Six teams arrived in Panama looking for the million-dollar prize. Some will face their fears. Some will live up to their potential. Some will find themselves wanting. All will come closer together. Five will be eliminated. And one team will win The Amazing Race.

From the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the Paolo Family departed at 8:22pm for San Jose, Costa Rica, more than 800 miles by bus. They will drive to Volcon Boas to search for their next clue. Mom thinks her boys are appreciating her a little more. Dad says win things go right they come together, but the littlest thing can set them off. Son has to be the only one reading the clue.

Weaver Family are the next to leave, trusting in family and in God, not worrying about what others are saying. The Bransen Family leaves at 9:16pm. Dad says he is the outsider of his three girls. Siblings leave a minute later, realizing that after this leg there is a one in five chance of winning. They grab a taxi before the Weaver and Bransen families. Gaghan family take off, picking up a taxi in front of a hotel. They are looking for some good luck this time. The Weavers finally get a tax and the Bransen family crams into a cab.

Paolo Family get the 11:30am bus, have all night to sleep. Paolo family helps the Linz siblings to find the bus time tickets, as long as it is not the Weaver family. Godlewski girls leave at 9:43pm with no money, estimating they need $40. They use their feminine charms, but one guy offers love instead. They raise $21 in a bar. The Gaghan family arrives at the bus station just ahead of the Weaver family. Paolo family help Gaghan family get a 12:00pm bus, along with Weavers. The Bransen family gets the third bus at 12:30pm. Godlewski girls make it to the bus station, and receive some money from the Weavers. Part One [4 minutes] 

Bus #1 leaves with Linz and Paolo family at 11:30am. Bus #2 leaves with Weavers and Gaghan family at 12:00pm. Bus #3 leaves at 12:30pm with Bransen and Godlewski families. The first bus arrives in San Jose, and walk to pick up their vans. They agree to team up. They hire a cab to lead them. Second bus arrives. The parents are nervous walking through the deserted streets late at night. Gaghan and Weaver families cannot find the van location. The Weaver family spots the Godlewski family, calling them the Desperate Housewives.

They all find their vans. Weaver mom is having difficulty with the manual transmission. Paolo and Linz families lead the way, followed by Godlewski and Gaghan families. The Bransen family stop for directions, and they bicker about who will get out. No one does. Weaver family pray for a sign and get a mileage marker. Paolo and Linz family arrive to a locked gate. Gaghan family daughter is out like a light when they arrive in 3rd. Godlewski girls arrive in 4^th. The Weavers arrive in 5th. Bransen family arrives and they all wait for morning.

When it opens, everyone makes a mad dash. Carissa says it is a good thing if kids get in free. Linz siblings are the first to the clue, followed by Gaghan family. They must go to a coffee plantation and are warned of a yield. Weaver, Bransen and Paolo families get their clues. Godlewski girls are in last place. They run down the hill, Paolo Mom saying she is OK. They get back to their vans, Gaghan family in 3rd, Paolo family in 4th. Bransen family stops for a map, Godlewski girls move into 5th. Linz siblings consider yielding the Weaver family. The Weaver family has to stop for directions. Paolo’s pass them, because they don’t want to be yielded by them. Bransen family pass them and plans to yield the Weaver family as well. Linz siblings arrive, followed by Gaghan, Paolo, Godlewski and Bransen families.

They dash for the yield. Teams can yield only once during the race. The Paolo family are at the mat first, and yield the Weaver family. They get a Roadblock, having to search through 800lbs of coffee beans for one that is red. Mom goes for the Paolo family. Mom goes for Gaghan. Lauren goes for the Bransen family, Megan for Linz siblings. Tricia goes for Godlewski girls. Godlewski girls find their bean and travel 94 miles to Jaco on the coast. Paolo family are second to complete the Roadblock.

The Weaver family arrive to find they have been yielded by the Paolo’s. Daughter makes fun of the Paolo family being photographed in front of a garbage truck. Linz siblings find their bean in 3rd place. While waiting, Weavers make fun of the other teams. The daughter realizes the other teams ganged up against them. Bransen family finds their bean in 4th place. Gaghan Family’s son suggests that yelling makes it worse for mom. The Weavers are sad that nobody wants them there.

