Episode Report Card M. Giant: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Down Under Blunders
By M. Giant | Season 18 | Episode 2 | Aired on 02.27.2011
The two lead teams are almost to Mercury Street. Margie almost eats it again, but maintains her balance at the cost of losing the piece of her costume that covers her left foot and shin. She obliviously leaves it lying in the gutter while Luke rushes her along. Behind them, Zev and Justin see it, but don't bother to pick it up. Margie realizes she lost a piece and has to go back, to Luke's considerable frustration. That setback means Team Asperger's is the first to reach the clue box in the old motel. "Drive yourselves to the next Pit Stop," the clue reads. Phil says they'll have to keep their kangaroo suits on as they drive to Junction Mine outside town. "This former silver mine is the Pit Stop of this leg of the race. The last team to check in here will be eliminated." You hear that? Phil is done fucking around. Justin reads from the clue, "You may want to put on other shoes before driving away." Yes, I would think so. Trying to drive with anti-gravity boots on would be like driving a Toyota. Back at the car, they struggle out of the bouncy shoes with the help of a *pop!* sound effect added by the Amazing Foley Guys. Getting into the car, Zev howls, "Ow! I just slammed my tail in the door!" Don't worry, he's okay. Justin keeps doing what works, that is, pulling over to ask locals for directions, and they're soon on their way to Junction Mine. "Let's go win something, Zev," Justin says. "Get to keep it this time." Don't jinx it!
Margie is searching for her costume piece. The second troop of kangaroos happens upon it, but Mel's the one who picks it up. He gives it to Margie, and gets a big sloppy hug and kiss from Luke in return. Now everyone's off in search of Mercury Street together.
Zev and Justin park in the mine's lot and walk up to Phil in their regular shoes. The greeter, a rugged-looking miner in a helmet and headlamp, welcomes them to Broken Hill, Australia. Are all the greeters this season going to be people just pulled from within a few yards of wherever they plunk the mat down? Phil says, "Zev and Justin, I'll give you the bad news: you look ridiculous." Looking at the stuffed joey sticking out of the pouch on Justin's costume, the miner observes, "You're the female!" Justin's fine with that, as long as they're in first place, which they are. And they've won a trip to Cancun. Which they get to keep! "Have you got your passports still?" Phil asks. Justin says they do. Zev interviews that this feels much better than the last leg they "won," and tells Phil that he's going to go take a nap. I would think there's going to be a lot of that going around.