S37.E11: My Knight in Shining Armor

[PurpleTentacle]

I really thought that was deceptive editing for the longest time. I was so sure Jonathan & Ana were so far behind there was no way they'd ever catch up. Yet there they were, Jonathan being an ass all the way to the train.

I guess it must have been a combination of Alyssa & Josiah having gotten more lost than it seemed at first and the trains running pretty infrequently. Maybe every half hour or even hour?

I so hope that Jonathan is out for the final leg. I want him nowhere near that finish line. Well, guess I'm going to watch it now.

[proserpina65]

3 hours ago, PurpleTentacle said:

I guess it must have been a combination of Alyssa & Josiah having gotten more lost than it seemed at first and the trains running pretty infrequently. Maybe every half hour or even hour?

It definitely looked like the trains were spaced pretty far apart, plus Alyssa said it was late.  Damn it.

[seacliffsal]

Just watched this episode and haven't watched the finale so I don't know if this makes a difference, BUT, the prizes for first place are typically given out after the race so as not to have any effect on the race outcome.  HOWEVER, I was not happy that only Jack and Carson were upgraded to business class for the final flight home as a reward for winning the leg (Phil did not say anything to Han/Holden about business class so I am assuming it was only Jack and Carson who were upgraded).  This is the first time that I can recall that a reward was given immediately to the first place team and I think it can have a direct impact on the race.  Last summer I flew home from Heathrow in business class (Delta) and two years previously had flown home from Heathrow in premium economy.  There is a HUGE difference between the two (comfort, food, etc.), as well as the airlines typically let their business class passengers exit the plane first.  I think this is too much of an advantage for Jack and Carson that will be extremely difficult for the other two teams to overcome.  Again, I have not watched the final yet so it may not actually make a difference in the outcome.

Have not been to Porto and it looked amazing.  They should have given the racers at least a sip of port at some point...

Will watch the finale in a few days.

[QQQQ]

On 5/15/2025 at 9:17 PM, shura said:

Not only that, how would not being allowed to ask the locals for directions even work on TAR?  You are in a city you’ve never been to before.  You get your tile clue that only says “ODE Port House” - and then what?

In ancient times we used physical maps and read road signs. I guess it's not the talking to locals that bothers me - it's using phones for directions.

[tinkerbell]

6 hours ago, QQQQ said:

In ancient times we used physical maps and read road signs. I guess it's not the talking to locals that bothers me - it's using phones for directions.

I agree - and even if a local had to check their phone for directions, I think the racers should be not allowed to handle or look at the phones.  

Who gives their phone to a stranger? 

[Kel Varnsen]

On 5/16/2025 at 12:30 PM, seacliffsal said:

typically let their business class passengers exit the plane first.  I think this is too much of an advantage for Jack and Carson

Someone can correct me if I am wrong but I think I have read that at airports, especially flying internationally, they wait for everyone to clear customs then tell them to start racing again inside the airport. Otherwise it's way too big a risk that one team gets a more picky customs agent who wants to ask a bunch of questions and go through all the stuff. Then a team could get eliminated over something they have zero control over, can't work around and that you can't even capture on camera.

[Stardancer Supreme]

On 5/15/2025 at 2:56 PM, QQQQ said:

Have teams always been able to ask locals/non-participants to use their phones and/or for directions?

Before cell phones, teams were allowed to ask locals for directions only. They would write them down on a notebook or their clue.  Now that everyone has a cell phone of some type and the racers aren't allowed to use their own, they are kinda forced to ask locals for theirs.  What I can't stand is the snatching of phones and clues from the hands of locals.  Yes, you are racing for a million dollars, but that doesn't excuse bad manners towards the locals during your race. 

Clearly there needs to be remedial classes in map reading for future racers! I was wondering how Holden was having so much trouble navigating when a few episodes ago he was bragging about being able to read maps... 

[aemom]

On 5/15/2025 at 8:54 AM, Cotypubby said:

And how many times this episode did Jonathan berate his wife and then say in a talking head how “we” need to be better and “both of us” weren’t acting the best. He never even once said “I.” Everything he did was his wife’s fault. She steps in front of him (oh no!) and he has a man-baby meltdown. Man must go first! Woman behind! 

I have also noticed on various legs of the race that if Ana gets to a clue box first, he says "give me that," and snatches it out of her hands.

I feel so incredibly sorry for Ana and I feel like she is ALWAYS walking on eggshells around him hoping that she doesn't set him off in some way.  What a terrible way to live.

Edited May 18 by aemom
typo

[Netfoot]

4 hours ago, aemom said:

I feel so incredibly sorry for Ana and I feel like she is ALWAYS walking on eggshells around him hoping that she doesn't set him off in some way.  What a terrible way to live.

I agree. Someties in her talking heads she looked scared and was clearly lying to make him look good - presumably to improve his mood.

I doubt that any therapy will help. Either because having used it as an excude excuse he will simply not attend or perhaps just not absorb. I just hope they have enough friends and family who saw the show that they all bring it up and stamp on Jonathan's stones every chance they get. Perhaps that will get him to change his ways. Or maybe they will  get Ana to realize that as a bed of roses, Jonathan is less soft petals and more of a prick!

Edited May 18 by Netfoot

[cowgirlwen]

I wonder how much time was lost by Alyssa and Josiah when their car was bumped into at the train station?  The show made it look like it was no big deal, but I'm guessing it would have taken at least 10 minutes to get out and check things over and discuss with the other car's occupants, etc.  Without that delay, they possibly could have made the first train with J&C and H&H.  They never showed how far apart the trains were actually.

[illdoc]

7 hours ago, cowgirlwen said:

Without that delay, they possibly could have made the first train with J&C and H&H.  They never showed how far apart the trains were actually.

Even with the delay, if their train had arrived on time, they would have made that one and left before Jonathan & Ana had even bought their tickets!

[Colorado David]

i kinda wish they would forbid being able to ask strangers to use their phones. if that's allowed, just let the racers use their own phones. whats the point?

Edited May 21 by Colorado David

[tinkerbell]

13 minutes ago, Colorado David said:

i kinda wish they would forbid being able to ask strangers to use their phones. if that's allowed, just let the racers use their own phones. whats the point?

I agree.   Ask for directions, and if the locals need to look it up on their phone, they can still TELL the racers the directions, and the racers can write them down.  It's always been OK to ask for directions - some locals are more helpful than others.  But handling a local's phone should not be allowed. 

[Rodney]

18 minutes ago, Colorado David said:

i kinda wish they would forbid being able to ask strangers to use their phones. if that's allowed, just let the racers use their own phones. whats the point?

They can't have their own phones on the race.

[Colorado David]

exactly.  that way it keeps the element of being able to screw up :)    i do like when they make the racers drive themselves, thats a fun element. we've all been in that world of dread when you're lost on the road. i cant fathom being lost in a foreign country, i would break down and cry.