The Block on Channel 9 – In terms of Block updates, we’d say Episode 10 is one of the most explosive to date.
Two teams are served up a shocking surprise under their houses and others are still stinging following the absolutely brutal feedback for their studio bedrooms.
Meanwhile, Leah and Liberty are struggling to get back on track as the Blockheads begin building their ‘work from home’ spaces.
Let’s keep those positive vibes flowing, shall we?
“I’m feeling like I have no will to live,” says Leah.
The harsh judge feedback for her styling isn’t sitting well. She’s even more shattered when husband Ash reminds her they came last.
She’s not alone in feeling shaken up. House 5’s Liberty is absolutely rattled after hearing Marty Fox say he thought her styling was so bad, he would have preferred to see the space empty.
Thankfully, sister Eliza is on hand to crack some jokes and the pair guffaw as they reflect on the fact they’d believed their space to be so good that at one point, they’d considered styling as a new career for Liberty.
“How embarrassing,” laughs Liberty.
There’s no better way to soothe rattled nerves that taking an up-close peek at what the neighbours dished up. It’s off to Open for Inspections and this should go well because almost everyone is feeling salty.
Steph and Gian, however, couldn’t be happier. They cleaned up at judging, nabbing $50,000 worth of goodies, including a Hermes bag. Steph decides it would be appropriate to trot it about while checking out the neighbourhood.
But first, everyone’s keen to check out their winning room and miraculously, the feedback is mostly positive.
Kyle and Leslie, who came second, also earn praise for their enormous bedroom–slash–Pilates studio.
The girls copped the harshest criticism from the judges, but their fellow Blockheads can’t see the major issue. Leah is less worried about what they’ve done, and more concerned with the fact she came last. “What have we done that was so, so bad?” she ponders.
Well, for their part, Steph and Gian think their materials and layout are a bit challenging, but Steph admits she needs to see it in context of the house to really make a call.
In equal last position was House 3’s Kristy and Brett. No one can understand why. “I love it,” says Leah. “Dead last is so not deserving for this.”
Afterwards, Steph and Gian take another strut with the bag and Steph offers up some handy advice for her fellow Blockheads… whether they want it or not.
She’s trying to be constructive and wants to apply her architectural insights to help people. “Maybe they don’t want the advice,” she muses. “But I’m just happy to give it.”
Given the very muted responses… we’re going to take a wild punt she could be right.
Leah’s wanting less advice and more sympathy as she breaks down with crew and contestants, explaining the feedback was really getting to her. “Our confidence has just been absolutely bashed,” she says, questioning the direction she’s taken so far.
Even the usually tough foreman Keith gives her a consoling cuddle and reminds her there’s still a long way to go.
The fresh start begins with a new room. This week, it’s the work from home space and for all the teams minus Steph and Gian, it’s the very first time they’ve taken on construction in the existing dwellings. Their studio spaces had all been brand new areas, outside the homes.
Steph and Gian had a baptism of fire tackling the unpredictability of an old house and know precisely how much demo is required, so despite it being a public holiday, they get stuck straight in.
They’re also keen to make a dent in the workload before they head off on their winner’s getaway. They zip off to a vineyard in the Yarra to relax and have dinner with host Scott Cam.
Steph uses it as an opportunity to drill Scotty for insights, confirming her kitchen week plans. “I want you to challenge us,” she confirms, as Scott does just that.
Back at site, the other teams have no idea what’s in store when it comes to the demo, so are a bit slow off the mark. The girls make a big call. Given their studio was a (much-maligned) work from home space, they’ve decided to turn this week’s zone into a guest bedroom.
They may be on track planning wise… but two teams are about to get shockingly derailed. Ripping up their existing flooring, House 3 and 2 discover their stumps are made of treated pine – something that’s now completely frowned upon.
First to make the devastating discovery is Brett in House 3. Keith confirms it’s the first time he’s seen what lays beneath and he’s flabbergasted.
As the foreman heads off to confirm the official plan of attack, Brett quickly realises the magnitude of the issue.
The stumps are right through his house, which means every single day one of his renovation will mean re–stumping. That means building from the ground up – before they even get started on a room. “We’ve lost a day every week,” his builder says sadly.
“You just don’t know what’s going to be in the existing house,” laments Kristy.
While they continue sweating, Steph and Gian are buzzing.
They’re back from the Yarra to greet their third building team in as many weeks. They’re absolutely thrilled to kick off the space and their recent run of good luck seems set to continue when they get a nibble on the spa they have up for sale. Apparently, someone has offered $15,000 for it.
