TAR REWATCH: Season 24

Older Season

Continuing my rewatch with season 24!

THIS WILL INCLUDE SPOILERS
I have watched almost every TAR season, but I am unaware of most placements as I forget almost everything other than some of the winners and a few standouts teams!

What I remember: I know the top three teams and the order they finish in. I know this is probably the worst season ever, lmao. I also know who leaves first. Have a rough idea of the boot order but nothing that I confidently know.

LEG 1 (USA -> China): well this was… a leg. The whole Bopper drama is terribly sad. They should’ve been replaced completely. If Mallory said yes last minute, I’m sure they could’ve gotten Gary or another complete team. The tasks for this leg were just underwhelming… finding a wedding shop, getting lucky hopping on the right carousel, and then spinning five times in the air. Doesn’t help that the team with the biggest personalities and most reason to return leaving first.

LEG 2 (China): tell me why half this leg took place in a mall? The beginning was ok w the cowboys going from first to last, but the backpack drama with Mark really sucked and I hated seeing Mallory go out like that. Jennifer getting the boys to give them the express pass was a great play because everyone seemed to believe they were going to go home that leg. Detour was honestly decent but the one that every single team chose didn’t seem to take all too long.

LEG 3 (China -> Malaysia): this leg the teams went to Borneo and I actually enjoyed it for the most part. I’ll start with my issues with this leg. The last three teams to the airport basically were the only teams who could’ve been eliminated. The rafting challenge was actually difficult, was honestly scared for a few of the teams at times. Roadblock was pretty insignificant but climbing down a waterfall is cool I guess. Coulda been better. I did like the “last flight” alliance though and Jessica and John’s raft was funny plus Brenchels reactions.

LEG 4 (Malaysia): ugh so much squandered potential. The roadblock was actually pretty fun but insignificant as everyone pretty much finished before the following team even departed. Why would it be before the flight? Then we have a completely indoor detour. The tasks were fun and hard but could have literally been done in my bedroom. Yeah, Malaysia deserved better. I did like seeing Batu caves again, reminds me of the beauty queens and charla and mirna <3

LEG 5 (Malaysia -> Sri Lanka): visually this leg was so stunning. I really enjoyed the scenery and the outdoor detour options. The pole fishing was aesthetically really cool but unfortunately so much harder than the dance option. The roadblock was whatever. The biggest thing that hurt this leg for me was knowing how far behind Margie and Luke were, but at least they had a unique exit. The train ride was really gorgeous and reminded me of the one in season 3 through Vietnam.

LEG 6 (Sri Lanka): the tuk tuk race to the pit stop was absolutely insane. Detour was alright but the first come first serve said was much easier giving a pretty big advantage to the first three teams. The roadblock was actually awesome with Rachel completely messing up, Dave being a lunatic, and everyone else actually playing aggressive. Dave whining about Jess and John passing him was pure comedy.

LEG 7 (Sri Lanka -> Italy): honestly did enjoy this. The detour especially felt like a lot of fun. The little remote control carts felt cheap, but the fight side that Jess and John did was really awesome. Sucks they got a terrible cab driver and went from first to last. That fight for last after the afghanimals shared their answers with J/J and FT/BE was intenseee. Caroline and Jen somehow placing on the podium after a non elim is wild to me.

LEG 8 (Italy): probably the best leg of the season. This was so scenically beautiful I just wanted to go and live there. Detour was balanced and funny with Rachel and Brendon falling off their donkeys. And the u-turn drama was juicy. Dave and Connor are such babies. Afghanimals handled it better than I thought but they’re used to it. This was great just for the way that the teams interacted with eachother. A lot of good moments.

LEG 9 (Italy -> Switzerland): this felt like a bit of a filler leg especially considering it was a non elimination. Being in the snowy mountains was pretty but the roadblock was very unfair. There were a fair amount of challenges at least with the calculating the amount of miles one and cleaning the hotel room. Helga kinda stole the show I’m not gonna lie.

