Recap: The Amazing Race Australia 6, Episode 19 – “You’re a chick. You’ve got boobs.”

It’s time for the Final Five teams to go home and fly to Perth. Upon arrival, teams will immediately face the Road Block: Who’s feeling grounded?

For this Road Block, teams must head to the Royal Aero Club where they will enjoy an aerobatics flight, during which they must pay attention to aviation history facts as told to them by the pilot. When they can correctly answer five questions once they’re back on land, they will get the next clue.

Toni, Pako, Cynthia, Angel and Kelly decide to do the Road Block. But Angel and Kelly have to wait until the first three teams come back as there are a limited number of available planes.

None of the teams have a problem with the quiz and they can now make their way to Swan Bell Tower. Here, teams have four minutes to ring two bells simultaneously four times in unison or they must go back in time.

The leading three teams are able to ring their bells within their first four minutes. But Kelly & Georgia and Angel & Frankie have a bit of trouble. Angel grows especially frustrated, but when they get it, she apologizes to the bellman for swearing.

After the bells, teams will head to Ready Team One where teams will suit up and become avatars in a virtual alien game. Once teams save the planet, they will get the next clue.

The leading three teams maintain their lead as they kill the alien leader and can now make their way to Optus Stadium which sits upon Whagjuk Noongar land. After making their way to the rooftops, they will walk off the edge until they’re suspended upside down. They will then memorize the six annual seasons of the Aboriginal Noongar people being shown on the screen: Birak, Bunaru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba and Kambrang.

Heath & Toni and Tiffany & Cynthia fail their first attempts as Pako & Mori arrive. Mori, however, has a fear of heights and begins to feel anxiety about the task. Pako takes Mori to the rooftop, but he is just too afraid. Pako tries to encourage and motivate him.

Heath & Toni and Tiffany & Cynthia pass on their second attempts and can now make their way to the Pit Stop at the Perth Mint. Heath & Toni win the Leg with Tiffany & Cynthia in 2nd.

Angel & Frankie arrive at the stadium and also try to encourage Mori, but they must still focus on themselves especially with Kelly & Georgia right on their tail. And the teachers are able to get the seasons on their first attempt. Pako & Mori decide to quit and take a penalty. Angel & Frankie leave the stadium last.

Kelly & Georgia step on the Mat as Team #3. Pako & Mori step on the Mat, but must serve out a 15-minute penalty. Angel & Frankie arrive at the Pit Stop with less than ten seconds left on the penalty. That allows the church friends to check-in as Team #4. That means Pako & Mori are officially last and eliminated.

Episode Thoughts

An alright Leg. But it definitely felt a bit linear and probably would’ve been exactly that without Pako & Mori being unable to perform the task.

No need to harp on about the absurd penalty length again here since we’ve been doing it all season long. But honestly, if Pako & Mori had survived over Angel & Frankie, it would’ve really been a debacle. Maybe even more than having a COVID team winning the Race by doing only 2/3 of the Legs.

Anyway, the Road Block was a simple, new take on the typical flying task. No looking down for your clue this time. Which I just realized they did earlier this season in one of the 42 Legs.

I think the biggest reason this Leg felt linear is because all the tasks were first come, first served. You had get in line for pretty much every task. Perhaps having a Detour in the middle could’ve combatted that.

Take the bells, for example. Teams had to get in line every four minutes. That’s a pretty long time.

The VR game had more than one room of course, but teams didn’t have much trouble here. And so the order was already decided beforehand.

Finally, the task at the stadium was good. We haven’t had many tasks like this during the 61 Leg season. The memorization aspect added a different twist to it compared to other similar stadium-hanging tasks like in TAR China or TAR24.

Overall, an okay Leg that matches well with the rest of the 81 Leg Race. Like, it’s not as obvious that it’s back in Australia.

Team Thoughts

Heath & Toni are peaking at the right time and with Angel & Frankie really starting to lose some steam and Pako & Mori gone, we might have a new frontrunner.

Again, I can’t help it. Kudos to Tiffany & Cynthia really coming in strong in these final Legs as well. And Kelly & Georgia are still a threat. But I just can’t fully root for a COVID-sidelined team. Sorry.

Pako & Mori are alright, but that’s just how the Race goes. I would rather have them in the Final 3 though. But the one good thing is that we will finally get our first female Aussie winner of TARAu.

Episode Quotes

Toni: “Sorry for the vomit.”

Angel: “You’re a chick. You’ve got boobs.”