Man, I am so happy that was a non-Elim leg. And may they never do that hay bale thing again.

I was relieved that it was a non-elim- it's such a heart- (and back-) breaking task which is so luck oriented.

Also, re: Next Iron Chef: Noooooooooo! I loved her. Wah.

I was worried it was going to play out like last time and the gap between first and last place would be something like 10 hours.

I am VERY annoyed with the "must fly nonstop" rule this season. I know the producers wanted less airport drama but COME ON. IT IS A TRAVEL COMPETITION. MAKE THEM COMPETE AT TRAVELING.

I know it's a really backbreaking task, but seeing Meghan just fall apart after two hours while I remember the woman back in TAR6 go for 10 hours without melting down once...well, it was not a good comparison. Of course, if it was me out there, I would have been melting down with Meghan.

Sorry about the duplicate post--having cable issues tonight!

There is a field near my office that has a bunch of hay bales, not as many as in the challenge, but enough that every time I drive by, I think of TAR.

I don't think it took anyone more than 3 hours this time...brutal by any measure...but a fraction of TAR6.

My arms hurt from just watching that.

NICA: Given the comments while eating, I'm totally confused by both the winner and bottom two this week.

Dang. That hayblock is just brutal. Although I have to say, I was not all that sympathetic to anonymous blonde girlfriend. 10 hours. That's all I'm saying. 10 hours.

I don't care for how the anonymous blond couple and the brothers chalk the Globetrotters performance thus far up to luck. Yes, they have had their fair share of luck, as have other teams thus far. But they have also raced hard and kept a positive attitude throughout. So stuff it rival teams.

I am cringing already at next week's previews. I hope we don't wind up with another Kisha/Jen push you/pull me situation.

For serious! Ten hours is unbelievable. I do think anonymous blonde girlfriend's boyfriend should have done the task.

I think more than one team suffered from the person who knew how hard it was going to be NOT doing the task.

I was getting so mad at the brothers and then they cried and apologized. So, still not good behavior, but I'm glad they kissed and made up. I was all, "why doesn't he just shut up?" at one point. I mean, it was clear he wasn't being helpful. He was driving me nuts, I can't imagine how the brother who was doing the labor felt.

The poker girls were probably glad they'd quit before this task. Can you imagine?

But they have also raced hard and kept a positive attitude throughout. So stuff it rival teams.

Totally this. It's not like that task was significantly easier for the Globetrotters. They were tired and miserable and itchy with hay, too, they just approached it differently with their attitudes and it makes all the difference.

Definitely cringing at the previews. Oh noes.

I love the dad & son too, so I was super glad it was a non-elim. I hope they can make it up next week, but they've got a wide gap to cover with their time back plus the extra task.