On the Street in Kolkata, India

Tea Time!

Each team tears open their first clue and shows varying degrees of exasperation to be remaining in China for a third day. But a brief stop in a Chinese tea shop just sets up the rest of the action in Kolkata, India.

Developing an appropriate, not-too-heavy-handed sponsorship cannot be easy for The Amazing Race. Travelocity, the show’s major sponsor, works their marketing into the action by giving away prizes and by throwing in an occasional gnome. Nothing too annoying for viewers.

Tonight’s sponsor, Snapple,  starts out subtly—working mango and papaya-flavored teas seamlessly into the action of the race.

Snapple, you cleverly marketed your product throughout the episode. Why couldn’t you resist the urge to over-promote at the Pit Stop? The racers are tired; why make them dance a jig over your new flavors? Though excitable little Mallory would dance a jig without any prodding.

Everyone plays nice in this leg. Ron does not lose his temper. He impresses me by using his sense of smell to detect the right tea faster than anyone else. The other racers slog down alarming quantities.

Poor Luke gets so frustrated tasting hundreds of teas, he breaks bawling several times. The local folks gather around him and applaud with genuine compassion when he finally succeeds in finding the right cup of tea. I think Luke drank from nearly every cup on the long table. Tired and wired—not a good combo.

Flight Time and Big Easy give Margie and Luke a hug to show respect as they leave the Hindu Ganesha painting Detour.

If a racer is handed an object instead of a clue envelope, she should examine it carefully before assuming what it means. Kisha and Jen are handed an unlabeled Snapple bottle and they start looking for a Snapple factory. Don’t they know that Snapple always puts something clever under the cap?

Kynt and Vyxyn are gleeful when they get to paint the plaster Ganesha pink with black eye makeup like they do for themselves every morning. They deserve a little fun after the harrowing time they’ve had in previously legs.

Jet and Cord, my favorites, always play nice and finish second behind Gary and Mallory.