- The Amazing Race Season 39 CBS introduces a historic twist: all 13 teams receive an Express Pass.
- Every team must use their pass before the end of Leg 6, creating huge strategic pressure.
- Episode 2, titled Are Tomatoes Good for Skin Care?, sends racers to Madrid, Spain.
- A new alliance forms in Madrid while one team regrets its Express Pass timing.
- Notable teams include former USWNT stars Ali Krieger and Johanna Lomax.
Season 39 Format: The Express Pass Twist Explained
The Amazing Race Season 39 CBS rewrote the show's rulebook before the racers even left the starting line. For the first time in the franchise's history, all 13 teams received an Express Pass at the start of the race. The pass lets a team skip a single task and jump ahead, but there is a hard deadline: every team must play its pass before the end of Leg 6.
This single change transformed the season from a pure footrace into a psychological chess match. Do you burn the pass early to survive a weak leg, or hold it as insurance while rivals surge ahead?
Video Highlights:
- All 13 teams receive an Express Pass, a franchise first
- Episode 1's title, "Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass," reveals an early play
- Episode 2 moves the race from Vancouver to Madrid, Spain
- A new alliance emerges while one team deals with instant regret
The table below summarizes how the twist reshapes core race decisions:
| Decision Point | Early Use (Legs 1-2) | Mid Use (Legs 3-4) | Late Use (Legs 5-6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Risk level | High | Moderate | Low |
| Best for | Weak task performers | Flexible strategists | Insurance-minded teams |
| Downside | No safety net later | Reads the field less | Forced play if unused |
| Regret potential | Highest | Medium | Lowest |
Pay close attention to which teams mention their pass during interview segments. Producers often foreshadow an upcoming play or a regret through these confessional clips.
Episode 2 in Madrid: What Happens and Why It Matters
Episode 2, titled Are Tomatoes Good for Skin Care?, moves the race from Vancouver to Madrid, Spain. The quirky title likely references a Detour or Roadblock clue, and possibly a panicked racer quote, which has become a beloved naming tradition on the show.
Madrid delivers two major storylines: a new alliance forming among teams, and one team's Express Pass strategy backfiring with visible regret.
| Episode 2 Element | Details | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Destination | Madrid, Spain | First European leg of Season 39 |
| New alliance | Teams bond, share info, make deals | Shifts race power dynamics |
| Express Pass drama | One team regrets its timing | Central season-long theme |
| Title clue | Tomato skin care reference | Likely Detour/Roadblock task |
| Stakes | $1 million grand prize | Elimination pressure intensifies |
The Madrid alliance is the more strategically significant development. Historically, The Amazing Race rewards individual effort, but information-sharing blocs can dominate airport queues, navigation, and Detour choices. Alliances also paint targets on members' backs, as rival teams watch whispering corners with growing suspicion.
Alliances in The Amazing Race cut both ways. Shared information can save a lagging team, but visible cooperation often triggers counter-alliances and Yield-style retaliation from teams left outside the bloc.
Key Teams to Watch in Season 39
Season 39 features 13 two-person teams with widely varied backgrounds. Several stand out based on early episodes and pre-race coverage.
Ali & Johanna
- Former USWNT teammates
- Elite endurance and competitiveness
- Strong communication under pressure
Michelle & Matthew
- Married parents
- Balanced decision-making
- Steady, low-drama racing style
Doug & Dylan
- Grandfather-grandson duo
- Unique generational skill split
- Compelling underdog storyline
| Team | Background | Projected Strength | Early Watch Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ali Krieger & Johanna Lomax | Former USWNT soccer players | Physical tasks, endurance | ★★★★★ |
| Michelle & Matthew | Married parents | Navigation, calm decisions | ★★★★ |
| Doug & Dylan | Grandfather-grandson | Life experience, puzzles | ★★★ |
| Remaining 10 teams | Mixed professions | Varies by leg type | ★★★ |
Teams with professional athletic backgrounds typically excel in physical Roadblocks during the first third of the race. The equalizer comes later, when puzzle-heavy and precision tasks neutralize raw speed.
How to Follow the Season: Step-by-Step Viewing Guide
If you are joining Season 39 mid-race, follow this sequence to get fully caught up without spoilers ruining the eliminations.
Watch the Season Premiere
Start with Episode 1, "Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass," to see which team burned its pass immediately and understand the twist's ground rules.
Track the Madrid Leg
Watch Episode 2 to catch the alliance formation in Spain and the Express Pass regret storyline that defines the early season.
Map the Deadline
Note which teams still hold passes as Legs 3 through 6 approach. The Leg 6 deadline forces every remaining pass into play.
Follow Weekly on CBS
New episodes air on CBS and stream on Paramount+. Watch live or next-day to avoid elimination spoilers on social media.
Set up a muted keyword list for "Amazing Race" across your social apps. Elimination results often trend within hours of the east coast broadcast.
Season 39 Fan Tracking Checklist
Use this checklist to stay engaged with the season as each leg airs:
Season 39 Watchlist Goals:
- Track which teams still hold an Express Pass after each leg
- Log every alliance member and any betrayals in Madrid and beyond
- Record each leg's country and Detour/Roadblock themes
- Rank your top three teams before the Leg 6 Express Pass deadline
- Predict the finale finalists before the final four
The Express Pass ledger below is the single most useful fan tool for the season:
| Leg | Pass Status to Track | Storyline Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Leg 1 | First team to use pass | Sets regret narrative |
| Legs 2-3 | Remaining holders count | Alliance leverage grows |
| Legs 4-5 | Deadline pressure builds | Forced plays likely |
| Leg 6 | Final deadline | All passes must be spent |
Teams that voluntarily play their pass on a leg they were already winning tend to regret it most. Watch for confident mid-pack teams burning passes unnecessarily between Legs 2 and 4.
Season 39 FAQ
Q: What makes The Amazing Race Season 39 on CBS different from previous seasons?
Season 39's defining twist is that all 13 teams receive an Express Pass at the start of the race, and every team must use it before the end of Leg 6. This turns pass timing into a season-long strategic battle rather than a single-episode advantage.
Q: Where does Episode 2 of Season 39 take place?
Episode 2, titled 'Are Tomatoes Good for Skin Care?', sends the racers to Madrid, Spain, following the opening leg in Vancouver. The leg features a new alliance forming among teams and Express Pass regret from at least one squad.
Q: Who are the most notable teams in Season 39?
The cast of 13 teams includes former USWNT teammates Ali Krieger and Johanna Lomax, married parents Michelle and Matthew, and grandfather-grandson duo Doug and Dylan, alongside ten other two-person teams.
Q: What happens if a team never uses its Express Pass?
The rules require every team to play its Express Pass before the end of Leg 6. A team holding too long risks being forced into a poorly timed play, which is exactly the dilemma the Season 39 twist is designed to create.