BWW Recap: Teams are Feeling Clutchy on THE AMAZING RACE

Let's quickly recap last week's leg of the Race: Hayley and Blair clearly don't like each other, as evidenced by Hayley's ridiculously rambling complaints about Blair not listening; poor Harley & Jonathan can't catch a break and come in last - but it's a non-elimination leg (!!!); Matt and Ashley got engaged; and drag is as entertaining as we always thought. This week clearly has a lot to live up to entertainment-wise. But this is THE AMAZING RACE, so there's no doubt in my mind that they will succeed. Too bad the same can't be said about all the teams...

But before they get too caught up in the Race itself, Matt and Ashley got the chance to share a lovely little date night and relish in their new engagement. Isn't that sweet?

And now back to the race. Mike and Rochelle leave first and head to Bangkok to start the fourth leg of the race...while Hayley continues to blame Blair for, well, everything. Once again, flights prove to be the Great Equalizer, and a huge chunk of teams all arrive in Thailand at the same time.

And suddenly there are motorcycles and mopeds everywhere. Seriously, who knew so many people ride bikes in Bangkok?

Any good Race fan would know, though, about the tuk tuks: those pesky little cars (are they even really cars?) make an appearance in almost every season of the Race. This leg, they're part of the Detour: Water or Wheel? Both options include a "race within a race," as Phil so eloquently describes, as well as two stops along the way to complete some small challenges. The difference is that water requires teams to travel via water taxi, whereas wheel requires travel by - you guessed it! - the tuk tuks. The tuk tuks travel through the more crowded and convoluted city streets (and you pretty much risk your life by riding in one), but there are only five water taxis available. As usual, it's a gamble.

Guess what? Hayley and Blair are still arguing. If I'm being honest, I'd probably do exactly what Blair is doing, and let Hayley take the lead so that there's no one at fault but herself. That way, she can't complian about you messing up anymore. She'll probably still complain about something, though. Seems to be her hobby.

They've fallen into 7th place by this point, and decide to do what appears to be the more popular Detour option: Water. Oh, what's that? They ran out of boats? They have to choose the other Detour? And Hayley's yelling at Blair again for trying to get directions? I wish I could say that I'm surprised, but...I'm not. I feel bad for Blair, though. He seems like he'd be a good player if he weren't forced to Race with someone as grating and impatient as Hayley.

The first set of Water Taxi teams are arriving at the first of two stops along their Detour: a market where they have to eat a thousand-year-old egg. Bring it on. At the same time, the tuk-tuk teams are arriving at the Snooker Club for their first challenge, where they have to play a round of pool and sink a red ball into a corner pocket.

Clearly, Matt and Ashley have let their engagement go to their heads. They ate some other funky kind of Thailand egg from a different food stall just for kicks. Poor guys. Kudos to Bergen and Kurt though for being ridiculously supportive of their fellow Racers!

The second part of the Water Taxi Detour is stopping at a Thai temple to say a prayer and receive a fortune. It's always nice when teams are given a few moments to stop, breathe, and just appreciate where they are.

Finally, Harley and Jonathan have made it to the first clue marker, and it's time for their Speed Bump. They have to make a bird out of water reeds. You know, as you do. I like them, but it's going to be tricky for them to come back from last. Unless one team runs into a major problem along the way, the future's not looking too bright for Harley and Jonathan.

Oh no, Jelani and Jenny are starting to fight. Don't fight, guys, we like you!

You know what I don't like, though? A lot of cats. Like...a lot. The second part of the tuk-tuk Detour involves feeding cats milk, which is just as dull as it sounds. Obviously, teams fly through that part of the challenge.

Harley and Jonathan seem to be doing pretty well, too, and their Speed Bump doesn't seem to take too long.

They are pretty far behind other teams, though, who are already starting the Road Block. Teams have to remove a transmission and find a left-behind screwdriver. The clue is located inside the screwdriver (is it bad that all I can think of is Zoolander? "Oh, the files are in the computer!") and you know teams are going to miss it.

Unless they don't. Tyler finds the clue almost instantly, and him and Laura head off to Metal Castle for the next Pit Stop. Matt and Ashley and the Olympians aren't very far behind, but nobody can seem to find Metal Castle. At this point, first place is completely up for grabs. Bergen and Kurt and Hayley and Blair now join the quest to find Metal Castle. (That's a good movie name, by the way: The Quest for Metal Castle. Someone should get on that.)

Every time they show Harley and Jonathan, I feel so bad. They've worked so hard and they're still optimistic even though they're so far behind. That's the attitude you have to have in this Race. Everything can change on the drop of a dime. I don't think they're going to be able to stay in the game after this leg, but I'm still pulling for 'em!

Meanwhile, teams start arriving at the Pit Stop. Bergen and Kurt come in first, followed very closely by Hayley and Blair and Aly and Steve. Lauren and Tyler are in fourth, proving that finishing a Road Block first doesn't necessarily mean you'll come in first in the end.

And just like that, we have the first team vs. team controversial move of the season! Jenny decided to take a tuk tuk to the Pit Stop without telling Matt and Ashley where the Pit Stop is. Personally, I say it's every man for himself - Jenny was just doing what she needed to do to ensure that her and Jelani stay in the Race. I feel bad for Matt and Ashley, but it is team vs. team. I understand both sides of the argument, and I honestly can't say what I would've done.

Jeff and Jackie, Mike and Rochelle, and Jenny and Jelani all arrive at the Pit Stop next. Matt and Ashley make it to the Pit Stop just before Harley and Jonathan, who arrive - as expected - in last place. I feel so bad for them! They're so great together, and they have such positive personalities. Maybe they can teach a little something to Hayley and Blair (and Jenny and Jelani, for that matter).

We're getting to really know the teams now. Who are your favorites? Who do you want to see get eliminated next? Let us know in the comments below or tell me on Twitter @CourtHenley! You have some time to think about those questions before the next episode, which airs on April 3.

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