User blog comment:TheDipDap1234/The Ridonculous Race Episode 5 - Team Reviews/@comment-26910203-20150911224858

I think this episode is probably the best out of the 6 I've seen. A lot of the more boring/underdeveloped characters got more screentime which is a plus of course. And for once, no godplaying Josee and Jacques (I mean seriously am I the only one annoyed with that, episode 6 may actually be the worst offender but I won't spoil it). I do have to say that I think you are blowing the Dwayne comment way out of proportion considering past contestants have said very similar things...it was simply meant to be a joke. A poor taste joke but a joke nonetheless (and Dwayne payed for it later so he isn't a Karma Houdini or anything).

My personal opinions on most of the characters as it stands (I'll go in reverse order of your ranking):

-Dwayne and Junior: Easily one of the more original contestants on this season and I think they should get more props for that (even if you hate them), I can't really compare them to previous characters or see similar traits within them which is great IMO. I find their interactions between each other and the irony of Junior being more mature interesting and amusing and I hope they go farther to improve their relationship (and it has suttly)

-Rock and Spud: They're just....there and not in the good way, so far they've done nothing notable or even memorable in my personal opinion (except for maybe rocking out after every challenge which wasn't amusing the first time and has gotten old). The only thiing I can say about them in this episode is that Rock finally showed more than one emotion when he got angry at Spud. Woohoo.

-Chet and Lorenzo: Yeah, they're kind of annoying and they have literally no interactions with other contestants...and they're not funny either. I guess I will echo some others saying maybe they should've been fodder. Unless of course...the writer's actually have plans for their love-hateship.

-Jacques and Josee: I guess I'm in the minority here in saying I don't like them, I wouldn't be surprised if they turned into villains because it seems obvious at this point with all their godplaying. Maybe I'd like them more if they did because right now they're just...kind of boring. We get it, they've been in the olympics but the writers don't need to hit us over the head with it everytime there is a joke related with them or something. The rivalry they have with the cadets is okay though.

-Carrie and Devin: Carrie has my sympathy for being "friend-zoned" and that one scene with the caricature was amusing but other than that they're forgettable and I think most of us see how their relationship will end. Yawn.

-Tom and Jen: Well, they have their moments but they seem like floaters I don't like or hate them but they're the only other team besides Spud and Rock that are just kind of there to me. The Paris episode was probably their best episode so far.

-Mickey and Jay: They're not as bad as people say honestly, pain magnets, but not too bad. I feel like all they talk about is their fears and allergies or whatever though so they definitely need to be fleshed out.

-Owen and Noah: I'm a previous fan of both of these characters but in the first couple episodes it seemed like their relationship went backwards. Say what you want about TDWT but these two had some VERY good development which culminated in "I See London" (easily the best interactions of the series for these two) good to see they have finally gotten their groove back (except Noah's one liners aren't quite as clever).

-Emma and Kitty: Considering these two are polar opposites I'd expect them to play off of their interactions more but it's not a bad start. As most, I prefer Kitty but Emma isn't that bad she just needs to learn to respect her sister more and not be so uptight (which is probably the plan), they have stunningly realistic interactions too. Another duo I want to see go pretty far.

-Sanders and MacArthur: I agree with you that they are getting TOO much spotlight but I will admit they are interesting characters, not my favorites but they have certainly grown on me since the first episode and it seems pretty obvious they're going far.

-Geoff and Brody: The comic relief duo is easily one of my favorites, Geoff feels like TDI Geoff again, it's a miracle and his partner is another happy go-lucky party guy. As you stated, these two actually feel like friends and they have good teamwork.

-Stephanie and Ryan: They got some well needed development with Stephanie's attitude showing up again and Ryan possibly being intiminated of her...no longer quite as one dimensional as meets the eye.

-Laurie and Miles: This team grew on me and I actually enjoyed them this episode due to their strange tactic for freeing the fossil and meat-eating spectacle. Laurie beating up Don at the end because she ate meat was both hilarious and terrifying as well as her anger toward Dwayne.

-Taylor and Kelly: I actually am not really a fan of this team not entirely because Taylor is terrible towards her mom but because their very prescence annoys me. Taylor complaining all the time and Kelly letting her kid run things (and parent her) just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I understand it's supposed to be funny and there are people similar to these two buffoons but....the thing is they're hit or miss and I don't find them funny so it doesn't really work for me.

-Crimson and Ennui: Another one of my favorites and another team that is completely out of left field and VERY unlike past contestants, Gwen was nothing like this. They have the best one-liners IMO and their completely uncaring attitude as they go through every challenge makes them pretty amusing. They're sort of one-note...but, it's actually done well!