Flying Aces
Review By Kyle AKA Kylic
Broadcast date: 09/25/00
Posted: 09/29/00
Episode: #916
Location: Cape Town (Thunder City), South Africa
Mission: Top Gun.
Quote: "I'm thinking in my head 'I'm like, James can't even drive the RV, don't give the boy a jet!' I'm mean if anything- don't even give the brother a bycicle!" - Laterrian, Ha!
Summary
The troopers enroll in Top Gun--Holly whines her way into the cockpit.
Analysis
Given the premise, this episode should've been in the running for a ratings score of 5: The kids get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cruise in a South African fighter jet. But of course an episode can't solely fly (no pun intended) on a daring mission alone... it must have substance, credibility, and a little character development wouldn't hurt either; "Flying Aces" falls short on all three.
The troopers get an unwanted visit from the Roadgimmick, whose (strained) antics are even now starting to wear thin with the cast (hmm, perhaps these kids deserve more credit than they get). Their E-mail directs them to head to the airport in Thunder City. Once there they meet Grahamcracker Smith, this week's Mission Mayor. Graham informs the kids that they'll get a chance to fly fighter jets, but will ultimately be competing for the #1 Top Gun spot.
Ugh, so what's the point of this mission, literally? I mean what- no token coins? No cash? No stay at Howard Johnson? I guess this is one of those conflict inclined manufactured missions. Everyone's grateful for the opportunity: M'saada confesses that being a pilot has been one of her life-long dreams, James sees this as the perfect opportunity to brag to his frat "dudes" back home, and all Laterrian wants to do is go 500mph.
The troopers are given a crash-course in aviation, which includes a "hands on" lesson in front of an archaic simulator, then they are told that only three of them will move on to the pilot's seat. From this point on the show becomes a virtual connect the dots. While waiting for their final scores, the troopers all express optimism, but will not cop a tude of they aren't selected; however Folly--still in tune with her Wicked Wench of the West persona--vows to raise major hell if Ms. Folly, center of the universe is overlooked.
Therefore, you know dang well that B-M won't be foolish enough to pass up an opportunity like this! Needless to say Folly doesn't make the cut and neither does M'saada; but fortunately for M'saada Bumpkin's too chicken to fly, so he concocts some philosophical excuse to cover his fear. But Bumpkin, at least isn't being strong-armed by some loony with a weekly PMS cycle! Alas, Kathy and M'saada--not wanting to break the peace--both agree to forfeit their flight to Folly if they make Top Gun. Well as it turns out, neither one makes the cut; and in another conflict inclined tamping by B-M, James ends up making Top Gun, thus placing him into a very compromising position.
Now you, me, or any other rational minded person with a backbone would assume that James, being the assertive adult that he claims to be would not succumb to immature threats, but Noooo! James gives in to the spoiled brat, thus proving himself a bigger chump than previously realized. And let me tell you something... If I were james, I wouldn't pass up a once in a lifetime chance like this just to avoid the wrath of Folly, screw Folly! You lost fare and square; so now you're going to force everyone's hand by making childish threats and moping around the hangar all day? Screw you! Sheesh! This chick (almost) makes Veronica look like an angel.
However, on the flip side, having to endure this moody wench for the
past two months--and several weeks to come, I can partially understand
why James did what he did. But for crying out loud, don't try to
gloss it over with some philosophical nobel sidetrack! Sure, perhaps 10%
of his decision was out of generosity, but rest assured that the other
90% was straight up blackmail!
NEXT WEEK: Road Rules does another rip-off of The Blair Witch Project.
Jump straight to "48 Hours". Or go back to "Safari Face-off".
| Viewer Rating | Results | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Q: How do you rate Flying Aces? (of 41 respondents)  23% 5 - Excellent. 23% 4 - Above Average. 23% 3 - Average. 19% 2 - Below Average. 3% 1 - Far Below Average. 10% 0 - I'd Rather Watch Informercials. |
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OTHER REVIEWERS: Feel my reviews are abit too heavy (or light) on the sarcasm? Want a second opinion? Here are a few Real Rules related review sites I highly recomend!
- Leslie (Real World: The Big Sleazy)
- Adam (Road Fools: The Maximum Stupidity Tour)
- (The Producer Boys)
- Kim/Stee (Mighty Big TV)
- Ragin (Phat Tuesdays: Real World New Orleans)
- Dish (Real World/Road Rules Web)
- Mrs. Filthy ("Real World" Reviews)
- Road Kill/Real Fake (Tubescan)
- Jill (RW New Orleans)
- Ashley (Real World/Road Rules Hot Spots)
- Kelley/WildGuy (Road Rules Online)
- Guest Reviewer (The Real World Blows)
- Mario (The Real World Road)
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