Good karma or bad karma: Breaking up on 'Amazing Race'

October 22, 09:53 PM

In its 10 seasons, The Amazing Race has had no shortage of couples in limbo, folks in long distance relationships, or trying to make a romantic go with a good friend, just trying to decide if they're right for each other,.

Regardless of where the relationships are truly going, they usually have a stock answer for host Phil Keoghan when they reach their last pit stop and it goes something like, "Oh, [insert partner's name here] and I learned a lot about each other in this race. We saw the good and the bad and we wouldn't trade it for anything. Where will it go from here? I have no idea."

Not so with Sarah and Peter, Ironman competitors described all season long as "Recently Dating." They had a disastrous episode in which they got repeatedly lost and arrived at their last task so late they were just sent straight to the pit stop (the first time I can remember that happening, though I'm probably wrong). When they got to Phil, the host asked Peter about the state of their love.

"I think Sarah and I both realized that we're good friends," Peter replied. "I'm proud of her. I love her to death. But I don't think Sarah and I really balance each other out."

Now that's a pretty cold thing to slap your supposedly significant other with on national television, particularly since Sarah was nothing but a good sport all Race and Peter was an obnoxious, passive-aggressive pill (and a quitter, who kept sticking his "girlfriend" with only 1.5 legs with tough climbing tasks) from minute one. But Sarah must have known this was coming and she got in a much better line.

"I learned a lot about him in these very stressful situations," she said, measuring her words for maximum infliction of pain. "He is a very strong go-getter, but he isn't a very nurturing or kind individual."

Damn. Did she just go there? Yes. Yes she did. Bravo, Sarah.

She also got the last word.

"I got to see a lot of sides to Peter on this trip and he's not the person for me."

Nice.

The Race leg, which went from India to Kuwait, was slightly marred by the all-too-coincidental placement of a fast-forward, which came just in time for David and Mary, who were marked for death after finishing in the previous non-elimination leg. While that was a bit of a cheat, we got to see a rare example of an effective Amazing Race alliance, as brothers Erwin and Godwin helped create a ruse to let David and Mary make it to the fast-forward and finish the leg in first. That was nice of Erwin and Godwin and I can't help but root for David and Mary. Other teams may be competing for their families and for their economic improvement, but David's competing to get out of the coalmine. That heartwarming side, plus the latest inevitable idiotic comments from Ugly Americans Rob and Kimberly (she kept referring to a prominent Mosque as a mask and then settled on just calling it a church) made it another fine episode.

Who are you rooting for? Was Sarah too cruel to Peter or not cruel enough?

in Reality TV

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Comments (20)

Comments

Others will be more specific, but in the first or second Race, one of the three final teams was so far out of the running that they were basically airlifted home. And a couple of years ago, Phil made a, um, field trip to the field where one ill-starred racer was in her twelfth hour of turning over haystacks to tell the team they were eliminated.

at8ax | Oct 23, 2006 5:28:45 AM | #

I loved Sarah's comments and, in fact, I wanted her to say more. Peter acted like such obnoxious boob sitting on his butt all the time while Sarah did all the tasks. Did Peter ever even attempt one of them by himself. I think Sarah will have no problem finding someone nurturing and kind. Peter, on the other hand, will have all kinds of problems finding someone to put up with him.

Sue | Oct 23, 2006 12:59:38 PM | #

I was proud of Sarah. She did less complaining than any one else in this race. Peter was lazy & sarcastic letting Sarah do all the work. Sarah deserves a prize just for putting up with him. After the boat incedent when he said he was done, I never saw any support or team work from him again.

Carole | Oct 24, 2006 3:08:33 AM | #

When will Sarah post a profile on Match.com?!

Drew | Oct 24, 2006 7:46:52 AM | #

At8ak is thinking of Joe & Bill ("Team Guido") from season one. They never actually reached the pitstop, in both the 12th and 13th (final) leg of the race, during season 1.

This is more common than you may think. The "Gutsy Grannies", Peggy & Claire from season 2, were so far behind the next team during leg 3 that they were told to stop their task and proceed to the pit stop. This also happened to Shola & Doyin (the twins) in the next leg, and sisters Mary & Peach in leg 7.

Matt | Oct 24, 2006 8:44:52 AM | #

sarah doesn't need that jerk!!! He made her do everything. All he did was complain throughout the entire race. She should have kicked his @$$.

JC NYC | Oct 24, 2006 8:47:58 AM | #

Don't forget about sisters Lena and Kristy from season 6. There were eliminated in episode 3 when Phil came to the Roadblock, unroll 270 hay bales to find 20 clues, and told them that they were eliminated.

| Oct 24, 2006 9:38:31 AM | #

Not to defend his attitude or anything but Peter did do the roadblocks for episodes 1-3 and 5. That's four of the six opportunities. So we can't really say that he did "nothing". It just was a bit odd that both times Sarah elected to do the roadblock, it was a climbing challenge. Do they know what they're going to be doing before they choose who does the roadblock?

