Since you've been gone

Season 28, Episode 6 preview:

Chamonix, France — Where were we?

It’s been three weeks of dead time since the last Amazing Race episode.

Kory and Tyler on the ropes

It was a cliffhanger that may have been one of the best ever, as it featured gorgeous scenery, hazardous mountain climbing, dynamite tossing, challenging winter weather and the sad elimination of a happy team.

It was also an episode that brought the season alive, making it interesting where before it had been, well, just a little bland.

And then CBS left the Race for dead, taking a basketball break. Thus, we’ve all been left to ponder that other race, the strange and nasty marathon featuring Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and, oh yes, John Kasich.

So, given the time away, your amnesia about the Race is understandable. To get your back in the grove, here’s a few reminders of what’s happened and where we are:

Joslyn and Erin descending

Gender gap. Seven teams remain, none of them featuring two women. The last of these pairs to exit was the likeable Erin and Joslyn, the Clevver TV stars. Joslyn first walked by a clue box that was in plain sight, and the team later fell fatally behind when Erin couldn’t get lift-off in the paragliding challenge. Their loss eliminated Cindy and Jim from the pool.

The rich get richer. Social media stars and happy guys Tyler and Korey took Episode 5, giving them two firsts and three seconds on the season. Right behind them were Frisbee stars Brodie and Kurt, who now have two firsts, two seconds and a fifth. Both of these teams are appealing, but monotony may set in if they keep running away from the field.

Blair ponders

Whither love?: Shades of junior high, Episode 4 launched the subplot of a possible romance between Frisbee’s Brodie and Blair of the daughter/father team of Blair and Scott. That subplot was forgotten in Episode 5, giving away to the bromance between Tyler/Korey and Brodie/Kurt. Why not?

Parental power: Scott and Blair are doing just fine, but the mother/son team of Sheri and Cole seem doomed. Surprisingly, Cole is the weak link, as Sheri pretty much had to carry him on her back while they were on the mountain, his fear of heights rendering him useless.

Sheri and Cole

Sleeper teams: I have hope for the dancers Dana and Matt. Early on they were auditioning for the standard Race role of bickering duo. Now they seem efficient, athletic and compatible. Similarly, Zach and Rachel, a video star and his producer, are at least poised for mediocrity, as they’ve begun to dominate the middle of the field.

Sleeping team: What gives with Burnie and Ashley? The dating couple is compatible, even pleasant, but a little vague. Maybe they’ll wake up when then get down to a lower altitude.

Overheard:

Korey: We’re going to be so cute on the mountain.

Tyler: When in France, find your self a cute mountain guide.

Korey (on cannibalism): We all agree to eat Tyler first.

Blair: Oh my gosh, Daddy, I could get married there.

Scott: Get your boy friends all squared up and you’d be set.

Phil Keoghan: Deliver (the) explosives and lunch to these hard working professionals.

Matt: Apparently my life is in Dana’s hands.

Dana: My capable hands.

  

Sheri: I was going to do it with tears in my eyes.

Brodie: This is what The Amazing Race is all about. Doing stuff you’d never do in your entire life.

Korey: I once dated a yeti.

Brodie: Well, that’s interesting.

Order of finish:

1 Tyler and Korey

2 Brodie and Kurt

3 Dana and Matt

4 Scott and Blair

5 Zach and Rachel

6 Burnie and Ashley

7 Sheri and Cole

8 Erin and Joslyn