Lassus

Harper is definitely an odd duck. I think they’ve collectively done a good job showing both that she does genuinely care for people, but can’t quite go the whole way about it.

@aghst, I mean I get all this, and it’s not unfair, and it’s obviously subjective on my part, but there’s a real emotional masochism trend in entertainment that comes and goes throughout the years. Hell, look at poor Peter Parker, Matt Murdock. The Bear can be grueling as well. I don’t want flowers and rainbows, but on occasion, it could rain just a little lighter on a day and it wouldn’t mean the show is now bad. The Wire, Breaking Bad, hell, if I’m citing BREAKING BAD in a quest for slightly less bleak, you know there’s an issue. People do like to watch misery, I know. Sure, and the actor who played Gus wanted to go, so good on him for his career, and it’s not his responsibility, but the show is lesser (to me) for that character’s absence. SweatPea and not-Rishi aren’t really cutting it.

I will be very very disappointed if one of either Yas or Harper end up using their knowledge of the events on the boat as leverage or a threat against the other. That would be basic.

I still love the show, but it is very very very hard to watch as there is absolutely no one to root for. Rob, kinda, I guess, who had one line in this entire episode. It’s pretty clear that literally everyone on the show hates themselves, which why they treat everybody in their orbit so poorly. Which is fine, but after awhile begins to lack enough complexity and nuance to elevate the show to some I-know-it-when-I-see-it next level. I love the show, but I love it enough that I want it to be better.

Everyone was talking about how awesome this episode was, but it was simply Rishi being an overwhelming selfish asshole and having no consequences at all. I miss Gus, I admit.

I'm not sure I find this description at all compelling of abnormal business practices.

Well, I'd back a bit off this as a good source.

My guess is he received unsound legal advice from one of his idiot circle who's BF delivers UPS to a law office.

I am still 100% convinced this show is not cancelled. It might sputter pathetically for another season, but RIGHT NOW, especially with all this off-season drama? There are viewers, there are advertisers, and there is money on the table, and BRAVO - if smart - wont' just leave it there for one more go-around. If I was a betting man I'd go heavy in with this break being a break and not a cancellation.

Pretty sure rough waters can even affect a docked ship, depending on how enclosed or not the docking area is. I fully disagree with comments about the lame season or lame contestants or lame Kristen. I thought she was great and sure I loved Padma, but as far as I'm concerned for a show about food, having a real, true chef is a better idea. I'll even admit here my bias, that her being hot as shit every episode doesn't hurt. I liked her in the role even with the faults, and I have no doubt she will improve. As far as everything else, maybe I'm just an easier audience. I can see Gail being annoyed with Kristen (although I didn't notice), it's her pilot season, change is always weird. For me it's never the people that I find lame or not, it's the production. My least favorite thing about this episode was the cruise ship, because, well, it's a cruise ship. I have burned into my brain FROM A DOZEN YEARS AGO the biathlon challenge because it was quite simply the stupidest thing I had ever seen. Most challenges that have nothing to do with cooking irritate me, although I'm sure there are some I liked; just overall they are my least favorite. But I rarely find a whole group of chefs any kind of problem. I really liked some of the challenges this year.

I think, however, this is also one of the reasons Danny won. They whined about that one dish being hard to eat, but also realized it tasted great so they weren't so interested in marking him off for it. And I hate to say this, but I think Tom fibbed when he said the "whole table" wanted Danny's scallops to have more salt. Some people like the food's natural flavor to come out without salt, and I'm pretty sure one or two of the hippie chefs at that table would have thought so.

As above, Danny's menu was just more innovative and they have been impressed with him all season. But the editor monkeys did a bad job as they really did make Dan seem like the winner, so I have to give the show a fail on that one. Also as above, I missed Rasika all season. C'est la vie. Danny choosing Manny because their names rhymed seemed a mistake. But more seriously, I was really surprised. Manny was a very likable sweetheart, but despite his late exit, really seemed to suck all season. He's the contestant who seemed always able to stick around under the radar because someone else tried something harder and got burnt. We actually cheered when he finally got eliminated. My favorite point of the episode was telling the loser chefs they'd lost the chance to stress the fuck out for the final by not getting picked: "enjoy the cruise!" I was almost hoping one would give a little cheer they weren't chosen. Emeril, I admit, was kind of unimpressive here. Barely talked, seemed kind of uninterested in the whole affair. As far as the show being meh, I disagree, I think Kristin was awesome, and way better than Padma. It was interesting because she really REALLY took an active lead in discussing the food at the final, a job that was seemingly all Tom's earlier. I wouldn't entirely mind Gail retiring, but I also don't see that happening. Didn't love ending on a cruise ship but liked most everything else. A lot of these shows lately - this, Project Runway, etc. - seem to have fully given up on a talented supervillain. (and from a couple of Danny's edits early on, I did think he was going to be that villain, but it didn't happen.) British Bake-off influence? It could get a little boring on occasion, but watching Buddha just relentlessly curb-stomp two seasons worth of Top Chefs was pretty amazing.

Yeah, this is the prevailing attitude over here as well. It was amazing, it looked in the first episode like it would be a full Lindsey villain season, and whether planned or not, the whole thing shifted convincingly 180 degrees by the end. Yes, the whole thing is highly weird. Ciara has always seemed super smart and very cool, not to mention stunningly hot as shit. But her boys have absolutely defined "lame". Lindsay is also super-hot with terrible boys, but at least she has insanity to back up her shitty choices.

Tom would have immediately protested like a WWII air siren if that was an editing trick.

After listening to Ben & Ronny dismiss the idea, I'm back to confident there's no way the show ends. Just too much interest and money in it coming back following all this. I don't know if it belongs here, but it's pretty relevant to the reunion, so here's my plan for next season: James & Ally - KEEP. They are young and possibility of James going off the rails or Ally leaving him or both. But more importantly, they are young. Maybe one worthwhile friend Ariana - KEEP, if she wants. Still massively popular, people are interested and like her. (I feel this is not likely, but as of now still a possibility.) Katie - KEEP, always a chance for business partner drama. And some decent dating partner things. Bring back Charlie, and cast one of Katie & Ariana's Something About Her employees, making Ariana a bit of a new LVP. Tom & Tom - JETTISON INTO THE SUN. No one cares. Lala, Brock, & Scheana - Move you and all your kids into The Valley, which honestly is not that interesting and is already losing cast to divorces. There. I fixed it. You're welcome. 🤑