Rebecca | Oct 24, 2006 9:42:18 AM | #

I found it somewhat offensive how Peter was so quick in several occasions to claim a "medical emergency" about Sarah's artificial leg to try and gain an advantage on getting airline tickets or other considerations. I understand it is a race and you can use whatever you can to get an advantage. However, Sarah consistently proved that she didn't need or want special considerations because she is clearly as capable (and even moreso)as some of the other contestants. It was Peter who repeatedly tried to take advantage of her condition. My brother is disabled, and if he needs special consideration in any circumstance he will ask for it, we would never exploit his condition for our own personal gain, even in a race, without his consent.

CS Texas | Oct 24, 2006 10:22:15 AM | #

While I really didn't like Peter more, I actually didn't like Sarah much either. BOTH were more than willing to use her artificial leg whenever possible, and I never once heard Sarah complain when they had a 'medical emergency' and needed to get on an airplane. In fact, she was happy to use the excuse. I wouldn't date Sarah, and wouldn't want Peter to date my sister. . .

Steve | Oct 24, 2006 10:35:28 AM | #

Are you all watching the same show I am?! Sarah sure looked to be more than willing to use the leg "issue" to their team's benefit on many occasions - the early boarding on the planes - I also noted the appearance of a "handicap" tag attached to their vehicle's rearview? I didn't like either of them and if I had to listen to Sarah talk one more time about her missing a leg and how her prosthetic leg wasn't functioning properly I was going to jump from my roof! In Peter's defense (and Lord knows I'm no fan of his either!) I doubt there's anyone out there that could be "supportive" enough for this gal's taste. She was HIGH MAINTENANCE all the way! Bottom line: You're either handicapped or you're not. These folks seemed to want it both ways...The spirit of "I can do anything you can do!" fades a whole lot when you see them using the same "handicap" to garner favorable results in their favor...I blame that on the show's producers: I think they delighted in showing these folks in a questionable light because it makes for interesting viewing and builds up that "villian" aspect...

Wynn | Oct 24, 2006 10:50:18 AM | #

TOTALLY agree with you, Wynn.

Steve | Oct 24, 2006 12:04:28 PM | #

I'm glad these two are out, they were both irritating to the extreme! I did feel bad for Sarah, but somehow I felt as though she brought it on herself. Mind you Peter was just a jackass the whole time and totally deserved what she said at the finish! I'm really glad they realized they weren't suitable for each other....

Andrew | Oct 24, 2006 12:15:25 PM | #

I was sick of both of them. She was just whining too much and Peter, a total asshole. But, at least Sarah saw the real Peter before it was too late.

Vinnie | Oct 24, 2006 2:35:04 PM | #

My kids and I rooted for Sarah each episode. We were all happy to see she realised she wasn't looking for peter. They think she is looking for me.

crazy kids !

Chris | Oct 24, 2006 2:43:28 PM | #

Peter came across as nothing less than a manipulative, blaming, condescending, take no responsibility, shifty, power-loving button-pusher. Personalities like his make this show so much fun to watch, no?

Olga | Oct 24, 2006 3:24:38 PM | #

How about that Steven Seagal comment that Mary did at the fast forward! That was so funny and nice. Of all the contestants they are the most sincere and good sports of them all and I hope they win this Race! So glad that Sarah visited her left side of the brain and realized what a jerk Peter was. I think next to go are Alabama, though this race has been pretty uncertain at the pit stops. The models have arrived two times in a row in the second to last place.

Enrique Huerta | Oct 24, 2006 4:48:17 PM | #

Personally, I agree that I didn't like how they exploited Sarah's handicap to get on the plane. It was sneaky but they had the advantage of it. That was probably the only thing I didn't like about Sarah. But in her defense, I think she really did try hard to win her legs.

As for Peter, he was great in the beginning but I soon became discontented with him. I could round of a list of things he did, but I think if you are an avid viewer or poster here of AR...I don't need to divulge. In the end, I think he knew that he was a jerk and the game probably brought out the worse of him...okay it DID (for money, people can do the strangest things). He was just too smug to admit it.

RolloverMrPhil | Oct 24, 2006 5:00:24 PM | #

I takes a travel contest to find a mismatch. The Bachelor and Bachelorette, Big Brother, and Loft Story (better in quebec for the french) shows as an example are at least more consistent at failed relationships matches than this show...

Hate show | Oct 24, 2006 5:25:28 PM | #

I stand corrected then. I must have missed the part of one of the earlier episodes where Sarah used her prosthetic to get an advantage on an airline ticket. Since AR comes on after football, my TiVo doesn't always get everything because of the time shift. I rescind my comment -- I'm with you Wynn! Good riddance to both of them!

CS Texas | Oct 25, 2006 10:32:44 AM | #