I think the universe is trying to tell me something. Just when I had lost my faith in Leah’s ability to fail, she finally gets the ax. And to really add a special zest, she goes home the same week that Stefan screws up.
In the end, the judges had a choice between two travesties: (1) send home the most talented chef, who anyone can see stands head and shoulders above the remaining competitors, or (2) send home the chef who didn’t overcook her fish. Overcooking (aka “disrespecting”) a protein is a Top Chef cardinal sin, which ordinarily trumps any lapse of technique or seasoning. Not without reason: I’m sure I would take watery egg and a thin Hollandaise over medium-to-well-done salmon any day (but don’t go by me, I never order eggs Benedict). In this case, I can’t help but think the judges took past performance into account in sending home the weaker chef.
It’s also possible that Leah’s eggs were worse than they were portrayed in the broadcast. Something like this seems to have occurred with Jeff’s elimination over Fabio in the Super Bowl episode. It seemed as if Fabio’s overcooked venison was an open-and-shut eliminator. But the secondary sources say that Jeff’s ceviche dish was just really, really bad. I can certainly imagine Stefan’s spinach being tastier than any single thing on Leah’s plate (but again, don’t go by me, not an eggs Benedict guy).
You will. Respect. Your. Proteins.
Predictions: I’m going with Hosea or Fabio (or, if it’s a double elimination, Hosea and Fabio). Neither one has a chance in hell of winning. After a rough patch there around Restaurant Wars, Carla is firing on all pistons. I think she might have a shot at this thing.
Peas!!!
Procrastiblog 
I enjoy Fabio, his accent has grown on me. Double elimination it might be according to the preview.
Leah had to go, she was really looking dour the last episode or two… almost like she gave up.
As for BG… holy smackdown of information… not as fun as I thought it would be to get all that info… At least I was partially right…
could Starbuck be some sort of relation to Daniel?
Comment by Zo — February 16, 2009 @ 4:03 pm
I’m thinking yes, Starbuck is some relation to Daniel (probably his daughter). But it’s also possible that the Earth resurrection technology can download an ordinary human (and Viper) that just happens by.
Daniel is also the name of the main character in Caprica—the inventor of the Cylons (or so it is supposed).
Comment by Chris — February 16, 2009 @ 6:52 pm