Amber's pretty smart. I think you mean Kelly's statement about POW.

Joyce did get something for shaving her head, which I would not have wanted to do so I give her great credit for doing it. What she got for doing it was not having to do mess with wooden elephants or camels.

It would have been nice if they had won a prize for being first, but why keep whining about Romber's prizes? The girls who went the wrong way in Argentina won $10,000 and the first FF couple won a car each - right before they were eliminated. Either of those prizes is probably worth more than all R & A's added together.

It's amazing how big a part taxi/drivers have taken in being the deciding factor in who comes in what position, so many times drivers not knowing where they were going has been the decider. This time in India it seems they had their own rail car arranged at the back of the train. Great sights of India and they all said how great everyone had been.

I wish they had made the train hwere they did have their own carriage, a pit stop, then there wouldn't have been the bunching which I hate. Having them all be equal again completely nullifies anything that happened in the first part of this stage. They could have stopped for a massage and still be in the game. I just don't like that.

Yes, I meant Kelly's statement. She isn't likable on this show. How could she see so much in her travels and experiences and yet still draw the kinds of conclusions she does!

And I do get Amber and Kelly mixed up. repeatedly. It's my Senior moment thing-so sorry. And this is the reason why. Don't you think Amber is rather quiet and that her personality doesn't come across much, for instance, as Joyce's certainly does. And Kelly even more so, and also a bit of a whiner. Kelly also doesn't ever seem to enjoy any part of the travel.

It's become more of a "what's Rob doing this time" tract with the editing. Hopefully the girls have more pizazz in real life.

Joyce should have gotten a bigger prize than any she did for shaving her head. I have done in twice in my life, once without wanting to at all- out of absolute necessity- and she (especially having long hair)should have gotten a car or a trip, at the very least. You know who you are when it's gone. No facade.

I loved makemyday's comment: "The beauty queen and the POW are having a very hard time keeping the lid on that garbage can full of white thrash."

But yes, I am absolutely appalled ANYBODY would make such an unthinking and horrendous comment about an ex-POW. I was in the military for 8 years and know what Ron's service meant to him. I can't imagine how she could have made any more infamous a statement. "Beauty" Queen? That utterance makes her the Ugly Queen.

ANYWAY, very enjoyable episode. Did anybody get a load of Rob grabbing kids like he "owned" them to push his elephant and then saying, "It's tough to organize Indian labor!" hehehe. This is one totally entertaining guy!

I'm not unpleased that Lex and his boyfriend are gone -- I think even some gays were put off by their cattiness and abject vindictiveness. Good riddance.

Gretchen and Meredith are the biggest "dumb luck" contestants I've ever seen. I am flummoxed as to how they are still in the race considering their never-ending befuddlement. I would love to see Joyce and Uechenna win, not just because she went the extra mile with her head being shaved, but because they seem always to have been playing with the most heart and soul. But frankly I'd more enjoy the ultimate win by Romber -- they're just irrepressible, and are really tweaking this game beyond any place its ever been, making the Amazing Race show as a whole infinitely more interesting. Congrats Romber, you have my vote.

I wish all the best to all the players except for Kelly -- who I only wish will become the second wife of Jon, behind Victoria! Beeee-ATCH!!

I can't believe Joyce didn't get a trip or something for shaving her head!!!

And I thought poor Meredith was going to have a heart attack pushing that elephant - with the added weight of Gretchen to boot! Why didn't she get off and help push when she realized she didn't have to be there. She's getting on my nerves. :)

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one totally put off by Gretchen's constant whining - I finally got to the point last night where I had to mute the sound when she started in - just awful.

My hubby was really identifying with Uchenna during the head shave. When he kept telling Joyce how beautiful she looked, DH was yelling: "Way to go, buddy! You're saying all the right things!" That's part of the fun of this show - comparing ourselves to the various couples.

Agree with you, Marilyn, about the POW remark. We just looked at each other in disbelief. And how could have that been edited to not mean how it sounded?

The dissent in our house comes with Romber. I can't help it - I love the way they play and I think he's a cutie who treats her with love and respect. Hubby, to put it mildly, does not feel the love.

Both rooting for Joyce and Uchenna - anyone pick up on where they go next?

I think Joyce is the only contestant who actually was receptive to the true prize of shaving her head; the blessings that were intended to come with the ceremony! How ironic that her husband already had a shaved head.

Kelly is a true jerk.

I don't know how Joyce could stand to have all those extension anyway. She must feel so much better with all that garbage gone. She was a true lady and U a true gentleman. She looks so stunning now without all that hair.

My heart belongs to Rob and Amber but wouldn't mind Ucchenda and Joyce winning. Afterall Rob and Amber have all that Survivor money plus you know they are going to get a ton of money for having their wedding televised in May. I just don't want Gretchen and Meredith winning or Ron and his bi**h of a girlfriend. That comment was so out of line. She's one cold person. If they win I will be very upset.

IMHO, Joyce and Uchenna will win this race, not because Joyce shaved her head, but because they have true bond and companionship that other contestants don't seemed to have. They deserve to win, especially for not winning anything after arriving 1st at the pit stop.

Rob's "kidnapping" (personal guide, grabbing kids to push the elephant cart) of locals is getting little old and annoying. Time for new antics.

