Oh, Dale!

Dale, you bonehead!
What did you do?
I still have mad Dale-love for you, but nominating yourself as executive chef on that team was nothing less than suicidal!
Let's face it, Lisa stinks. Her bitch-face gets worse and worse every week.

(aside: On the other hand, however, her array of excuses for why her failures aren't her fault are becoming funnier and funnier every week. She made two horrible dishes because you (Dale) were a terrible leader? Ha! I think not, Lisa! You made terrible dishes because you're not really as great as you think you are.)

So, Dale, it would have been the much craftier option to allow Lisa to take the reins and if her bitch-face ruined everything, then she would have been more likely to go home than you.
Finally, Spike's "craftiness" and "scheming" paid off when he managed to distance himself from you two by taking front of the house.

Really, Spike lucked out on that one. His decor sucked (according to the judges, not being there I couldn't really tell over the telly) and more importantly, he didn't cook anything.
He mentioned that a couple of the recipes were his, but it didn't seem as though he was actually responsible for any of the food.

Any other year, he would have been called out for that.

Stephanie was also front of the house and she managed to put together a linguine and clams dish as well as a weird savory dessert, that I will be taking their word on as good.

So, no big surprise I think Spike kind of sucked.
Can I tell you a secret though?
Only if you promise to never bring it up again!
Spike kind of looked handsome in his suit without all his douchebaggy hats.
Okay, there you go, I admitted it.
I feel dirty.
Let's move on.

Antonia, although I am still not a fan, is one smart cookie. She kicked butt in the short order kitchen and as a result got to pick her own crew. Why wouldn't she pick Stephanie and Richard?
Stephanie is consistently at the top (a few misfires on her part, but she's recovered well).
Richard is consistently at the top (a few misfires on his part, but he's recovered well).
Both seem fairly laid back to work with.
Richard even got along with Dale for pity sake!
Dale's the only one from the other team that should have even been considered and I would have rejected him too as he has been difficult to work with in the past (sorry, Dale).

I'm disappointed Dale went home. He really went home over one bad decision rather than because he isn't a good enough chef to be Top Chef. Dale is much more talented than both Spike and Lisa and I would have rather seen him butt heads with Stephanie, Richard and Antonia in the finale than either of those two.

Also, did anyone else notice them all holding hands in the preview for next week?
Ha ha ha!
That's ridiculous.

I'll be bummed if Stephanie, Richard or Antonia does something stupid next week (a la Dale) and allows both Spike and Lisa into the final four. (Boo, just to the idea!)