That team was trouble to begin with -- all the "Does Not Play Well With Others" was in one place. But Nikki started off well, and everybody seemed happy to follow her lead. Then, when she threw that aside, no one stepped into the vacuum, causing trouble to spiral, and that space got filled with personality disorders on parade.

Wrod. Can you imagine if it had been Andrew on this team and Nikki on the other (since Richard took charge). I do give Lisa props because I think she realized taking on the cake would at least get her off on her own for the duration, even if it was ginormous challenge, and it being the groom's cake instead of the bride's wouldn't have been quite as big a problem if something went wrong.

If Spike makes a blooming onion next challenge, I'll quit from self-defense.

What about buffalo wings? Or Wheatabix?

Well, I was mostly watching Rent on FX, so I will have to catch this on the rerun.

I think they sent the right person home. I'm giving Dale the benefit of the doubt for his hissy fit, because they're all tired, and he does have a temper. I also think, this challenge aside, he's a much more accomplished chef than Nikki.

I loved that Richard gave his win to Stephanie (and that she said they'd split the prize).

So much this. I like both of them so well.

If Spike makes a blooming onion next challenge, I'll quit from self-defense.

::snerk:: Oh, Spike and his absurd culinary habits. I need to watch some Buffy.

I liked that Richard owned his contribution to the spinach. Nutmeg yes, star anise, no.

So, tonight on America's Next Top Model, my friend Jesse and I just kept shrieking hot tranny fierce mess! mess of a hot tranny! hot mess! and on and on...

Glad I wasn't the only one... I don't think my husband thought it was quite as funny as I did. "She's a MAN!" was also used more than once.

What did Miss J say? Cover Girl...to cover up the man in you?

I liked that Richard owned his contribution to the spinach. Nutmeg yes, star anise, no.

Yeah, that was great. Richard seems like a genuinely good guy, in addition to being a talented and interesting cook.

I'm also glad it seemed like most of the food was good, at least, for the sake of the couple and the wedding guests! Overcooked meat is kind of par for the course at a wedding.

OTOH, I loved that Richard gave his win to Stephanie (and that she said they'd split the prize)

That was AWESOME. If it comes down to those two (which I suspect it will), I'll be just thrilled.

I think they sent the right person home, since she was ridiculous in her avoidance of responsibility, but I was seriously hating everyone on that team tonight.

Absolutely. On the one hand, I'm annoyed that I have to have Andrew and Spike on my TV for another week. (Oh TV, what is it about those names...) On the other hand, Nikki, what the fuck? You designed the entire menu and then abdicated responsibility, and you didn't think that would be a PROBLEM????

Spike's "I'll make one thing really really well! Muahahahaha!" attitude in the group challenges is beyond asshatery - it completely screws everyone else when you don't do your share of the prep work, and hello, even in your OWN restaurant kitchen, you will not be given the luxury of taking 20 hours to make a fucking PUTTANESCA SAUCE. Dale was being a whiny little bitch about the amount of work he was doing, but he wasn't wrong.

Yeah, I couldn't believe that Nikki thought that it would be okay to design the menu and then just let things be. I'm surprised that Tom Colicchio didn't pull out the old "chef" means leader thing.

She totally deserved to go.

And I loved how the Bride's team pulled together and really were a team. I mean, Andrew was clearly the weak link in that team but it didn't matter. I also loved the Richard gave his prize to Stephanie without even knowing what it was.