By Iain Harrison

This week’s edition of Top Shot proved once again that a single brilliant performance isn’t enough to ensure a win. Instead, victory goes to the team that makes the fewest mistakes, even if you make a few mistakes of your own in the process.

As far as I’m aware, this was the first time that the process of loading a primitive firearm has been part of the show This, coupled with movement while firing in the elimination challenge, indicates that the producers are becoming more comfortable around guns and the capabilities of the contestants. I hope that in the event of the show is picked up for another season, we’ll get to see some more dynamic scenarios. It was not full-blown USPSA or 3-gun stages perhaps, but progress nonetheless.

During the team challenge, the process of manipulation was as important as making the shot. If the red team would have had Gary coaching them through the loading process, they may well have made as many mistakes as certain blue team members. I have to admit, I barely suppressed a chuckle at the sight of Greg trying to crush the trigger on the flintlock, only to learn that the firearm was at half cock. If there was a special prize for the longest time taken over a single shot in the history of TV, the guy would be a shoo-in.

Were it not for Chee Kwan’s comedic performance on the rope swing, the outcome would have certainly been much closer. Adding to the comedy was Dylan’s comments during the interview about Greg’s shooting; I was surprised by the double entendre. During the elimination challenge, I kept waiting for one or both shooters to adopt the strategy of advancing a few paces, then posting up and shooting the targets as they appeared through the port. On closer examination though, it appeared that whoever designed the prop installed a couple of bars to keep the shooter off balance and continuously advancing. That was a cunning move.

After the results were announced, Iggy discovered what so many of us in the world of competitive shooting have learned over the years. Sometimes re-shoots go in your favor, but most times, they bite you. Kudos goes to Tim, who used the first run as a learning experience and found his rhythm for the second go round.

I commented last season that in order to combat the midterm blahs, the producers should roll out the big guns. Next week shows the biggest gun yet on the show, which will need both teams to be fully functional in terms of communication and synergy. Let’s see who can keep it together.