66 replies to this topic

[FriedButter]

Former runner-ups return to do battle with the remaining chefs.

Awhile back Nikita said if she didn't open the thread on time we could make our own. Now I just need to learn how to type it in correctly!

I am so glad Robyn is gone. Bitch be crazy. I just wish he'd sent Clemenza home too.

I didn't remember a couple of the returning chefs. I couldn't place the bald guy or Virginia.

[cooksdelight]

Dana ...... STOP YELLING ALREADY!! :) she cracks me up

Let me ask you ladies: If you were stuck on a day-date with Clemenza, would you wear a bare-all bikini? Or a t-shirt and shorts? I could not believe she was decked out and strutting her stuff in front of this guy. Thank goodness he kept himself covered. But I really had a case of the creeps watching the two of them together.

I am glad Robyn is gone. But with all the talking head time Dana was getting I thought she was a goner for sure. Ramsay seems to want to see her go far, but even he can't save her from herself, I think. After watching the pairs compete, I kind of want Justin and Barbie in the finals. Or at least working together somewhere, they seemed to have a really good rapport.

I don't know why it was that tonight I really noticed the gap between Christina's front teeth. Maybe she was smiling more? Something just odd about that.

The fact none of them could figure out the ingredients in the two guest chef's dishes, yet nailed it in Ramsay's dish, tells me those two chefs must have really done something weird to their food to make it so indistinguishable. A pop-up chef and another guy I've never heard of.

Edited by cooksdelight, Aug 14, 2012 @ 4:30 AM.

[SpeciousLogic]

The only returnee I had trouble remembering was Paula. Virginia was actually a strong chef, and could have won against a number of the weaker winners we've seen. Not so much the other chefs, but I liked most of the them except Russell (still an asshole) and His Blueness.

Dana was in a no-win position, since she (rightly) didn't trust either Clemenza or Robyn. GRRR insisted she had to ask for help, but if she had time to look over their shoulders while they cooked the scallops, she could have just done them herself. She had to trust them -- and was then held accountable when they predictably screwed them up. I'm glad someone who actually did the screwing up went home, though.

Clemenza is the only one left whom I'm sure is cannon fodder. 7 nominations and still there? He's hitting Elise territory.

[ChainofFools]

You knew Robyn was gone from the way Ramsay said Clemenza, like he was surprised he was one of the two chosen.

Don't know if I will be able to stick with the remaining weeks because as I wAtched, I realized how much I actively dislike pretty much all of those left. It is amazing what a two week break does for you perception of the cheftants.

[Yyy]

Oh, Virginia from Season 2! The "bad, controversial" girl whom everyone despised back then. Funny how she seems so tame in comparison to the people nowadays who production apparently picks up from the casting calls they hold in the local mental hospitals.

[Ginandtonic]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU. I am so glad that Robyn is finally gone, I was worried they were going to keep her around until the bitter end and I was going to have to stab my TV. I honestly have no idea who will win at this point, but as long as Kimmie, Tiffany, & now Robyn are gone, I don't care.

[akaf67]

I agree with all....thank you, thank you, thank you for getting rid of Robyn. I was surprised that she received a black jacket but wasn't surprised about her exit interview. Really, Robyn? What planet are you living on where you think you are better than the remaining? Clemenza maybe but all the rest? It should be an interesting final considering all three; Kimmie, Tiffany and Robyn, will be coming back to cook. What attitudes!

[RavensGirl]

I am thinking it will actually be Dana in the F2 with Justin. She has been getting a lot of screen time and seems to be on track for the final.

I also remembered most but not all of the former runner-ups. I don't remember Russell or Paula whatsoever. Kevin is still annoying as hell.

From time to time, I can see why no one enjoys working with Barbie in the kitchen. It has to do with her attitude and her intensity and I actually can see the crazy there even if I am alone in that.

Both she and Justin are entirely odd to me (although who in this mess isn't?) but they seem like skilled chefs.

[MagniFicent]

Quote of the evening - "I'm a gentleman. If you don't like it, you bitches can go fuck yourselves." - Russell

It was fun seeing the former runner ups. AKA, "Some of the most talented chefs in Hells Kitchen history, plus Bonnie". I still think that Kevin (the Chef Scott lookalike) was robbed...Dave got a lot of sympathy because of the sprained wrist.

It's funny that the winners of the beach reward happened to be the two people I would most and least like to see in a swimsuit. To brain-bleach, or not to brain-bleach? At least we were mercifully spared the shot of Clemenza's blurred asscrack this time around.

Edited by MagniFicent, Aug 14, 2012 @ 3:01 AM.

