'The Amazing Race': Slip and slide

It's funny (or perhaps terrifying) what people won't do, even with a million dollars at stake.

On this week's episode of "The Amazing Race," Mika was frozen with fear when faced with the ultimate combination of two of her biggest phobias: water and heights. But with a huge cash prize on the line and possible elimination, she found herself unable to ... go down a slide?

We all have phobias that are at times crippling, whether that be heights or spiders or water. But part of participating in "The Amazing Race" is about conquering those fears and pushing yourself to step outside your comfort zone, even if it means facing up to rather scary obstacles along the way.

"The Amazing Race," of course, has an uncanny way of magnifying those fears because there's not only the sense of life-altering cash but also a ticking clock every step of the way. Under the heightened conditions of the race, what's actually quite easy (lying down and sliding or dividing numbers or reading a watch) begins to seem daunting and difficult. 

Big Easy wasted valuable time incorrectly reading the watch; Ericka and Brian were so close to figuring out the gold conversion rate at the Detour but panicked and changed their selection (always a mistake on "The Amazing Race") to instead spend two hours attempting to assemble hookas outside in an open-air market under the intense heat of the sun; Cheyne and Meghan are usually perfectionists yet overlooked several pieces of the hooka pipes, frustrating them to no end (though they still came in first). 

That said, Flight Time and Big Easy simply asked for a calculator at the gold exchange, making their task all the more easy. (Meanwhile, poker players Maria and Tiffany seriously lucked out that their allies Sam and Dan had brought a calculator with them from home.) Which proves my point: It all comes down to the details in the end, whether that's asking the right question or paying attention to the colors and patterns of the hooka pieces.

Last week, I spoke a good deal about karma on the race but neglected to mention how Flight Time and Big Easy told Mika and Canaan to bring their jackets inside the indoor ski park. It was a gesture of friendship, honesty and camaraderie that I thought showed true sportsmanship. But this week, the teams faced off for last place ... at that fateful water slide.

Despite arriving at the water slide ahead of Flight Time and Big Easy, Mika and Canaan found themselves unable to move on because of Mika's terror at the thought of sliding down a big plastic tube. But rather than express her fear as a rational adult, Mika threw a temper tantrum befitting a 5-year-old child, a comparison all the more apt as she was wearing water wings and stomping her feet. 

Given that there was $1 million on the line, I am completely shocked that she couldn't get it together enough to just lie down and take the plunge. But I was even more shocked that Mika's "sexually pure" boyfriend, Canaan, attempted to forcibly thrust her down into the tube. (Frustrated much, Canaan?)

Even worse: Even though it was clear that Mika wasn't going to do it, she refused to move aside for Flight Time and Big Easy, who then attempted to psych her out, much to Canaan's chagrin. (As for calling Big Easy "a piece of crap," I call shenanigans. After all, the Harlem Globetrotters had helped them the leg before, so puhlease.)

As for the guys, sure, they tried to get her not to slide. They wisely realized that the last team to check in would most likely be eliminated and they weren't going to let Mika's tantrum keep them from possibly walking away a million dollars richer at the end of the race. They were "doin' it for the hood," after all.

In the end, Mika didn't even slide down the tube and kept expressing her wish to be back in Nashville rather than in Dubai, taking a literal leap of faith. If that's not contrary to everything that "The Amazing Race" is all about, I don't know what is.

What did you think of this week's episode? Would you have taken the plunge, even if you were afraid of heights and water? Did you think Flight Time and Big Easy did anything wrong in psyching Mika out? Did you think Canaan was crazy to try to push Mika, even if she was acting like a bratty child? Head the comments section below and discuss.

-- Jace Lacob (Follow my musings on television, food, and more television on Twitter at @televisionary)

Related:
'The Amazing Race': Zev and Justin's heartbreaking exit
'The Amazing Race': Dude, we're in the desert
Complete "Amazing Race" coverage on Showtracker 

Photo: Mika and Canaan are there for each other (even when push comes to shove) on "The Amazing Race." Credit: Monty Brinton / CBS

Comments

[Mari]

I am scared of heights, but for my daughter I got on a State Fair ride, I think it is called the zipper. My eyes were closed the whole time and I held on so tight the whole ride my hands were ghost white, due to no blood circulating through them. When I got off I was literally green. One million dollars was not riding on it. Mika lost them the money, she should not have been on the race, the Globetrotters were right in psyching her out. Good for them.

