[Author’s note (added well after the season finale) - After posting the first recap, I was whole-heartedly into watching the race this season, but having already taken a break from the entire blogging scene, I just wasn’t ramped back up into writing about it. To my loyal two Amazing Race recap readers (neither of whom are my family - for shame!) I apologize. See you next season! Well, unless the producers come to their senses and finally get my brother and I on the show!] ;-)
The Amazing Race Season 12 Episode 1 Recap
Only 11 legs this season and no elimination rounds. My suggestion for the producers is a hidden immunity idol. 
Something I noticed this season - look at the CBS official site and click through the teams. Looking at the ages, it is predominantly a 20-something race with a splattering of older folks. The 40-something crowd is nowhere to be seen! Bad news for my Amazing Race application.
Want to see a graphical view of the racers from beginning to present? Click on the below graphic. (Opens in a new window.)
This week’s rundown:
1st Place - Azaria & Hendekea - Brother/Sister - Won a Canada resort trip.
Last Week - N/A
If I can get by the fact I think their training for the race included thinking of as many different ways as possible to say how much smarter they are than everyone else, I might like these two. I’ll let it go this week - since they came in first.
2nd Place - Kynt & Vyxsin - Dating Goths
Last Week - N/A
If Alice Cooper and David Bowie could have had children together… I like the goth duo, though, I really do. If they don’t tire out from carrying an extra 100 pounds of makeup luggage, I think they’ll do well.
3rd Place - Rachel & TK - Dating for almost one year
Last Week - N/A
If you get just the right glance at TK he looks a little like Ben Affleck playing Matthew McConaughey playing a surfer dude. Although sitting here writing this, I don’t remember her saying much, they seemed like a nice couple. I think the old season 9 hippie karma will favor them.
4th Place - Lorena & Jason - Dating
Last Week - N/A
Doctor Phil shout-out! Lorena seems a little umm volatile and he’s one of those silently aggressive dudes. I’m guessing sparks before too long.
5th Place - Nicolas & Donald - Grandson/Grandfather
Last Week - N/A
All American boy and cantankerous old coot. I’m sensing sitcom material here. Fox execs, are you watching?
6th Place - Shana & Jennifer - Friends
Last Week - N/A
I’m sensing Hustler, Playboy, and Maxim drafting invitation letters. I’m not the type to let vane annoying beauty pageant wannabes annoy me into wishing for horrible disfiguring accidents. I am the type, however, to wish for a combination of terrible acne breakout and skin rash that cause them to be detained by health officials in a foreign country long enough to lose the race.
7th Place - Ronald & Christina - Father/Daughter
Last Week - N/A
Awww… every time I saw them this week I could just hear Paul Simon singing that father and daughter song. I’d quote it for you but every time I even do that it makes me cry. Damn that Paul Simon. The Amazing Race editors must not have been able to take it either. I saw in the previews from next week an argument a-brewing. Next theme song for these two sung by dysfunctional dad Ozzy?
8th Place - Kate & Pat - Married Ministers
Last Week - N/A
Lesbians. Ministers. Spunky elderly ladies. It’s like Golden Girls meets 7th Heaven meets, well, lesbians. I like this team. I can’t wait for them to run head-to-head with the All American Boy and Cantankerous Grand-dad. *insert hilarity ensuing here* The only problem I foresee is the 60+ age on one of the couple hindering their ability at physical tasks.
9th Place - Marianna & Julia - Sisters
Last Week - N/A
Is it really so wrong to want Shana & Jennifer to have to Jello wrestle Marianna & Julia? To the death. I think these two could be very nice or very very not-so-nice. I’m leaning toward the latter.
10th Place - Jennifer & Nathan - Dating
Last Week - N/A
Here’s how it will go with these two… “I love you, I love you!” followed by one-on-one camera interviews where they talk about how annoying they find each other and how they don’t think they could ever stay together. Rinse, lather, repeat until they finally get eliminated.
Who got kicked off?
11th Place - Ari & Staella - Best Friends
Last Week - N/A
He said it best, “Karma’s a bitch. I’m an even bigger bitch.” Okay, so maybe it’s a paraphrase, but stealing that cab early on in the race, gloating about it, then getting totally pwned on the first episode of the season - freaking awesome. I’m almost going to miss hating this team for a few more episodes. Almost.
