#tar8

My Thoughts - Spoilers Ahead

Family edition? Oh no.

How exactly does this work, and why is this a thing? I’m immediately curious why there isn’t an age limit; some teams have small children while others have grown adults.

Unlike previous seasons, teams are now comprised of four people. That’s 40 people total, way too much.

For the first time but only occasionally, roadblocks can now be performed by two people.

The Gaghan family, Carissa describes how she plans to manipulate adults. Well, bring it on! I want to see this skill in action.

From the beginning, the Paolo family lashes out at one another, viciously. The older son and the mother barely communicate without screaming at each other, it’s ridiculous. I was wondering when a team would lose their stuff and the Paolo family did not disappoint.

I like the Aiello, Black, Bransen, and Linz families. They seem genuine and real.

For the first time the race will remain in the United States. That’s a nice change and I’m interested to see how that impacts the teams.

The other teams turn against the Weaver family, dubbed Florida. The Weavers, grieving from the loss of their father/husband, remain independent while struggling to figure out what’s next for them. They openly say they don’t trust anyone but family, and are rude and distant with the other teams.

Can we talk about the Weavers for a second? I’m so confused. The Weavers will be like “everyone hates us! It doesn’t make sense, we’re nice people”. And then in a group setting they’ll lash out and act like buffoons for no apparent reason. The other teams are like “no thank you.” It’s a vicious cycle the Weavers put themselves in.

The Bransen family, comprised of a dad and his three daughters, come to realize their out-of-shape dad is a liability on the race. He tries to show his worth, but the catchphrase “Wait For Wally” unfortunately sticks.

The first challenge is to find an outdoors store in New York City. Did anyone see the size of these tents? How are four people supposed to fit in there?

Mark from the Schroeder family jokes that he hopes somebody pushes a handicapped person into traffic, what a start.

During one of the challenges, the Weaver family loses control of their carriage and it accidentally runs over the mom. Which, should have been horrifying, but they were so in the moment to stop and reflect on the situation.

As the other teams are struggling, the. Gaghan family strolls by with the kids cheerfully signing. Probably the hardest I’ve ever laughed during the show.

In Pennsylvania, one of the challenges requires teams to carry injured soldiers off the field during the reenactment of a Civil War battle. Some teams are afraid of being shot. I love how, at the checkpoint some of the teams hastily dump the actor on the ground.

In Washington D.C. I love how they have a running spy theme in the challenges.

As they’re waiting for their flight. Hunter and Rolly goof off. It was nice to see a moment when the teams could actually relax. Char breaks it up because she doesn’t want Hunter to give away their strategy, like this season actually requires strategy.

As the teams are traveling to the mystery destination, the Weaver family just … loses it? They’re hysterical laughing and crying and the other teams are like oh, please get away from us.

Wow, the challenge takes place at Talladega. All the other teams are like how are the Weavers gonna handle this as their dad was killed at a race track.

You need therapy, not the Amazing Race.

I love how the team flashed the others, and how Phil joked about it.

The Schroeder family gets lost only minutes from their home in Louisiana. The second team to be eliminated because dad didn’t listen to the kid, like the Rogers family.

Okay, I guess we aren’t staying in the United States for the entire race. We head south to Panama.

The amount of fast-forwards have decreased dramatically, now there’s only one for the entire race.

That bean challenge.

In one of the best moments of the season, during the banana challenge the Paolo family watches their dad easily carry the large bushels of bananas. Their dad works as a garbage man and watching him carry the bushels makes the kids respect and better understand their father.

At the Yield, The Weaver family was so rude to the other teams.

We’re back in the United States, after a two foreign country trip. From the frustration of the teams it sounds like they’re annoyed the majority of the race takes place there. I get it. “I want to go to New Zealand!"

There’s another challenge that takes place at a race track, man the Weavers are being forced to face their family tragedy hard. The Bransen family shows their support to the family and encourages them not to give up. The Weavers turn around and badmouth them, seriously what is up with this family?Later on, we see the Weavers throw trash at another family’s car on the highway, and then lash out about how rude everyone is to them. They claim they’re being targeted and how they’re just trying to live a nice Christian lifestyle, ugh. Hiding behind your religion doesn’t make up for how awful you are as people.

Enjoy your ten seconds at the Grand Canyon.

The 360 airplane roadblock was so cool, and maybe my favorite challenge so far.

I don’t think Jesus would appreciate the shit the Weavers are spewing.

The tree of hemorrhoids.

Unlike other stops, I’m glad they were able to wait and enjoy - to an extent - the Old Faithful.

I so want that golf cart.

I too thought it was Buffalo Bill the serial killer.

The Godlewski family implodes. The sisters blame the talkative Chris, who constantly breaks down crying, but we know the real villain is Sharon. I like how honest they were afterward about how the race changed nothing about their relationship or how they view each other.

Canada time!

Ted: taxi driver of the year.

In the beginning, the Weaver mom talked about how she had to step up as parent and support the family, but actually it turned out Rolly carried the team and kept it together when the other three would give up.

The search of the stadium challenge was just brutal. I wish the show kept a running time on how long it was taking them to find the clue on the back of thousands of chairs. I also love how they were able to sleep there for the night on cots in the middle of the field.

The race wraps with a return to New York and a challenge to assemble a puzzle of North America, which was a perfect way to conclude the season.