So first off, big thanks to S3's Casey for completely destroying Carla's chances at the win. GOD. And she was doing so well before that third course...

I know that's technically not fair. Casey didn't make Carla do anything. (And to explain: each of the finalists was given a runner-up from previous seasons to use as a sous chef. Carla got Miami's Casey; Stefan got L.A.'s Marcel; Hosea got Chicago's Richard.) Carla just didn't believe in herself enough to actually cook her food in the finale, and instead bowed to Casey's suggestions not once, but twice, and both calls undoubtedly took her out of the running. It's so frustrating, because you would think that Carla would have learned by now that when she compromises on her vision, she almost always fumbles. When she cooks her food her way she does amazing.

I'm just flabbergasted that someone in the finale of "Top Chef" would a) try a cooking preparation she's never even attempted before (f'ing sous vide - aren't we over that yet?) and b) trust the suggestions of someone who bombed in the final just two seasons ago. What a sad, if predictable, conclusion to Carla's arc. Man, she broke my heart when she cried at Judges Table. I hope it's a consolation to her that the viewers overwhelmingly voted her as the winner, and I'll be shocked if she doesn't take Fan Favorite at next week's reunion (although Fabio could be a contender).

As for the actual winner, I don't mind Hosea as much as I thought I would. Going into the episode I was pretty bored by him, and I'd actually come to agree with Stefan's assessment of his lack of cajones. But if you look at the meals they prepared, he really did seem to have a better night. I agree with whatever judge thought it was BS that Hosea didn't bother making a dessert because he knew he sucked at them, but you could make an argument that a sub-par dessert is what cost Stefan the game. (Which is kind of surprising, since Stefan has churned out some real crowd-pleasing desserts during the competition.) I think Hosea is probably our least deserving winner since Ilan, but he's certainly a more appealing human being, so at least he's got that going for him.

You could tell it wasn't going well for Stefan when he got saddled with alligator for the "surprise" appetizer course (and that's some bullshit; just let them cook their best fucking meal, show). Then Hosea "stole" all the caviar and foie gras. And then Stefan got saddled with poor, depressed Marcel (who looked terrible, and seems to have lost his soul in the intervening years since being on the show).

Stefan was undoubtedly one of the strongest competitors this show has ever had, and it must totally chap his bald head that he lost to Hosea, who was strictly middle of the pack almost all the way through. But aspiring Top Chefs, take note: a bad dessert is apparently worse than no dessert at all.