I am not sure which of these two were worse: (1) The gay couple going to the wrong palace or (2) Gretchen's decision to climb up the elephant and STAY on the elephant while her husband is helpless down below.

BTW, this part of India looked much better than Lucknow.

Anybody going to watch the wedding? Good grief...I'd rather watch grass grow. How do these people manage to extend their alloted 15 mins. of fame into at least an hour?!!! I'm sure this must say something about our culture but I'm not sure I want to examine it further.

Rob may have overdone it with the kids, but he certainly did not "kidnap" the hotel employee guide. Rob asked him if he would be their guide and offered to pay him. The man was extremely happy to act as their guide for nothing. He also gave some help to Ron and Kelly.

I think Rob and Amber have an excellent relationship, perhaps better than Joyce and Uchenna's. While I like J&U and I won't be unhappy if they win, I don't think they are very good racers. If they do win it will be because someone else either screwed up or had bad luck somewhere, eg with taxis, rather than because of their own skill.

I wish last night's order-of-finshing were going to be the final order. Gretchen and Meredith are not going to get through next week, I'm sure, thus leaving Romber, POW/Twit, and Uchenna and Joyce. I remain opposed to Romber on both principle and behavior, and now the Beauty Queen has utterly alienated me with the "avoid commitment" comment (why doesn't she alienate Ron for good, I wonder).

Uchenna and Joyce absolutely deserved a prize last night, especially given the sacrifice -- stunningly unfair they didn't. They'd just better win the $1 million, is all....

But what fun to see that much of India! Yay, producers.

I really enjoyed last nights episode. I was sad to see the boys go - but so be it. I was most dissappointed that J&U didn't get a prize - and I'm wandering if maybe they did but the deal fell out with the advertisers and so they didn't show it?

I can't stand Romber. I don't want them to win 'cos they already have enough prize money, and I don't like his attitude.

I watched the boys on the Early Show this morning (only a little - I was late for work!) and it sounds like the animosity between them and Romber was mutual. And it didn't start until they were already on the race. I really enjoyed how they really enjoyed the travel. I loved seeing them partying with the Indians.

Should be an interesting few weeks now til the finale. I'm pulling for U&J!

I'm sure that next week will be a non-elimination round, so they can do the big double episode final during sweeps in May.

I'd be willing to bet 2 RAV4's that none of us could go 12 hours a day for weeks with a camera constantly in our face, running through the hottest countries in the World without saying something "culturally insensitive" or "gender intolerant" at some time. Creative editing could make the Pope look like a bigot. I admire all these people because they're doing something I wish I could. I only wish the Amazing Race were geared more toward people like us on this forum. If the Race were truly a test of one's travel savvy I'd kick everyone of these contestant's butts. It's the parasailing, eating offal, climbing cliffs and gathering local crafts that I find stupid. What has any of that junk have to do with finding your way around the World?

Each person should get $500 and they are dropped-off blindfolded in Mongolia where they have to find their way home by working, conniving or stowing away. (Ooops, I think that show as cancelled after one episode)

What irritates me more than Gretchen's whining is when a team like Romber builds a huge lead of an hour or two, but then even the last place team catches up to them while waiting in the airport. They should give the contestants the freedom to find alternative modes of travel. Guys like us would be smart enough to use Ryanair, Easyjet and Virgin Express to hopscotch across the Continent.

Now for my views on making Survivor a REAL survival experience....

Yes, Zeus, exactly!

I was pleasantly surprised at Lynn and Alex's post-lost reflections - they mentioned how the race was such a great experience and they'd rather share it with no one else. And they seemed sincere.

Joyce's head-shaving was truly touching, as well as Uchenna's support. Those two are awesome, in my opinion. And it was funny - as Uchenna was telling her how beautiful she was and then commented that she "blossomed" (or something like that) during the process - that was exactly was I was thinking! You could SEE some sort of transformation, and not just physical. I think in the end, she appreciated it for what it was - a spiritual cleansing ritual. And I think she looks better without the hair!

Kelly and her POW comment - wow. I can't wait to see Ron's reaction next week.

Gretchen in the elephant - duh. It did add some humor to the show, though. Gretchen flailing around on top of the elephant with poor Meredith nearly collapsing underneath her. Amazing how you could hear her "OHHHHHHHHHhhhh"s over the crowded Indian street noise! I wanted to scream "Get out!" at her!

Finally, does anyone know how they determine the prizes for first place? Does it have to do with the difficulty of the leg?

From what I have heard, Ceb, the prizes for 1st place finishers at each leg are predetermined prior to the start of the race, much like the non-elims, fast forwards, and yields. It was a shame that U&J did not get a prize with their first place last night. It is irritating that R&A have always managed to "earn" a prize with their first place finishes. Ah well, they didn't consult me when they wrote the rules. I am pulling for U&J as they are supportive of one another, seemingly civil and polite to their competitors, and unlike R&A and R&K, truly more appreciative of the experiences than focused on winning the game (although I expect the "competitiveness" to be kicked up a notch or three in the next episodes as they come "down to the wire".

Keith, I think next week WILL be an elimination episode. The reason is that my daughter read in TV Guide that the final episode will be aired on May 10th. That means that there are three shows left as I can't imagine that there would be back to back no elination shows. Mike