Wisconsin firefighters have amazing comeback on 'Amazing Race' episode 4; Rod and Leticia Gardner have sweet moment: Recap, spoilers

All looked lost for the Wisconsin firefighters during episode 4 of "The Amazing Race."

But it's not over until host Phil Keoghan tells you that you're the last team to check in. And that time wasn't yet for Sunny Pulver and Bizzy Smith.

The duo engineered an amazing comeback to survive the second leg in Colombia and fourth overall in season 36.

"I'm so pumped," said Smith, as she and Pulver checked in eighth place out of 10 teams during Wednesday night's episode. "I thought we were done."

Their journey continues next week in almost improbable fashion as the race goes to Santiago, Chile.

Here's what to know about the "The Amazing Race" with a focus on the teams that have Wisconsin connections after the fourth episode.

Amazing Race firefighters survive after remarkable comeback in episode 4

Don't count out these moms. We learned that this episode.

Sunny Pulver of Edgerton and Bizzy Smith of New Berlin fell behind all of the teams as they raced in Medellín but they kept a positive attitude throughout the setbacks.

And it served them well.

They began the day in the back of the pack after all the teams paraglided over the Andes Mountains in the most stunning scene.

The Detour challenge was up first. They could choose either Wall Scribe, which consisted of solving a rebus puzzle, or Dance Vibe, which entailed performing a 30-second breakdance.

They selected Wall Scribe. That appeared to be the best choice since the other teams that tried to breakdance were struggling and the teams that did the puzzle ended up finishing in the top 3.

However, Pulver and Smith could not solve the puzzle despite getting closer with each attempt. By this time, they were in last place.

In a helpless state, the best friends decided to switch Detours and do the breakdance challenge.

They completed it and moved on to the Roadblock where a couple teams were still working on it across town.

There was suddenly new life.

One person completes the Roadblock challenges. Players had to memorize and place 12 names of the plaza's scultures and statues on a board map.

Pulver took on the challenge. And it proved to be the perfect task for her. Besides being a firefighter she's an artist with a dream of being a landmark architect. She felt she would be good at figuring out the orientation.

Indeed.

Pulver passed the two teams that were at the challenge when the Wisconsin team arrived.

The duo, who have said they want to be an inspiration for their girls at home, told Keoghan when they checked in that their never-give-up attitude comes from being firefighters and moms.

The self-described "badasses" have worked well together through these first four episodes and they continue to have a positive attitude even as they have spent much of the race in the back of the pack.

Next week's episode appears will test them again based on the previews. But one thing is certain: the underdogs will be a tough out.

Rod Gardner and Leticia Gardner on 'Amazing Race': Former NFL player and his wife breakdance way to fourth, have sweet moment before paragliding

Rod Gardner's competitiveness that made him a professional athlete and a six-year NFL player has carried over to "The Amazing Race."

His drive to win with his wife, Leticia, has taken them to two first-place finishes and they've been at the front of the pack through four episodes.

Even Rod's comment when he was paragliding highlighted his champion mindset: “I’m on top of the world."

The Gardners were on top the first two legs in Mexico. They have fallen back a bit the last two weeks and they could benefit from a little more communication and taking a step back before jumping into a task.

Last week, in a cooking challenge they rushed with the presentation when being detail-oriented was critical. Then tonight, Rod chose the breakdance challenge because he felt he would pass it with ease, he said.

But "The Amazing Race" is a team game, especially with Detours when both partners have to participate. Leticia didn't feel confident in doing it but Rod, who played for the Green Bay Packers in 2005, made the relatively quick decision for the team.

They ended up completed the breakdance but not before needing multiple attempts.

The Gardners finished in fourth — one spot better than last week — but it's worth watching to see if they learn from their mistakes next week. If they do they should stay in the front. It appears Rod is already determined to return to the top.

"Take back our number 1 spot," Rod said in a preview clip to next week's episode as they drive to a task.

Working in their favor is their support for each other.

This was evident at the beginning of Wednesday's episode when Leticia had fears about paragliding.

"Paragliding was not something I would have done on my own," she said. "I was so scared. But I didn’t want to back down. We have three kids and it’s important for me to have my daughters look up to me and feel like my mom is amazing, she’s a superhero. It definitely motivates me. I want to make them proud."

Rod comforted her before they each took off.

"Oh, my baby is dealing with emotions," Rod said. "Give me a hug. It’s going to be OK."

It was a sweet moment of Rod supporting his wife during a vulnerable moment.

"I want to follow through," Leticia said. "I’m not a quitter. I’m not a quitter."

She conquered her fears and the Gardners were off to the races to another solid episode.

Who went home on Amazing Race last night?

Married couple Michelle and Sean Clark, who are double dutch aerobics instructors, were last place and eliminated in episode 4 of "The Amazing Race."

The Clarks began the episode in the back of the pack after finishing 11th last week. It appeared they'd survive again until Michelle couldn't figure out the Roadblock in matching up the scultures on the map.

The couple left with a positive attitude and even did some jump rope with Keoghan as night time fell over Medellin.

Earlier in the episode, Sean overcame his fear of heights as he paraglided in Colombia.

Amazing Race season 36 teams, cast, order of finish entering fourth leg

• Ricky Rotandi and Cesar Aldrete (dating) - First place after leg fourth (they have won back-to-back legs)
• Amber Craven and Vinny Cagungun (dating) - Second place, no change from last week
• Angie and Danny Butler (mother, son) - Third place, up six spots
• Rod and Leticia Gardner (married; Rod is a former NFL wide receiver who briefly played for the Green Bay Packers in the 2005 season) - Fourth place, up one spot
• Juan Villa and Shane Bilek (best friends) - Fifth place, down one spot
• Derek Williams and Shelisa Williams (married) - Sixth place, down three spots
• Yvonne Chavez and Melissa Main (dating) - Seventh place, down one spot
• Sunny Pulver and Bizzy Smith (best friends/firefighters from Wisconsin) - Eigth place, down one spot
• Kishori Turner and Karishma Cordero (cousins) - Ninth place, down one spot
• Michelle and Sean Clark (married) - Eliminated in fourth episode
• Anthony and Bailey Smith (twin brothers) - Eliminated in third episode
• Chris Foster and Mary Cardona-Foster (father-daughter) - Eliminated in second episode
• Rohan and Maya Mody (brother, sister) - Eliminated in first episode

When time is the Amazing Race on tonight?

The fourth episode of "The Amazing Race" titled "Those Who Wander Are Not Lost" airs at 8:30 p.m. Central time on Wednesday, April 3.

The 90-minute episode follows "Survivor."

What channel is Amazing Race on?: Where can I watch on TV, streaming

"The Amazing Race" airs weekly on CBS.

"The Amazing Race" streams on the CBS app and Paramount Plus. Fubo offers a free trial.