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TV Wed Nov 23 2011
Top Chef Texas, Episode 4: Save a Horse, Let Padma Ride It
I've been in a car all day driving to Wisconsin, and there are spiced pecans in the kitchen that need to be, um, watched... So with no further ado, three quick thoughts on this week's Top Chef.
Bromance is pretty overplayed in the reality TV world. So it was refreshing to see a male friendship with some real depth and emotion to it, even though it was in the context of watching Richie Farina pack his knives before he could really "show what Moto can do." Voice breaking, tears welling, I think Richie probably came out of tonight's judging looking and sounding like most eliminated chefs probably feel on the inside -- but in the arms of fellow chef Chris Jones (not that Chris Jones), it all came tumbling to the surface in a rare and raw end-of-show moment. And while it's terrible to see Richie leave (the dead-animal mohawk! the Charlie Chaplin waddle!) his parting was surprisingly touching to watch.
Does Bravo hire a psychologist to work on this show? Is one of the Magical Elves, in fact, an organizational therapist with a mean streak? Tonight saw team members coming together as stony-serious Nyesha, smiling for the very first time since the PR photo shoot at the beginning of the season, comforted Beverly through what's becoming a pretty regular crying jag -- only to have to turn against her in the kitchen moments later as they, and Richie, cooked for their lives. Maybe it's just another recipe: 36 hours without sleep, emotional stress, high stakes, add to pressure cooker and slowly steam... Season liberally with salt in the wounds.
Finally, I have a hard time catching everything that happens in a single episode of TC when I'm at home with my DVR, watching in reverent silence. It's really hard to watch a quick-paced, action-packed show like this in a room with your whole family, significant other, assorted high school buddies, and a dog having an inverted sneezing fit (apparently it's a thing). Even harder to watch a chili episode when your dad is shouting his favorite Bridesmaids quote every time someone pours their dish into a new container: "It's coming out of me like lava!" Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.
