'The Great British Baking Show' Collection 9 Finale Recap

After nine weeks of terrible not-funny openings where Noel and Matt have corraled most of their obnoxious boy energy, The Great British Baking Show season finale starts with an emotional pull at the heartstrings. One loss fans have had since the move to BakeOff Bubble land is the inability of film crews to interview the families early on as part of the get-to-know-you packages. Instead, we only meet them here and now, at the end, via iPads, as the three finalists get calls from home and fans get to learn a bit about their home lives.

Crystelle's crew of screamers finally get some face time, Chigs' bewildered but proud family can't believe he made the final any more than the rest of us. But Giuseppe, oh my heart, his family. First of all, did we know his father was a professional baker in Italy for many years? (That's why these video packages are so necessary, Giuseppe might have said it, but until you see the photos, it doesn't register.) Now elderly, his father slowly and hesitatingly records a message from back home in Milan (in Italian, natch), in which he tells Giuseppe he's so proud to watch his son surpass him like this; it's what every parent wants for their child.

With those tears shed, it's time to get on with the baking itself, and the nerves are a significant factor — as is the lack of tea party goers for the finale. As was done last year, the bakers are baking for the crew and the hotel staff, as no one's parents (and none of the eliminated contestants) are allowed in the bubble.

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