A new episode of The Amazing Race airs tonight on CBS. Read our live recap below.
Scott & Lori are the first team to depart and immediately learn their next destination: Bali, Indonesia. One team will earn the Driver’s Seat advantage during this leg. At a travel agency, they secure tickets, only to find Carson & Jack asking for the same flight. Jonathan & Ana, who claimed the Express Pass in the previous leg, hope to use it strategically. While Jonathan & Ana get their tickets, Carson & Jack talk strategy with Scott & Lori, suggesting any advantage should be used against lower-placing teams instead of the leaders. They expect Jonathan & Ana might think likewise.
Melinda & Erika request the same tickets as the teams ahead of them, and Pops & Jeff join them shortly after. Most teams make the 7:15 flight, but Bernie & Carrigain end up on a later 10:55 departure, putting them at an early disadvantage.
Upon landing in Bali, every team takes a taxi to the next checkpoint. Although the main task won’t begin until morning, teams must claim their position for the next day. Jonathan & Ana arrive first and pick the first slot. Nick & Mike take second; Scott & Lori third; Han & Holden fourth; Alyssa & Josiah fifth; Pops & Jeff sixth; Brett & Mark seventh; Melinda & Erika eighth; Carson & Jack ninth; and Bernie & Carrigain are left with the final spot.
The following morning, teams learn they must drive ATVs through the jungle, traverse a cave, and arrive at a waterfall where their next clue awaits. Teams complete this ATV challenge in the order of their claimed spots. Jonathan & Ana reach the clue first and also discover the Driver’s Seat advantage at the same location. At the Roadblock in Tampaksiring, the task requires one teammate to thresh a specific weight of rice — either 15, 20, or 25 pounds — and the Driver’s Seat holders choose which teams will receive each weight.
Because Jonathan & Ana secured the Driver’s Seat, they assign heavier loads to several teams: Alyssa & Josiah, Nick & Mike, Bernie & Carrigain, Pops & Jeff, and Scott & Lori must thresh 25 pounds. Mark & Brett, Carson & Jack, and Han & Holden are assigned 20 pounds. Jonathan & Ana and Melinda & Erika keep the lightest requirement at 15 pounds. Despite giving themselves the easiest task, Jonathan & Ana elect to use their Express Pass, move ahead, and proceed to Penglipuran Village for the next challenge.
As teams arrive at the Roadblock, Lori and Nick are the first to attempt it. Lori admits she’s annoyed after Jonathan & Ana’s decision to give her and Scott the higher weight. Meanwhile, Brett & Mark discover their taxi has taken them off course; Mark checks the driver’s GPS to find they were driven about 40 minutes away from the Roadblock.
More teammates tackle the Roadblock: Alyssa, Carson, Han, Jeff, Melinda, and later Lori and others complete the thresher task. After finishing, Scott & Lori head to Penglipuran Village. When Bernie & Carrigain arrive, Carrigain takes on the Roadblock, voicing frustration about being given 25 pounds earlier by Jonathan & Ana, whom she believes targeted them.
At Penglipuran Village, teams face a Detour choice: Penjor or Pajegan. Penjor asks teams to decorate a tall bamboo pole with leaves, flowers, and offerings and display it on a stand. Pajegan requires purchasing and arranging village offerings on a stand. Jonathan & Ana choose Penjor and begin decorating, concerned that finishing slower may render their Express Pass usage regretful if Scott & Lori overtake them.
Scott says he plans to ostracize Jonathan & Ana for the Driver’s Seat decision. Roadblock completions continue with Nick, Han, Mark, Alyssa, and Jack finishing in sequence. Teams pair up on Detour options: Han & Holden and Nick & Mike choose Pajegan and collaborate; Alyssa & Josiah and Carson & Jack opt for Penjor. Melinda, Jeff, and Mark also finish the Roadblock, leaving Carrigain as the final competitor at that station before she completes it as well.
At the Penjor Detour, Scott & Lori bicker while working. Jonathan & Ana fail their first inspection but pass on the second and deliver their pole, receiving their next clue to head to the Pit Stop at Pura Dalem Pelapuran in Penglipuran.
Teams continue to arrive at the Detour and complete their tasks. Bernie & Carrigain initially miss signage directing them to the Penjor location and become disoriented. As several teams sprint on foot searching for the Pit Stop in chaotic fashion, Nick & Mike, Brett & Mark, and Alyssa & Josiah momentarily run in circles before finding the correct route. Eventually, teams begin to reach the Pit Stop one after another.
Jonathan & Ana reach the mat first. Phil announces the news: Jonathan & Ana are Team #1! Their victory earns them a trip to Croatia and Montenegro. Carson & Jack follow in second place, and Scott & Lori arrive seconds later as the third team. Phil asks about the Driver’s Seat, and many contestants agree Jonathan & Ana will be targeted, though Scott & Lori are also viewed as threats.
Melinda & Erika become the fourth team to check in. Alyssa & Josiah, Han & Holden, Brett & Mark, Nick & Mike, and Pops & Jeff arrive in succession. Bernie & Carrigain eventually find the Pit Stop but are the last team to check in. Phil delivers the results: Bernie & Carrigain have been eliminated from the race. The pair express disappointment but gratitude for the experience.
Episode Summary
1st place: Jonathan & Ana (Won trips to Croatia and Montenegro)
2nd place: Carson & Jack
3rd place: Scott & Lori
4th place: Melinda & Erika
5th place: Alyssa & Josiah
6th place: Han & Holden
7th place: Brett & Mark
8th place: Nick & Mike
9th place: Pops & Jeff
Eliminated: Bernie & Carrigain
That concludes tonight’s episode of The Amazing Race. Thanks for reading the recap — check back next week for another episode summary and live recap.