Okay, back again after the second watching.
* I want to smash Mike I.'s face in. "No offense, a girl shouldn't be on the same level that I am." "One less old lady for me to worry about." "I knocked Pretty, Purti, whatever her name is over." Pig. I was sad to see that he can cook.
* I sympathized at first with Preeti trying to shuck clams for the first time, but, come on. Her teammates were giving her tips, she could see what her competitors were doing. Besides, wouldn't basic common sense eventually lead one to try to insert the tip of one's knife nearer the hinge? It got to the point where I wished she'd just climb on the counter and drop the clam to the floor, sort of like the way a gull handles shellfish.
* I was bemused by Ash's statement "being gay in the kitchen is tough." I mean, sure, being gay can be tough anywhere, but kitchens and dining rooms are hardly the most homophobic workplaces going.
* The Jennifer who was booted was strikable, for more than one reason. I mean, trying to blame her crap shucking on the fact that she hadn't done it in a couple of years because she'd had a kid? Nonsense: it's a skill that may rust a little but it doesn't desert one completely. Then her mulish conviction that the mere fact that she used seitan meant she was "bold" and deserved to win? Humbug. There's no doubt she was told to leave not only because her dish sucked but because she had no idea that it did and refused to hear any of the judges' criticisms. She kept insisting it reflected her hot temper even after she'd been told repeatedly it was bland. I suspect she's a better cook than Complicated Lady (Eve), but she wouldn't have lasted long no matter what. Maybe if she'd unpacked she would have had better luck.
* The editors chose not to include one word of the judges' reaction to Ashley's ravioli, which I found odd. She's a cipher to me, but I see from the preview of coming attractions that she has a temper, which his promising.
* The real Atanta housewives are frighteningly vulgar.
* The blue dress Padma is wearing in one of the promos is horribly ugly and unflattering.
* In these germophobic days, I liked that the judges all ate off the same plates.
* I want Hector to get kicked soon because the friend here with whom I discuss the show finds him madly sexy and I don't want to have to listen to her drool over the phone week after week. Sorry, Hector. I know it's unfair.
* Brother Michael looks like Matthew McConaughey. Or Frederixxxxxxxxx, I guess.
* I am surprised by the pronunciation of Mattin's name, but I guess it's because he/it is Basque.
* The underdog I'll be rooting for is Jesse.
Deep, huh?
