OK, time for me to talk about Only Connect properly at last.
How has its first series on BBC2 gone thus far? I think well. I discussed the move to BBC2 with a friend prior to this series, and they were sceptical, claiming it worked well on BBC4, and gave you a reason to watch that channel too. However, it has settled in nicely in its new home, and it also means no more risk of missing the start from University Challenge overrunning.
Anyway, the series began with sixteen teams (two of them returning teams from Series 2 and another two thirds of a third), and, over twenty weeks, they were whittled down to eight via the usual win-two-go-through/lose-two-go-home system. It probably works better for Only Connect than it does for the UC QFs, as it means all teams get at least two outings, and there are no teams that will exit beforehand and miss out as a result.
The eight teams that reached the QFs were, in order of qualification:
History Boys: Rob Hannah, Gareth Kingston, Craig Element
Gallifreyans: John Dorney, Giles Sparrow, Stuart Wildig
Orienteers: Paul Beecher, Sean Blanchflower, Simon Spiro
Nørdiphiles: Will Day, Joanna Murray, James Keeling
Chessmen: Henry Pertinez, Stephen Pearson, Nick Mills
Linguists: Virginia Fassnidge, Tom Fassnidge, Gail la Carbonara
Gamesmasters: Filip Drnovšek Zorko, Frederic Heath-Renn, James Robson
QI Elves: Anne Miller, James Harkin, Andrew Hunter Murray
The first four came through the group phase undefeated, the second four lost a match en route and came through the play-offs. Anyway, onto the matches:
History Boys vs Linguists
A good close match this. The History Boys took the lead early on, and their opponents, while coming close, were never quite able to overturn the deficit. In the end, though, the History Boys only just emerged on top, 19-18.
Orienteers vs Gamesmasters
This was a rematch from the qualification stage of the group phase, where the Orienteers emerged on top. This match was much closer, with our friend Filip and co leading early on, before the Orienteers overtook them in the second round, and never looked back. There was also a minor controversy when VCM disallowed a slightly too specific answer early on, which mercifully had no impact on the final score; the Orienteers won 22-18.
Nørdiphiles vs QI Elves
Another very even match here. The Elves were probably the underdogs going into this, but they took a strong lead from the off, leading 6-1 after the first round. The Nørdiphiles closed the gap slightly in the second round, but just weren't able to quite overtake their opponents. The QI Elves, much to their surprise, won by 23-21.
Chessmen vs Gallifreyans
Again, this was a very close match. The Chessmen led comfortably after the first round, before the Gallifreyans closed the gap in the second, and then took the lead after the Walls after the Chessmen dropped a connection. Again, it all came down to the final round, and after much toing and froing, the Chessmen emerged on top 25-22.
A very fine set of matches. Unlucky those who lost, but you all played a great part in a very good series of quizzing. Well done to the four semi-finalists though; I look forward to the final matches of the series.
The first semi-final will be in two weeks' time, as the series is pausing on Monday for the usual Comic Relief special. I'll post a summary of the two semis and a full review of the final once I have got round to watching those matches. I hope.
I'll be back on Monday with my usual UC write-up.
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