'The Amazing Race' Season 17, Episode 5 Recap

['The Amazing Race' - 'Tastes Like a Million Dollars!']

Do you know what's amazing? Phil Keoghan's eyebrow raising abilities. Sure, it's 'The Amazing Race' and that in itself is amazing. But, just how does he do that? I tried, but can only do it when I close the other eye. It ends up looking like I have an uncontrollable tic.

Phil did the eyebrow raise twice in succession tonight for the second place team, so we had a double treat. Now that you're all trying to raise your eyebrow, read on for the skinny on which team made the Pit Stop first ... and last.
Tonight's leg found the teams still in the not-so-frozen tundra as it's off season there for the real harsh weather. While they didn't travel very far, only from Sweden to Norway, they had plenty of challenges and adventures. A season or two back, it seemed like the tasks were a bit easier physically, probably to limit the usual alpha-male team wins. With this season not really having any strong alpha-male teams, it looks like the challenges might be back to snuff.

For the second week in a row, the alpha-female doctor team of Nat and Kat leaped ahead. I'm talking literally, as they were the first to leave the Pit Stop, then the first at the first clue and onto the Fast Forward. They may be the only team with a vegetarian aboard -- so naturally the challenge involved eating meat.

In a Christmas-themed atmosphere, they had to eat a sheep's head -- cooked, of course. The meat looked really greasy but not the worst foodstuff we've seen on the show. Kat put aside her 22 years of no meat because "it tasted like a million dollars." They finished the task and once again hit the Pit Stop first. It's possible they may stumble down the road if Nat has to do something with heights, though. She was almost irrationally afraid in an enclosed gondola.

My personal vote for the Team I Like the Best but Won't Win would be Michael and Kevin. Once again tonight, the closeness of their relationship shined. Kevin took on the tough rappelling Roadblock with ease, but then nixed the bikes in the Detour for the boats as he was worried it would be too much on his father. Kevin's probably not going to be able to shelter Michael from the race's more grueling physical tasks for too much longer, so I'm just going to enjoy watching them while they're there. At fourth place, they had a pretty decent showing.

Nick and Vicki continue to be dense. It's surprising they figured out how to apply to be on the show! Trailing several other teams, they decided to go for the Fast Forward. Now, every other team after Nat and Kat just moved on figuring it was taken. Not so for Nick and Vicki! When they got to the place for it, a sign was up stating it was taken. "What does that mean?" asked Vicki.

While definitely dense, Vicki excelled at both the rappelling down and ascending up at the Roadblock, then again at the bikes in the Detour. She did the best of any of the women at rappelling and better than many of the men. Supposedly Nick was a biking fanatic, but Vicki had to slow down so he could keep up. Okay -- she needs to do the physical tasks; Nick can do the mental ones. Um, well ...

Gary and Mallory, like Kevin and Michael, have a great parent/child relationship. But Gary's in a lot better shape than Michael is and Mallory is a bit of an odd child. Didn't another team call her "Tinkerbell" or something once? It's not quite perky, but more reminiscent of the 'Chucky' movies for me. I'm waiting for an evil grin and bloodshed after the silly skipping and lilting. She is a hunter, after all. They came in second and were the lucky recipients of Phil's double eyebrow raise.

The dating couples aren't too easy to cheer on this season. Thomas has a chip on his shoulder because he went to Notre Dame while Jill went to a cosmetology school. Chad barks at Stephanie or gives her exasperated looks when he feels she's not trying hard enough or performing well enough.

Alas, the dating couples remain in the race. It was the Jersey Girls, Katie and Rachel, who hit the welcome mat last. Although they tried their hardest, it just wasn't enough and they were Philiminated. Hopefully they were at least given some time to explore Norway and take in its truly amazing scenery.

'The Amazing Race' airs Sun., 8PM ET on CBS.