Are they?

That's kind of stupid - isn't it? What would have happened had E/D NOT made the 30 minute penalty before D/O came in? Would they have been eliminated or would they have been given another chance?

That wasn't cool of the BQs to make it seem like Danny and Oswald picked the team, instead of admitting that they picked who were Yeilded.

Yes, I hope E/D find out that it was the BQs. And I agree that I hate it when racers treat the Yield like it's playing dirty, but I can't help but think that buying a second yield for yourself is pretty low. It was smart racing all around--especially since it almost always makes sense to yield the team in last place--but it feels wrong somehow.

Well, it's not as if the BQs walked up to the D/O and offered them the deal -- the Cha Chas offered it to them because they were the second team to arrive.

Like I said--it was smart racing. By the Cha Chas and the BQs. It just doesn't seem quite fair somehow.

I can't believe Danny and Oswald stuck with that cab driver for so long.

That whole yield thing was - eh. I'm kind of surprised it's allowed, anyway. Could you pay off another team to tank on a task? Trading off goodwill and favors and stuff is one thing. The cash seems iffier.

I hate when yields and FFs coincide with a NEL. What's the point, you know?

I'm getting enormously tired of hearing reality TV contestants talk about people "stabbing them in the back." It's a million dollars, or whatever the prize is. I'd yield my mother if I thought it would help me win (although I would share the winnings with her).

I don't understand why everyone hates the BQs. I like them more this time around than last, although I didn't hate them then either. They're smart, they're polite, they're good-natured, and they're obviously competitive and willing to do the work. They're not mean-spirited and obnoxious. What's to hate? It seems a bit like a Jonathan-in-the-clock-tower moment.

I think all the Yield legs so far have been nonelims, with maybe one exception. It's never been mentioned as deliberate, but it's been irritating me since they first introduced the Yield (because it makes them so pointless as strategy tools, and is pretty obvious that they only exist to create interpersonal drama for TV).

As for what happened tonight, I didn't mind the initial exchange of the Yield for money, but the lying about it afterwards by EVERYONE was really lame. And of course I wish it had been Mirna they Yielded instead.

I'm getting enormously tired of hearing reality TV contestants talk about people "stabbing them in the back." It's a million dollars, or whatever the prize is. I'd yield my mother if I thought it would help me win (although I would share the winnings with her).

Totally! What's more, the teams who complain about it are generally the teams who do the MOST back-stabbing and manipulating, only they're not as good at is as the people they love to bitch about.

And I like the BQs too. I'm disappointed in them lying to Eric & Danielle (they could have just said nothing), but overall they've been really good racers.

As for what happened tonight, I didn't mind the initial exchange of the Yield for money, but the lying about it afterwards by EVERYONE was really lame. And of course I wish it had been Mirna they Yielded instead.

Agreed. Also, the BQs did deliberate about doing it, and who to yield -- it wasn't a vindictive thing at all. In fact, I know that if I'd been them I would have yielded Mirna and Charla, simply because I detest Mirna, but the BQs were right -- E/D are the stronger team. They came from way behind to finish third (but really second, without the penalty).

What's more, the teams who complain about it are generally the teams who do the MOST back-stabbing and manipulating, only they're not as good at is as the people they love to bitch about.

Survivor's the worst, I guess because they have to form alliances, and end up forming friendships, too. But honestly, after all these seasons, does every contestant really go on a show like this thinking, "I will TOTALLY be the exception, and everyone I deem a friend will gladly give up their chance to win the game, just so my delicate baby [howler monkey] feelings don't get hurt?"

It's funny to me that on shows like Top Chef and Project Runway everyone seems much more cutthroat and also up front about it from the beginning. Maybe because of the level of skill involved, and the passion for what they're doing? None of the folks on those shows seem to feel making friends is anything but a pleasant bonus.

It's funny to me that on shows like Top Chef and Project Runway everyone seems much more cutthroat and also up front about it from the beginning.

maybe because winning those shows doesn't have anything to do with strategy or sneakiness or working the other players. I mean, no one's trying to steal sequins at Mood.

OK, I'm extremely embarrassed to be the one to bring this up, but anyone else watching Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School? I've kind of gotten addicted.

I'm getting a bit puzzled as to what they're considering the standards for judging. In some ways, it's how well they master the tasks, but in other ways, it's how cutthroat they can be.

Also, I've never seen The Bachelor, but I'm finding Andrew Firestone's ability to judge women horribly suspect. (Unless that whole part was fixed ahead of time, which is entirely likely.)