The Amazing Race: When Democracy Bites Back: The Drama of “I’m Not a Big Fan of Olives”.
On November 19, 2025, The Amazing Race aired its season 38, episode 9, titled “I’m Not a Big Fan of Olives”, a leg that delivered strategy, emotion, and a controversial live Double U-Turn in historic Athens, Greece. After flying from Bucharest to Athens, the remaining teams gathered on Pnyx Hill, where host Phil Keoghan surprised them by announcing a live Double U-Turn vote, forcing each team to pick two other teams to slow down.
The Amazing Race
Tensions immediately flared when Joseph & Adam revealed that Joseph would not vote. He deferred to Adam based on long-standing friendships. The first round of voting saw Tucker & Eric pick them, while Jag & Jas controversially targeted Kyland & Taylor, citing comments about a “gentleman’s agreement” from prior legs. Taylor was visibly emotional when she realized she had been voted for, fueling real drama about gender dynamics and trust in the game.
When the votes were tallied, Tucker & Eric clearly received the most votes, but there was a tie for the second spot between Jag & Jas and Kyland & Taylor. Because of the tie, both teams were U-Turned, meaning three teams ended up having to do both sides of the Detour task.
Once the U-Turn fallout ended, the teams headed to the Acropolis to find a man holding an Amazing Race flag with their next clue. Then came the Detour: two very different paths. In “Music in the Air,” teams had to carry a crank-operated piano (a laterna) to Monastiraki Square, play for passersby, and collect 10 euros in tips. The alternative was “Olives Everywhere,” where teams had to identify and name 10 different varieties of Greek olives by appearance and taste.
Jag & Jas
Jag & Jas quickly nailed both tasks: they raised their euros, shoved through the olive lineup, and surged ahead. Other teams struggled, Tucker & Eric lost their basket and stand during the music task, and had to backtrack. Kyland & Taylor also botched parts of their laterna gear, and Taylor’s frustration from the U-Turn clearly affected their focus.
After the Detour, teams faced a grueling boulder-pushing challenge, hauling heavy stones up a hill. Then came a mentally demanding Road Block, involving the ancient Greek alphabet. Racers had to correctly identify Greek letters and symbols to unlock their next clue.
When it was all said and done, Jag & Jas made history by checking in first. They became the first team ever to win a leg after being U-Turned. Earning a prize trip for two to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Tucker & Eric, despite putting up a strong fight, finished last and were eliminated.
Fans immediately lit up social media after the episode. Many praised Jag & Jas for their comeback, but others slammed the live Double U-Turn, calling it unfair and strategically brutal. On r/The Amazing Race, one comment read, “Taylor whining about the U-turn. Only to vote for the only other female team. Hypocrisy was undeniable.” Another user griped, “The olive task is not this year’s cheese task!”
Double U-Turn
Critics also debated the game design. Was it fair to force three teams into a Double U-Turn vote early in the leg? Some felt production leaned too hard into strategy over racing. Others applauded that this leg was emotional, strategic, and truly felt like democracy under pressure. A fitting tribute to Athens, the birthplace of democracy.
In short, “I’m Not a Big Fan of Olives” delivered on drama, strategy, and heart. With its live vote, tough challenges, and emotional stakes, it left fans buzzing. Wondering whether future seasons should bring back this kind of high-stakes twist.
