'Amazing Race' Recap: "Your Tan is Totally Cool"

The fifth leg started with teams heading to fly more than 2,000 miles to Hanoi, Vietnam, where they would find their next clue in a theater. While booking flights, Dave and Connor admitted that they would be eliminated in Vietnam because Dave’s orthopedic surgeon at home recommended having surgery within 7 days. At the same time, Pam and Winnie and Max and Katie talked about the upcoming U-turn, and how they wanted to attack the alliance between John and Jessica (unaware they were eliminated), Mona and Beth and Joey and Meghan. These three teams were on an early flight which arrived at 6:00 PM. All other teams were on a flight arriving 3 ½ hours later. Unfortunately the lead did nothing for these teams, as their destination didn’t open until 9:00 AM the next morning.

Dave and Connor ran directly to the Pit Stop in Hanoi, bypassing every other challenge so they could disqualify themselves and Dave could get his leg checked out. Even though it was at the point where it was necessary for them to leave, it was extremely sad to see them go.

Meanwhile, all of the other teams decided that, no matter what, they were going to all actively try to U-turn Joey and Meghan and Mona and Beth to fully break up the former John and Jessica alliance.

At the destination, teams encountered a roadblock where they had to watch a performance where a quote is revealed, and then they would have five minutes to run to another room and find a poster that had that exact quote on it before they could receive their next clue.

Pam and Winnie finished very quickly, the only ones who finished after the first performance, and went to the next location, where they were to participate in a traditional Vietnamese bamboo dance to receive their next clue. All other teams sat through a second time. Chuck and Wynona, Jen and Caroline, and Max and Katie all finished in the next round. Meghan and Joey, Mona and Beth and Bates and Anthony brought up the rear.

After the dance, teams encountered a detour, either “Make your Move” or “Make Your Meal.” In “Make your Move,” teams had to set up a giant chess game using human pieces, match four chess pieces to their human counterparts, and place them in the correct positions on a giant chess board. In “Make your Meal” teams had to pick up baskets and chickens and purchase the ingredients needed to make a traditional meal. Once they’ve prepared them correctly they could receive the clue. With the exception of Max and Katie and Chuck and Wynona, all teams chose Make Your Move.

Pam and Winnie finished first and made their way to the B-52 Memorial to receive their next clue, where they also encountered the Blind Double U-Turn. There, they U-Turned Joey and Meghan, and then made their way to the Pit Stop. Bates and Anthony finished second and made their way to the U-Turn, but had Joey and Meghan right on their tails. Max and Katie also finished shortly after. Joey and Meghan arrived first to the U-Turn and found out their fate, and U-turned Chuck and Wynona, a move that wasn’t the smartest on their parts because Chuck and Wynona are already one of the weakest teams in the race. Mona and Beth finished next, and Caroline and Jennifer followed them.

Pam and Winnie were the first team to arrive, and as a result won a trip for two to Whistler in Canada. Max and Katie were second to check in, followed right behind by Mona and Beth in third. Bates and Anthony checked in fourth, and Caroline and Jennifer checked in fifth. Despite their U-Turn, Joey and Meghan checked in 6th. Chuck and Wynona were the last to arrive, but thanks to Dave and Connor’s eliminating themselves, they were still in it as Team Number 7.

Photo Credit: CBS