Episode #10: "The Family Christmas Card"

Welcome to the Amazing Race 8: Family Edition – 9th Leg (Part II)

Previously on the Amazing Race, 4 families raced from Salt Lake City, Utah, flying hot air balloons, working on the railroad, and taking in Old Faithful. The last place the Weaver and Bransen family arrived at what they thought was the Pit Stop, only to be handed their next clue. Now they embark on part II of the 9th leg of The Amazing Race.

They receive their next clue to Turtle Range at Dubois Wyoming for their next clue. Bransen family calls it ridiculous. The Weaver family head to Dubois. Godlewski sisters search for Phil, letting the Linz Siblings pass as they try to get information from a pay phone. Godlewski girls bicker and whine that they are eliminated. Bransen family talks about how they get cranky if they are not fed. Weavers stop for information and bicker about getting gas. One sister says the other is not the smartest in the group. Mom says tomorrow they will get gas.

Linz Siblings find the ranch in 3rd place, locate Phil and are given their next clue. Megan Linz is rejuvenated. Godlewski girls find the ranch, as one sister says she is not contributing anymore. Chrissy breaks down in tears. They are given the news they are the last family to arrive, but the race is not over. Phil tells them to keep racing as the girls shout he is just torturing them. Maybe they have to go eat some turtles.

Bransen family is first to arrive at the Turtle Ranch 15 minutes after it closes. They will all catch up the next morning when it opens at 7am. Weavers arrive and move into their trailer rather than hang out with the other teams. Linz Siblings pump the testosterone as they arrive at the ranch. Godlewski girls are seeing turtle everywhere before they finally find the ranch and note that the Weavers are hiding in the trailer. Linz Sibling says it is their perception that they feel everyone is being mean to them. The Weavers say they don't need anyone as they turn off the light. Part 1 [7 minutes]

Dawn arrives and the ranch opens. Each team runs to a van equipped with a driver. Linz Siblings are first, followed by Weaver, Bransen and Godlewski families. They do not know where their drivers are taking them, as the Weavers pray for support. They head to a hill with an Indian and a Detour. In Pioneer Spirit, teams have to attach 4 wheels to a covered wagon, hook up a team of horses, and drive a quarter mile. In Native Tradition, teams use materials and tools to provide a Teepee.

Linz, Bransen and Weavers go Pioneer Spirit as Blondes choose Native Tradition. The Weavers change their mind and choose Native Tradition instead. One Godlewski sister measures the wood spacing on the Teepee as Linz Siblings haul wheels to their cart. They have their wheels as Bransen family keeps pace. The Indian chief looks on in disbelief at the white man's inability to build a Teepee. Linz Siblings are the first to hook up their horses and head down the trail. The Weavers begin rolling the animal skin around their Teepee as Godlewski girls continue to bicker.

Bransen family gets their horses hooked up as the Linz Siblings pass by the Godlewski girls, hopping they don't get beat by the Weavers. Linz Siblings complete their trek as the Bransen family sets down the road. Linz Siblings now head to the Irma hotel in Buffalo Wyoming in first place. They must dress up in period close and have their picture taken with Buffalo Bill to get their next clue. They are urban American cowboys. Bransen family completes the Detour and heads to Buffalo. The Weavers begin to close their Teepee as the Godlewski girl continue to struggle. Linz Siblings return to their trailer as Megan tries to place Buffalo Bill in historical context. Bransen family return to their trailer and head to Cody.

The Godlewski girls finally start working together as the Weavers asks the Indian Chief to approve their Teepee. Chrissy supports her sisters as they complete their Teepee as the Indian Chief smiles for the first time and gives the Weavers their next clue. Godlewski girls struggle for support as Chrissy grimaces under Sharon's weight as Sharon struggles to put in the top pegs that tie the Teepee together. They pull it together and the Indian Chief gives them the next clue.

