The Block on Channel 9 – There’s nothing not to love about Kitchen Week on The Block.
That is… unless you’re on the receiving end of a secret gnome, and you’ve just missed out on winning the room reveal by half a point (minus the bonus point), and you really wanted that win.
Hold onto your spatulas, this episode is coming in red hot and sizzling.
The great news: The kitchens are a–ma–zing.
The tricky news: There’s a head-to-head showdown that steals all the attention away from those marvellous bench tops, stunning storage and incredible cabinetry… and who knew that was possible?
But before we get to that, we catch up with the Blockheads as the hectic week draws to a close.
Brett and Kristy have a crisp, white kitchen that allows their show–stopping bench top to shine. It’s a dramatic piece and they’re confident the judges will love it.
But what they won’t love is a lack of bar stools. Kristy has left it until the last minute to find a suitable option and as the minutes tick down until room reveal, she’s officially on the scramble.
(Spoiler alert: She scores some eventually and the stools turn up with actual minutes to spare. We’ve never seen someone use an Allen key so swiftly.)
Over in House 5, things are just as tense. The sisters’ relationship with their builder is more fractious than ever. After a pep talk from Scott Cam, and meeting with a brand new team, Eliza and Liberty have just one more important thing to do – actually fire their current builders.
That’s proving challenging. “I’m so uncomfortable,” Eliza groans.
They ask their builders if they can “have a chat” which is code for “we’re breaking up” in every language.
“Things are really bad,” Eliza opens, so we’re all instantly on the same page as to where this conversation is going.
Except, we’re not.
Liberty says they’ve run out of money. Eliza explains they’re going with a company that will use apprentices, in order to save some cash.
Helpfully, the builders explain finishing the project together is their priority, rather than the money. The girls falter and it’s officially the most awkward conversation on The Block this season.
They eventually add that the pace, communication and need for support are also issues that have led to these irreconcilable differences.
“Let’s see if there is an alternative,” the builders suggest.
The inevitable has merely been delayed.
Scotty drops by and helpfully asks the girls how they went with the breakup. (Not good, Scott.)
So, Scotty decides now is the perfect time for a budget intervention. It’s really turning out to be a tough day to be Eliza and Liberty.
Scott tells the two to toughen up and let their builders go. “Get in there and fix this,” he says firmly.
Dire money woes addressed, deep breaths taken, the two head back to site, determined. And this time, the boys realise Eliza and Liberty aren’t asking for a break, they want a divorce.
The boys are gracious as they remind the girls that despite everything, it’s he sisters who are ultimately the ones responsible for creating a beautiful kitchen.
Their kindness sees Eliza break down in tears.
“I want them to be successful,” Mark, the builder says, as he bids The Block farewell. “They’re happy, that’s all that matters.”
We can only hope they have finished building for the week because there’s a kitchen to be delivered!
And before Eliza’s tears have dried, it’s time for judging and the nerves are palpable.
House 1: Kyle and Leslie
House 1 kick things off. They’ve splashed $33,740 cash on their curve–alicious kitchen and are crossing everything they’ll finally get some positive feedback.
“I’m never ready for the judging comments,” Leslie admits but the feedback starts brilliantly. The judges love the curves and the skylights. “There’s a lovely sort of retro vibe going on in here,” Neale Whitaker admires.
They’re also impressed with the storage and the layout of the essential elements. However, it is the inclusion of a butler’s pantry that sees the pair come unstuck. The judges query if it was necessary at all and are stunned that Kyle and Leslie have elected to add a butler’s pantry in lieu of a door connecting the kitchen to the backyard.
“The floorplan is their kryptonite,” Shaynna Blaze admits. “It brings them undone each week.”
Their laundry lands them a great deal of praise, as does Leslie’s styling. “There’s a lot to like,” shares Neale.
House 2: Leah and Ash
The smallest kitchen on The Block nearly broke the usually resilient Leah. “I had a really tough time designing this kitchen,” she admits. At least her budget was on track, with the pair spending $22,084 cash.
The judges adore the custom island bench, with its beautiful tiles and gorgeous marble top. “Besotted,” Darren Palmer enthuses. They are concerned however, about its size and query the addition of the sink.
Leah and Ash had actually wanted to ditch their butler’s pantry, due to not having the space to spare. Given the judge feedback on House 1’s pantry, we sense the decision to include it anyway might just come back to haunt Leah and Ash.
It does.
“I reckon this was a big mistake,” says Shaynna immediately, when the judges enter the pantry and observe the size it has stolen from the kitchen.
The judges are not impressed with how the couple have used both the kitchen and laundry space they had allocated this week, and Shaynna feels the team has made poor layout choices overall.
Welp.
House 3: Kristy and Brett
Kristy and Brett splashed $29,878 cash on their kitchen, despite speculating they would spend a lot more.
It was money well spent. “Ba BOOM!” Darren says upon entering. He can’t help but actually embrace the bench top, he adores it so much. “I want to meld with it,” he swoons.
The judges also love the white cabinetry and the delicious way the white has been picked up from the stunning stone on the bench. They admire the restraint the pair have shown in hero’ing the bench and they adore the fancy wine fridges.
But they save their biggest delight for the rise and fall splashback. “That is really cool,” says Neale.
They don’t believe Kristy has nailed the scale of the dining chairs, and those last minute stools are panned for being the wrong choice altogether. The judges also don’t love the functionality of the laundry space.
Those flaws are considered minor however, because the judges believe “this is a huge success.”
