"Top Chef" Season 4: Weeks 4, 5 and 6

Yes, I suck. Moving on.

I think all that needs to be said about week 4 was that I loved, loved, LOVED the film-themed elimination challenge but team Mark and Ryan were robbed! They clearly had the best theme. Come on! A Christmas Story and a meal ode to the giant pack of neighborhood dogs that ruined Christmas dinner, forcing the family to eat Peking Duck, head and all! INGENIOUS!

Week 5. Well this was a sassy little episode was it not? People kicking chairs, Dale grabbing his crotch while yelling at Lisa to further emphasize his problem with her bad attitude -- it was anarchy! Let me give it to you straight: Antonia is my home girl and my number 2 choice to win next to Stephanie but she did have immunity in the elimination challenge and should absolutely have taken a back seat and let Spike and Zoi make whatever dish, soup or otherwise, they wanted. However, she did say she would make the soup if they insisted but strongly cautioned against it. So, go ahead Spike, remove your foot from your perfect pallet and roll back the tape. Regardless, unseasoned food is inexcusable. Goodbye Zoi.

And finally, this week I have to say I was disappointed at the decision at the judges' table. True, the more Ryan spoke about his dish the more annoying he became and no, in no way did a poached pear dessert belong at a tailgate party but at least he took a risk. What risk did Nikki take with a store-bought sausage, pepper and onion hoagie? Not to mention she completely bombed her Quickfire. Fried shrimp and coleslaw? I'm sorry -- is this Top Chef, or is she applying to be a line cook at TGI Friday's? Do I think Ryan was going to make it to the finals? No. But he at least deserved one more shot.