BWW Recap: Bricks Beat Hips on This Week's AMAZING RACE

Congrats! If you're reading this, that means you've stuck with me all the way to the home stretch of THE AMAZING RACE. For that, you deserve a prize. It's a shame I don't have any.

Oh, well. Moving on. The outcome of this leg of the Race determines which three teams nab (at first, I typed "nag" - guess I'm so used to writing about Hayley! Hey-o!!) the coveted spot in the finale episode and earn themselves the chance to race for one million dollars.

No pressure, though.

This week, teams remain in Peru, where they're forced to fight the wrath of the ocean, and then forced to choose between brick building and boogying down (or dancing, for all of you non-hip folks out there). Seems like they've got their work cut out for them.

What I'd like to know is how those fitbits haven't yet fallen off anybody's wrists yet. Think about that.

When you're done pondering, join me here at 8 PM PST as I recap the West Coast premiere of this week's episdoe of THE AMAZING RACE live! I'll also be on Twitter @CourtHenley, probably complaining about some stupid mistake one of the teams made. Come join the fun!

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8:05 : I really wish Blair wasn't paired with Hayley. I want to root for Blair, because he seems fun, but that would mean I have to root for Hayley, and I just can't do that.

Here's hopin' Hayley gets frustrated with this magnifying glass thing and --- wait, what?! Blair found the clue without even needing the magnifying glass?! There goes that hope.

8:08 : Woah, Detour time already! Shake Your Hips (dancing, obviously) or Make Some Bricks (again, pretty self explanatory). Not sure which one of these is going to be easier. Looking at past Race challenges, people always have problems with dances, but brick making has proved difficult, too. We shall have to wait and see!

8:11 : I can't believe how quickly these teams are finding these clue tiles.

In other news, let's all take a moment to say a prayer for Mike and Rochelle as they drive down steep, winding roads in the worst possible car.

Time for a quick Detour update: we've got Jelani and Jenny learning some Peruvian dance moves, and Hayley and Blair (poorly) attempting to make bricks.

8:17 : Alas, Mike and Rochelle have encountered the ever-dreaded twist of fate: the flat tire. Laura and Tyler take advantage and fly right past.

Meanwhile, Hayley and Blair (unfortunately) get the knack of this brick making thing.

But back to a more interesting and likeable team: Mike and Rochelle. Their backup ride has finally arrived, and they're back in the game! Yehoo!

8:23 : ...I wonder if these bricklayers actually use the team-made bricks in their structures.

8:24 : Ok, evidently this mosaic thing wasn't as hard as I (and probably the producers) thought it was going to be. Unless you're Mike and Rochelle and you don't know to look for a clown. In their defense, I wouldn't know how to say "clown" in Spanish either.

In fact, I'm going to add learning Spanish to my list of things to do before I get on the Race.

(I'm only writing all of this random stuff to distract from the fact that Hayley and Blair still hold a steady first place lead.)

8:27 : Road Block time! One member from each team has to "ride a seahorse," or a boat made of reeds, out into the ocean, fighting against the current to get to a buoy out at sea. Then, they get to ride the waves back and pretty much have an awesome time. Sounds awesome! Hopefully Hayley and Blair mess it up!

You know who I don't want to mess up? Mike and Rochelle, and Laura and Tyler. Mike and Rochelle decide to switch to the other Detour, but Laura and Tyler are determined to get these bricks made. Let's see which decision pays off.

8:34 : Jelani and Jenny have successfully completed their Detour, and now they're off to join Hayley and Blair at the Road Block, which is, apparently, a LOT harder than it seems.

Maybe Mike and Rochelle and Laura and Tyler can use this time to catch up!

Aaaaand I take that back. Once again, the ever-annoying Hayley and Blair proved me wrong and finished the challenge with ease (more or less). And now Jelani and Jenny are on their tail.

I wish I could like Jelani and Jenny more than I do. I liked them at first, but something about them just irritates me. They may be awesome people in real life, but as far as the Race is concerned, I'm not exactly rooting for them. Sorry, guys.

8:40 : I feel really bad for Laura and Tyler. They're trying so hard and they're being so patient and optimistic with each other. Mike and Rochelle are prime examples, too. Other teams, take note: that is what makes a quality team.

8:44 : Let's look at where we stand: Hayley and Blair are on their way to the Pit Stop. (It pains me a little bit to write that sentence.) Jelani is struggling with the Road Block, while Jenny stands on the shore and laughs at him. Laura and Tyler have finished the Detour and are making their way to the Road Block. Mike and Rochelle are still learning to dance.

8:50 : Hayley and Blair have come in first and I'm sad.

They're in the finale.

Meh. So much meh.

Jelani and Jenny are also in the finale, which means it's a race for the final spot...between the two teams of those remaining that I wanted to make it in most. Guess who's not a happy camper? Me.

Also, I hereby start the petition to make "It's not over until you see Phil" the show's new tagline.

8:55 : WAIT WHAT?! MIKE AND ROCHELLE ARE NOT ELIMINATED?! I'M SO HAPPY YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW. I DON'T EVEN CARE THAT THERE'S A MID-LEG ELIMINATION NEXT LEG BECAUSE MIKE AND ROCHELLE MADE IT IN. GO UNDERDOGS! And Laura and Tyler, too. I'm so happy after all!

Last chance, folks: who do you want to see win it all? Let us know in the comments below or tell me on Twitter @CourtHenley. You know where I stand, and now I want to know where you stand! Then join me next week as I recap the finale of THE AMAZING RACE!

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