Treasure Hunters is a massive disappointment ...

I've been eagerly anticipating Treasure Hunters ever since I heard about it. A show that blends a bit of American History (a'la National Treasure), world hopping (a'la The Amazing Race), and puzzle solving. What's not to like?

Unfortunately, the contestants they've chosen are a bunch of utter morons, which I can't understand given that some of them are former CIA members. The puzzles have been incredibly easy, easy enough that I recognize the answers immediately. Either it's editing that makes these people look like idiots, or they really are this dim. All I know is it should not have taken someone HOURS to figure out that you could

Spoiler Alert! Do not read any further if you have not seen last night's episode, or if you don't want me to ruin what will likely be answers to future episodes!

... use a candle to make a hidden message appear on a piece of parchment. I was writing lemon juice codes since I was six, and this was obvious to me as soon as I saw the blank sheet of parchment. How could someone in the CIA not know this, or even the "geniuses"?!

What's worse, the players are so completely clueless that they didn't realize that ...

Another spoiler! Last shot to run away!

... the map artifact they got early in the game has a message encoded on it the same way. I suspected this when they first got it, but after last night's show, it's obvious. Also obvious were the numbers (12-14, if I remember correctly) written backwards on the key. I'm not sure what they are yet, but they're significant.

The online game is marginally harder, but not by much. With two puzzles left to go, I've already submitted my answer, but I'll try a couple more times over the next couple of weeks and see if the final clues lead away from my guess. Still, given the American History theme of the show, I'm certain my answer is correct. No, I'm not going to give it away now, since the game is still going on, and I don't need the competiton, but I'll give you a hint ... Patrick Henry would be having a tea party in Brooklyn if he knew what I was thinking.

Anyway, I'm very disappointed. My wife and I have wanted to do a show like this for a long time, and we'd never be cast. Part of it is that we're not exactly the most photogenic couple, but the other part is that I think we'd be weeded out as too smart very early on. But if someone at NBC wants to give us a shot, we're listening ...

Edit: OK, so my clue sucked, but it only sucked because ... well, because I had the wrong location. I think I have it now, and because this game pissed me off royally this evening, I'm just going to give it away to you.

The puzzle pieces are of Washington D.C.'s National Mall. It's hard to say specifically what the location is for the final answer, but the theory is that it's the Smithsonian, because many of the clue point to the flag (the "early symbol") being laid to rest there. My earlier thought was that it might have been the Liberty Tree in Boston, Massachusetts, and I have to say that it's only because I didn't recognize the map of DC (as I've never had the opportunity to go). Sorry for leading you all astray like that.

I haven't watched the show tonight, but I'm expecting another mediocre performance from the players. How sad.

Technorati tags: Reality, TV, NBC, Treasure Hunters, National Treasure, The Amazing Race