BWW Recap: Plans go Awry on THE AMAZING RACE

Last week's leg of THE AMAZING RACE was a doozie, to say the least. I'm not sure I've ever seen as much strategic planning from teams as I did during the last leg. Usually, teams fight with teams they don't like, and sure, they use the U-Turn if possible, but Tanner and Josh took Race strategy to a whole new level when they included the rest of the teams into their plan. And then, at the Pit Stop, everyone's hearts broke as Ernest and Jin, the dancers, got eliminated.

This is THE AMAZING RACE, though, and there's no time to stop and be sad over who gets eliminated (even if they were an awesome team with incredible personaliites). Tanner and Josh immediately spring back into game mode to try and get rid of Justin and Diana. I think their plan is solid, but they need to be careful how the execute it. If they over-think it, they could stumble and make a huge mistake. Good luck with that, fellas! The first part of this leg requires teams to get on a flight from Buenos Aires to Zambia. Kelsey and Joey, Tanner and Josh, Jazmine and Danielle, and Justin and Diana make it on the first flight, with the rest of the teams following close behind. Meanwhile, Logan and Chris's flaws are beginning to show: they're really short tempered with each other. If there's one thing you shouldn't be on this show, it's short tempered. It'll be interesting to see how that plays out.

Slowly but surely, teams start arriving in Zambia. Monkies abound on the side of the road, which means Zambia has now climbed to the top of the list of places I'd like to visit! When teams arrive at the mat, they are greeted with a traditional tribal welcome: getting spit at in the face. You know, as you do. I have to say, like the news anchors. They really appreciate it where they are. I'm always a sucker for teams who take time out from the Race to appreciate what exactly it is that they get to be a part of. Kudos to them!

The Road Block essentially requires teams to ride over the gigantic African Niagra Falls on a motorcycle with wings. Okay, fine, that's not exactly how they phrased it, but that's essentially what it is, and it's incredible. Teams find the gigantic Amazing Race flag on the suspension bridge with relatively no problems.

On to bigger discussions: Tanner and Josh decided to use their Express Pass to skip the Road Block. I'm not sure that was the wisest idea, and neither are any of the other teams - especially Justin. Why skip the Road Block, which is usually a shorter challenge all around, when you could skip the Detour, which could potentially be an hours-long challenge? I'm rooting for you, Tanner and Josh, but I'm not sure you guys made the best strategic move.

Allow me to take a moment to discuss that suspension bridge over the falls. It's awesome. Sure, this place is similar to Niagra Falls, but in comparison, Niagra Falls seems like such a huge tourist trap. This place is untouched. You don't need a tour guide or a poncho to walk across the bridge. You go as you are, and you soak it in (literally) as much as you possibly can.

Teams must now make their way by taxi across the boarder to Zimbabwe, wher ethey need to find a backpackers hostel. Jazmine and Danielle, who were in 4th place when they left the Road Block, take a bit of a stumble and land further back in the pack when their taxi driver takes them to the wrong location. No single team is really pulling ahead at this point; it's essentially a pretty even playing field.

As if it wasn't a tight enough Race already, Tanner and Josh make their way to the Detour and discover that it's an equalizer round. Tanner and Josh ahve the first tag, but they, along with all the rest of the teams, now have to wait until the next morning before they can start their challenge. They've effectively wasted their Express Pass.

Come on, guys.

Justin and Diana arrive next and quickly talk strategy with Tanner and Josh. Both teams conclude that, since they're both in first place, neither of them will U-Turn anybody. Tanner and Josh's plan has completely backfired. Poor guys.

Let's move right into it: Road Block time! This leg's challenge? Co-op or Croquet. In Co-op, teams must polish and shine a hand crafted wooden giraffe sculpture. In Croquet, teams must score five points in a croquet match before their professional opponent. Most teams opt for Co-op, but Justin and Diana and Tanner and Josh head right for Croquet. Everyone still remains on an even playing field, and no one team has yet pulled ahead.

While all of the teams who selected Co-op wait for their stain to dry before they can polish the giraffe Tanner and Josh compete against Justin and Diana to see who will win against their croquet professional first. As if the equalizer Detour wasn't enough of a slap in the face, Justin and Diana manage to finish the Detour first, putting them in first place.

Justin and Diana race to the Pit Stop, which is at Rose of Charity orphanage. I say this almost every year regarding at least one stop on the Race, but it never fails to amaze me that people who have the least always seem so happy. We can all take a life lesson from the children in this orphanage.

True to their word, Justin and Diana donn't U-Turn anybody, and then they donated all of their money to the orphanage when they get in first at the Pit Stop. I wish they were less cocky because part of me wants to like them. They seem like decent people, but they're just so full of themselves! Or, at least Justin is. Diana doesn't seem to be too chatty just yet. Maybe they'll come around - we'll just have to wait and see!

In true Race form, Justin and Diana are taken by surprise when Phil tells them that they're in first, but they're still racing! They rip open their next clue and continue on. Tanner and Josh also stick to the plan and don't U-Turn anyone, and they arrive in second place.

Now comes the big decision: who do they give the second Express Pass to?

Be smart about this one, boys. You weren't about the last big decision you made.

This round will be continued next week, but which teams are you rooting for so far? Who do you want to see get the Express Pass? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter @CourtHenley!

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