The Amazing Race, Season 23, Episode 6: “Choir Boy at Heart”
Aired Sundays at 8pm (ET) on CBS
We are in Poland, on the longest pier in Europe, where Tim and Marie depart first off the edge. Well, in my fantasies. In reality, they are instructed to take the train to Vienna, Austria, and find the Vienna Opera House, where a creepy “Rigoletto” will lead them to the costume department and their next clue. Jason and Amy depart second, and Amy starts off the episode delighted that she’s going “where The Sound of Music is!” We get a random cut-away of Tim from Team Oklahoma’s butt-crack, and with that the “opening” is complete.
The order from last leg soon loses all meaning when all the teams meet up in Warsaw for the connecting train. They get a chance to discuss Brandon and Adam’s loss. Everyone asks the Afghanimals if they U-Turned them, but they deny it badly. Everyone knows they’re lying and basically tells them to shut up and tell the truth for once. The Afghanimals snigger, leaving their first-episode plea for America to accept them, despite their heritage, but a distant memory.
Detour: Light Brigade or Masquerade. Putting together a complicated chandelier, or playing a matching game. Everyone chooses Masquerade. Except one team who goes for the Fast forward: Jason and Amy. They are in first place and want to keep it that way. Unfortunately, when they arrive it is too windy to do the necessary bungee jump, and they must double all the way back.
With that act of God in play, the Devil plays back and puts Tim and Marie in first. Then Nicky and Kim second. But again no matter, as everyone finishes quickly. Jason and Amy get there after everyone else leaves, and still make it in time. All teams arrive at the Roadblock together, which is singing Schubert with the Vienna Boys Choir.
Travis aka Mr. Dr. is really good in practice immediately. Amy’s quick as well. It is obvious that Ice girl can’t sing a note; also Tim, previously dubbed No-Brain, has his brain is put to the test with the German. Mr. Dr. is first to try it with the choir. Notes and rhythm are good, but not his tone. It’s similar with Jamal of the Afghanimals. Marie has an uncharacteristically nice moment and tells him, “I thought it was good.” Meanwhile, Oklahoma Tim isn’t getting any compliments, as his instructor puts him through his paces: “sing like Justin Timberlake!” “sing like an opera singer!” “sing like you’re a child!” All is nicht good.
Mr. Dr. makes it out first with a beautiful rendition, and Mrs. Dr. almost jumps his bones right there in front of everyone. Then they run out to Schonbrunn palace, and search a garden maze for their next clue, along with the Baseball Wives, who really do excel at every non-physical challenge. The teams arrive at the Pit Stop in first and second, respectively.
Other singers make it out one by one, including Tim, who apparently isn’t a No-Brain, and in fact has a “weird memory” and does well. But no time to celebrate: “Let’s go steal somebody’s cab!” evil Marie squeals, within seconds of their departure. And, wouldn’t you know, their friends Jason and Amy, who they worked well with the last couple of challenges, have just such a cab. But it’s OK, Marie says. Really, the Afghanimals took Jason and Amy’s cab. “Really, when?” Tim asks, thus securing his place in the Hall of Idiot Savants.
Jason and Amy make it out in 5th place, and flip out when they realize someone took their cab. It’s all they can think about for the last stretch. Then they arrive at the maze and see Tim and Marie’s bags in their old taxi. It reaches critical mass when they end up at the Pit Stop at the same time as them. Marie defends herself: “You don’t know what you would’ve done in our position!” Jason tells Amy to shut up in the crossfire. Phil isn’t sure what to do. The model next to him isn’t sure what to do. It’s awkward, but tantalizing for next episode.
As for last place, it’s a sing-off between Ice Girls and Oklahoma Boys. Both are terrible singers, and both way too American. But the Oklahoma boys, just being a smidgen more sheltered, make it out last. Tim “lets it out” to Phil that at least they made it “pretty dang far.” It’s sad to see them go.