Relay Race! Wedding Wars! Classic!

[jlh]

Very satisfying show, even if my boy Dale acted like a toddler. Best quote from Tom, on the groom's cake: "it looks like some sort of battleship."

Stephanie PWND the relay. I mean, remember the first episode when Andrew had a mini-meltdown because there was no mayo in the pantry? It was nice to see her getting her legs back under her after the last two rough weeks she's had.

On Team Bride, Andrew seemed so young in so many ways. Not just, as Andrea said, his crispy chicken dish that would never stay crispy in a chafing dish, but also his reaction to Richard's direction/suggestions. For Stephanie and Andrea, it was like water rolling off a duck's back, because their confidence and leadership styles are not as confrontational; they clearly don't feel the need to dominate in order to stick to their guns. (Not that this is a female thing; Lisa is clearly not like this at all.) Richard was clearly just making suggestions, which to Stephanie or Andrea was something to consider and accept or decline; for Andrew, they were more like orders to follow or defy.

Speaking of leadership, why in hell didn't Nikki step up and lead Team Groom? Tell him how to make the fucking ragu—if you'd been a leader he might have shut up. Heck, if you'd been a leader your team might have won and Andrew probably would have gone home. You had an amazing advantage and you totally wasted it. Not that most of us didn't think you should have gone home five weeks ago, but still, you could have redeemed yourself and been a total star, and you didn't, and that's why you needed to go home.

Dale, Dale, why? Why the extended pout because you wish you were on Richard's team? Grow up, baby, or you'll end up like Tiffany, a talented chef that no one wanted to work with because of her attitude.

Lisa and Spike, for once, did a great job just shutting up, putting their heads down, and cooking like real team players. I'm not a fan of either of them, but they acquitted themselves very well in this episode—note that at judges' table Lisa wasn't mentioned as one to go home and the stuff about Spike felt edited in for the sake of suspense. Spike in particular was calm and a great people manager, of both the pouting Dale and the sometimes troublesome Lisa, making the best of a tough situation.

Antonia also did a nice people management job, particularly with Andrew not being allowed out of the kitchen, and her being so personable on such little sleep. But I was pleased to see Richard hand the win off to Stephanie. Even that shows a good leadership style.

Richard and Stephanie continue to be my faves, with Dale close behind.

Comments

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

Agreed on all counts. I was so happy when Richard genuinely offered the win to Stephanie and they shared it. I mean, first with her mixing up that mayo, starting off knowing everybody thinks she's being slow but just doing her pace right. And then that cake? That was awesome. I love it when Stephanie is quietly awesome. But I also like Richard a lot. Dale was kind of embarassing. I'd rather have his embarassing than people who don't cook well, but still.

[jlh.livejournal.com]

Richard was fantastic; he's a real leader, in that he doesn't step on anyone's toes. Antonia and Stephanie are both exec chefs and they were fine with him. Stephanie is totally quietly awesome. Dale cooks well but I was sad to see his immaturity come out again.

[chromodynamics.livejournal.com]

It definitely was one of the best episodes this season. Team Bride were fantastic, they all played to their strengths. It was funny they became a team, because they are probably my four favorites left. Lisa did surprisingly well with the groom's cake, and even though Chef Tom didn't like the look of it, I think her explanation and the fact it tasted good were what took her out of the elimination equation. Nikki definitely should have taken the reins of that team, and I think that was ultimately what doomed her. And I can tell you like Dale, but was so way over-the-top, from the initial locker punch through the whole wedding challenge. He is going to have a real problem if there is ever another team challenge, which I think is likely.

My three: Richard, Stephanie, and Antonia (who I think has come on strong in the last 3 episodes).

[jlh.livejournal.com]

Dale was a mess last night, and a real disappointment for me. It was right back to the zoo challenge, and he wasn't interested in taking responsibility that time either.

Antonia has come on strong, and she's appealing, but I hesitate only because I haven't seen her excel on any of the creative fine dining challenges, and that's where the win is. So I want to really see that from her.

You're right about Dale, though. If he can't get that in control, he won't deserve to win.