Amazing Race 15 Episode 8 Recap

Father/Son Gary and Matt Finish Last in Stockholm, Sweden

Nov 8, 2009

The 15th season of The Amazing Race continues in Sweden as teams take on one of the most infamous and challenging Roadblocks in Amazing Race history.

In Episode 8 of The Amazing Race 15, titled “This is the Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done in my Life,” teams traveled to Stockholm, Sweden and rode the tallest ride at a Swedish amusement park, had a “blast” with dynamite, and took on one of the most infamous Roadblocks in Race history, leading to a dramatic finish where one team was given a reprieve. Here’s how it all went down:

Next Destination: Stockholm, Sweden

Departing from Zoutkamp Harbor in The Netherlands, teams received a clue instructing them to fly 700 miles to Stockholm, Sweden. Once there, they had to travel by train and ferry to the Tivoli Grona Lund Amusement Park and find the tallest ride.

Upon arriving at the airport, teams discovered that there were two possible flights: one departing at 6:55 am and the other departing at 9:25 am. They had to camp out until 5:30 am to book their tickets. Teams at the front of the pack, Sam and Dan, Meghan and Cheyne, and “Flight Time” and “Big Easy” got onto the 6:55 flight, while Gary and Matt and Brian and Ericka had to book seats on the 9:25 flight.

Train and Ferry

When they arrived in Sweden, teams had to pick up train tickets from a machine. The Globetrotters missed the first train to Stockholm, while Sam and Dan and Meghan and Cheyne surged ahead.

Two hours later, Brian and Ericka got on the first train after their flight arrived, while Gary and Matt missed it, putting them in last place as they waited 15 minutes for the next train.

Free Fall

At the amusement park, one team member had to ride the tallest ride, called the “Free Fall.” As they reached the top of the tower, they had to look for an arrow that pointed in the direction of their next clue before plunging 24 storeys to the ground.

Sam and Cheyne agreed to work together to find the arrow. Sam spotted it first. “Flight Time” then took on the Roadblock for the Harlem Globetrotters and quickly spotted the arrow.

Later on, Ericka completed the task due to Brian’s fear of heights. Finally, Matt searched for the arrow for his team, despite Gary stating his desire to go on the ride.

Roaming Gnome Ring Toss

After following the arrow, teams had to play a game of ring toss and throw rings at gnome hats. When their ring landed around a hat, they received a Travelocity Roaming Gnome which had their next clue.

The teams in the lead, Sam and Dan, Meghan and Cheyne, and the Globetrotters, quickly completed the task and received their gnomes.

Detour: Nobel Dynamite or Viking Alphabet

In Nobel Dynamite, teams had to fill sandbags to create a protective bunker, and then set off an enormous explosion which unearthed a box containing their next clue. In Viking Alphabet, teams had to decode a message using the ancient Viking alphabet.

All teams opted to complete Nobel Dynamite. Meghan and Cheyne and Sam and Dan were the first to arrive, but the Globetrotters quickly caught up.

Sam and Dan used their hands to fill the bags quickly while the other teams tried to use mini-shovels. The brothers were the first to finish and blow up their bunker. Meanwhile, Meghan and Cheyne struggled with the task and Meghan griped at Cheyne for not holding the bag open. Their conflict allowed “Flight Time” and “Big Easy” to overtake them, but Meghan and Cheyne were not far behind. A dejected Meghan blasted Cheyne for poor teamwork as they drove away.

Later on, Gary and Matt got lost on the way to the Detour site, while Brian and Ericka paid a taxi to lead them. The married couple finished first and Gary and Matt were once again in last place, but not out of the Race.

When they completed the Detour, teams received a clue instructing them to drive to Bogs Gard Farm, the site of one of the most infamous and daunting tasks in Amazing Race history, and search for their next clue among the hay bales.

Roadblock: Needle in a Haystack

Upon arriving at the farm, one team member had to search through over 180 hay bales for an Amazing Race flag. When they found the flag, teams then raced on foot to the nearby pit stop, which was also located at the farm.

Brothers Sam and Dan arrived first and decided that Sam would complete the Roadblock. Almost immediately, they began yelling at each other as Dan insisted that Sam was taking too much time searching through the hay.

The Harlem Globetrotters then arrived, and “Big Easy” was the first to find a flag. Meghan grew increasingly frustrated with the task and began crying after two hours of rolling hay bales. Sam and Dan also continued arguing, as Sam told his brother multiple times to “Shut up!” Soon, all teams had caught up and were frantically unrolling bales of hay. Meghan was the next to find a flag. Then Brian got lucky and found one. Dan began to feel guilty about yelling at Sam, as Sam searched through almost 70 hay bales. Finally, he found a flag and the brothers raced to the pit stop. Knowing they were last, Gary continued to unroll the bales of hay, determined to not give up. After almost 3 hours, he finally found a flag.

Eighth Pit Stop: Bogs Gard Farm

“Flight Time” and “Big Easy” were the first to check in and won a trip from Travelocity to the Turks and Caicos. The rest of the teams arrived in the following order:

In the second non-elimination leg this season, Gary and Matt remain in the Race and will face a Speed Bump in the next leg.

When to Watch

The Amazing Race 15 airs Sundays at 8 p.m. EST on CBS. For more information on the new season, see the show’s official Web site at CBS.com.

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