And, hey, wasn't that basically an um...what's the task called when only one person can do it? The person at the top didn't seem to really have to do much at all.

Not really, because they could switch if the person at the bottom couldn't figure the knots out. On a Roadblock, the non-performing teammate can only cheerlead, not jump in and help. (And you did need someone at the top pulling the furniture into the window, even if they also had help.)

Cheerlead or Heckle like Ronald.

or Heckle like Ronald.

True, that. I honestly think there should be some kind of STFU rule about Roadblocks where the person not doing the task can't talk to their teammate while the task is going on. Is it ever really helpful to have someone shouting at you while you're trying to work? Even if they're being supportive?

Yes, yes. The non-roadblocking person should have to wait where they can't even see what the other is doing - so no "gosh, if only you had...." and they also have to imagine what the other is doing, coming up with odd ideas based on the clue.

Could you imagine them not being able to see the ditch vaulting, just having the clue about being acrobatic and then seeing other folks coming back all muddy. Hearing them hypothesize on what their partner was doing would be hilarious.

Suzi - that's perfect. Yes, the other person should be in isolation. (In the grandpa/grandson team: why didn't the grandson do that?)

I don't know - the cheerleading or advice giving is an area where a team that really works well together can potentially shine over the dysfunctional teams. Which makes it to me a legitimate race skill.

I can see why it's good television, but if I were in the race I'd make my teammate put duct tape over their mouths before every Roadblock, because it would drive me absolutely bugfuck insane.

Ok - THAT, I would love to see. A team rolling into the roadblock, duct tape at the ready....

why didn't the grandson do that?

Seemed like basically because the grandpa wanted to do it. I also think they (more than most teams even) are going to have to be really clever about how they dole out the roadblocks. Anything that looks like gramps can do it, he should do, because there will definitely be some of the more physical roadblocks that he just cannot do. Imagine him trying to scale up a rock wall like one of the Bowling Moms did? Ain't no way.

I still really can't believe that four teams picked the bike task over the haul it. Do they not remember Lena and the moment TAR:FE died forever (damn red bean!)?

TAR: Finally watched the episode. The Dad is bad, but the tall boyfriend (Nathan?) also repeated a lot of his "not helpful" behavior from last week and somehow annoyed me just as much. I loved when the ministers said the God doesn't care thing! And I've decided one of the Miami sisters is the secret sibling of Alyssa Milano.

I can see why people chose the bikes--knot tying and heavy lifting? However, then you can't run willy-nilly up the aisles barely looking!

I was surprised nothing came of the brother/sister not paying for the train. Aren't there rules about that sort of thing?