TCFL 18 Portland // Episode 6 Recap

Hello TCFL! After Gabriel's semi-unceremonious ousting last week, let's talk about villains. Every season needs a villain. In fact, I've been informed that TCFL has a classic villain from another reality franchise playing with us this season. Even our humble little league could use some villain swagger.

For the record, I don't think Gabriel is a villain. At least not in the way that there used to be villains in earlier seasons. Gabriel is more a heel (shout out to Hit Me with Your Best Shota for this epiphany this week). 

This got me thinking about Top Chef villains through the years. And after looking back, they really have run the gamut. Some have been merely annoying and mostly harmless, and some have been super problematic. Some highlights:

Tiffani
Villainy Scale (out of 5): 👿👿👿

The OG who set the bar.

Marcel
👿👿

Was it the foam? Was it the hair? 

Alex
👿👿👿

Two words: Pea puree.

The Texas Trio (Lindsay, Sarah, and Heather)
👿👿👿👿👿

For various reasons, Season 9 in Texas might be the most problematic season in the history of the show. This was one of the only times where Top Chef became difficult to watch. Let's call it what it was: racist bullying against Beverly.

Katsuji
👿

I distinctly remember Katsuji starting as a villain, then turning into a fan favorite.

Josie
👿👿👿

You can't cause Kristen's elimination and not expect to make this list.

Tesar
👿👿👿👿

The fact that he relishes being hated makes me hate him even more.

Isabella
👿👿👿👿👿

A fall from grace I had a front-row seat for living in the D.C.-area.

Gabriel
👿👿

Our latest entrant. Here is his collection of quotes from his last episode and LCK:

•  "Give me my weapons."
•  "You no longer have a tour guide."
• "I don't think I deserve to go home right now."
• "You guys better wait for me in the finale. I'm gonna kick your ass."
• "I'm going in 'crush, kill, destroy' mode right now."
• "I don't plan on being here long. Now you just awoke the beast."

BONUS VILLAINS: The Wilks
👿👿 (for now)

Husband Jon is the TCFL Season 17 Defending Champion. Now Wife Kim has been our Season 18 Scoreboard leader for several weeks. Are they a dynasty in the making?

And there are too many "Honorable Mentions" to list. Who did I miss? Who is your favorite Top Chef villain? 

Until next week...