The Block on Channel 9 –It’s a fresh new week and a whole bunch of surprises are served up as the teams start tackling their kids’ bedrooms.
All the teams unite to challenge to makeover the backyard of a Ronald McDonald House, and afterwards head out to enjoy Ash’s birthday.
But the celebrations don’t exactly go to plan…
But first! We have the world’s most awkward moment to address.
During last night’s Room Reveals, warring Houses 5 and 3 managed to tie for first place so tonight we will pop them both off to Scott Cam‘s Camelot house in Gisbourne. And honestly, we declare our loyalty to whatever divine intervention made this happen.
To quickly get everyone up to speed: Kristy and Brett in House 3 think Eliza and Liberty in House 5 are getting preferential treatment. They were salty when the girls beat them during Kitchen Week and Eliza was fed up of hearing the snarky digs.
She called Kristy out, and the two had a heated exchange that ended with Eliza snapping that perhaps House 3 could try being kind to people and they too may be treated nicely by tradesmen.
Everyone has since openly admitted they aren’t mates and have zero interest in ever being mates so a shared meal with Scotty sounds just perfect.
But before we watch them fight to the death/pass the bread rolls at dinner, we have Open for Inspections.
In a surprise twist, this week the contestants challenge many of the judges’ calls. Marty Fox had described Steph and Gian’s bathroom as being like a “quarantine facility” and everyone questions exactly where he quarantined because the spacious, luxe room receives admiration from most of the teams.
Kyle and Leslie’s ensuite also earns praise from their fellow contestants and everyone is impressed by the bathroom delivered by joint winners Eliza and Liberty.
But criticism is reserved for Kristy and Brett’s winning space and in particular, Brett’s painting is slammed.
“I don’t think it’s a winning bathroom to be honest,” admits House 1’s Kyle, noting it looks “cheap”.
Eliza and Liberty agree. They think the bathroom isn’t comparable to theirs and doesn’t deliver the same sort of luxury.
They’re validated when Tom from hipages turns up and awards them a Best on Block award for excellence.
They’re hoping to continue that winning streak. This week, the Blockheads are renovating two kids’ bedrooms and they’re all coming at the challenge in different ways. Kristy and Brett have opted for a colour–in wallpaper in one of their rooms and Leah and Ash immediately think of their own children and decide to craft their dream rooms.
The Block parents are all feeling sentimental and emotional. They’ve been away from their own children for weeks now and building rooms for kids is putting their minds squarely back into ‘parent’ mode.
But Steph and Gian in House 4 don’t have kids. When they last renovated a kid’s room (the House Decider Challenge), they came dead last… and their room was panned for being nothing like a room fit for children. “I have PTSD from that week,” Steph reflects.
This time, they’re determined to get it right. They quiz every person on site who has children, desperate for relevant ideas.
They also get in some expert consultants – the boss’s kids. Max and Charlie have grown up on The Block (literally) and have some very definite opinions about what a kid-friendly room should feature.
Teddies and a desk are necessities, but Charlie adds one inclusion that strikes fear in the heart of Steph. “Kids have to have colour in their room!” she says definitively. “Make it vibrant.”
“You know what we don’t want in the bedroom?” Max adds. “Beige. No beige!”
They would also like a toilet close by. “Kids have to take a dump,” Charlie explains.
(RIP us.)
Next door in House 5, Eliza and Liberty are explaining their plans for a gender neutral bedroom to their builder, who is charging on with the job while they head off to take part in the Hunger Games (aka a night away with Kristy and Brett).
They’re not thrilled at the idea of hanging with the couple. “They don’t care that they’re making everyone uncomfortable,” Eliza notes. “It’s weird, sociopathic kind of stuff.”
But Kristy and Brett think the whole thing is highly amusing. Kristy even notes the two teams “might join alliances”.
This feels extremely optimistic.
The couples pull up to chilly Gisborne and things are as awkward as predicted. Scott looms over the couples like a wise father as he instructs them to shake hands.
Things don’t improve when Scott reveals a stunning vase that the pairs can compete to win. It’s exactly what they needed – more rivalry.