LEG 10 (Switzerland -> Spain): I really liked this leg, probably basically the year before covid I was in Seville and I recognized several locations including the pitstop and have photos there! Just really cool to see the race go places that you’ve been. On top of that the running with the bulls task was genius. Caroline and Jennifers dance was nice too. The balloon shaving was whatever… and so was the speed bump. God bless the afghanimals for u-turning the cowboys. Brenchel vs everyone storyline has actually been pretty fun.

LEG 11 (Spain -> England & Wales): this was actually really cute I liked this leg. The “y sipsi” poem was a really good roadblock and the detour was also pretty nice. The location was stunning, love when both options are outdoors. Rachel’s freakout after using the wrong boots was a classic. Did not want the afghanimals to leave but ah oh well. Enjoyed that short time where Dave and Connor were in last. Liked the self driving.

LEG 12 (England & Wales -> USA): so I see all the budget went to the finale! A night finale in Las Vegas was a pretty cool idea. I don’t think it took very long or was very challenging but it wasn’t the worst amazing race finale. The david copperfield magic act was alright, not much of a challenge. Then they just had to screw in light bulbs and sky dive to the finish. Could’ve been better, could’ve been worse. Obviously not happy with the winners but I’ve known the entire time so it’s ok.

So… this wasn’t as terrible as I thought? I don’t know. Maybe my expectations going in were so low that I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that it was watchable. And honestly, it had my attention for pretty much the whole way through. I will say there were some pretty glaring issues starting at the casting and continuing through the route, but with what they had I can’t say the season was boring. I’ll start with the cast. I would’ve casted maybe 0 of these teams on an all star season. Natalie and Nadiya, Brenchel, the Afghanimals, and Bopper and Mark (before Boppergate) were decent choices but some of these were really just second chancers and others were on their third attempt (none of them needed one except maybe M&L but they weren’t even redeemed). Just a huge missed opportunity for a good cast. Then we have the route which visits only four countries in the first eight legs. To be honest I did enjoy Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and this season had one of my favorite visits to Italy ever, but there needed to be some more variety. The cast drama was utterly stupid and made them all more unlikeable other than Brenchel but at least there was a strong narrative that held the endgame together, because the route itself wasn’t going to do that. Overall this season was pretty weak, but still not my least favorite. At least I never felt like quitting the show like I did during my viewing of season 16. Excited to move on to 25!

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TEAM RANKINGS:

(1) Brendon/Rachel: THE BRENCHELS!! Holy shit did they MAKE this season. A large part of this season is not last on my rankings is because of how much fun they made it. From making errors from not reading the clue in almost every episode (the taxis in Sri Lanka, the boots in the UK), to u-turning my least favorite team maybe ever, to battling the entire cast from final 5 to final 3, including yelling at them while digging a pit and throwing the sand in their pits, they just didn’t disappoint me at all. Never ending list of quotes, so many iconic moments. In season 20 they were OK. They had some awesome moments but I didn’t find them that likeable. This time around, Rachel was really a star and I loved the growth she showed. Brendon also is not boring and was a really great partner. I was uncomfortable at him yelling at her to stop crying a few times though. They seem fine though. Think I’ve said all that needed to be said, they ARE the amazing race 24 for better or for worse.

(2) Jessica/John: is this a hot take? I’m not sure but I really like them. Are they all stars? Not really. But they definitely earned a second chance. I remember being shocked by their elimination in 22 and felt like they were front runners. This time around they were able to show that they are a strong team and I think for the most part performed really well. Honestly they’re just this high because I am in love with Jessica she is so kind and friendly and just fucking stunning. On a season with a lot of teams who didn’t really shine like their past showings, I think they showed up and gave me someone new to root for. Still pissed that they went from first to last in Italy due to a taxi driver, but c’est la vie.

(3) Margie/Luke: in season 14 they were a mixed bag. I loved them, then liked them, then disliked, and in the end had positive feelings towards them. Then in season 18 I felt as though they really did not have much of a presence and I fell to not really caring about them. This time, I was actually happy to see them back and found them really likeable. Even though they were three timers I had much less of a problem with them than the other two because their last showing was poor and they had more to prove. They also had more personality. Loved seeing Margie again and Luke sharing the story of him coming out. Was really disappointed by flight troubles taking them out in 8th once again. Wouldve liked to see them more!!