[OlfinBedwere]

Oh, Virginia from Season 2! The "bad, controversial" girl whom everyone despised back then. Funny how she seems so tame in comparison to the people nowadays who production apparently picks up from the casting calls they hold in the local mental hospitals.

From what I remember, Virginia was only controversial insomuch as she kept avoiding elimination at the expense of seemingly more consistent chefs. Personality-wise from that year, Sara was far worse than Virginia... then again, even she was far more tolerable than many of the more recent contestants.

Anyways, this season must be the first in quite a while where I find all of the final five tolerable (Clemeza may be pretty mediocre, but I don't think he's a bad guy). It was oh so satisfying to see the look of false confidence on Robyn's face throughout her final moments in Hell's Kitchen wiped firmly away.

[jersey guy 87]

Some of the returning cheftestants I remember, but not as people who made the finals. The blue-haired guy made it to the final? Really?

Clemenza was beyond creepy checking out Dana at the beach, does he really think he has a chance with her? But nominating Clemenza because he screwed up Dana's scallops sounded so inherently weak.

Justin seems a lock for the finals at this point, I'm not sure between Dana and Christine who gets the other slot. At least Robyn is gone (until the final episode where she'll try to sabotage whichever team she's put on - not necessarily deliberately sabotage but sabotage through sheer incompetence).

[SpeciousLogic]

But nominating Clemenza because he screwed up Dana's scallops sounded so inherently weak.

Maybe on a normal service that would be true. But this was a solid service all around; the only dishes that actually got sent back were Robyn's salad (and scallops), and Clemenza's scallops. He and Robyn also had that tussle early on concerning the lobster schedule. Neither Justin nor Christina had any issues, and Dana was forced into defense by GRR. She didn't actually cook anything that got sent back or received a poor review. I think they edited up the drama on that sequence simply because they had so little else to go with.

[cooksdelight]

But nominating Clemenza because he screwed up Dana's scallops sounded so inherently weak.

If it took two people to screw up scallops for Dana, why wasn't Dana held partly accountable for not supervising or at least looking at the food before allowing it to proceed to the pass?

I remember the blue haired guy but do not remember him in the final 2. Nor Russell. Must have snoozed through those seasons. I wish so badly they would not bring back anyone from this season to help the finalists. It will be like watching a slow moving train wreck, one with lots of explosive tanker cars.

[jersey guy 87]

Maybe on a normal service that would be true. But this was a solid service all around; the only dishes that actually got sent back were Robyn's salad (and scallops), and Clemenza's scallops. He and Robyn also had that tussle early on concerning the lobster schedule. Neither Justin nor Christina had any issues, and Dana was forced into defense by GRR. She didn't actually cook anything that got sent back or received a poor review. I think they edited up the drama on that sequence simply because they had so little else to go with.

Dana needed help on the scallops, Clemenza provided some. Sure, he did a poor job, but ultimately Dana is responsible for what comes out of her station. It's the same as if she were working the pass. If a sub-standard dish goes out to the dining room the chef who prepared it deserves criticism but ultimately the person working the pass allowed it to go out. That is why, after all, Ramsay purposely sends up bad food when he has the cheftestants work the pass.

[davidmf]

From what I remember, Virginia was only controversial insomuch as she kept avoiding elimination at the expense of seemingly more consistent chefs. Personality-wise from that year,

Virgina was also controversial b/c at the time she - or at least it was perceived by the cameras/editing - that she was heavily flirting with GRR. On top of that one of the other contestants - Keith aka K-Grease - inferred at his elimination that there was more going on. At the time it was all laughed off, "Grrr is a Family Man, happily married" etc, but then came all the stories and accusations about his infidelity.

In fact Here is the video......

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XglWwjMgNyA


I was surprised that a couple of the 2nd place's came back, especially Russell, who was very bitter about losing to Nona in Season 8, the only one I didn't remember as Paula. The Producers probably can't get all the former Winners to come back b/c they didn't get the prize they were promised.

Clemenza was beyond creepy checking out Dana at the beach, does he really think he has a chance with her?

I maybe being generous, but I think Clemenza was the victim of Producer editing and provocation during Talking Heads - there was a lot of jump cuts in that little section.

Edited to add the youtube link

Edited by davidmf, Aug 14, 2012 @ 8:30 AM.

[cooksdelight]

If a sub-standard dish goes out to the dining room the chef who prepared it deserves criticism but ultimately the person working the pass allowed it to go out.

Which always makes me wonder how it is that Ramsay himself will send out dishes to diners which get sent back? Remember the weeks when quite a few plates get sent back for not being cooked properly, but wasn't it Ramsay who sent them on in the first place?

