Catching Up on Hell's Kitchen

The new season of Hell's Kitchen started a couple weeks ago and I let the episodes build up on the DVR which is odd as I tend to be fascinated by the show. I'm halfway through the two-hour premiere (what would normally be the end of the first episode) and some thoughts are bumping through my head.

- I'm always pleased to see that things change a little between the seasons. The introduction of the new chefs to the kitchen by video messages from past chefs was a nice piece of continuity and a good laugh. The intro of Chef Ramsey was appropriately creepy in comparison.

- Signature dishes were a challenge this year. Interesting. This is a way for Chef Ramsey to get a feel for the chefs but for the viewers as well. A few chefs got rushed over and I didn't like that for that very reason; they can't stick out in my mind as well.

- Liked Chef Ramsey's curious tone as he tasted Van's dish. He seemed to be saying 'I never thought of that; what a good idea.'

- Heather, Season Two's winner, is back as the Red Team's Sous Chef. Nice. Am forced to wonder why though. Vacation? Just for fun? Her restaurant go under?

- Really expected the guys partying to cost them on the first service, and it did, but not as much as I expected. Not sure if this means that they're the stronger team in general or not.

- Maybe not as we get a Blue Team Chef kicked out before the end of service. Good thing last season's Robert was around to fill his place...

- Opening night's service is generally horrible. This year is no different. The Blue Team gets some orders filled. I don't believe the Red Team gets any food out at all. Very bad.

- Melinda gets sent home. She was a pretty lady but seemed a bit too... ladylike for this show. She did also seem lost and that's what cost her.

- Switcheroo already as Robert gets sent to the Red Team. Having been through most of a Season already may give him an advantage, a big advantage, and I'm not just saying that because he's a big boy.

- Teaser for the next episode makes it look full of fighting, throwing fists fighting maybe. We'll see.

- Chefs that impressed me (for what little that's worth): Red Team: Tennille Blue Team: Van, Jim, Dave. After one episode it's difficult to see who the 'sleepers' are, the people with talent that don't make a big splash one way or the other, but they're often great chefs that have a good chance at winning.

More as I watch Episode 2.