Spoilers Ahead for this episode of GBBO.

“It’s just baking.” – Tom, gazing pensively off into the distance at the end of the semifinal

Semifinal! You can really tell, just from the atmosphere, that the season is wrapping up. No fun little intro, just straight into it; and this was probably one of the most emotional, but also funniest, episodes of this show ever. We really got to see some of that camaraderie and friendship that the contestants always seem to have for each other, especially this late in the game. All the cheering for each other and the hugs, the little nicknames, the freaking Polaroid at the end. It’s really sweet. The cynical part of me wonders how much of it is for the cameras. I like to think it’s genuine. What do you think?

Toby said in the opening interview that he’s had a feeling this whole time that the finalists would be Jasmine, Aaron, and Tom – which made him nervous going into today. I was so sad to see his prediction come true; so he was right, when he said last week that he’d only be a one-time star baker. Why is it so sad? Why does it feel like he’s dying?! He’s just going home to his everyday life! My husband pointed out that we watch this show as if it’s Squid Game (which I did not watch, btw – too weird and grim, for me). It’s not like the losers are getting shot. But that’s the fun thing about this show. It’s so low-stakes – no cash prize to speak of, even – but they manage to make the stakes feel very high.

I’m bummed that Toby went home. I was so delighted to see that he included a little nod to Pui Man by using her gingerbread in the showstopper! And, I’ll miss his funny commentary: “Paul’s framboisier… it sounds erotic.”, “Tom’s turned into a chocolatier. Go on, Tom!”, and “LoOK aT ThiS,” as he showed off his melted puddle of mousseline … not to mention his sneakily spraying his showstopper with freeze spray after the “time’s up” call, lmao.

But, this week’s outcome was pretty predictable, I suppose. I had no idea, literally zero clue, who they’d eliminate, it could have been any one of the three dudes; but Jasmine being the winner, again, was no surprise. My husband remarked that he thinks Jasmine traded her hair to the devil in exchange for baking skills. She’s unstoppable! I was really surprised though when she said that “eight weeks ago, I didn’t know what a genoise was.” What? Isn’t genoise one of the most basic, rudimentary things that they make all the time, on this show? How did she go on this show without knowing what genoise was – hadn’t she watched the show before?! (Asking as someone who’s been watching the show for years and still doesn’t know what a genoise is, lol.) In any case, it clearly hasn’t hindered her at all. Any chance she won’t win next week? – no, I didn’t think so either.

But, hey! Aaron’s in the finale! My favorite made it to the finale! Apparently he’s like the best pastry chef out of the four of them; “we can’t all be Aaron,” Tom said bitterly during the signature challenge, “so why try?” He had a bit of a battle in the showstopper – those macarons just did not want to work out for him – but, he managed to make it work, even though the sloth’s face was unfinished (which was kind of a cute look, actually). And, I’d be really interested to try a salted popcorn flavor macaron. And I appreciated that he said he likes making cakes that actually look like cake, rather than all these weird illusion-style challenges. THANK YOU! That’s what I’m always saying! Also, I just love his laughter, it’s adorable. Whoever wins next week, Aaron’s my winner.

I can’t believe next week is the final. It’s over so soon. More than in previous years, I’m looking forward to seeing all the other contestants again, and finding out what they’ve been up to since filming! Do you think there will be banana coladas next week??

“Claggy” count: 0 (running total: 5)

“Concertina” count: 0 (running total: 1)

High point: “It’s not that kind of show, Jasmine.” Or maybe “what’s more impressive is, Iain’s inside that.” Or maybe Alison getting stuck on the fence. Alison and Noel’s banter was on point this week!

Low point: Paul coming down so hard on Tom in the showstopper. What the helly?! That was completely unfair, uncalled-for, and rude. True, it was a macaron challenge, not a chocolate challenge, but it wasn’t as if that chocolate beehive wasn’t completely covered in macaron bumblebees! If he’d skimped on the macarons then sure I could understand this critique, but I totally did not understand; all the macarons were there, and beautiful; the painting was not “lackluster.” Where was this coming from?! You don’t ding a student for handing in a perfect assignment plus extra credit! I seriously wonder if Paul was just mad that it was such a spectacular feat that Tom pulled off. Poor Tom was so crushed. He deserved better.

The dessert that I would most have liked to eat: Probably Toby’s chocolate macaron in the showstopper. Dark chocolate with hazelnut and peanut praline, and both judges raved about how chocolatey and flavorful it was. What would your choice be?