(4) Jennifer/Caroline: probably the time I had the hardest time placing. Really don’t know how I feel about them after this season? I was a pretty big fan in 22 but I feel there they had so much more personality and were their own team, they had Bates and Anthony but were away from them for most of the legs. This time they really just played based on their friendships and clinged to Dave and Connor. While that was frustrating to watch at times, I just find them inherently likeable? I also think that the play to get the express pass was so smart on their part and saved them from an early elimination. Any other team could’ve done the same thing but failed to do so (Joey and Meghan for example, another team that wouldn’t threaten Jet and Cord). They got a bit of shit for having men helping them but honestly fuck the white millennial feminism takes it’s honestly girlboss as fuck to get the men to do the work for you likeee some of y’all forget they’re one of like 3 F/F teams to place second. Are they the strongest? No. Most compelling? No. But they are way too overhated and ended up being some sweet underdogs.

(5) Leo/Jamal: once again, I am shocked by the fact I actually really like these guys. For most of this season they were really subdued and in the background and I was left wondering “wtf happened to the shit stirring afghanimals”… but they finally came back in the last few legs and really made things WATCHABLE. them playing up the “accidental alliance” just to stir the pot was just so something they would do and they did the smart thing not the popular thing by sniping Jet and Cord with the u-turn. Unfortunately they had some navigation issues in their last leg and got fourth again. Would’ve much preferred them over Dave and Connor.

(6) Natalie/Nadiya: one of my all time favorite teams and one of the only good casting decisions this season. Unfortunately they were sniped in the first episode by shotty leg design and for that reason I can’t put them any higher. Loved the entertainment they brought during their short time.

(7) Mark/Mallory: feel like I haven’t commented enough on how incredibly weird and fucky this match up was. I have no idea what production was thinking. Honestly, I have to appreciate them for not getting along at all and putting on a show that they’re happy to be partners like production probably wanted from them. Found it much more satisfying to see them both acting naturally and not playing things up for the cameras. While it was a really awkward pairing I love both of them individually on their past seasons and was rooting for them to get their shit together. They honestly could have gone far if it wasn’t for the backpack ordeal. Mark really shoulda just left it behind like Mallory could have bought him a new backpack and clothes but… oh well.

(8) Joey/Meghan: I actually became a Joey and Meghan fan during s22 but I didn’t need to see them back. They brought close to nothing to this season and should have been replaced. I did like them for their short stint but all I can remember is them getting stranded without a taxi and sitting on the side of the road in Borneo.

(9) Jet/Cord: I’ve never been a huge cowboys fan but this was actually probably my favorite appearance from them. For the first half I didn’t care for them but around the end when the “accidental alliance” became a huge story I appreciated them not joining in on the bullying and keeping to themselves. I was happy to see them leave though, it was a really good play by the afghanimals even though it didn’t work out.

(10) Flight Time/Big Easy: were they even on this season? Not a really big fan of three timers, especially when they’re not all that special. On none of their seasons have I ever been a big fan but it seemed like in this one they didn’t even want to be there. I don’t remember them like at all. Which is crazy since they made it decently far. I literally have nothing to say except they should’ve casted anyone else.

(11) Dave/Connor: I’m not going to lie they are my least favorite winners in the history of the amazing race. I hated them as a kid, and I still hate them now. Despite being completely uninteresting and void of any charisma, the Mormon boys fucking suck. Crying, whiny babies. Getting mad at Jessica and John for “passing a 60 year old man” and having a 3-4 episode long arc about how they didn’t deserve to get u-turned and how Rachel is scary looking, how her and Brendon suck, etc.. Terrible sports. Like if you’re going to whine at least make it funny and quotable. If you’re gonna bully people for playing the game, at least make it entertaining. Just fun sponges that seriously tanked this entire season.

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SEASON RANKINGS

Posted May 9, 2022, 3:45 PM UTC

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