The yield continues, as the Weaver family says they won’t play that way, answering to a higher authority. Gaghan Mom continues to look for her bean. Godlewski girls lead Paolo family. The eldest Paolo boy DJ says he will be trustworthy until the final three, whatever it takes to stay in the race. The Weavers complete the yield, Rachel looking for her bean. Godlewski girls stop for directions, Paolo family keep going then they later stop for directions, DJ getting impatient as Brian tries to get help. The Weaver daughter finds their bean, leaving Gaghan family in last place. Dad tries to keep the kids hopes up, as Mom finally finds her bean. Mom apologizes, as Carissa wishes it was a 2-person road block. Part Two [10 minutes] 

Godlewski girls arrive at the Surf Shop for a Detour. In Relic, teams make their way to a rainforest and must traverse 6 rope bridges looking for 6 relics. In Rope, teams travel to a banana plantation and gather 15 bushels of bananas and must pull them to the distribution center. Godlewski family chooses Relic, Paolo family Bananas. Linz siblings go for Relics; Bransen family goes for Relic. Gaghan family pick up a guide. Godlewski girls have a spat and swap drivers.

Paolo family arrive at the banana plantation. Mom and DJ can’t lift, and they realize they have to work together. Linz and Bransen families arrive at the rain forest and head out onto the trail. Wally Bransen decides not to run, as the girls shake the bridge. Linz siblings are walking across as the rain pours down. The Weavers arrive at the Surf Shop and choose Relics. Paolo family have 7 of 15 bushels. Dad is carrying loads by himself, impressing and worrying his sons. Bransen family find their first relic, a life size but light weight object.

Gaghan family arrive at the Surf Shop and choose Relics. Paolo family complete the Detour, DJ being very impressed with his father. They will now drive to Quepos on the beach for the Pit Stop. Bransen family carries their relics and receives their clue to the Pit Stop. Linz siblings are in 3rd place as the Weaver family arrive at the rain forest. Gaghan girls complete the Detour in 4th place. Gaghan family arrive at the Rain forest; the son asks if that is all that Dad has (speed). They refuse to give up.

The Weaver Mom complains she is too old, as their van gets stuck. Gaghan kids have a blast on the bridge. They try to get help from a local who looks at them like they are crazy people. Mom whines as she gets the van rolling, leaving her kids behind. They climb into the van as mom apologizes. Gaghan family complete the Detour in last place, but do not run to their van.

Paolo family arrive in Quepos, as the Bransen family makes a navigational decision and are followed by the Linz siblings. Paolo family insists help from the police. They park and run for the Pit Stop. They tell Bransen family they have to park back where they came. The Linz siblings park. The Godlewski family parks the van. It is a mad dash, as Paolo family coach mom to keep up. Linz sister Megan falls behind and gets a piggy back ride. Paolo family arrives in 1st place, mom saying she is done. Phil informs them they are the first to arrive as Dad gives Phil a hug, and mom gets hugs from her sons. They have won for each member a wild ride and get to choose from a Segway, Vespa, Jet Ski or All Terrain Vehicle. DJ says his mom has exceeded all his expectations. Dad says they worked together for this win.

Phil calls in the Linz siblings in 2nd place, followed by the Bransen family in 3rd place. Phil says they have been cleaner and smelled better. The Godlewski girls park and run to the pit stop in 4th place. Gaghan family plan to run to the finish line, Carissa saying that winners never quit and quitters never win. The Weaver family searches for the Pit Stop. Gaghan family park and run. The Weaver family arrives at the mat and is 5th.

The Gaghan family walks up to the Pit Stop in last place. They have been eliminated from the race. Carissa fights back the tears as Dad describes his pride in his family. Billy says they are going out with their heads held high. Phil tells them they will never forget this experience. Part Three [7 minutes]

Big Morty thanks to AmazingNut, Dade, Fuskie, mo morty and smirnoff for contributions to this recap.

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