[ZoloftBlob]

If it took two people to screw up scallops for Dana, why wasn't Dana held partly accountable for not supervising or at least looking at the food before allowing it to proceed to the pass?

Because they were only nominating two people and had already picked Robyn as the first and obvious choice. Had the only screw up been the scallops of Dana - then Clemenza and Dana would have gone up and it would have been Clemenza to go, simply because Dana has been more all around consistent. But in this case, with Robyn already taking one of the spots.

From time to time, I can see why no one enjoys working with Barbie in the kitchen. It has to do with her attitude and her intensity and I actually can see the crazy there even if I am alone in that.

You're not alone. She gets cited for the "making faces" because she is so open about her contempt and disdain. Heck, she's often right about whoever she's frowning and rolling her eyes at, but its the sort of thing that doesn't make you friends... especially since she plays the lil miss innocent game when she's called on it. Ironically I bet she is perfectly nice outside of work.

[tessa261]

Maybe on a normal service that would be true. But this was a solid service all around; the only dishes that actually got sent back were Robyn's salad (and scallops), and Clemenza's scallops. He and Robyn also had that tussle early on concerning the lobster schedule. Neither Justin nor Christina had any issues, and Dana was forced into defense by GRR. She didn't actually cook anything that got sent back or received a poor review. I think they edited up the drama on that sequence simply because they had so little else to go with.


Dana needed help on the scallops, Clemenza provided some. Sure, he did a poor job, but ultimately Dana is responsible for what comes out of her station. It's the same as if she were working the pass. If a sub-standard dish goes out to the dining room the chef who prepared it deserves criticism but ultimately the person working the pass allowed it to go out. That is why, after all, Ramsay purposely sends up bad food when he has the cheftestants work the pass.

I think you are both right, and ultimately GR would have been fine with either Dana or Clemenza being up there, but bc Clemenza did in fact screw up on the scallops, he was ok with him being in the bottom two and didn't send him back/bring Dana down. I think he also would have been fine with Dana bc she didn't do any quality control

[jersey guy 87]

I think you are both right, and ultimately GR would have been fine with either Dana or Clemenza being up there, but bc Clemenza did in fact screw up on the scallops, he was ok with him being in the bottom two and didn't send him back/bring Dana down. I think he also would have been fine with Dana bc she didn't do any quality control

Ultimately, I think it was Robyn's turn to go and GRR wasn't going to be upset if she was up against Justin, Christine or Barbie. The second person up there wasn't going home.

[ZoloftBlob]

Ultimately, I think it was Robyn's turn to go and GRR wasn't going to be upset if she was up against Justin, Christine or Barbie. The second person up there wasn't going home.

Yup, and barring a complete utter meltdown on behalf of Christine, Justin, Dana or Barbi, Clemenza is next.

[FriedButter]

Loved the episode. 2 of my favorite challenges. I had to laugh when Barbie ripped the cloche lid from Ramsay. I thought he was going to lose an arm.

I think the reason I remember Paula is because she did a commercial for a culinary school and was a mentor to one of the chefs competing on Chopped. They showed her in the montage the chefs do about who they are and where they cook.

I wonder why the guest chefs agreed to come on the show. I don't think they said 20 words between them. Free advertising I guess.

I was disappointed to see Justin wears tightie whities.

[Tellicherry]

Justin lost the good will he's built with me over the season. What's with all of that attitude that ironing is beneath him, insults his masculine self-image, etc., yet he thinks it's fine for the womenfolk and Clemenza. Until that display, he seemed rational and free of false vanities.

[singlerose1]

Next year can we PLEASE get chiefs who know how to cook and care about food? No more casting from the Mental Health Center please. I have watched since day1 season1 and these are the worst most miserable people ever. White trash all of them.

[bestpbx]

Out of the people who have left who would you let help you on the final showdown? All of them have been so abysmal... I would not like to have to make that choice.

It was kind of anticlimatic for Robyn to go home on a night that she had taken her psych meds.
Don't ya think?
After all the screaming, crying, gnashing of teeth, and especially BEGGIN' Kimmie to hit her... I was glad to see her go, but I was like... meh.

Edited by bestpbx, Aug 14, 2012 @ 4:10 PM.

[SpeciousLogic]

Out of the people who have left who would you let help you on the final showdown?

Of those likely to be invited back? Probably just Brian. But if I had my choice of all the contestants, I think Guy and Dani would be assets as well. (ETA -- Add Roshi to that list).

