So, first, on SYTYCD, the bottom two guys were Ryan and Legacy. No surprise there, but I was happy it was Legacy going home. I never warmed to him, though he did work hard. On the women’s side, a bit more of a surprise. I thought Ellenore and Kathryn were going to be possibly in trouble. The latter for having the only bad dance of the night (and a weariness for the whole alien speak babble thing) and Kathryn for general lack of support season wide. Instead, it was Ashleigh and Mollee in the bottom. Ash was obvious given she was on IR performance night (but I thought fan support might lift her over Kathryn.) I wasn’t unhappy with this and felt, overall, it was warranted. I was more surprised to see Mollee there, only because she was definitely peaking. And I thought she had a bigger base than, say, Kathryn. Even more shocking? Mollee’s the one who went home.

So that means that husband and wife will dance together in the finale, so that’s kind of cool. Even more interesting will be them dancing outside their style, if they don’t pick ballroom. The show didn’t bother to explain why they went to a six dancer finale rather than four, or how, exactly, it will be handled. All I know is next week is supposedly it! So I guess we’ll learn then.

Over on Top Chef…wow, so it was already pissing me off five minutes in. I think, in a finale situation, with all the marbles up for grabs, the only knives that should be drawn for sous chef support is to find out which finalist chooses first. At least, that way, they’re guaranteed, no matter what order they have to choose in, in getting at least one decent supporter. Instead, they drew knives with actual names on them, from the contestants throughout the whole season. The brothers scored pretty well. Our lovely garden gnome? Not even. He was pissed off and, I think, rightfully so. I’d have felt that way no matter who got short sticked. It was luck of the draw, but that much, in this case, should not be left to luck. So…just wow. Already.

Kevin rebounds from Preeti’s incredibly slow first day with Ash helping him on the second day and things look good going into the actual serving, with all three chefs on top of things. Definitely the strongest finale field the show has had. First round is mom inspired and the mom’s are there as part of the table. I’m not all that thrilled with that. It’s especially weird given two of the remaining three are brothers. I could have done without that element all together. Sigh. I am very glad it was for the first course only. It went more mildly than expected, but still, sheesh, show. Kevin seems to be the winner of this round, with Bryan right behind.

Second course was Chopped-inspired as all of the chefs had to create something using all the ingredients in a mystery box (all chefs had the same ingredients.) Kevin and Michael seem to do well with that one. Third course is anything the chefs want to make. Bryan seems the winner this round, with Michael right behind, and Kevin last. The final course had to be a dessert. Bryan seems to take this round, with Michael in second.

All in all, no failures with the food in this finale. Usually someone crashes and burns, but this time it was all pretty high end and appears to be anyone’s game going into judge’s table. I think Kevin appears to be the third place finisher, leaving it between the brothers for the win. And, to be honest, based on the food served, it could be either one of them. I like Bryan more as a person, and his food seemed technically difficult, but safer, while Michael, the jerkface (even as a kid, it seems, according to Mom!) did reach for it. And he goes and gets all kind of sappy in the end and maybe pulls my heartstrings a little. Even Kevin is predicting a win for him as they wait judgment.

In the end? Me and the Garden Gnome are correct. It’s Michael for the win. Sigh. Deserved, sure, but this is not a man who needs an ego boost, deserved win or not. I realize some of his jerkiness comes from that vulnerable place, but he’s a grown man. Get over it. No excuses for some of his behavior. And yet? Winner. Of course he says he’s just happy he and his brother made it all the way to the end, and yet, you know, you know if he’d come in second to his brother, it would have eaten him alive. He’d have been civil about it. Maybe. But still… Who knows, maybe it will actually humble him a little (that and now having viewed himself all season and how others have reacted to that.) I’m not holding out tons of hope there. I think he is who he is.

So that makes two seasons in a row where I sigh over the final result, and not in a good way. Still, an interesting season with very accomplished chefs. I’ll be back for the next round.

What did you think? Who would you have liked to see as the winner? And who is your favorite going into the final week of SYTYCD? (Also, don’t forget to enter this week’s contest. Winner announced right here tomorrow, along with Russell MAC from Survivor.) But now? DISH!

Tags: Writing //