Because its constantly changing locations and tasks keep things fresh, CBS' Amazing Race has only occasionally added major new twists. Sunday (Nov. 5) night's episode featured a fresh wrinkle, but it did little to impact the quality of the episode or of the game.

After flying from the endlessly mispronounced Mauritius to Madagascar, the teams arrived at the first clue box only to find an unfamiliar "Plus" sign. As host Phil Keoghan helpfully explained, the "+" stood for "Intersection," a twist requiring teams to pair off for an indeterminate length of time. If I were more cynical, I'd think this was just thrown into the game to break up the Six-Pack alliance, just like two non-elimination legs in three weeks have saved Dave and Mary each time.

In any case, the Smackhead Models (Tyler and James) and the Ugly Americans (Rob and Kimberly arrived first and paired immediately, rushing off to the fast-forward, which required them to devour whole plates of cow lips. Yum. And Team Alabama (Lyn and Karlyn) and Team Kentucky (Dave and Mary) joined forces. That meant that the Intersection melded two already compatible groups.

The only odd couple was the Beauty Queens (Dustin and Candice) and the Cho Brothers (Erwin and Godwin). Things got off to a rocky start with one of the Blondies announcing "You *are* Asian. You could make paper." as a task preference. The Blondies then too offense when the Chos suggested they might use their looks to help them find their destination. They learned to work together and by the end, Kandice was declaring, "We have always really respected the Cho Brothers. They work a lot like Dust and I do. They get the job done. And we had some beef. We had some muscle."

Ultimately, Dave and Mary finished fifth, but after their 30-minute "Marked for Elimination" penalty was tacked on, Team Alabama arrived. Thus, the inspirational coal miner and his wife were sent home.

Episode Highlights:

Dustin and Kandice ditching their banged up green car in Mauritius and sticking the 'Bama team with the dented car.

Rob checking out the natives of Madagascar and explaining to Kimberly that the locals don't eat enough protein and therefore their brains aren't as developed as theirs.

Rob taking a rare break from browbeating Kimberly (abuse that she regularly returns) to cheer his girlfriend on during the puke-filled cow lip eating, finally yelling, "Is my chick awesome or what?" at the end.

Kandice -- totally my favorite beauty queen -- breaking into a pageant dance, complete with bowler hat, while waiting for her lesser half at the pit stop.

Did you think the Intersection twist was interesting? Who are you rooting for at this point?

Comments

I thought the Intersection twist could have been interesting if it had forced groups to remain together longer. Maybe they should have been forced to stick until the pitstop. I know it was a lot of the editing, but I found it hilarious that the fast-forward groups were just taking thier time assuming that they would be fine. Would have been justice if they would have ended up last.

Robert | Nov 6, 2006 7:52:49 AM | #

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The intersection would have been more fun if the teams were forced to work with the next team to arrive. It would have been hilarious and, possibly, dangerous if the 'Bama girls had to work with the pageant girls!

Lara | Nov 6, 2006 8:30:26 AM | #

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I know David and Mary never really had a shot at making the final 3, but I have to admit they were fun to watch. They came across as good people who were in the race for the right reasons. All the best to them and their family.

Anonymous | Nov 6, 2006 10:14:50 AM | #

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If only Kentucky had convinced 'Bama to go for the Fast Forward together! I'm sure those two teams would have scarfed the cow lips faster than R&K and the models. Imagine the scene as KY and 'Bama celebrate, while the others look at each other, knowing one team or the other would likely be eliminated. But wait, it gets better! Rather than continuing on their own, R&K and the models would still have had to go back to the intersection and work together on a task, before splitting up in a race to the death. Too bad we missed that excitement.

Race Fan | Nov 9, 2006 11:10:39 AM | #

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I was glad to see the beauty queens go. It is one thing to be competetive, but they were just too evil. They needed to go.

gbayardo | Dec 9, 2006 1:56:58 PM | #

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Foot in the door - A

ADRIANA | Nov 28, 2007 8:47:28 PM | #

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High-flyer

SOPHIA | Nov 30, 2007 2:03:58 AM | #

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Knick-knack

KAITLYN | Nov 30, 2007 9:15:50 AM | #

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Hey i luv Dustin and Candice i watch them every week

Tayla | Feb 28, 2008 5:20:09 PM | #

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