Culturally Preconditioned

The best thing about TARA3 so far, has been their Previews for Next Week’s Episode segment. Did you see the one for next week’s? zomg… but I am jumping way ahead of myself. So here’s a recap of what went on in the show tonight (Episode 2).

Teams checked in to the last pitstop at the Ratchaphruek Garden in Chiang Mai for the first episode. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was a pretty tight race with 10 minutes separating the first three teams, and about an hour in between the 4th and last team.  Anyway, teams start again after the mandatory 12 hour rest period *cough*bullshit*cough*. They had to go to My Kampung (actually it’s Mae Kam Phong village) where the Flight of the Gibbon awaits them. That turned out to be yet another recycled jungle canopy challenge. I’m sure it’s fun for the racers, but I’m not too thrilled about watching it for the gazillionth time on this show.

Interesting to note here that fifteen seasons into the show, and contestants STILL would rather opt for sleeping in a hotel, than maintaining their lead in this race. Some people are just wishing to get Guidoed. The first fifteen minutes of the show was kind of a snoozefest, and McKay’s Sony HD advert was laughable. Who cares if the show is shot in HD. AXN is not showing in HD format here in Malaysia (perhaps it is in Singapore or Phillipines.. who knows.. but it’s irrelevant here).. oh by the by, Survivor Gabon (premiering in a couple of hours) will be shot in HD.. this is relevant cause the shows will be downloaded by many people outside of the US (I can’t say the same for TARA3).

must.stop.rambling.

Okay, they next had to head to a Banana Plantation (ah reminds me of my Plantation Alliance in poody’s All Star game) and into a Roadblock. They had to go into stealth mode and find a clue in a travel backpack, while avoiding paintball snipers. Now, I personally thought this was a WAY COOL challenge. But they should’ve at least given the racers some protective gear. I mean, the bruise they showed on Bernie was nas-tay to say the least. Ouch!

Once done, team need to head out to Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam..  airport drama ensues! I love it. Ida/Tania rocked the shit out of this one by getting on the first flight (Chiang Mai - Bangkok - Ho Chi Minh). Five other teams got on a second flight (Chiang Mai - Siem Reap - Ho Chi Minh). And three trailing teams (Beauty Queens/OliMai/Cho Bros redux) took their chances by getting on a later flight (Chiang Mai - Bangkok - Ho Chi Minh). It’s interesting to note that the traditional TAR flag changed colours from Red/Yellow to Red/White, as a sign of respect to Vietnam’s flag colours?

Once in Ho Chi Minh, teams receive their clue at the Saigon Opera House and headed to Saigon Pho Cafe for the most SHAMELESS PRODUCT PLACEMENT EVER - to complete a game on Nokia’s phone. omg… it’s true. This IS the most toughest race ever. It’s really tough trying watching these shameless product placements without rolling my eyes till they turn white. Once that’s done, teams head to a flower shop in Ben Thanh market to receive their clue. Bunching happens here since the market only opens at 6 (terrible, cause this made Ida/Tania lose their big lead over the other racers).

Next, teams need to get on a bus to Cai Bei which is like 2 hours outside of Ho Chi Minh city. Next up a detour between Sampan (where they had to row an unstable sampan and deliver fruits) or Some Walk (catch and deliver 20 chickens on foot). Sampan/Some Walk ? Seriously? Have they no other better catch phrases than this? Some tried the sampan task, which proved too difficult for them so all the teams eventually did the chicken thingy instead.

zomg.. will this recap ever end?

Teams next get on a bus and head back to Ho Chi Minh. Their next clue at the Vang Lang church says they need to donate $500 from Singha Beer to various bodies of charities. *insert obligatory humanitarian comments here* Henry sudden crying probably meant something to him at the time, but it was definitely a WTF moment for the rest of us casual viewers. Finally teams head to the next pitstop which is the Museum Of Vietnamese History. In the order of their arrival at the pitstop :

Show Me The Spoiler

Next week’s preview : zomg.. Ida/Tania’s reaction seemed kinda suspenseful. And was that Bernie being run over in the trishaw? zomg zomg zomg.. okay, that was just me being a little overdramatic, but the previews did look like it might be an awesome episode.