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Review: Devil in the details on Amazing Race Canada

Missed locations, wrong addresses, half-completed tasks and a missing passport were the norm during the messiest Leg of The Amazing Race Canada so far. Last week, I commented that this third trip around the world has featured some of the most difficult challenges I’ve seen in the franchise. But while the Leg in Halifax wasn’t particularly challenging, it derailed several teams.

Unfortunately for Hamilton and Michaelia, it also spelled the end of their Race. The pair played catch-up for the better part of their time in Nova Scotia after Hamilton left his passport on the plane, meaning they had to return to the airport to get it before they could check in with Jon Montgomery. Halifax Stanfield International is a 40-minute drive from the city, meaning they lost almost an hour and a half in trip time, allowing even the slowest team—Nic and Sabrina—ample time to reach the mat.

Oh, Nic and Sabrina. The married pair who are so strong with linguistics have faltered in other areas. Nic’s lack of observational skills took the duo off-course and to an empty marina when everyone else drove to Citadel Hill. His indecisive attitude at the Bubbles Detour—he doesn’t like to get his face wet—cost them valuable time at Dalhousie University before they swapped and delivered beer to three pubs for Suds. One of the strongest teams early on has been humbled by small things and they need to pick things up.

Meanwhile, Dujean and Leilani—a pair who have battled each other in the past—pulled it together and were the first to meet Jon at the Halifax Seaport Farmer’s Market. Sure, Leilani’s knowledge of Halifax (it’s her hometown) was integral to their success, but I also credit them for staying positive and, dare I say it?, having fun while they raced.

It’s a trait that Brent and Sean have embraced since Quebec City and as a result they’ve been in the middle of the pack and a joy to watch compete. That, and a kinship with Michaelia and Hamilton, scored them the oh-so-important Express Pass.

Here’s how the teams finished:

  1. Dujean and Leilani
  2. Brian and Cynthia
  3. Nick and Matt
  4. Brent and Sean
  5. Simi and Ope
  6. Neil and Kristin
  7. Gino and Jesse
  8. Nic and Sabrina
  9. Hamilton and Michaelia (eliminated)

Notes and quotes

  • I really appreciate Jon Montgomery telling us Buenos Aires makes some of the best barbecue he’s ever tasted. Yes, I’m being sarcastic.
  • Did the BMO lady at the airport talk the teams into getting bank accounts?

The Amazing Race Canada airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV.

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7 thoughts on “Review: Devil in the details on Amazing Race Canada”

  1. Good for Leilani and Dujean. Being exes they seem to snap at argue the most of all the teams but it was nice they got a 1st place. Being in her original province helped, and the timing was a bit spooky with the passing of her parents, but I’m glad it didn’t hold her back from the Race.

    Thanks for clearing up the driving distance to the airport. I knew they were probably done when he lost his passport. I thought maybe since they were back in Canada it might have been a non-elimination leg but nope. They went with option A) for giving away the Express Pass-friendship. Brent and Sean aren’t exactly frontrunners but they aren’t back-of-the-pack either so it’ll help them when needed. Perhaps someone will force them to use it on next week’s U-Turn.

    The lobsters looked like the easier Detour to me, but I forgot how hard deep diving can be. But I was a bit surprised 3 teams had to quit it. Two legs in a row where Nic just couldn’t finish a task. If that keeps up they won’t last much longer.

    Not sure how I feel about this Face Off Challenge yet, automatically giving the last team to lose it an automatic time penalty sounds like it’s basically sending them home then and there. That would kill the excitement for the rest of the episode. The US version hasn’t done a Face Off to my knowledge, but some other international versions have, so I’ll wait and see?

    Any word on After the Race Greg?

    1. Hey Dan, yup there will be an After the Race again this year. A slight chance there will be one halfway through the season, but one at the end for sure.
      Thanks for your weekly comments regarding The Amazing Race Canada. I like to hear other people’s opinions about game play.
      Yeah, the airport is a long haul from the city, with just trees, rocks and the sky to look at as you get close to the city. I’m betting that was the longest ever trip out and back for Hamilton and Michaelia. Nic makes me shake my head every week.

  2. Your welcome and thanks! Figured as much. Hopefully they’ll do another halfway one as well, it lets the teams eliminated early talk more and give their thoughts on how the other teams come across in the episodes for legs they weren’t participating in. But we have a extra team this year so that might leave no room in the weekly schedule for a halfway special.

    Don’t forget Sabrina can’t run very well and seems to struggle to swim long distances. I do too but I’m not applying for the Race!

    In terms of hearing others opinions, this is one reason I wish we had Survivor Canada. I frequent some US sites during that show’s seasons and several commenters there would love more Survivor to talk about in the off-season. A portion of US Big Brother fans keep up with our version.

    1. Oops, I just remembered that they landed in Toronto. That was where they re entered Canada.

  3. I was cheering for Hamilton and Michaelia to reach the mat in time so they would not be eliminated from the race. I think that they are the cutest, sweetest couple. I guess I’ll have to cheer for Jesse and Gino now.

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