Series 5 - Episode 2 recap

Week two is the first week where the teams start staggered, allowing faster teams to relish in their success, while slower teams push to perform much better.

While Brian, Melvyn and Caroline were left at the checkpoint discussing how the race was harder being old (poor Tom looking a little out of place) - the quicker teams all set off on day 6, heading to the second checkpoint in Sanya.

They all had to head back via cable car, to get the train to Shangrao, before again having to decide on the cheaper and slower inland route, or travel via the coastal cities, with faster but more expensive trains.

Elizabeth & Lititia went inland, taking advantage of their early lead to visit Longji and the visually stunning hill-side rice paddies. Letitia spoke of her love of China, which does feel a bit of a cheat-code so far! Not sure the excitement was quite as much shared by Elizabeth who, standing in the rain overlooking the terraces, appeared to be having as much fun as you might browsing the rice in the aisles of Aldi.

Maybe more her choice might have been Fin & Sioned’s trip to the beach in Zhuhai. The young couple went for the more coastal route again, sticking to the slightly easier city transport links. That still seemed to cause enough problems for the duo, with arguments over responsibilities and some chinks showing in their relationship. Welsh word of the week was “chopsing” which defines a little how well it was going. ('Chopsing: Welsh slang for arguing or saying disrespectful things to someone)

For both teams China seems to be working out well - for them, but as the race progresses and we lose the advantage of Letitia's language skills and the more accessible trains, one wonders if they might both struggle more.

Gaz & Yin also took the rural route, and used their previous skills running a takeaway to try to help at a noodle bar. Not really sure if Gaz really increased noodle sales with his english pitch to the people of Fenghuang, but you had to admire the spirit the couple bring to their journey. Things got a bit more poignant as they reflected on their marriage, and missing their daughter's birthday as they went to work on a family farm in Jiangtou. 

Like last week they didn’t often seem to be racing - rarely shown stressed or rushing like the other teams, but with a quiet confidence which might keep them in good stead should they not get left behind.

Far less confident and synchronised were Brian & Melvyn, who continued to joke their way across China, while never quite seeming to agree on their race strategy. Last week Brian picked the route well Melvyn quietly grumbed, this week Melvyn took the lead while Brian played the unconvinced ‘support’. Melvyn pushed a slightly slower journey, to stop at a ‘earthen home’ in Longyan where the two drank Chinese ‘moonshine’ and attempted their talk with the locals. 

Some bamboo picking with Melvyn on a self appointed panda patrol, and the boys were back on their way heading to Guangzhou by train.

Tom & Caroline were the last to leave, their first leg having been a real disaster. This leg they were determined to catch up, agreeing to sacrifice experiences and a bit of budget taking trains a mostly city route and avoiding getting stuck like last week.

They appeared to be more equally set as a team now as well; Tom’s confidence having taken a knock in the first leg, while Caroline realised she was able to bring something to the team as well.

While waiting for the train in Guangzhou they did take the opportunity to work cleaning out a martial arts dojo, where we saw them hit some real speed - Caroline bustling along with the floor sweeper, and Tom dashing around to avoid a spider!

After working they had a go at some Kung Fu fighting, but back on the race the fight still seemed to elude them, these cats sadly not ‘fast as lightning’!

And lightning was a prevalent concern. Typhoon Trami was heading towards Hainan island, getting in the way of the teams. Brian & Melvyn were forced to pay for high speed rail after the coaches were canceled, which actually helped them catch up to Fin & Sioned, I think catching the same train across Hainan.

In a reasonably close footrace, Elizabeth & Letitia won again, with the brothers Brian & Melvyn taking second. It’s possible Fin & Sioned dropped a spot because of a comical misunderstanding of how north works, but the show didn't dwell on it as the Typhon was making more impact, actually stopping the later teams from finishing this episode.

Caroline & Tom had just made it to the island, but remain nearly 200 km away, while poor Gaz & Yin were left stuck in the ferry station unable to cross at all.

The official times for the recorded three teams are shown below, but with the overnight wait and Typhon hit transport Caroline & Tom seem likely to be up to 20 hours behind the leaders, while unable to reach the island Gaz & Yin could find themselves over 40 hours away! A terrible position at any time, but as checkpoint 3 is the elimination checkpoint they might be prepared to heavily overspend in order to make up that time and stay in.

1st	Elizabeth & Letitia	-	82%
2nd	Brian & Melvyn	+3h 54m	84%
3rd	Fin & Sioned	+5h 29m	85%
4th	Caroline & Tom	+20h ??	76%
5th	Gaz & Yin	+40h ??	74%

Do you think they can do it? Might Brian & Melvyn jump another spot up to first? Will Caroline & Tom use their Kung Fu skills to beat the others down to second place?

Don’t forget to make your prediction before the show starts!