A new episode of The Amazing Race airs tonight on CBS. Read a live recap here.
The episode begins with the teams learning they must fly from Hong Kong, China to Osaka, Japan. Once they land, they will be faced with the Intersection twist. This twist requires teams to join another team to complete a challenge together.
Carson & Jack are the first team to arrive at the travel agency. Bernie & Carrigain and Nick & Mike struggle finding the travel agency, but they make their way there. Carson & Jack, Brett & Mark, and Ernest & Bridget manage to get seats on the first flight thirty minutes ahead of the second flight. Alyssa & Josiah choose to take the second flight since it’s a direct flight and less risky. The rest of the teams books seats on the second flight too, except Pops & Jeff, Bernie & Carrigain, Scott & Lori, and Melinda & Erika. They will be on the third flight an hour behind the second flight.
Pops & Jeff and Melinda & Erika try to get seats on the second flight. While they’re on standby, Bernie & Carrigain can’t agree to keep searching or just take the third flight. They eventually choose to give up trying to get on the second flight. Eventually, Pops & Jeff and Melinda & Erika were able to get seats on the second flight. Bernie & Carrigain and Scott & Lori are now the only teams on the third flight. Bernie & Carrigain argue about making decisions together while they sit and wait for their flight.
The teams land in Osaka, Japan. They must proceed to Tsutenkaku Tower. Ernest & Bridget get there first. Their next clue tells them to make their way to Namba Hatch. Once there, they will be faced with the Intersection. Brett & Mark arrive there second, and they team up with Ernest & Bridget. Jack & Carson arrive at the same time, but they need to wait for the fourth team.
Ernest and Mark pair up to do the Roadblock together. The task is to perform a taiko drum routine. As they start practicing, the rest of the teams arrive and pair up. Jack and Jonathan pair up next, and they are followed by Alyssa and Mike, Courtney and Jeff, Erika and Holden, and Bernie & Scott. Although Bernie and Scott begin practicing last, all the other teams are still there. The teams who arrived there first attempt the taiko drum routine, but they fail. Mark learns the routine quickly, but Ernest is struggling.
Jack and Jonathan pass on their third attempt. They are in the lead and get their next clue. They must proceed to Dotonbori Bridge. Alyssa and Mike are the second pair to complete the taiko drum routine. As they make their way to Dotonbori Bridge, Carson & Jack and Jonathan & Ana are already there. They learn they have a Detour to complete: Mochi or Mawashi. Mochi requires teams to make mochi bowls. Mawashi requires teams to put on a sumo wrestler wrapping. The four teams in the lead choose the Mawashi Detour.
Bernie & Scott complete the Roadblock on their first attempt. They jump ahead teams that were in front of them as they can now make their way to Dotonbori Bridge too. Bernie & Carrigain and Scott & Lori choose the Mawashi Detour too.
Jeff and Courtney and Holden and Erika complete the Roadblock too. Ernest is still struggling, putting Mark in last place too.
Jonathan & Ana complete the Mawashi Detour first. They can now race to the Pit Stop: Tahoto Pagoda. Meanwhile, Ernest and Mark finally complete the Roadblock on their 17th attempt. More teams arrive at their chosen Detour. Most of the teams choose the Mawashi Detour. Scott & Lori are the second team to complete the Mawashi Detour. They are followed by Alyssa & Josiah.
Pops & Jeff and Courtney & Jasmin arrive at the Mochi Detour. Melinda & Erika join them too. They are the only teams that chose the Mochi Detour. Meanwhile, Carson & Jack complete the Mawashi Detour and can proceed to the Pit Stop.
Jonathan & Ana arrive at the Pit Stop. Today is their anniversary, and Phil gives them the good news: Jonathan & Ana are Team #1! They also win a trip to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Scott & Lori arrive later as Team #2.
Brett & Mark and Ernest & Bridget arrive at the Mawashi Detour. Nick & Mike have been struggling with the Mawashi Detour for a long time. Meanwhile, Courtney & Jasmin complete the Mochi Detour. They are currently in fifth place as they make their way to the Pit Stop. Melinda & Erika complete the Detour next, and they are followed by Pops & Jeff.
Alyssa & Josiah greet Phil as Team #3. Meanwhile, Bernie & Carrigain and Nick & Mike complete the Mawashi Detour. As Carson & Jack greet Phil at the Pit Stop as Team #4, Brett & Mark complete the Mawashi Detour on their first attempt. They are in tenth place as they make their way to the Pit Stop.
Only Holden & Han and Ernest & Bridget remain at the Mawashi Detour. One of these teams will be eliminated. Meanwhile, Melinda & Erika greet Phil as Team #5. Han & Holden finally pass the Mawashi Detour while Courtney & Jasmin, Pops & Jeff, and Bernie & Carrigain arrive at the Pit Stop together as Team #6, Team #7, and Team #8 respectively.
Ernest & Bridget finally complete the Mawashi Detour while Brett & Mark and Nick & Mike arrive at the Pit Stop at the same time as Team #9 and Team #10 respectively. We finally see Han & Holden arrive at the Pit Stop as Team #11. Ernest & Bridget arrive later. Phil gives them the bad news. Ernest & Bridget have been eliminated from the race.
Episode Summary
1st place: Jonathan & Ana (Won a trip to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania)
2nd place: Scott & Lori
3rd place: Alyssa & Josiah
4th place: Carson & Jack
5th place: Melinda & Erika
6th place: Courtney & Jasmin
7th place: Pops & Jeff
8th place: Bernie & Carrigain
9th place: Brett & Mark
10th place: Nick & Mike
11th place: Han & Holden
Eliminated: Ernest & Bridget
And that wraps up tonight’s episode of The Amazing Race. Thanks for reading, and come back next week for another live recap.
