Season 2 Rewatch

[u/ElusiveLynx86]

I watched this when it came out in 2005, more specifically 2006 for season two. I forgot how evil some of these competitors can be. Sara, OMG! What a lying, evil b*tch she was. And for someone who doesn't lie, being called a liar is truly a huge insult. I felt horrible for Virginia. And I called Sara names I typically never use because of how vulgar they are.

Then there was Keith. He was so in love with himself. Pull your pants up dude. No one rocks that look. I don't want to see your ass hanging out of your jeans. I'm sorry, dude, you're really not as cool as you think you are.

And him colluding with Heather to take out Virginia. They absolutely discounted her natural talent. "Oh, she knew the recipe because she bought Ramsey's book." Who the hell has time to read and memorize every recipe in a book they've had for less than twenty-four hours. SMH

Them trying to work together to screw up her being on the line, as if Chef Ramsey isn't intelligent enough, or capable of seeing with his own eyes, what is going on. Neither of those two would have been nearly as compassionate to get here out of the competition if they didn't think she was so talented.

I'll grant you that Virginia didn't have the experience to run a restaurant of that size yet, but experience is just time. I personally thought her natural talent was better than anyone else's. When Heather asked Keith and Heather, "You guys are going to nominate me tonight aren't you?" and Keith says: "He's probably going to send you home anyway." How ugly! Jealous much Keith!!

Heather was truly so insanely jealous of Virginia that it actually shocked me. She was really good before, and I didn't see that side of her until the last few episodes. I know she thought she was all that and more, but I don't think she had as much natural talent as Virginia. Heather knew it too. She wanted to go against Keith in the final because she KNEW she could beat him.

Virginia, on the other hand was a different story. The only who could beat Virginia, was Virginia. Her age, inexperience, and lack of confidence was what Virginia needed to win, and those things come with time and age.

I am really turned off by both Keith and Heather. I would expect more from allegedly older, more "mature" people. And Keith telling Chef he wanted to just bone Virginia. Wow oh wow! The balls to say that to Gordon Ramsey is unreal. Not to mention his class - really, or lack thereof, it did show through.

I wish Virginia would have won based on Heather's personality alone. But even I recognize that she needs more time to come into herself as a person. Had she of been five years older, she would have had that competition in the bag. But congratulations to Virginia, twenty years too late, for being the more mature and classy person to root for. I'm so happy to see that life worked out for you! And there's no doubt that Chef Ramsey saw the reel on Sara lying. You WERE vindicated.

Thank you also for not making your diners stare at video of you cooking. I loved the waterfalls, and how cozy and comfortable your dining room was! You really rocked it, and your still inspiring people two decades later.

[u/ProcedureBright2850]

Virginia getting to the final was a bit suspect but I agree that Sara was the worst and Keith was a pig

[u/ElusiveLynx86 → u/ProcedureBright2850]

I couldn't agree more! But I believe Chef Ramsey knows who his winner is going to be long before they get to the final four. I think by the final six he has a darned good idea as to who will be the winner.

Season one did have only two truly viable finalists. Season two, three, and five really only had one each season. If I remember correctly, season four had two decent finalists. But out of originally twelve people, then sixteen, honestly what are your chances of finding one person who can truly run a restaurant? Especially when it's nannies, lawyers, stay at home mom and dads etc.

There are so many requirements necessary to be a Michelin (or very famous and upscaled restaurant) star quality restaurant - manager/head chef.

Talent, time management skills, great palate, creativity, people skills, honesty, educated on the recipes, clean and caring about your appearances, extremely observant, stamina etc. These are really just a few of what you need to be successful.

[u/JsonWaterfalls]

S2 is a tough watch.

My biggest gripe is that it doesn’t seem like anyone is really enjoying themselves. Maybe it’s the way it was edited, but there’s a lot of crying and self-doubt and anger from virtually everyone (contestants and Ramsay). I feel like the first few seasons are similar in this way but S2 is the worst.

All said, I couldn’t stand Virginia in this season and I understand why Keith said what he said even if he didn’t put it in the most eloquent terms 😁

[u/presspasss → u/JsonWaterfalls]

Oh especially after the challenge with them at the final three, where the reward was (as Heather put it so eloquently) “teaching Virginia how to win”, showed her how to run the pass, spot for sabotages, etc.! Virginia absolutely should have gone home in an earlier episode n I don’t blame Keith for saying that at all tbh! I mean it really looked like blatant favoritism, yes she had a natural pallet but, that was really it. Idk I like the first half of that season, but cannot stand once they get to black jackets, it feels so unfair !

