Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Hell’s Kitchen: Anger Management And The Ex-Con
If someone showed me a pile of ingredients and said “make me something great in 20 minutes” my reaction would be “20 minutes? You have to be kidding!”
And so it was a great job they all did on the challenge in last night’s episode of Hell’s Kitchen. The compliment for Garrett’s veal sounded like a death knell to me, though, even before it became clear where the episode was going.
For what it’s worth, I have never used saffron, but I know enough not to overuse it.
Keith just keeps pulling ahead, further out of the same league as everyone else. He showed himself to be the obvious winner last night because he remembers “it’s about the food.” I can remember a challenge last year where Elsie was second place and deserved to be picked by the winner, Michael as I recall, to join him in the reward. She wasn’t; a game-playing choice was made.
Keith went right ahead and picked Virginia, the second best, because she desrved it. Michael was a slimeball. Keith is a nice guy, but appears to have some requisite backbone.
Sara continues to impress, for “damn you Garrett for being the unquestionable elimination this week and keeping Sara safe” values of “impress.” I was sure the two choices would be Garrett and Sara, but Virginia was not out of line. The thing is, Virginia had difficulty with a more challenging station than Sara’s.
I was concerned, when they put Keith’s veal chop on the menu, that it would sabotage him. That worked out great. It really was complementary, rather than “let’s mess you up.”
Heather was right. Garrett is scary. The editing, itself an entertaining part of the show to watch, surely doesn’t help. He almost needed to go before he could land himself back in jail.
The editing is also an entertaining part of the previews. Really? We won’t believe who’s going home? Ohmygod!
The only one I would have trouble believing going home next week would be Keith! I’d be kind of surprised at Heather, though she really is inconsistent. The breathless assertion of the preview might be aimed at the people who have voted Heather favorite chef each week in that goofy text messaging contest. If all those people keep voting for her, they’d no doubt be surprised.
Sara? No problem believing she could go any time. She’s not only a total bitch, but also she’s getting over her head.
Virginia? No problem believing she could go. She’s actually not that bad, but keeps winding up on the chopping block with someone else who just happens to be worse or a clearer choice that week.
I’m rooting for a Keith versus Heather finale. I could live with either of them winning, though I’d rather see Keith take the prize. Keith leaving before the finale would be a surprise. Nobody else. Unless they’re talking pleasant surprise, or the “it’s about time!” factor and Sara is out next week.
Because, as you all know by now, Sara must go!