Wow. Been working my ass off all week, but just took a little break to watch the second half of The Amazing Race. I've always enjoyed that show, but with reservations. This season I just can't get enough. Especially as it gets down to the final teams. Just five left--no easy teams left.
And our gayboy heroes Chip & Reichen almost lost it! God, it was painful to watch. I thought for sure they were gone, but the other teams took the easy (but painful) final Detour on the elephants, and Reichan peddled madly with a bunch of chickens on a bike. First time I ever heard him raise his voice at Chip. (The frustrating part about this show is often there's way too much luck involved. The gayboys got a slow taxi driver, and that screwed them for the whole leg of the race. And the annoying virgins almost lost out over an overheated engine.)
Their final moment was really moving. They knew they had been in last place, had an outside chance of overtaking the models, so they arrived thinking the worst. When Phil told them they ended the leg in fifth place, one higher than elimination, Chip reached his hand up for a high five, but they looked at each other for just a moment and collapsed in each others' arms, squeezed the crap out of each other and just didn't let go.
It's what all the teams do when they come in under the wire, but those boys have been so reserved about any physical contact. You can see them wanting to embrace sometimes, just be their normal selves, but they're always holding back. Some of the teams kiss when they get to the finishline still alive each week, some hug, but these two normally just slap hands. One time before I think they hugged too, but nothing like this. You could hear them breathing on each other--they had been running madly, so they were out of breath--and it was just a sweet, warm embrace. So sad to see them holding back so much. And frankly, I'm not sure why. The other teams seem to like them now, and they're a country mile from acting to affectionate. Maybe they just don't want to play into any stereotypes, so they're being overly cautious. It will be nice when married couples can just completely be themselves.
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Speaking of husbands, I've been single again for over six weeks. Where are all you people lining up fresh prospects. I'm over 40; time is running out.
All my recent Reichen & Chip posts here.