by Gina Scarpa

 

The fifth leg of The Amazing Race takes teams from Bali more than 2,000 miles to Hanoi, Vietnam. Once they arrive, they're headed to Rap Cong Nhan Theater in the center of the city and as they head to the airport, Dave and Conor are leading the pack. Unfortunately though, Dave's injury has become too severe and it seems they'll be leaving the race before this leg is over. With a Double U-Turn on the horizon, it looks to be a very unpredictable episode.

 

All teams catch up in Vietnam, and have to spend the night until the theater opens the next morning. At least there's carpeting on the floor! Meanwhile, Dave and Connor head to the pit stop to take themselves out of the race. That injury is so unfortunate, and I have a feeling we'll see them in a future season. They'll be the definition of Unfinished Business!

 

The next morning, teams face a Road Block where one team member has to watch a performance that ends with the people on stage spelling out a phrase. Since team members aren't allowed to take notes of any kind, and with five minutes in between performances, some people are slowed down by the task. Pam is the only one to get it right on the first try, and she and Winnie head to Cong Vien Thong Nhat to participate in a traditional bamboo dance. Chuck gets the phrase second, followed by Jen and Katie.

 

The dance doesn't take much time at all, and is more for teams to appreciate the beautiful culture of the country. Next up is a Detour, with the choices being Make Your Move and Make Your Meal. In Make Your Move, teams must create a human chess game that matches a corresponding game board. In Make Your Meal, teams have to create a traditional Vietnamese dish, but it seems harder than it sounds especially since the shopping list isn't in English. It's no surprise that most teams opt for the chess game, but that requires great attention to detail.

 

Pam and Winnie finish the game first and take off for the B-52 Memorial where the blind Double U-Turn awaits them. They choose to send Meghan and Joey back, and head for the pit stop at The Vietnam National Museum of History. They arrive at the U-Turn second, so at least they're in a good spot, and choose to send back Chuck and Wynona. That seems like it'll be the undoing for Team Alabama

 

Teams finish in the following order:

 

1. Pam and Winnie (win a trip to Whistler, Canada)

2. Max and Katie

3. Mona and Beth

4. Bates and Anthony

5. Caroline and Jennifer

6. Joey and Meghan

7. Chuck and Wynona

 

Chuck and Wynona had a hard enough time at the cooking task, so much so that Joey and Meghan were able to compete that second side of the Detour before they even finished the first.  Despite getting lost on their way to the pit stop, Team YouTube is able to stay in the race... but then again, so are Chuck and Wynona.  Because Dave and Connor dropped out, they're able to stay.  If there's one thing we've learned over the years on The Amazing Race, it's that one team's misfortune is another team's gain.

 

 

The Amazing Race airs Sundays at 8/7c on CBS.

 

(Image courtesy of CBS)

 

 

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