[erica stephens]

I thought the behavior of the Globetrotters was deplorable! They had a 2 minute clock,she was obviously not going to take the plunge,if they had any class the (morons)they should have been quite and waited.I do not give them a pass,and because of this they will not win.As for the couple,he was a real gentleman given the stake involved.

[Kat]

Erica-did you watch the episode? A real gentleman? Canaan tried to force/throw her down the slide at least a couple times. Mika was even pleading for the attendant to help her during one of these exchanges. She had PLENTY of time to gather her courage & complete the task before the Globetrotters arrived. She then got 2 more minutes to complete it but just sat there splashing water on herself. As far as Canaan's comments to Big Easy - pot meet kettle. Have to wonder what Mika & Canaan were thinking when they signed up for the Race since she was a terrible competitor. During the hooka detour, she just sat there complaining about the heat while he assembled all of them. Truly pathetic and glad they're gone.

[Sue T.]

How was the Globetrotters' behavior any worse than Canaan attempting to push Mika forceably down the slide even though she obviously was scared to death? Yes, the Trotters' comments were a bit ouch-worthy, but they are in the race to win, and frankly, who's to say that Canaan wouldn't have done the same thing if in their position. You catch more flies with honey and if Canaan sweet-talked Mika instead of yelling at her and grabbing her, then she may have given in and taken the plunge.

I'm always amazed at how people act when faced with uncomfortable situations during the race - that's why this show rocks!

[O-town]

Sorry, I'd have shoved Mika down the tube as well. I hope Canaan doesn't get too much flack for that but dag nabbit, if it wasn't frustrating enough to have her wear the water wings of a 2 year old and then act like it! I agree that Mika should not have joined the Amazing Race, if there was even the smallest hint that she would be forced to face her fears. Silly, dumb, blonde girl.

[Lynn]

The Globetrotters did nothing wrong. As athletic trash-talking goes, it was quite mild, and it carried the risk that it would backfire and motivate Mika to slide.

Besides, once the GT's arrived, M&C were done. Even had M&C slid first, the GT's would have beaten them in a footrace to the mat quite easily.

It's unbelievable that someone with such a paralyzing fear of heights AND water thought they could get through The Amazing Race. Did she really expect her partner to do everything?

[Christina]

I thought the Globetrotters were hilarious - can you blame them? If you've ever seen the Globetrotters then you should know part of what they do is to "taunt" the other team, poke a little fun, and have a good time.

And come on, water wings on a grown woman? Please.

[Steven]

There's no way that couple's still together. I couldn't look at a woman every day that signed on for a contest like that and then cost us a million dollars on pure childishness.

Besides, there are much more difficult things in life, like giving birth, illnesses etc...that are a lot scarier than going down a water slide. That doesn't seem like the type of woman any guy would want by his side dealing with serious problems.

[Heather]

Wow! I have agoraphobia (fear of open spaces) but, I would have shot down that slide especially when the GT's arrived. Canaan was completely frustrated at that point. I would have grabbed her wrists and shoved her myself if I could have. Didn't the rest you hope Canaan would have succeeded with this attempt?
I feel sorry for the guy. She needs to grow up. Cute won't last in this world.

[african larry]

TO ERICA STEPHENS:

Umm you must have obviously watched a different episode than the rest of america. SO in your world, Canaan calling her a stupid moron, and physically man handling her and chastising her, was gentlemanly!! Wow, in that case the holocaust was vacation gone wrong! (no disrespect to the Jews). Its hilarious to me how Canaan damn near threw her down the pipe, and berated her for the FORTY-FIVE MINUTES THAT she was up there, but when the Globe trotters show up (i will assume their skin color had nothing to do with your comment, insert sarcastic eye roll here), in a competition in which they by the way had already helped Mika and Canaan, (see indoor snow mountain), you equate their gamesmanship with being deplorable??! So i guess they grabbed her and prevented her?! Simple truth is she choked, christian boy Canaan, showed his brother Cain side and the Globetrotters won.

[breakman]

I wish i could just punch mika in the face