As long-time readers of my recaps know, I love nothing more than an Amazing Race episode that features wacky animal hijinks. Tonight's hijicks were courtesy of some Mongolian ponies and hainags, which are basically ox (so yeah, somewhere out there season five's Colin is curled up in the fetal position muttering "I still hate you").

Much like that ox of lore, the harried hainag picked a worthy target in the detestable Peter. To their credit, although the hainag hurried away from them twice during the Detour, Peter and Sarah recovered nicely to win the leg. My favorite team, Kellie and Jamie, were sadly Philiminated. The friendly cheerleaders found that they could rely on each other, but let's face it, they couldn't find their way out of a cardboard box. I'm not saying the girls are dumb, I'm just saying they failed miserably at the crucial task of self navigation.

Highlights and lowlights of the episode:

• Both the Detour and Roadblock were cool. As I said, wacky animal hijinks are always appreciated, but more importantly all of the tasks had something to do with Mongolian culture, whether it was using the hainags to help gather water, dismantling a tent or, coolest of all, shooting a flaming arrow and igniting a target. Fire is cool!
• Mary can be a complete betch to her husband, but I'm impressed at how excited she is to be doing all of these crazy things and meeting all kinds of folk
• Last week I criticized Tom & Terry for being closed minded about forming friendships with the other teams. Well, now that they're on the race they realize that it's a race and they aren't voting anyone off. They can make friends.
• Of course, it's a race, so you can't stop for your new friends when they have car trouble. I'm sure it's hard and it's probably agonizing for the team having problems, but no one bitched about not getting help from their competitors tonight. That's good, because, you know, it's a race.
• Loved the Mongolian hats/helmets. I want one for the cold Wisconsin winter
• Peter is a complete asshole. He wouldn't lay off Sarah. I think he needs to realize that he's not her coach, he's her teammate (I just don't buy that he's really her boyfriend). To her credit, Sarah's eyes are wide open and I don't think she likes what she sees coming out of Peter now.
• The crappy old Russian military jeeps the teams had to drive around showed once again the kind of workmanship one can expect from a Communist country. Heh. Were we really afraid of these guys?
• Finally, Mongolia! Yay! Although I was disappointed there were no Genghis Khan-related tasks, I was delighted to see the Race come to new country

Next week: Arguing! Bickering! Line cutting! Oh my!!

Can't enough Race talk? Check out Viking Pundit's recap.