By Iain Harrison

Back in Season 2, I speculated that as both the compound and longbow had been used, competitors in Season 3 could look forward to drawing a recurve and this week’s show proved me correct.

Up until this point in the show, I have been, like most viewers, enjoying Jake’s metamorphosis from loud but respectable ex-SEAL into foulmouthed villain. I’m sure he gave the producers plenty of material to work with, but it was an interesting plot arc nonetheless. He provided the reality show equivalent of the movie bad guy and I half expected him to have a scene where he tied someone to a railroad track. However, this week made me give the guy a little bit of respect as he shoots exceptionally well with a wide variety of different firearms and tools, and he obviously went into the show with his own strategy worked out well in advance.

One can disagree with his execution, (as I do) but if you accept the observation that in American life there are no second acts, the corollary to this is that there is no long game.

It would also appear that Top Shot is the graveyard of elite USPSA shooters. With Chris Tilley done in by a blowgun, Brad Engman meeting his demise with hand thrown clays, Athena with a Thompson and now Cliff Walsh succumbing to the recurve, it once again proves that this competition is all about dodging the firearms you’re weakest with in order to prevail with your chosen specialism. I was sorry to see Cliff Walsh depart, as he’s a great shooter and a good guy.

Next week sees the Sawman's return with another .50 BMG. Being both a fan of the big 50 and having a lot of respect for Craig Sawyer, I’ll be glued to my set.