TCFL 17 All-Stars // Episode 12 Recap

Hello TCFL! How are we liking Italy? It's crazy that this is the first time that the American version of Top Chef has gone to Europe. The episode started off a little somber with the message from Tom, but I echo his sentiment: As we near the end of the season, I hope that TCFL has provided you all with a break from either the monotony of quarantine, the negativity of what is going on in the world right now, or both. Let's get started:
  • A secondary theme of this season (aside from me being wrong all the time) is all the marketing that Bravo has had to do in order to pay for the $250,000 grand prize and numerous $10,000 Quickfires this season. I personally enjoyed the American Airlines commercial that encompassed the first 10 minutes of the episode. If you are curious about their trip, here is a review of the same/similar set up from One Mile At A Time.
  • I've had some (minor) back and neck issues. Nothing like what Gregory described. I just know that when my back starts acting up, it's hard to even think straight. I can't imagine competing on something like this when your back is out.
  • I initially thought that he chose to do his stew because he wasn't thinking straight. Turns out it was quite the opposite:
  • A 30-serving Quickfire is nuts, and exactly the increase in level of difficulty that I want when they head to the finale country.
  • Peroni sucks.
  • It's unfair that the Truffle Pups are both cute AND have an awesome and lucrative skill.
  • Champagne Padma is still my favorite... but Italian Padma is a close second.
  • Some misleading (creative?) editing by Bravo, playing with everyone's expectations. Throughout this whole episode, it felt like Stephanie was going to be eliminated. This, by the way, tracks with last week's poll results:
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    • I think that radicchio is too bitter, and we definitely get toned down genetically modified product here. I can't imagine what Italian radicchio tastes like.
    • If there's anything I took away from this episode, it's that this should have been a black truffle episode and not a white truffle episode.
    If it hasn't been obvious so far, I'm very much influenced by sports (and miss it terribly). So what do all the talking heads and "analysts" do when we get to a Final Four? Speculate on matchups, of course. Before it gets knocked down to three, here are our possible finale matchups ranked from least compelling to most compelling:

    Tier 5: "Wait, did Melissa throw out her back too?"
    Stephanie v. Kevin
    Stephanie v. Voltaggio
    --
    Any matchup that doesn't involve Melissa is automatically downgraded. In Lucca, Gregory said that he has a finale meal that he is prepared to cook. You figure that's true for every chef... except for maybe fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants Stephanie. Would it be compelling? Maybe. Would it be entertaining? I'm not sure.

    Tier 4: "Last Chance Strikes Again"
    Melissa v. Kevin
    --
    Can a Last Chance Champion strike again? Or is the regular season powerhouse too much? Remember that only three LCK Champs have come back to win (Kristen, Brooke, Joe Flamm) and more importantly, we all answered "NO" to the LCK tiebreaker question.

    Tier 3: "Lady Power"
    Melissa v. Stephanie
    --
    This matchup would ensure that for the third time in four years two ladies finish at the top (Brooke & Shirley in Charleston and Kelsey & Sara in Kentucky).

    Tier 2: "Season 6 Rematch"
    Voltaggio v. Kevin
    --
    Everyone knows I love Season 6. This would put the two runners-up from Vegas against each other. Though it would be bittersweet since Jen Carrol isn't around anymore...

    Tier 1: "The Heavyweights"
    Melissa v. Voltaggio
    --
    This is what I want to see. Melissa has been dominant all season (outside of a small blip on the camping trip) and Voltaggio seems to be awake and peaking at the right time. At this point, if I had to pick one person that could give Melissa a fight, it's Voltaggio.

    Of course, if (and when) they go with a three-person finale, this will all be a moo point.


    What do you guys think? What matchup do you want to see?


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