did we need the same 5 minutes opening recap as last week?)

EXACTLY. They didn't need to "bring folks up to speed", especially since they are doing an encore of the first two eps on Thursday. If there were new people tuning in, they could just plan to watch then if they thought they had missed stuff. But it's not like people don't understand the concept of the show yet. Even if you didn't watch the first episode, it would have been hard to miss, given all of the publicity.

These producers CLEARLY don't have a problem mocking the girls

What I like so much about this show, as compared to other reality shows, is that it doesn't take itself too seriously. The producers aren't acting like they want to make ground-breaking television. They know exactly what their product is and have embraced the fact that it would most likely be mocked.

(I have to imagine this week's summary writer is going to have a blast with the "material")

Oh, I'm sure my darling Bucky Katt is going to do it justice. I was giggling throughout, thinking of how many good setups were shown.

And I like Alison...

I'll have to admit, I didn't notice her all that much last week, but I was glad he kept her around.

My big problem? I have finally found a reality show contestant that I don't want to bash. I really like Zora...but I don't want her to win because I like her so much. Maybe I bonded with her last episode over blue dresses or something. Reason number two I like this show - the producers try to let you see the good sides of the girls too.

Any guesses as to the butler's three?

Definitely Melissa and Zora, but I can't figure out the third. I agree with you that it's probably not Mojo.

And we got sapphires, while we still had the opening shot of Melissa getting an emerald around her neck, so she's sticking around for at least one more ep after this one.

Me? The Mole? Ya think? Well, I AM Evil.