And so wraps up another season of The Amazing Race, which, apart from being an excellent example of entertainment (give or take how the contestants actually fare), is also a fine example of education outside the classroom. I mean, think about it! Geography! Physics! Ethics!

Okay, so that's just a convoluted introduction, one I made up to give this article some heft. All I'm going to do is mention a few things that got my attention throughout the past eleven weeks and then act snarky around it. There are things that deserve applause, things that deserve derision, and things that just deserve laughter. Admit it. They will often overlap.

It's best to be true to who you are. I think Maria and Tiffany learned this the hard way. Sure, they were poker players, cunning and semi-popular. That could've worked to their advantage, but instead they pretended to be non-profit workers. If they got revealed, it wouldn't have changed anything; instead they got unneeded enemies, who probably laughed when they didn't return from hopeless Detours. (Not me. I still miss my eye candy.)

Do everything with your hands if you want to look strong. It doesn't mean you'll get people's admiration, though. Then again, I'm quite happy to have forgotten about Lance's existence until I saw him at the finish line last night. Sir, again, ripping the VCR apart with your own hands is foolish.

Let go of your fears. That goes to you, Mika. Then again...

Don't be too hard on your partner. That goes to you, Canaan. And to you, Sam. And to you, Dan. In fact, if not for your bickering I would've rooted for you, but alas, while you are intense racers you can't keep grasp of your stress levels. And probably to you, Ericka, although I have to applaud Brian for being very, very patient. Which leads us to this.

Play fair. Who would've thought that karma will play a pretty big deal this season? If not for Meghan and Cheyne running a steady and strong race, I would've rooted for Brian and Ericka. Their race is much like a daytime soap: many ups and downs, many trials and tribulations, but in the end, it's a happy ending. Well, sort of. It was a good underdog story but they still remained underdogs.

Be nice. I think Zev and Justin had the opportunity to be this season's most beloved team, if not for their early elimination, because of a missing passport. Sure, the race is not the place for making friends, but you don't want to end it with a heavy feeling in your heart, right? So, Brian, again, I applaud you. Marcy and Ron, I wish the best for you. And Sam and Dan, no, I do not buy your apology. Of course, you had to stop being nice, but still.

Salted herring and onions look delicious. Matt, I still think you would've gone further in the race if you ate it. Which leads us to this, the final lesson this season.

Know your words. Doc lap! Candelabra! Franz! Never has semantics played a huge role in a race... or so I think.

Oh, and the classic lesson that nobody seems to learn after fifteen seasons of the race: never ever lose your passport. 'Nuff said.





(Image courtesy of CBS)