The Linz Siblings arrive in Cody and ask as a passing driver for directions. The Bransen family passes them, thinking it might have been good to ask someone. They get the name of Buffalo Bill's daughter as Linz Siblings pass them back into first place. They park and run into the bar. Bransen family finds the bar but has to wait until Linz Siblings complete the task. The Weavers look wistfully at the Pizza Hut and all you can eat buffet. Godlewski girls go back through the park, minimizing the pee stops.

The Linz Siblings get dressed up and the Bransen family laugh as the boys step out for their photograph. They get their photo after making faces at the camera. They are now sent to Red Lodge, Montana for the 10th tee on the Red Lodge golf course. Linz family head out as the Bransens heads into the dressing room. The Weavers get directions as they head into town, and wait for the Bransen family to complete their task. Bransen family gets their photo and the Weavers begins the task. Wally Bransen calls it the family Christmas card.

The Linz Siblings arrive at Red Lodge and head for the clue, a Road Block. Two members of the team choose a colored flag and attach it to a golf cart. They must then travel the golf course back nine looking for 4 balls of the same color. They find their first orange ball. The Bransen family arrives at the golf course as Dad takes the wheel of the cart, looking for their purple balls. The Weavers gets their picture taken and is on their way in 3rd place. Mom says the kids all look adorable except her. The Godlewski sisters arrive in town and find the restaurant. They change for their picture.

Linz Siblings find their 2nd orange ball. Bransens gets their 3rd ball. Weavers wonder what the 10th tee means, until Rolly

 tells them it is golf. Godlewski girls play with Buffalo Bill as they wait for their picture and the hostess looks on in disgust. Linz Siblings miss an orange ball in the hole. Weavers arrives at the golf course. Linz Siblings head back to check the holes as the Weaver family begins the Road Block with Rolly and Mom. The Bransen family gets their final ball and receives their next clue to the Pitt Stop.

Bransen family heads to the Green Meadow Ranch. The Linz Siblings find their last ball and completes the Road Block in 2nd place. They are upset they were too stupid to look in the hole. Godlewski girls arrive at the golf course, and mention they see the Weavers sisters just sitting on the ground. The Weaver sisters hear them and are disgusted. Godlewski girls get their first ball with Michelle screaming at Sharon. Sharon jumps out of the cart, refusing to drive with her sister. She finally gets back on the back.

Linz Siblings and Bransen family search for the Green Meadows Ranch, as the Weavers get their 4th red ball and heads to the Pit Stop in 3rd place. Godlewski girls find 3 balls, and their fourth in the hole. They complete the Road Block and head to the Pit Stop, hoping the Weavers car breaks down. Bransen family finds the ranch and searches for Phil. Linz Siblings are right behind them. Bransen family arrives and the race is on. The Bransen family is the first team to arrive, and will be one of three teams racing for the finish line. They also win a brand new Buick. Siblings arrive in 2nd place and will be one of the families racing to the finish line.

The Weavers are pulled over by an officer for speeding in a 25mph zone. Godlewski girls search for the ranch as the officer gives the Weavers a warning. Godlewski girls continue to search as Weavers are back on the road with a low fuel level. The Weavers find the ranch, followed by the Godlewski girls. Weavers are the 3rd team to arrive and will be one of three teams that will race in the finals for $1,000,000. The Godlewski family arrives in last place and is eliminated from the race. They express relief it is over, Sharon and Chris saying their relationship will not improve when they get home. They are sisters who love each other even if they don't like each other every minute.

There are only three teams left. Find out next week who will win The Amazing Race. Part 2 [7 minutes]

Big thanks to AmazingNut, Dade, Fuskie, Morty and smirnoff for contributions to this recap.
 

More Kewl Stuff:

Available Again!
"Big Brother 3"

Now available:
"Big Brother 4"

Survivor - The Complete First Season (2000)

Survivor All-Stars - The Complete Season (2004)

Survivor The Australian Outback - The Complete Season (2001)

Survivor: The Official Soundtrack to the Hit CBS TV Series [SOUNDTRACK]