House 4: Steph and Gian
The Japandi kitchen Steph and Gian created this week set them back $25,304 cash. They are very excited for the judges to see the kitchen integrated with their flipped living and dining spaces and wait eagerly for the feedback. The judges agree it is a “bigger, better” space because of their call. They also love the laundry.
Steph and Gian’s Kitchen and Laundry
“This is divine.”
Aesthetically, the pair are heaped with praise. But functionally, they cop some heavy criticism. The judges don’t love where the cooktop is, or the extraction fan. They feel the butler’s pantry is delivering all the functionality that the kitchen needs and query why that is.
Neale says the kitchen feels like it was designed by someone who doesn’t cook and Steph is quick to protest that’s not entirely true.
“Beautifully dysfunctional,” is how Neale sums up the space and it’s not what Steph and Gian want to hear. Regardless, Steph vows to focus on the positives.
House 5: Eliza and Liberty
The final week with their builders saw Eliza and Liberty spend $23,669 in cash on their impactful kitchen.
The judges absolutely adore the whopping island bench. They love that it doesn’t pull double duty, and is simply a large and welcoming spot to gather.
They also admire the fact the girls have delivered a functional space and everything you need is exactly where you want it. The three feel the kitchen is the perfect amalgamation of everything they looked for throughout this week’s judging.
In the laundry, the girls get great feedback for their practical space and divine linen cupboard. “Go girls!” Shaynna beams.
The verdict is revealed…
The scores start dropping. Leslie quickly realises she won’t be in a position to use her Gnome and Steph and Gian are devastated to see low scores come through for their space.
But Eliza and Liberty can see it’s a two–horse race between them and Kristy and Brett and that means one thing: the secret Gnome is about to become a not–so–secret Gnome.
“Um, Scotty?” says Eliza falteringly. “Are people allowed to use Gnomes?”
If it was up to Kristy and Brett, it’s a hard no.
But sadly, it is not up to House 3, who is absolutely flabbergasted when the girls pull out the secret Gnome they scored at the breakdancing challenge, several weeks earlier.
Many expletives are uttered.
Scott tells the girls they can explain all about the Gnome later and yes, that will go well.
Kyle and Leslie at least, are very impressed by this twist.
Kristy and Brett are not.
“Oh God,” winces Eliza.
SOMEBODY PASS THE POPCORN IMMEDIATELY.
Before we skip ahead to the very tense showdown that kicks off as a result of this secret gnome, let’s recap the scores.
House 1: Kyle and Leslie – 25
House 2: Leah and Ash – 23.5
House 3: Kristy and Brett – 28.5
House 4: Steph and Gian – 22
House 5: Eliza and Liberty – 30 (including 1 bonus point)
“We were all tied up,” Brett protests.
Only, they weren’t. Because Shaynna drops a 10 for the girls, which meant even if they didn’t play the gnome, they would have won.
“We won off our own merit,” Eliza rejoices.
That’s important to remember for what happens next.
“They get handed everything,” Kristy gripes to Brett.
“It’s a twenty grand week for you,” Scotty notes, given the girls get an extra 10k for scoring a 10.
“Isn’t every week?” Kristy mutters.
She and Brett quickly leave judging, and request their ‘Make The Block Great Again’ Donald-trump style hat is brought her way.
We can only assume she and Brett had the MBGA hats made up to further support their conspiracy theories and we can confirm these shall not now or ever be available for purchase in The Block Shop.
Kristy claims she’s delighted the pair won and got a 10. Not a single human alive believes her.
Backstage, everyone is reeling from the revelation of a secret Gnome.
“We’ve all got secrets obviously, don’t we?” says Leah, incredulously. “They look guilty,” she says of the girls.
“There was a lot of rage coming from House 3,” Eliza and Liberty note privately.
To the group, they explain how the secret gnome works. “No conspiracy theories,” they stress.
And then everything explodes.
Sensing Kristy’s frustration, Eliza asks her why she believes they’re getting special treatment. She wants Kristy to actually explain what she has been discussing all week long.
“Focus on your win,” Brett says, but Eliza snaps that the moment has already been spoiled and points out he and Kristy haven’t shared a word of congratulations.
Kristy and Brett try to explain they have been busy talking to the producers but Eliza is fed up. She pulls no punches as she asks Kristy exactly what she’s so salty about.
Finally, the truth is spilled. Kristy admits she feels the girls get special treatment.
Eliza retorts that they are possibly treated nicely because they actually treat others with respect but Kristy scoffs.
“Good thing it’s all on camera,” Eliza notes.
Things get very heated.
“It was a lot of pent-up emotion, hearing the sly comments week on week,” admits Gian, who watches as Kristy and Eliza go head–to–head.
“I thought it was cool,” Ash says drily. He adds he appreciates when people fully express themselves when they’re annoyed.
Afterwards, Houses 2 and 3 leave together. Leah is reeling from the showdown, stunned at how hurt the girls are. “I felt deeply uncomfortable,” she says.
The sisters are also feeling awful. “Leah, Ash, Brett and Kristy talk disgustingly to people,” Eliza says, as she and Liberty drive home in shock.
But Kristy is miffed. She can’t understand why no one backed her up, including her best mate Leah. Leah tries to protest that she did but Kristy is not having it.
“I’m with you by association!” yelps Leah in protest.
“You don’t have to be,” Kristy fires back… and let’s just say, this week will see that comment play out in a very big way.
“Not here to make friends,” Kristy says firmly.
And we can confidently say she has not made any in House 5.
The Block on Nine and 9Now airs Sunday at 7.00pm and Monday to Wednesday at 7.30pm. 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
The Block on Channel 9
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 – on Channel 9 and 9Now
Media Release – Nine
TV Central Nine content HERE
