Lady Calypso

Yeah, I think the editing made it seem like Nicole was the weak link, and she certainly didn't help, but Britney finished first, Danielle started, and Nicole finished only a little after Britney. When Xavier finished, not only had Danielle finished (and before Xavier had a single branch balanced), Taylor finished as well. So Xavier was actually TWO trees behind. When Frankie started, Josh was already working on the last tree.

I do feel like Dee's had some strategic moments throughout but I think this was the real first vote where the decision was going to be hard on Dee, as it was directly betraying an ally. The other votes were no big deal because Dee's thought process was "you aren't aligned with me and you've directly opposed me. You're gone next." Here, Drew was betraying Julie but not Dee, so Dee had to directly betray someone she promised F4 to. I actually do like Dee. I think she's very smart, very intuitive, and I appreciate a dominant woman controlling her alliance and not being taken out because of it. Usually that's reserved for cocky dominant men. And this episode REALLY helped solidify my love for her the moment she prioritized the game over a showmance. I think I needed to see her do that to fully be on Team Dee, as I understand her behaviour can rub people the wrong way. But she's a fantastic player, and I think she'd do well even on other seasons with better players. She outplayed Emily and Kaleb, who were easily the second and third best players (one socially, the other strategically) this season. And she has the fourth best player, Julie, wrapped around her finger. And it's not like Dee has been hiding behind people. She has been vocal with her alliance on who she wants out and has gotten her way, no joke, every single time. She's pivoted when she's wanted to, but there hasn't been a vote thus far for her that she hasn't wanted to happen. Yet she's somehow getting away with her dominance even with her own alliance! But I guess it helps that Drew/Austin turned first. Dee seemed loyal to Reba 4 last episode, which is a surprise, but this gave her the opening to turn on Drew. I don't know; I think Dee's playing similarly to some Survivor men who have won and I really like that about her. But I also get why she rubs people the wrong way as well. Drew got too cocky, thought he was in such a great spot when he wasn't, and that was his downfall. He was playing a decent game but underestimated his own alliance. He's made a lot of mistakes prior with pissing people off, but crossing Julie caused Dee to officially take him out. Drew's definitely a sore loser, with how much he was whining about not going on the reward, and he might be a bitter juror, seeing how silent he was walking out. Austin's really bad at this game. Even with all his advantages can't make his game any better. And now he's stupidly bragged about his amulet to the jury, thinking it shows him as some grand mastermind...only to have him IMMEDIATELY blindsided. Good job, Austin. You look even worse with your amulet bragging. Katurah/Jake aren't any better. They think they made this huge move but they're still nowhere near in control of the game. Those two need to take out Dee and Julie in order to win, as they might have a shot against Austin the Lovestruck. I appreciate them trying, and I appreciate Jake finding that idol, but neither have a good shot of winning and neither are game savvy enough to KNOW Dee and Julie need to go next.

I think I would have been ok with anyone in this F3 winning. Sure, I was rooting for Rob/Corey the most and felt disappointed when they fell so far behind, but Greg/John are great winners, as would have been Joel/Garrett. Actually, all the teams this season were likeable and strong teams. It's so refreshing to feel like I can root for almost every single team. Sure, there were teams that annoyed me and teams I liked the least, but no teams I outright hated. The scramble was fun, but it did become a bit more clear who was where with the editing; they did pretty much show who left first, second and third from their scramble tasks, which made it easier to tell, especially once they got to the kayaks. Joel/Garrett ran a fantastic race here. They just fumbled at the kayaks, which had to be disappointing on their part. They just mixed up the Thailand and Slovenia heights task. Fantastic season, overall. Probably top three most likeable casts for The Amazing Race that I've seen.

Ultimately, there was no chance of a bad winning team here. I do think this cast has been impeccable and lovely and likeable, so I am not mad at these placements. Disappointed, to an extent, but not mad.

Oh well, I guess Greg/John aren't terrible winners. I was rooting for Rob/Corey, but I guess they should have gone closest to farthest with the others.

I'm learning which team I want to win given with how nervous I am with Rob/Corey being so far behind now.

I decided to look up where their final task is. Kenmore Air Harbor is north of the Space Needle so technically, Rob/Corey ARE closer, but only by a little bit. Kayaks....at an air harbor place. Interesting memory task? It does require a lot of strength to carry those kayaks, as well.

And wow, Rob/Corey finish the glass blowing quite quickly as well.

Yeah, so looks like Trapeze was the easiest.

Yay, Joel got it! And Garrett does as well before Greg/John can even start!

I do love that it's been all female singers, but Rob/Corey had the only good band.

Rob/Corey's band is WAY better than Joel/Garrett's!

Yes, Rob/Corey sneakily grabbing the cords while John/Greg are gone.

LMAO, not Corey telling his dad to be quiet.

Joel/Garrett are crushing these tasks so far. The Trapeze task may be a bit more difficult so they're really going to have to push.

Well, all three teams are running into each other at the second task so we should get a good sense of where they're at.

Joel/Garrett finished before Greg/John! Hooray!

Oh, Rob's getting a little closer each time! And Corey's giving him some pointers!

The trapeze task looks like a lot of fun.

I would assume the next route would be within Seattle, and it looks like the trapeze task is somewhat on the outskirts, but you're right, it's hard to tell. Glass blowing is fun to watch but looks extremely difficult.

I'm not sure which would be smarter: start closer and work your way out to the furthest, or go to the furthest and work your way back to Seattle. I think Rob/Corey's method may be a tiny bit better.

Also, I'm laughing at how pissed Drew is. His egotistical ass thought that he was some Survivor mastermind that was cruising to the end. Turns out, he ain't as good as he thinks. But he's 100% being a bitter juror.

Brilliant move by Dee, showcasing that she IS playing the game and not playing for a showmance.

So, Dee DID blindside Austin and Drew. I love it!

Austin is wasting his amulet just to have a flashy move, I guess? But, like, no votes are going to Austin so it just looks pathetic.