Here’s how the semi-final leg went:
Teams had to go straight to the airport and fly to South Korea. All were aware of the tensions there. I’m sure they are a lot more tense looking back now. Nat & Kat started off in first place, but it did not take long for Jill & Thomas to catch up. In fact, all three teams left in the first plane out to Korea. Nick & Vicky missed the plane and had a nine hour delay, enough to nearly guarantee their exit tonight.
Once in South Korea, teams were instructed to drive to a bridge. Jill & Thomas were the first off the plane and on the road. Brook & Claire were right behind them. Nat & Kat... got lost. Not too lost though, the docs found their error and were quickly back in the race.
The bridge was right along the North/South Korean border. You could see the teams stiffening some, except for Brook who offered up her assistance to assuage any tensions in the countries.
Teams had to go white water rafting to the nearby US Army base for their next clue. This was obviously a fun little task thrown in for the heck of it. Everyone seemed to enjoy it, Nick & Vicki never got to it.
The Roadblock came at the US Army base, where one person from each team had to take a headband and match it to one worn by troops doing Tai Kwon Do drills. Seeing the troops was impressive. If you gave your headband to the wrong man, you had to get a new one and start over.
Thomas completed the task quickly and got he and Jill off to a decent lead. Brook gave her first headband to the wrong guy and had to start again. Sooner than I thought, she got it right the second time. Brook and Claire wound up with a decent lead over Nat & Kat who finally found their way.
Teams had to walk to the subway and take it to the Seoul World Cup stadium for their next clue. Jill & Thomas arrived first and all alone. The clue said to “make it on foot or take the subway” to the Detour... Brook & Claire got their clue and immediately jumped on a cab. Meanwhile, Jill & Thomas are seen on the subway looking for the other teams and assuming they are in first.
The Detour was Full Throttle or Full Bottle. Teams would have to complete 24 laps on the South Korean Olympic training speed skating track. Or, deliver things in the marketplace to a pharmacy, then drink a full bottle of ginseng tonic. There’s been enough eating on the Amazing Race 17. Every team opted to speed skate, (or as it’s now known, slow-mo skate).
Thinking they were in the lead, Jill & Thomas were shocked to see Brook & Claire get on the ice before them (cabs are faster than the subway, who knew?). Team HSN stormed through their 24 laps. Okay, that’s a lie, no one on the Korean skating team is in danger of losing their position. I’m sure they were laughing hard at these American spectacles on ice!
Finally, mercifully, Brook & Claire finished their laps and were off to the Pit Stop in first place (or so they thought). When they arrived, Phil Keoghan gave them the bad news. The taxi ride to the Detour cost them a 30 minute penalty.
Jill & Thomas came in, now fully thinking they were in second place. Phil told them the good news. Thanks to that cab ride Jill & Thomas won the leg and a trip for two to Argentina. Brook & Claire did complete their penalty before Team Docs could make it in though, taking second in this leg.
Nat & Kat faded in the skating rink. The footage was priceless, and the musical score was some of the best from any Amazing Race. It shouldn’t matter as usually all three final teams are brought to equal for a closer finish at the beginning of the last leg.
Meanwhile... back with Nick & Vicki. Team Tattoo found some nice gentlemen in South Korea that were willing to lead them to the first bridge for their clue. Along the way they stopped for potty breaks and food. Not really like any parts of TAR I’ve ever seen. They finally got to the bridge and were told to go to the US Army base where they were seen hosing off tanks for their extra task. Good for the producers for making them do that extra task.
Here is the finishing order for this second to the last leg of the Amazing Race 17:
1. Jill & Thomas
2. Brook & Claire
3. Nat & Kat
4. Nick & Vicki
This has the making of the first ever all female team winning the Amazing Race. I fear the hype though. Jill & Thomas are both strong competitors. While they’ve treated others (usually cab drivers) like crap most of the time, they’ve stayed strong together.
Brook & Claire have been having bigger and bigger implosions on recent legs. I don’t think they are concentrating on winning anymore, but survival instead. That’s a problem going into the last leg. They could easily slip past a team though. I officially call Brook & Claire for the upset pick (..a Cinderella story, from outta nowhere...).
I think Nat & Kat are the real wild cards on Amazing Race 17. They have finished first so many times only to fall far behind later. You just never know where they are during the leg. This may be the team to watch. I think I’m on team Nat & Kat for the finals. Who are you rooting for in the finals of the Amazing Race 17? Join me next week to find out the winners!
Catch up on this season of Amazing Race 17 here:
Week 10: The Amazing Race 17: Nick & Vicki Saved by the Last Non-Elimination Leg
Week 9: Amazing Race 17: Chad & Stephanie Are Off TAR to Find... True Love?
Week 8: "Amazing Race 17": Chad Proposes and Gary & Mallory Finish Last
Week 7: The Amazing Race 17: Michael & Kevin make a few too many mistakes
Week 6: The Amazing Race 17: Nick & Vicky Get Saved
Week 5: The Amazing Race 17: Remember Those Volleyball Ladies...?
Week 4: The Amazing Race 17: Team Glee Sings Their Way Out
Week 3: The Amazing Race 2010: First Non-Elimination Leg
Week 2: The Amazing Race Week 2: Jenna and Andie Get Lost
Week 1: The Amazing Race Season 17 Premiere: Tony and Ron Lost Their Way
Copyright @ 2008 TV Review
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