Spoilers For Monday November 26th 2012

[James Robinson]

Into the final throes of the series we head, but who the last 2 spaces for the finals will go to, nobody knows, but we will definitely have some better idea by the end of the week at least.

One person who will definitely watch patiently is Grant Waters, because once our current half-octochamp David Barnard loses, he will be guaranteed his finals places. Although, if David does become an octochamp, then he will guarantee his spot and Grant will have to hope that we don't get an 8th octochamp..............

Just a little note for those who care, the episodes shown last week were recorded over 2 months ago, whereas these ones being shown this week were just done around 2 weeks ago, so there'll probably the "noticeable" changes that are tried to be looked over.........

In DC this week for his 7th stint, is the sports broadcaster and one of the presenting stars of the Olympics, John Inverdale.

Recapping service has been resumed in normality this week, so you can join Graeme for the recap later.

[Jordan F]

Just from observing the numbers board, and not saying I knew this before the board, but couldn't David have subtracted the other 3 from that solution to get to one away?

[James Robinson]

Just from observing the numbers board, and not saying I knew this before the board, but couldn't David have subtracted the other 3 from that solution to get to one away?

Yes, indeed, and that's as good as it gets in that one.

I got 795 a different way: ((((7 + 6) x 9) - 3) x 7) - 3.

[James Robinson]

SEETHING as an "obvious" alternative in round 9.

[szodiac]

Round 6: thought of WIGMAKER*... but it's not there
Not even anywhere near in OED. So what would a wig maker be called in OED?

Round 8: DIMEROUS - the perfect spot, well done David! Stuck on SERFDOM myself!

Mauro

[James Robinson]

PROTIUM as an equaller in round 12.

[Johnny Canuck]

How can WARGAME^ not be a word?! DECKCHAIR is in, WINEGLASS is in, but of course WAR GAME^ has to be two words! (I did have WARAGI for a nice alternate 6, though.)

Just going on a rant, since I played along, tried that word and lost. Truly impressive stuff from David today. (Also, very good job James on getting this recap up so early.)

[Joyce Phillips]

Well done David, but I thought Stella was delightful - what a shame she came up against someone in such cracking form.

[Joyce Phillips]

By the way, James, what changes should we be noticing? Apart from David's hair being a bit longer, that is.

[James Robinson]

By the way, James, what changes should we be noticing? Apart from David's hair being a bit longer, that is.

The usual stuff such as obvious change in studio lighting, lack of tan on Rachel for example, and normally something that is pretty recent is normally crowbarred in to prove how "recent" it is.

Although, the fact that David had improved a great deal from when he recorded in September to when he recorded earlier this month.

[David Barnard]

Well done David, but I thought Stella was delightful - what a shame she came up against someone in such cracking form.

Stella was a lovely lady, incidentally I talked to her on the phone this evening and she was still in good spirits, the problem is she heard in the green room that she was against me and heard what I scored and had a defeatist attitude towards herself.

[Jack Worsley]

Awesome stuff again, David! It was a shame about the last couple of rounds because your performance really deserved a score of 120+. I have to feel sorry for Stell though who seemed like a lovely person, who took it very well.

OMENTA in the last letters round.