Richness

Didn't like this episode because of the alliance scheming. I don't mind the occasional help in the heat of the moment if that's what teams want to do when they get desperate, but I do mind the pre-determined plans to do so. And of course, all that scheming is spearheaded by the boyfriends. Definitely dislike them now. They might have commented on the beauty of the village natives, but that didn't really come across as genuine to me. Still don't like the sisters, or at least the bitchy one. Also could have done without all the tears, though I realize how demoralizing it is when things aren't going your way. Never mind if it's just getting overwhelmed by the experience, though may because of who was crying at the time. I'm not fond of the shopping tasks, though it offers plenty of opportunities for position changes. I wonder if any teams ended up taking another team's items in the chaos of the check-in station. However, one thing really grabbed my attention again: Seeing the Amazing camera man. This has actually happened in every episode so far. I don't know if they got a new crew for this season or what, but they've been really sloppy by getting in the picture this year. I know it's happened before, but it seems to be especially bad now. It doesn't ruin the race, but it does take me out of the action a bit.

I loved that the corkscrew was made by another ninja. I find obstacles that make ninjas dizzy really entertaining, like the rolling log. I know they've modified obstacles from the qualifiers to the semi-finals, but is this the first time they've ever substituted entirely new obstacles into the first half of the course? And speaking of obstacle designers, where is the great Maker, Kevin Carbone? I continue to watch a two hour show in under an hour. Almost every sob story and interview gets skipped. I even starting to skip some of the runs themselves due to the personalities. I'm not happy with the move to Wednesdays either since it's going up against The Amazing Race. I love TAR more even if it's on its deathbed. It doesn't need ANW driving the nails into its coffin any quicker.

Welcome back TAR. Glad to see this show again, though I fear it may be the last. As far as the teams go, I was set to dislike the footballers, but then they go and show them cosplaying at Comic Con. Dammit guys, don't make me like you. Conversely, I want to root for the gay couple, but I just can't. I don't like the sisters that came in second. Well, I don't like the one at least. Not too fond of the brother and sister team either, though I feel like I'm betraying my nerdiness or something. And unlike most, I *like* the beards on the volleyball players, and the men themselves. Hopefully they won't turn to the dark side. I was also split on the noodling country boys. (Not to be confused with canoodling country boys, which is an entirely different thing. However... ) The country bumpkin mannerism might have gotten a bit irksome if they hung around for a while. They seemed like really nice guys, though, and I was sad to see them go. The rest of the teams are rather forgettable. I was also happy with most of the show. Thank-goodness for no gimmicks or stunt casting. Though three teams of professional athletes is a bit much. I loved the scenery and the challenges. Unlike many though, I don't like goats, so the "ending" was somewhat of a let down from all the other good stuff. And since it's so close to Halloween, Day-O made me think of Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice!

I love the casting of Shawn Ashmore as Lamplighter. The meta idea of him playing a fire manipulator on this show while playing a ice creator/manipulator in the X-Men movies is amusing. It's also sort of interesting that he fought against Pyro, who has the exact same powers as Lamplighter. I wonder if they specifically cast him because of that connection? And if I didn't think episode 3's whale ramming was entertainingly absurd, the tentacle "sausage" of death may just outdo it.

I was so heartbroken when Campbell got stuck on the Lunatic Ledges. And equally thrilled when he figured it out. I agree with Taeolas that move ranks right up there with Bull's upside down move from years ago. Graff continues to be super. I was also impressed by rookie Herrington that was the first to finish the course. Bravo young man!

Glad to have the show back, but I'm torn on this new format. I like Carla, but I can only take so much of her wackiness, and this is too much. They've also double downed on the most annoying aspect of this show: the surprise twist thrown at the contestants during the bake. Just no. Stop already! At least the third twist, the bloody knife hide and seek, can be ignored by those who are already pressed for time. As much as I like the baker as a person, especially for putting up with Zak's flirtations, the right one went home. That red devil blob was just a mess, and not even a hot mess. The top two must have been mind-blowingly delicious to win since they both had design troubles.