Also, whichever 3 of the remaining 5 don't make the finals would be acceptable (Clemenza) to very good (any of the rest). Really, if either of the finalists avoids all of the 3 Harpies, he or she will have a decided advantage.

Edited by SpeciousLogic, Aug 14, 2012 @ 6:43 PM.

[stecciem]

I am also in the Justin vs. Dana for F2 camp. Chef Ramsey seems to appreciate a good palate, and these two did well if I recall correctly. I personally think that's why Elise did so well her season, as she scored higher on the blind taste test than anyone.

[GrrlPower]

Dana needed help on the scallops, Clemenza provided some. Sure, he did a poor job, but ultimately Dana is responsible for what comes out of her station. It's the same as if she were working the pass. If a sub-standard dish goes out to the dining room the chef who prepared it deserves criticism but ultimately the person working the pass allowed it to go out. That is why, after all, Ramsay purposely sends up bad food when he has the cheftestants work the pass

I agree. Gordon is not looking for a line cook, he's looking for an executive chef - a leader. When it gets to black jackets, making cooking errors (which they all will before this thing is over) is not nearly as bad as demonstrating poor leadership skills. Dana showed herself as a poor leader and she should have been put up for that. If vile Robyn wasn't still there, I would say that Dana should have gone home for that lack of leadership.

From time to time, I can see why no one enjoys working with Barbie in the kitchen. It has to do with her attitude and her intensity and I actually can see the crazy there even if I am alone in that.

You're not alone. She gets cited for the "making faces" because she is so open about her contempt and disdain. Heck, she's often right about whoever she's frowning and rolling her eyes at, but its the sort of thing that doesn't make you friends... especially since she plays the lil miss innocent game when she's called on it. Ironically I bet she is perfectly nice outside of work

Except that she's not there to make friends, these are her competitors. Barbie hardly makes those WTF faces during service, she mostly does it in the dorm and in her THs - and like you said, she is always justified in her WTF faces b/c these people have been doing some seriously stupid shit this season. Barbie had an EXCELLENT service this week and led the kitchen to a successful service (even if they didn't win against the returning chefs, I consider that service to be successful).

Edited by TWoP Nikita, Aug 15, 2012 @ 9:36 AM.
boards on boards

[JTMacc99]

I agree. Gordon is not looking for a line cook, he's looking for an executive chef - a leader. When it gets to black jackets, making cooking errors (which they all will before this thing is over) is not nearly as bad as demonstrating poor leadership skills. Dana showed herself as a poor leader and she should have been put up for that. If vile Robyn wasn't still there, I would say that Dana should have gone home for that lack of leadership.

The thing is, Gordon pulled Dana aside and gave her the positive (for him) speech about what she is supposed to do when he hands her a choice of two sucky chefs and tells her to find something to do with them. It couldn't have been more clear to me from that scene that Ramsay sees a great deal of potential in Dana. On top of that, this episode had Bonnie in it, who was another person like Dana. Ramsay encouraged her, and the patience with her, to get better at the things like leadership because he was impressed with the other things she did.

From what I've learned from watching this idiotic show from the beginning is that there was no shot of Ramsay sending Dana home in this episode. If anything, it seems more likely that the editors were using this episode to set us up for a future episode where Dana takes charge of the kitchen and earns praise.

[ZoloftBlob]

Barbie had an EXCELLENT service this week and led the kitchen to a successful service

Justin, and Christine had excellent services as well, and managed to do so without the faces at their coworkers. It is to a point, about behaving professionally. Yes, in theory, this is about choosing an exec chef but in reality, this is a contest that has a social aspect. It's all fine and good to not be there to make friends, but if Barbie makes it to the final two, she then has to do a service with a bunch of people who may not like her enough to get past losing because she's always made her contempt of them clear. And in fairness I said she was often justified, not always justified

That's if she makes it. I think Clemenza is next to go, followed by Barbie, with the possibility that a "shocking" elimination of Dana or Christine puts Barbie in final three. (This show is often predictable) But final two right now looks like Justin and Dana/Christine - with Dana making a comeback. As another poster pointed out - editing is favoring Dana with a possible redemption arc.

Edited by ZoloftBlob, Aug 15, 2012 @ 10:52 AM.

[Shalamar]

Aw, Justin. I liked you, and then you had to pull that "real men don't iron" nonsense. *sigh*

That reminds me of when my husband was young and single and became roommates with his sister. The first time he did laundry, he said "Gee, some of my shirts need ironing" and looked at his sister expectantly. She looked right back and said "No way in hell. There's the iron. There's the ironing board. Figure it out." I still owe her a vote of thanks for that. :)