'The Great British Baking Show' Collection 9, Episode 2 Recap "Biscuit Week"

It's Biscuit Week in the tent, and c'mon now, let's be honest. I don't care how American you are. You're calling it Biscuit Week because "Cookie Week" just doesn't have the same ring to it.

But before we dig into the dough, let's discuss the dirty secret of The Great British Baking Show. Like all reality competition series, this is not a program that survives solely due to its catchy theme or pleasant vibes. It's a show that's only as good as its contestants. Now, a very good contestant can run a show for years. (American Idol ran 15 seasons on Fox and revived for five more on ABC on the one-two punch of Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.) GBBO likewise managed to survive hopping networks and massive casting turnover at the top on the visages of Nancy Birtwhistle and Nadiya Hussain.

But since the move to Channel 4, casting has been uneven, and the competition hasn't been so fierce. Other than the threesome of Rahul, Kim-Joy, and Ruby in Series 9 (Collection 6), there haven't been a lot of faces or bakes that grabbed viewers. Peter's win last year was historical two ways (youngest, first Scots winner), but otherwise, the bubbled competition barely sparked.

But this season? The game is on, despite movies in the practice tent. Between Freya, Jürgen, Crystelle, and Giuseppe, these first two weeks have been absolute bangers, and that's in spite of Noel's Bridgerton-esque sideburns and pandemic ponytail. Welcome back, GBBO. Brandy snap, anyone?

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