But in a highly relatable moment, their online offer vanishes… and now the pair are left with a spa they urgently need to move, to make way for their incoming pool.
It may be a problem… but it’s nothing compared to what’s about to go down in House 3. Keith is back to confirm the bad news. They will definitely need to re–stump their home. Keith details exactly what needs to happen. “Quite intense,” he says, seriously.
House 2 are about to cop the same bad news. Keith doesn’t falter as he explains the situation to Ash.
The experienced renovator takes it on the chin, but Leah’s more exasperated than ever.
House 5 is also rapidly continuing to melt. Liberty’s confidence levels are spiralling to new depths. “I just question everything now,” she says. Her sister’s inexperience is also showing as she quizzes foreman Dan as to the difference between a nail and a screw.
Liberty heads off to shop solo and is soon overwhelmed. She calls her sister, who helpfully reminds her they aren’t doing heart surgery.
In search of a more sympathetic ear, Liberty dials her mum. She immediately begins crying as she outlines her worries.
Like all defensive mother lionesses, her mum fiercely rallies. “I just think it’s disgusting of that a–ehole real estate guy to say what he did to you,” she says.
Yikes.
“Couldn’t get much worse than today,” Liberty admits.
Well, it could. She could be over at Houses 2 and 3, frantically digging holes to pour concrete in, so they can actually start building their rooms. On a Tuesday night. With just a few days left to finish the whole thing.
“Our room is an actual pile of dirt,” confirms Leah.
And as the sneak peek at tomorrow night reveals… things are about to get even more challenging.
The Block airs Sunday 7.00pm and continues Monday to Wednesday at 7.30pm on Nine and 9Now. Catch up on all the latest episodes on 9Now.
This recap has been used with permission from Channel 9
Special thanks to Lulu Wilkinson at Nine.
Link to 9Now HERE
Link to Lulu’s full recap including with extra video content and info HERE
About The Block
Get ready, Australia. The Block, the number one renovation reality program, returns for an incredible 19th season on Sunday, August 6, at 7.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Set in the family-friendly Melbourne suburb of Hampton East, the new series features five houses designed and built in the 1950s and located on the aptly named Charming Street. These grand old dames are now aged in their 70s and way overdue for a contemporary update.
For the first time in Block history, host Scott Cam will be providing contestants with the full renovation schedule ahead of time this season. So get your cameras out, Blockheads, it’s photo time.
Adding to the year of Block firsts and amping up the stakes at play during the 48-hour House Decider Challenge, contestants will be seeing all finished designs of the houses on Day 1. Who will prevail and get the house of their choice?
Not only will they get the schedule and designs up front, but in another first, they’ll receive their entire budgets as well.
However, the Blockheads will soon find out that it’s not all smooth sailing when renovating an original 1950s home – structural issues, extreme weather events, and a mountain of demolition will test our five keen couples every step of the way.
Plus, The Block’s state-versus-state rivalry will be amplified by the sheer closeness of the houses this year. Who knew being able to peak into your neighbours builds would cause such tension?
The couples in contention are: sisters Eliza and Liberty Paschke (personal assistant, 37, and integration producer, 34, VIC); parents Kyle and Leslie Cottone (firefighter, 36, and teaching aide, 34, WA); parents Leah and Ash Milton (first aid officer, 31, and builder, 36, QLD); married couple Kristy and Brett Beames (project manager, 34, and safety officer, 34, SA); and newlyweds Steph and Gian Ottavio (architect, 27, and start up worker, 27, NSW).
Real estate expert Marty Fox isn’t the only new addition to the lineup this season. The formidable foremen Keith Schleiger and Dan Reilly will be joined on site with the fan favourite from last year, Tom Calleja.
The nation fell in love with Tom and his wife Sarah-Jane because of their work ethic and relatable marital bickering, and he jumped at the chance to work with Scotty and come back as this year’s official Block plumber.
The designs of the amazing homes in this series again come from The Block’s resident architect, Julian Brenchley.
At stake is $100,000 for the overall winner of The Block, on top of any profit the five couples can all make on the critical auction day. Plus bragging rights for the winners’ state.
Since premiering on Channel 9 in 2003, Australia’s richest reality program has awarded a total of $32,592,807.65 in prizemoney.
The Block – Monday 21 August, 2023 at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now
Media Release – Nine
TV Central Nine content HERE
