No matter if you loved or hated them, Nate and Jen did keep things interesting. As the camera zoomed out from them in the heart of Taipei, they embraced, maybe for the last time - after being Philiminated.


You would not think that these two would be safe left alone together for any period of time in the future. That is why I think this was a parting shot, and I actually felt bad for them. Bad that they could not work things out and put their overbearing personalities aside. Bad that they had to go out so close to the end, with a million dollars on the line. Bad that on the final leg Nate would not be able to push Jen under a large, fast moving bus and mock cackle as the credits rolled.

So Colin and Christi 2.0 went out with a whimper as the "brains of the operation" decided to take the subway rather then a taxi (which has only been the right move once in the history of the Amazing Race.) I bid them adieu!

As for the final three. I am happy with what we have this year. I would never have guessed two of them from the start, and maybe that is the best part. I called TK and Rachel as a favorite before I even saw the preview trailer. There is just something about a happy go lucky couple with a hippie mentality that plays well on the race. Gramps and Nicolas were the first team I thought would go home with Ronald and Christina second on that ouster list! Obviously I am shocked they have made it this far, and I am sure I am not the only one.

I am going state (as a disclaimer of sorts) that there have not been any epic detours this year, and maybe that is why the old folks have hung with pack. I miss the needle in a haystack type challenge where it could take 10 minutes or 20 hours or the brutal physical tasks of races past were completion was not guaranteed. Maybe we will get the biggest tests of this season on the final leg.

I am still pulling for TK and Rachel, although I will not be disappointed no matter the outcome. I'd like to see Donald win to prove that an AARP member can clean house in this race and I would also like Ronald & Christina to win to solidify their great journey of enlightenment.

It is a win, win, win situation.

You weren't cheering just a little bit that Jen get the boot on her birthday????

She was just too rotten to feel sorry for.

I agree that it is a win no matter who comes in first now. I'm happy with any of the three teams remaining. I think Gramps and the kid (for the life of me I can only remember Donald's name) have come really far. There are times that the grandson still gets on my nerves but I think he's learned to work better with his team. Without his strength and literally carrying his grandfather's load they would have been eliminated a long time ago.

Ron and Chris have made miles of inroads and I think they will walk away the biggest winners even if they don't come in first.

TK and Rachel haven't had the best of luck in this race, but cooler heads usually prevail.

I think it's going to be an exciting finish.

I like Donald and Nicolas, but didn't really care either way. As much as I hate Jen (and Nate) - When they did the taxi pull up cut at the end, I was kind of hoping that it would be them. For some reason I can empathize with their situation. They are both very passionate people and I am sure there is going to be loads of regrets as to how they handled themselves on the show. Just the parting shot where Nate said something to the effect of, "We were supposed to work on our relationship on this trip" and you could see him misting up and there was a pitch change in his voice. That was kind of sad. I think he is right about one thing. It is impossible not to argue with Jen, even on her birthday.

At least they could go out and get hammered on her B-Day in beautiful Taiwan, and not have to worry about a stupid race, right?

As for the finale, I also think it is going to be exciting. I hope it is a running final pitstop right off a roadblock rather then a taxi one. I am not a big fan of taxi endings (although the reason they use them is they are easy to edit and make look close.) One thing this year has desperately been missing is photo finishes. You watch one week and it looks like it is "close" (within 15-20 minutes) but then you see the start times the next week and it is more like an hour, an hour and a half, etc...

I miss the, "Get the hell out of my way!" running and pushing finishes.

I liked Jen and Nate because they were fun to watch. What's the point if everyone is going to get along. The show might as well be on PBS.

Anyone see the previews for the finale? They splash "Photo Finish" across the screen about ten times.

Could it really be?

Finale tonight!

Is CBS carrying football today? Is the finale going to be on time?

On my canadian channel they aren't airing it until 10pm. I guess I'll have to watch it on CBS in the living room. <sigh>

The football game was on earlier. Everything looks to be on schedule now.