Ah, hump week on The Block. The halfway point of the competition is always a pressure cooker for the teams, but this week brought additional stress with a public holiday and the conclusion of the spa challenge. As Saturday morning dawned, the Blockheads found themselves racing against time with much still to accomplish.
In House 5, a flooring dilemma unfolded. The team faced a shortage of herringbone floorboards, a predicament shared with House 1. Their choices were limited: install a breaker board, leave the room incomplete, or strategically place furniture to conceal the deficiency. Meanwhile, in House 2, Han and Can’s ambitious curved wall arches led to a series of miscalculations, forcing them to swap their TV for a smaller model and rethink their entertainment unit.
High Stakes and Hiccups
The competition’s intensity was palpable as Robby and Mat, after nine wins, faced mounting frustration from their peers. Alicia and Britt, in a playful attempt to disrupt the boys’ winning streak, concocted a “potion” of white paint, a light-hearted nod to the stress of the competition.
Robby and Mat’s Plan B for their flooring went awry, leaving half of their rumpus room without floorboards. As the clock ticked towards Sunday morning, they left a note for the judges on the bare floor, acknowledging the mishap. The judges, however, were not amused by the excuses.
Judges’ Verdicts: Hits and Misses
Emma and Ben, often the bridesmaids of the competition, presented a bold rumpus room that resonated well with the judges. Darren Palmer’s enthusiastic reaction and Shaynna Blaze’s approval highlighted the room’s success, though some feedback suggested the space could be more child-friendly.
“Emma and Ben are back, baby!” declared Darren, reflecting the judges’ overall positive impression.
Han and Can’s rumpus room, described as an entertainer’s oasis, impressed with its acoustics and layout. Despite a minor critique from Marty Fox regarding the wallpaper, the room was praised for its family-friendly design.
Britt and Taz took a risk with their wellness-themed rumpus, which unfortunately did not pay off. The judges felt the room was too niche, potentially deterring buyers and reducing the home’s value.
Color Drenching and Strategic Missteps
Sonny and Alicia’s decision to color-drench their room was met with excitement from the judges. Darren praised the bold choice, though Marty expressed concern about its longevity in terms of trendiness. Despite minor criticisms, the room was seen as a significant improvement.
Robby and Mat’s strategy to manage their budget rather than aim for a room win backfired. The judges were critical of the bare floor and the overall lack of warmth and emotion in the room, leading to harsh feedback.
“This is the worst room you have delivered,” read Scotty, delivering the judges’ blunt assessment.
Scores and Consequences
The episode concluded with Han and Can securing a narrow victory, thanks to Marty’s unconventional scoring. The final scores were:
- Emma and Ben: 28
- Han and Can: 29.25
- Britt and Taz: 20.5
- Sonny and Alicia: 27.5
- Robby and Mat: 18
Emma and Ben, despite another second-place finish, found solace in winning the budget prize. As the competition heats up, next week’s Kitchen Week promises more drama and challenges.
The Block airs Sunday at 7pm and continues Monday to Wednesday at 7:30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now. Stream every episode ever of The Block for free on 9Now.
