Taraweasel arrives at the lodge and runs up to the mat, giraffe in hand. Welcome, you are team number three. She voices over that they're getting along "pretty well." That appears to be true, and all the extracurricular sex she's having is probably really greasing the wheels.

Mary and the Fruit's SUV is following Blake and Paige's up to the pit stop. "Oh, Paiger," Blake sighs in their cab, with his arm around his sis. Whatever. Out of the cars, though, Mary and Peach get a few feet ahead of them, and then Blake and Paige go off the path and cut through the trees in order to gain about thirty seconds and finish before Mary and the Fruit. Peach voices over that the whole thing left them feeling "disappointed."

Now I suppose that it is possible that Blake and Paige didn't know they weren't arguing over last place, and if that's the case, then what they just did wasn't stupid at all, but otherwise, I think it was very, very stupid. They've just gained probably literally one minute on Mary and Peach, who seem to be pretty well-liked by other teams. In the meantime, they've managed to enhance their own growing reputation as not-very-nice players. Let me clarify -- I don't think what they did was dirty. I don't think it was cheating, and I don't think they were obligated in any way not to do it. I'm saying I think that unless you have reason to believe that you risk finishing last, that kind of maneuver has no effect on your situation other than to piss people off. I don't think other teams have any right to expect you to hold their hands, let them go in front of you, or wait for you to finish ahead of them, but there comes a point where it's a strategic decision not to let the bitterness toward you get too out of control. Fair or unfair (and I happen to think it's unfair, mostly), Blake and Paige are getting a reputation for nastiness, and they'd be wise to monitor that situation. It's one thing not to hand-hold, and another thing to make yourself a target.