Just for the record, that's NOT the correct way to wear a mask. Speedo Ninja has some competition next year. Ninja Warrior Tim Shieff wears a mask as a thong.

Say what you will about all the whispering, but both Tribal Councils were boring as hell tonight without it. I may not like Adam personally, but I love that he recognized that the act Denise was putting on was fake.

Actually, I heard it about it from the official Facebook page, where Phil talks about the season and Covid-19.

Congratulations to the newlyweds! I definitely thought it was the most impressive of the final builds, but I still question whether they should be there at all after the previous episode. The slow, majestic, flapping wing movement was mind blowing. With that said, the bearded boys really disappointed me. If it wasn't for the paintbrush interactivity, I'd consider it a total failure. With all the other stuff they've done, a blockly building is just sad even with all the color rejuvenation going on. All it had going for it was height and a few rotating doors. Boreing!!! A post-apocalyptic setting is rarely cheerful; I even hated the bleakness of the second Lego movie because of it. With that said, I'm glad the bickersons didn't win. The peacock was gorgeous, but they've been in the bottom too often to be considered Lego masters. However, I actually thought they did a better job than the lumberjacks, so I was surprised they ranked third place. I too wish they had incorporated movement to reveal the beautiful plumage like on a real peacock. I could have done without the monkey business, though I realize that's what they used it to tell the story. The banana table legs are cute though. I think my dislike stims from my personal bias against monkeys because I find them and other primates the least appealing of all the mammals. I would have preferred a raccoon bandit as the feather thief, but that might have been too trite story-wise and less buildable/articulate. Of course, I find it interesting that my least favorite teams prompts the greatest amount of commentary from me. *shrugs* Anyway, glad this show is doing an additional season. I just hope there's a better host next season, and they focus more of the builds instead of stupid banter.

As much as I love the newlyweds, I can't help but feel there was some sort of behind the scenes shenanigans to keep them for the finale. Granted, while the other team's efforts popped a bit more with the color, I'm not sure it was that much better technically. It was great to see the actual droids on set. And while I still despise the host and his neverending shtick, I loved all the Star Wars lines. Regardless, I don't care who wins the entire thing so long as it's either the bearded lumberjacks or the newlyweds.

If I wanted another episode of awkward relationship drama on a tropical island, I'd watch Ex On The Beach. Neither of them are looking good, and I want both of them gone quickly. *sigh*

Every time I see Arin, I think of Stephen Stucker's Johnny Henshaw-Jacobs, the slightly unhinged Air Traffic Controller in Airplane!

This show is so much better when I fast forward any time Will Arnett is on the screen. Of course, it then turns a 60 minute show into a 30 minute show. Sure I may lose some of the drama and trauma, but that's what I got to do in order to watch. Looks like the bearded lumberjacks or the newlyweds are the ones to beat.

Will Arnett got on my nerves in the first episode, but he's nothing but annoying in the second episode. I suspect I'll be crafting a voodoo doll of him during the next episode, and moving on to death threats by the fourth. *exhales slowly* Sorry. Suffice to say, my dislike for him is right up there will Will Ferrell. Glad Big Hair is gone because I couldn't take another facial expression more extreme than a caricature. While I don't want to see her or anyone hurt, I probably would have gotten schadenfreude if a flying Lego piece had hit her in the eye when she looked out over the safety glasses. Plus, if you're going to be standing and running all day, wear some sensible shoes to begin with. Frat bros are talented, but still not very likable. And my opinion of the two brothers(?) is quickly dwindling due the smack talk toward the other contestants. Even though it's done light-heartedly and jokenly, I still don't like it. Apparently, the bickersons are going to be this show's cockroach team that just won't die. This episode was definitely not as enjoyable as the first. Granted, that just may have been due to them destroying the Lego creations.