The couples play Jenga to determine the winner and honestly, it’s a big call to have those wooden blocks teetering so close to the precious glass vase. The intense game goes for over an hour and even Scott loses interest.
Finally, the girls win. There is no one for Kristy and Brett to blame. “We didn’t even want the vase,” Brett says instead. “I just like to win.”
And thus begins the most “incredibly awkward and uncomfortable” dinner party in the history of television.
“Maybe this could be cathartic,” suggests Scott. No one leaps to agree.
Small talk is made, food is eaten. And there are literal crickets chirping as Scott finally sees himself off to bed, and suggests the couples have a “good ol’ fashioned chit chat” by the fire.
His hopefulness is admirable.
“We went and got changed into matching pyjamas and sat by the fire. It was bizarre,” Eliza confirms.
But Kristy decides to just get straight into it. “We don’t have a problem with you,” she states. She explains her concerns were expressed through tongue-in-cheek jokes and that she hadn’t meant any offence, and says they are sorry if that’s the case.
The girls aren’t won over by the justification or the apology. “I’m not gonna lie, I’ve been fired up,” says Eliza.
This earns Kristy and Brett’s immediate respect. “If I’d seen this Eliza eight weeks ago, we’d probably be best friends,” says Kristy.
Eliza finds this comment utterly disturbing. “How awful that she’s seeing the worst side of me… and she resonated with it? It’s kind of grim.”
Then Kristy drops a bombshell. She reveals that she and Brett were told Eliza and Liberty were issuing ultimatums that anyone who was friendly with House 3 couldn’t be mates with them as well.
According to Kristy, it was Leah and Ash who had shared this juicy insight.
The girls quickly shut that fresh conspiracy down. “That infuriates me,” says Liberty.
“Leah’s not the person I thought she was,” muses Kristy. “She says and does two different things.”
“Leah wants to clear her name,” Brett adds, but the girls aren’t impressed by he and Kristy “throwing Leah under the bus.” They’re not interested in tit for tat – and while they’re pleased they’ve reached a point they can all now be amicable, it’s clear these Houses will remain civil and nothing more.
It’s a sentiment Kristy and Brett agree with entirely.
An uneasy truce in place, they all head back to site and are awoken early the next day for a new challenge. (Thankfully, no Jenga is involved.)
The teams are tasked with making over a Ronald McDonald House backyard area. Former Blockheads Dylan and Jenny join in, to offer some advice and even up the teams.
And our second most awkward moment of the episode occurs, when Leah and Ash find themselves on the same side as Kristy and Brett. Oh, and Eliza and Liberty too.
This should go well.
“I’m definitely not looking forward to the team aspect of it, but here we are… there’s a bigger picture,” Kristy admits.
And when the Blockheads hear why they’re renovating the Ronald McDonald House, they immediately put their own drama to one side. Madison and Josh are parents of a beautiful baby York, and relied on the house while York was undergoing treatment nearby.
Hearing their heartbreaking story of courage and hope, everyone is in tears… (including us.)
It’s also Ash’s birthday and Leah is determined to make it a special day for him. So once they’ve finished working for the day, Leah organises a dinner and invites everyone. Kristy doesn’t want to attend, but Brett pleads with her to make an exception.
She reluctantly obliges, but blanks Leah and Ash throughout the entire meal. This doesn’t sit well with Leah, who reflects on the moment later with a producer. “If you’re coming to my husband’s birthday, don’t ignore him,” she states.
“I don’t think she even said hello to me,” adds Ash.
It wasn’t just Ash being ignored. “I was non-existent to Kristy,” Leah says.
And once the cake has been cut, Kristy throws a smoke bomb and gets out of these without even offering up a goodbye.
Leah’s shocked their once-close bond has deteriorated to such an extent. “Not even a goodbye,” she says, rolling her eyes. “Rude. Rude.”
But Kristy has zero remorse. “So now I don’t have to talk to that [expletive] ever again, right?” she says to Brett.
Alliances may not have shifted but they’ve definitely shattered. Let’s just hope that challenge perspective remains intact, for everyone’s sake.
The Block on Nine and 9Now – airs at the special time of Monday to Thursday 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
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
