Amazing Race

The Amazing Race is back, and oh is it good.

There are almost too many teams to root for. My early impressions…

I love Peter and Sarah. After so many teams (and maybe a few on this season) with boyfriends/husbands being really horrible to their girlfriends/wives, their relationship is so refreshing. He was so supportive of her going up the Wall; I kid you not that I was almost moved to tears. I also wasn’t offended by the fact that Sarah used her fake leg to get her on the plane early & help with finding a taxi. Things like that just even things out a big. Good for her for being confident enough to do that.

Another team I really like are Duke & Lauren. At the beginning I was thinking I would like them because of the inevitable arguments (did he really say that he was disappointed in her because she’s gay?). But I was impressed with how supportive they were of each other – I think they are a favorite for the final three. I think that Tyler & James will also go far – they are a strong team, and a force to be reckoned with. They just have to be sure to not get overly-confident.

Not a favorite? The moms from Alabama (Lyn & Karlyn). I admire their spunk, but they need to worry about themselves, not so much with talking smack about other teams. Erwin & Godwin annoy me as well. Did they really have water guns in the airport? I am SHOCKED that they weren’t detained or arrested. (but I loved the reaction of Tyler & James!)

The first leg was great. And while I didn’t like the use of the phrase “expect the unexpected” (a staple on Big Brother), it was a HUGE shock to see Bilal & Sa'eed eliminated in the middle of the first leg. I knew that there was going to be some show with a double elimination (they started with 12 teams instead of the usual 11), but would never have thought it would be so soon. That, and I was bummed that it was Bilal & Sa'eed who got the early boot. They seemed like really nice guys, and I so wanted to see them going through security. You just knew that they would be hassled…what with buying one way tickets a few hours before the flights take off. It’s sad, but true. I also liked that the first leg started in China. The vast majority of first legs have been in South America…there were a few in Europe and one in Virginia (the family edition). Going to China is not only a whole new continent to start on, but is a HUGE difference in time change & the accompanying jet lag.

In the end, I was glad to see David & Mary make it up the wall and stay in the race. And I was sad to see Vipul & Arti be the second team eliminated from the race. They were another team that seemed nice, yet we’re stuck with another week of beauty queens, cheerleaders, and Rob & Kimberly. So sad.

Some predictions for this season…Tyler & James, Duke & Lauren, and Peter & Sarah are the strongest teams. I also like Tom & Terry, since they seem to be flying under the radar a bit. Teams that I think will struggle a bit and lag behind are Erwin & Godwin and Rob & Kimberly. Mary & David may also struggle, but I’m hoping that they pull something out to stick around for awhile. Can’t wait for next week!