ElleryAnne

I really wanted to see someone do the fingerprinting task. I agree with others that the beef task was poorly designed in that the teams could monopolize the stations and shut out other teams. Danny himself admitted it wasn't a nice strategy. If it's an effective way to a million dollar prize, I can't fault him for it. But it didn't make the episode more enjoyable to me as a viewer, though. (Unlike the racecar maps, which I found hilarious in some cases. Leticia's first attempt had me laughing for a solid ten minutes.) I don't automatically hate alliances, but I prefer them to be short-term and specific. So if they agreed to help each other survive the megaleg and that's it, I guess I don't mind. And I was glad that Danny said they should go on their own to the mat after the last task of the leg. Still, watching some teams work together in a really obvious way like they did at the beef stations while essentially preventing other teams from being able to make their own progress (whether from the alliance or the game design or both) isn't ideal "Amazing Race" to me. Fortunately, the two teams I'm rooting for came in first and second place, and both of those teams are running their own races.

The goofy sweet caption in the second picture, about giving their cats some responsibility so they're giving them each a baby? That's the kind of silly thing that says a lot about what kind of people they are, and I totally love them for it. Wishing all the best to them, the cats, and the babies on the way.

I knew him best from Jericho, which is one of my all-time favorite shows. RIP, Kenneth. ALS sucks.

Donna is my hero. Between demanding twice the salary AND five weeks' vacation if she accepts the UNIT job, and then facing down those creepy, creepy dolls, she is my hero. NPH was great as the Toymaker. The scene with him controlling marionette-Charlie was a bit disturbing, but I loved it. Bi-generation... I think I'm ok with it, since we get to keep Tennant and Tate somewhere in the background and potentially able to appear in a future episode. Better than Fourteen gone and Donna dead, which is what I was worried might happen. (Now I feel bad for Martha - she's the only one of Ten's main companions not to get a leftover doctor.) Fifteen looks like he's going to be fun. I wonder if he sings along to whatever music he has in the jukebox.

So did I. As much as I've been loving seeing Tennant and Tate these past two weeks, seeing Wilf is what really got to me.

That was a fun one. Tennant and Tate have such good chemistry, and they landed back in their characters as though they'd never left. Everything else was bonus.

Yes, the face on that witch was great. Very "The Ring" kind of thing. The knitting basket and yarn were great, too. At a glance, I'd never have thought those were pumpkin. I thought both teams did pretty well, though neither display would rank in my top 10 of all Halloween Wars pieces. Still, they were generally decent and it made for a good finale. Overall, it's just been such a good season, with Jonathan Bennett's return, and good displays, and tasting elements and some small scares. I would still like them to get back to the old kitchens and for someone to tell the judges not to wander around talking to the teams during their work giving tips and hints, but I've definitely been happy with the show this year.

What????? I'm stunned.

I remember thinking that something sounded as if it was edited afterward, but I don't remember whether it still sounded like Jonathan's voice. It was nice to see the small scare again. The infomercial Vampire Expire presentation was silly but fun. This whole season has a better sense of fun. Jonathan's return is a big part of that, of course, but even the teams feel more cohesive and invested. The Nosferatu vampire face was fantastic.

Aw. He was Brom Bones in my favorite version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

I heard them say at the beginning of the episode that there wasn't a small scare this week, but no explanation why. I'm hoping it's just because of how many teams there were, and that when they whittle it back down to three or four they'll return the small scare. I'm gonna be really bummed out if they don't, because I like it and was glad they brought it back. The face on the marionette kid was outstanding. Sad and terrified, and utterly disturbing. I wish they wouldn't assign food choices to the teams. It would have been fine to say they had to make the taste treat reflect carnival food, but I don't like the teams being limited by having the food assigned. I covet Shinmin's pink coat/cape. btw - did they actually announce a winner for the episode? I only heard them announce the team going home.

I love having Jonathan back. I love having the small scare back. I love having taste treats incorporated separately into the final piece, instead of having them cut into the piece itself. I love that Zak B. and his hat and tv's are gone, hopefully forever. And I agree with everyone wanting the old kitchen back, and the ho-ho-ho pumpkins. So far, this season is SO much better than the past two. ETA: One thing they need to change - stop letting the judges give tips to the teams while the challenge is in progress. It seems unfair.

I'm glad Jon will be back on Halloween Wars this season. https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/halloween-wars/meet-the-teams-season-13

I know most people associate her with Nothing Compares 2 U, but my long-time favorite of her performances was The Foggy Dew. It's a shame that she's known first for being controversial, because she really had such a beautiful voice.

Wow, gorgeous version of this piece. Mr. Watts' plays each note so clearly. I can't imagine the strength and precision to play the way he does. Gershwin must also be waiting at the gates, to thank him for getting it right. And yeah, the pic is nice too.

Damn. Chopin and Mr. Rogers must both be waiting at the pearly gates to shake his hand. RIP, André Watts.

This is one of those times when I wish there was a WTF button.

This one hurts. His December album has been part of my Christmas for over 20 years.

I hope Doherty will be okay, in spite of the odds, just as I hope it for Bonaduce (and I'm glad his brain surgery was successful). In both cases, they seem to have spent much of their lives being their own worst enemy, but not giving up even after screwing up. I find myself rooting for them both.

Aw, RIP. I always loved GL's songs. There was something so peaceful about a lot of them. This one's my personal favorite:

I almost didn't know whether to give this is a 'love' or a 'sad'. I'd forgotten we'd lost some of the faces in there. But this is a really nicely done retrospective. TCM does them better than anyone else. Thanks for posting it.

Nooo!!! I seriously cannot believe this. I have loved him from the first time I saw him on SYTYCD. I'm gutted and in shock right now.

He was very tall. :) Handsome, too.

For anyone who has never heard him sing:

Damn. We just lost Luis (Emilio Delgado) and now we lose Bob?