Episode Report Card Monty Ashley: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT All About Scallops!
By Monty Ashley | Season 5 | Episode 2 | Aired on 02.05.2009
Chef Ramsay calls Robert "big boy", which I think is usually a term of affection with him. But he has bad news for Robert: the helicopters' insurance policy won't allow anyone over 300 pounds, and Robert is 400. Robert is understandably disappointed, and Chef Ramsay emphasizes that he'll still go to the island with the rest of the team; he'll just have to use the ferry. Well, that's not so bad. I like Robert so far, and I'm wondering how Chef Ramsay (who says in his book that the one thing he really can't stand is a fat chef) will treat him. So far: not that bad.
The women put on their chef clothes and prepare to head downstairs to get a-shuckin'. Except for Lacey, who is under the covers blowing her nose. Someone (I can't quite tell who, because there are still a lot of people on this show) orders Lacey to come down with them and help, but Lacey "doesn't feel good". Oh, [bleep] you, lady.
Sous chef Gloria tells them to save the shells and asks what happened to Lacey. The answer, which is harsh but probably accurate, is "We're a stronger team without her, chef." Carol interviews her disappointment with Lacey the Quitter. The men helicopter over while Robert takes the ferry with a somewhat sour look on his face. The men go into a submarine or something. Three hours into the shucking punishment, Lacey is still in bed (and still blowing her nose, unless they used the same shot three times). The women are squeezing lemons and Andrea manages to make lemonade by suggesting that at least Lacey will be well-rested. Did you see what I did there? With the lemons and the lemonade line? That was awesome. Seriously. You wouldn't believe how proud I am of that bit. If this were a reality show, I'd be interviewing about how great I am right now. I might even refer to myself in the third person. Just this once.
In the submarine-thing, Seth is showing off by how much research he's done on Gordon Ramsay. We learn that tomorrow is Gordon's birthday (which means this was shot on November 7) and that Seth knows where Gordon was born and the name of his last book. Gordon seems shocked that Seth knows his children's names, so I guess he doesn't know how often BBC America is running The F Word. Actually, the Internet says this was shot back in 2007, which might have been before BBC America fell in love with Gordon Ramsay. Everyone else finds the depths of Seth's knowledge a little creepy. Back at the restaurant, Lacey is ready to work, only six hours in. She slinks in, muttering "Sorry I'm late". You might think this begs for mockery, and the rest of the women's team agrees with you. LA gleefully asks her how her nap was. Robert gets off the ferry and is greeted by everyone. Gordon tells him that everyone else had a great time and now he has to turn around and take the ferry back home. Robert interviews, "Well, what the hell did I win? A free [bleep] ferry ride? [Bleep]." [Bleep] indeed. Gordon seems kind of gleeful about the whole thing, so I think he likes Robert.