Another reason just occurred to me to not allow the racers to roam around a city: They could start scouting it. While true the race often uses off-the-beaten-path locations for their challenges, there are some pretty predictable locations that you might get familiar with.

For example, you might get familiar with the city transit system. In a couple hours, you could easily figure out what stops there are for major landmarks, stadiums, waterfront locations, etc. Even just figuring out the best way to get to an airport, the closest travel agency, etc, could be an advantage if all they are doing the next day is leaving.

I think when Phil was telling Steve and Allie what they won, Allie was probably thinking, keep your stinking 7-Up and give me my backpack instead.

I really don't like that they're stuck without their packs... It seems unfair. Fundamentally, unfair.

They had to swim to the boats to start with. We see the detectives dive in, and 2 seconds later, in the very next shot, they're on their boat, changing into dry clothes from their dry backpacks... Ummmmmmmmmm... how did the backbacks get onto their boat dry?

And when each other team got off their boat at the end, they all left their packs.

If the detectives had production staff moving their bags onto the boat for them, why didn't Steve and Allie?

I'm actually pretty pissed about this, because I think this is a fundamental bastardization of the fairness of the race. If all the other teams had their bags transported to and from the boat for them, what's the deal?

At the very least, they should be able to retrieve the packs.

We will now use anonymous when we mean unanimous just because it was so darn funny last night. Those two "models" are so childish and peckish. I'd like to see a double elimination next week with them going hand in hand with the "mean lesbians". I don't suppose that's possible but it will make me smile all week just thinking about it.

I was actually thinking, "For a dude his age, Steve looks GOOD without his shirt." Not as good as the cowboys in their board shorts, but not bad.

What a tense episode! As soon as the Cowboys ended up in the latter half to get to the island, I was already worried for them because as fantastic as they are, they don't seem to have that competitive fire that some of the other teams have. The back and forth on who will be Philiminated between them and Brandy/Carol was excruciating. Thank goodness it was a non-elimination race and I have no doubts that Jet/Cord will at least do respectable next week.

Hoping Carol/Brady or Brent/Caite leave next week. Or randomly Louie/Michael. Haven't really warmed up to them yet. Love the other teams though.

La Digue, probably the most photographed beach on the planet. Spectacular scenery...what a shame all these locales and this show are still shot on standard def. There is no excuse for the producers not to shoot in HD.

According to the previews for next week, Jet and Cord are in trouble. But it sounds like Carol and Brande will get Uturned next week.

Forgetting their backpacks shouldn't be too terrible to Steve and Allie. The teams always have a minimum of twelve hours between getting to the mat and leaving for the next leg. There should be more than enough time to either go back and get them or to use some of the money they get each leg to buy some stuff.

The scenery in tonight's show was some of the most spectacular I've ever seen. Who knew there were such pristine places left on this planet?

I really want to root for Steve and Allie but feel that the show did them a great disservice by not including more footage of them earlier in the race. They seem like an awesome team/awesome individuals but it's almost as if they joined the race mid-season.

What I do know is that I, too, am over Brent and Caite and the Lesbians. How can anyone whine when they are in such amazing places and on the adventure of their lives?

So glad the cowboys are still in it. I hope they pull it back together next week and end up in a final 3 with the brothers, and Steve and Allie.