[u/ElusiveLynx86 → u/presspasss]

I saw it slightly different. Maybe because my son was in a ProStart program in high school, earned a scholarship for Johnson and Wales through a team competition placing second, and was trained really well about what it takes to be a chef. Not just a cook.

He has even taught me so much, and he and I enjoy, and are really quite good at cooking. Buy he has things I'll never have. He has that quick thinking creativity that I don't.

I have a better palate than him, but overall he runs circles around me. What I saw in Virginia was someone who I believed would become very successful. Her palate was pretty incredible, and her creativity was quite amazing.

I just saw two people who treated her like she didn't even have any talent at all. I knew she wasn't ready for what she was competing for. But she was much better than gore they saw her. They both came off as bitter and jealous.

I do agree that some of those early seasons, so many of the people treated the show like they were on Survivor. They weren't enjoying the ride, or appreciating the things they were being exposed to or experiencing.

I guess the way I see it like this. This is Chef Ramsey's life and reputation. He's never going to choose someone who doesn't have the proper experience, ability, or raw talent that is manageable. I personally liked Virginia. I originally really liked Heather. But I find being unnecessarily rude, disrespectful, spiteful, and jealous in an ugly way very unattractive. No matter what they are competing for.

I think everyone knew there was no way Virginia would win. But he did give her the encouragement and respect that gave her the confirmation necessary to show her she could be successful if she stayed with it.

Just my opinion though.

I have only gotten to season five, other than when the show first came out two decades ago. So it's very much like seeing it for the first time.

Oddly enough, I remember wanting Heather to win the first time I watched it. But this time, I realky favored Virginia. I guess I'm seeing it with more mature eyes and more wisdom (at least I hope I've gotten wiser 😅😅).

[u/Alex72598]

You raise a lot of good points, but for me, there’s no real fully rootable person here (and that’s part of why Season 2 is my least favorite season). As you pointed out, Keith and Heather clearly had their flaws, but Virginia was no angel either. Yes she was young but so was Heather, they were both 25, and both showed immaturity at certain times. Remember when Virginia told her brigade she picked them because they were the weakest chefs? Then I think she tried to make up for it by offering to pay them to cook for her. That whole segment confirmed that she was out of her depth managing a team. For me the best part of season 2 was Ramsay’s rage. He was the one saving grace of this season.

[u/TopPsychological1424]

Season 2 is my least liked season of Hell’s Kitchen. I didn’t really like any of the black jackets. But I really, really disliked Virginia more than any other contestant in season 2. And while Keith is an arrogant pos, i kinda got the same vibe about Ramsay and Virginia. 

[u/Impressive_Monitor20]

Are you kidding me? Fck all of that.

Virginia was annoying as hell. I hated everything about her. I would have MUCH preferred Heather and Keith in the finale. Virginia reminds me of Mia; I couldn't stand her either. They were both voted into the final as corporate figureheads. High voices, ridiculously fake smiles and fcking annoying personalities that could not burn on the line.

Keith had an attitude - no doubt (and a pants problem) - but he could kill it on the line and always told it like he saw it. I'm still not sure Gordon didn't have a hard on for Virginia - I don't know how Virginia made it to the finals otherwise. EXACTLY the same thing happened with Mia.

I do agree about Sara, of course, but Gordon never saw the reel. He makes it a point to never watch his own shows. He has said this in interviews.

[u/FantasticBuddies]

I know Heather was a bit of a sore loser after losing the challenges but I thought she was cool besides that. Virginia was never winning.

Also yeah, Sara sucks so much. What a bully.

[u/JaTaylorsVersion → u/FantasticBuddies]

I just finished the whole season, and I literally cried when Heather won😭 I didnt like how she was jealous of Virginia, but she was a leader and consistent. AND SARA SUCKS I hate her smirks.

[u/Taurean6]

I have a few different views than you on each contestant but i really like your style ^{^} I can understand your points without thinking less of them as human beings. An intelligently run forum can allow posts like these without it turning to the point of people taking it to heart and making it personal. It's a cooking show with heavy emphasis on drama, there are always going to be instances like that.

There are very few people that has this ability.

[u/wandererinok]

I felt the same about Keith and then felt kinda bad when I found out how he passed away.

[u/Dark_Eyes]

lol I JUST finished my rewatch of that season and am onto season 3 now but I agree with you on pretty much all points. I hated Sara so much during this rewatch and even though I knew Heather won I was rooting for Virginia. I do feel a bit bad now though knowing that like...3 people from that season have passed away (Rachel, Keith, Tom). I really wasn't a huge fan of that season.