The Amazing Race 25 Week 2 Power Rankings
Power Rankings
By Daron Aldridge
October 3, 2014
BoxOfficeProphets.com
The previous few seasons I got pretty close on the winners from early on, but this crop of teams hasn't given me much to work with, so these rankings are truly more guess-timations than I'd like to offer.
Let's dive right in:
1) Misti & Jim (Married). My expectations for hating this couple were so high based upon the hubris Jim spewed in his intro interview. But they were surprisingly helpful and personable to the other teams. The assumed cockiness seems to be more confidence, actually, and given how they raced the first leg, they earned the right to be confident. With the newly added advantage of The Save in their race-assigned fanny pack, Team DDS can be assured a place at least one away from the bottom until it's used. But regardless of the Save, the dentists proved what they – or more accurately Jim - can do on tasks. Plus, he seems methodical and cautious in his clue reading to avoid a boneheaded mistake. They earned the top spot.
2) Tim & Te Jay (Dating). Dubbed TNT by their Race mates (Team Not-Quite-Out seems more accurate), this couple proved to be more than meets the eye. Twice in the first leg, they were able to sneak by a team to claim first at a location, once at JFK Airport when the surfers flubbed getting to the right counter, and then skirting past the dentists to get the first seaplane. Whether this was just the result of opportunity or shrewd play, I don't know but I am giving them credit for it. The guys surprised me with their racing.
3) Kym & Alli (Friends). These competitive cyclists with their Ride or Die motto just may be the toughest all-female team the Race has seen in 25 seasons. The ladies embrace their wild side, which is why I want to call them Psycho Cyclists. This first leg presented no fear to the ladies (but maybe a hint of motion sickness for Kym), and I think these friends will go very deep this season. Even go as far to say they could win it if they are mindful and play smart AND hard.
4) Brooke & Robbie (Dating). Pile Drivers, Body Slam, or Turnbuckle...not sure what I will land on for them. I have to make sure the nickname is a good one, because I think they will be around for a while. Here's another team that I pegged as dunderheads that would be all showboating cheesiness, which would get old. Like Team DDS they came across better in reality than I assumed. Keep your head in the match, wrestlers, and you can go deep in the Race.
5) Adam & Bethany (Married). Team Hang Ten or #SoulSurfers would've been in the top spot if I did a preseason prediction. I assumed the competitiveness and perseverance would shine through. It did, but they might be a bit careless in the mental department. They flirted with disaster on the first departing flight and Adam struggled with solving the compass/treasure intricacies. They are a physically imposing team, but they will need to be mentally imposing as well. I do give them credit for keeping a positive attitude throughout the entire leg. That goes a long way for me.
6) Amy & Maya (Friends/PhD Students). Team Candy Crush (or #SweetScientists as they named themselves despite the tried and true rule that you can't give yourself a nickname) didn't get a whole lot of screen time but Amy showed on the Roadblock that they should and will be mental competitors. But given this season's overabundance of strong teams, the candy scientists need to hope that this season is equal parts brain and brawn.
7) Dennis & Isabelle (Dating). The generic #TheDatingCouple got only a clip or more in the premiere than the Team Candy Crush, so I'm solely basing my ranking on limited info and assumptions. There was nothing shown in the premiere for this couple that could be interpreted as "the team to beat.” Technically, all the teams stand between the others and the million dollar finish line. Middle of the pack edit gets you a middle of the pack ranking. Like I have said for seasons, please prove me wrong.
8) Shelley & Nici (Mother/Daughter). From what we saw in Episode 1, this parent/child team will not be setting the Race world on fire. They are definitely not giving off the vibe that they will duplicate the success of David & Connor, so another parent/child winner will have to wait for future seasons. I am prepared to be dazzled this week but equally prepared to be right that this team is just not true competition.
9) Michael & Scott (Friends). Team Office Fire was the victim of run-by pen thievery and lost a little bit of time en route to the Roadblock and previous task in St. Thomas. Plus, their bulky muscular size was misjudged by the blond sisters who “knew” they could outrun the hefty firefighters. The guys may surprise me, but it will take a much better showing than what Scott displayed when digging for treasure. Plus, they were easily convinced to take a time penalty. Now they are starting the next leg well behind the other teams, except...
10) Keith & Whitney (Engaged). #TeamNashville is more like “Team Survivor(?)” to me. First, like the firefighters, they were easily coerced into taking a sizable time penalty by the sisters. Second, Keith doesn't appear to have the fire and enthusiasm for the Amazing Race, which is sad because I know I would (please cast me and Randy Powledge for Season 27). The lackadaisical attitude isn't going to do them any favors. Third, they are starting more than four hours after the others. I think this week's ending has been telegraphed and either the firefighters or Survivors are leaving this week. This would make them more like Survivor's Ethan & Jenna than Rob & Amber.
Thankfully, the one team that I would've pegged to grate on my nerves with how they played the game (a la flirt and be retreads of country singers Jen & Caroline) were eliminated first. That gives me hope for the season for rooting for prospects, but any of these teams could turn heel (another wrestling phrase for you) quickly.
Let's see if that happens this week in Episode 2.