No Passport = Instant Elimination on the Amazing Race

After several episodes the Amazing Race finally went back to its roots and had some airport drama. Of course it didn't last long and was edited to make it seem more dramatic, but nonetheless it was back and made for an interesting first half. All teams were equalized when it came to flying to their next location: Cambodia. Zev/Justin and Lance/Keri were the only teams to not get on the first flight but fought to get on. Last minute, as always, they were granted seats and teams were shocked to see that everyone would be arriving at the same time. I've always wondered if producers have anything to do with this. Two teams stuck so far behind is an obvious conclusion, so you would think they'd fight to make sure that didn't happen.

In Cambodia the rankings were shifted completely as Zev/Justin pulled out ahead thanks to their taxi driver. He stuck with them throughout the entire leg, helping more than you would think. The first task was to find an editor and whisper to him to get their next clue. Everyone found him rather easily and their next location was only pointed out by a picture of Jackie Kennedy. Some thought she was a queen or princess of Cambodia. Zev knew who she was though as did Gary, I bet a few of the idiots are cringing now as they watch themselves screw up so badly!

Once at the hotel where the larger version of their photo was hanging the teams had to go off on a Detour. Either match a scarf to a woman wearing the same scarf in a large market, or sell four helmets to a family on the street. All teams but Lance/Keri took the scarf matching challenge and it seemed more difficult than you would think. Zev/Justin found theirs first and were off to the Road Block with the brothers right behind them. One interesting thing about the Detour was how it could push a team ahead rather easily. Ericka and Brian arrived rather behind but jumped to third as their matching happened to be by the pickup location. That put them ahead rather quickly while others who were there earlier fell behind.

Over at the helmet Detour Lance/Keri argued, as usual, but ended up finding a family to sell their helmets too as we move on to the Road Block. The Road Block seemed easy as one team member had to perform three monkey performer maneuvers. Zev/Justin arrived first but after Zev couldn't pull off the last trick, Dan/Sam were able to pull ahead.... at least for awhile. Thanks to a pep talk Zev was able to finish and thanks to their lucky taxi driver Zev/Justin beat the brothers to claim the first spot. Only problem was Zev's passport was missing so in order to stay in the race they had to find it before the last team checked in. Not an easy task considering it could be ANYWHERE.

Most teams had fun with the Road Block as Canaan seemed like a natural in the monkey suit. Maria, who hasn't done much then eat wasabi, finally did a task but sucked just like before. She fell off the beam several times and that put the ladies in last place again. The luck of Vegas must follow them around though as they checked in before Zev and Justin returned, meaning they stay in the game and send home a fan favorite who, thanks to a taste of bad luck, will be going to Elimination Station passport-less. It sucks to see the two go from first to last and actually get sent home for a reason other than being eliminated by Phil. I feel sorry for the guys as they were a favorite team of mine... now I have the girls to root for and hopefully they can stay in long enough to make up the fact that Zev and Justin are gone.