Somewhere it must make sense that, for an episode that lasted an inexplicable 75 minutes, the Top Chef challenges were reruns. Colicchio pops up early for the Quickfire -- relay race, two teams of four, repurposed from seasons past. Sides are drawn, and Spike, Dale, Lisa and Nikki compete against Richard, Stephanie, Andrew and Antonia in a whirlwind battle of knives: Supreming oranges, turning and cleaning artichokes, cleaning and filleting monkfish and making a quart of the dreaded mayonnaise. Although Lisa supremes a mean orange, Stephanie clinches a win for her team with her measured pour, her strong arm, and her well-whisked mayo. This makes Dale very, very, very angry.

While immunity is now a thing of the past, the winners do get an advantage in the next challenge. Forget restaurant wars -- this is wedding wars, with fourteen straight hours and five grand to cook for 125 guests each, with the Quickfire-winning team choosing for whom they cater -- bride or groom. Richard's balls select the bride, a meat and potatoes kind of gal. Nikki hits it off with the groom and his Italian tastes, but decides not to translate her lifetime of expertise into leadership.

During the difficult all-nighter, Dale over-extends himself, presumably hoping that the hardest worker on the losing team won't get sent home. Richard's micromanagement annoys Andrew. These poor people -- not only did they have the Quickfire, shopping, and the all-night cooking, they have to serve as well. It's all terribly exhausting, and I'm only watching. The judges proclaim the bride's side better and Richard's bossiness the winner (even though Stephanie took the proverbial cake -- it looked better but tasted worse than Lisa's homely groom's cake). Richard does a good turn by sharing the glory (and his Crate and Barrel gift certificate) with Stephanie. Spike and Dale goad each other into a pout-off at the judges' table, but it's Nikki who goes home for hanging around much longer than she should have.