Oh, and thanks to Randall for his witty commentary throughout the season and to AV Club for giving us a space to continue our obsessing over this weirdly addictive show.

I felt like I was looking at my own mother and relationship with her. Shades of Joy Luck Club. Definitely left me a bit verklempt.

Oh, Sheldon and his blind spots. I'm reminded of when he admitted he'd never made biscuits and tried to make them by watching what Brooke(?) did.

Anticlimactic is right - it was clearly in the bag for Brooke unless she fell flat on her face AND Shirley knocked the whole meal out of the park, and neither of those things happened.

Co-sign. I think Brooke's not as "likable" as S&S - who are exceptionally lovable - but I don't find her unlikable. She's a bit more reserved and more susceptible to stress or at least not as good as hiding it from the camera, and she's also the hardest on herself, which I can sympathize with.

I have the soundtrack, and whenever that motif kicks in it makes me want to stomp my feet and/or get up and dance. (Not that I can dance, so stomping feet it is.)

I think Rover537's assessment is spot on, though I've personally found Sheldon's dishes the most consistently appealing throughout the season. Husband and I have already agreed that if/when we ever make it to Maui, one of our top priorities is to check out his restaurant.

I've been predicting all season that Brooke was the all-but-preordained winner - although I started to waver in favor of Sheldon from about mid-season on, especially as Brooke faltered a bit and Sheldon started getting more of a winner-ish edit. But I still think the narrative end game the show's going for this…

I find it interesting that Sheldon's often the one in these challenges who has the least familiarity with what seems fairly standard to the other contestants (and probably viewers), e.g., making biscuits, tequila, etc. It hasn't really held him back to any significant degree, I assume because his culinary awesomeness…

Sheldon & Shirley forever!!

The editing to me suggests Sheldon may end up winning, or at least making final 2. And I'm also getting a bit of a "Brooke gets redemption and wins this time!" feel, too.
Casey's aright, but just that. As you say, good - not the best. Good-looking and seems relatively even-keeled. No really distinctive personality…

Strongly disagree on the hats. They are awesome, and both Padma & Gail looked awesome in them. I wish I had occasions to wear fancy hats to.

Agreed on all counts. I hate the sudden death QF at any time, but especially not at this stage.

Agreed on all counts. I hate the sudden death QF at any time, but especially not at this stage.

I was sorry to see Sylva go, but Sheldon & Shirley forever!

"…closing with a tribute to two of the greatest endings in the history of big-screen musicals."

It is VERY Cherbourg-y.

It is VERY Cherbourg-y.

It is VERY Cherbourg-y.

It is VERY Cherbourg-y.