This week on Netflix’s The Great British Baking Show, the tent was filled with tears as the four semifinalists vied to impress judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith one final time before the eagerly anticipated finale. “Patisserie Week” is notorious for its emotional intensity, as bakers strive to secure their spot in the final showdown while flawlessly executing intricate French delicacies. This season, however, the tears were a mix of frustration, disappointment, and the melancholy of parting, making it one of the most poignant semi-finals in the show’s history.

**Spoiler Alert for The Great British Baking Show “Patisserie Week,” now available for streaming on Netflix**

As the semi-finals approached, it seemed a safe bet that 23-year-old medical student Jasmine Mitchell would glide into the finals. Her consistent performance throughout the season, showcasing “neat as a pin” bakes with classic flavors, had endeared her to both Paul and Prue. The real question was which of the three remaining male contestants—Tom Arden, Toby Littlewood, and Aaron Mountford-Myles—would join her.

All three had previously earned the title of Star Baker, yet each had also faced the threat of elimination at various points in the competition. This week proved no different. Tom and Toby faltered in the Signature Challenge, while Toby and Aaron struggled with the Technical Challenge. However, Toby redeemed himself with an impressive Showstopper, whereas Tom and Aaron fell short. During the judges’ deliberations, it became clear that Jasmine was the standout, earning her a record-setting fifth Star Baker title and a spot in the finals. But the looming question remained: who would be sent packing?

Following the Showstopper Challenge, it seemed inevitable that Tom would be in jeopardy. Throughout the episode, Paul Hollywood had been particularly critical of Tom. At one point, Paul even asked to see Tom’s fingernails, quipping, “Because you’ve been hanging on by them for a while.” This unexpected critique left Tom—and likely viewers—stunned. The tension peaked during the Showstopper Challenge when Paul openly criticized Tom for presenting a massive chocolate beehive instead of focusing on macarons. “I can’t accept that,” Paul declared. In his confessional, a tearful Tom admitted feeling “chopped down like a tree” by the harsh feedback.

Silly me assumed that Toby’s impressive Showstopper had given him the final edge, but in the end, the 29-year-old from Warwickshire got the boot. While he emotionally teared up reflecting on how the people he met on the show meant more to him than any Hollywood handshake or Star Baker honor ever could, both Jasmine and Tom cried over how much they were going to miss him.

“It just sucks that Toby is gone,” Jasmine said. “It’s sad that I don’t get to do the final with him.”

“Toby said this really sweet and sad thing in there which is like, you just never think it’s going to end,” Tom said.

To put a pin on how tenderly the remaining bakers all felt about each other, the show let us see the final polaroid the ground took together. Alison Hammond took the photo, which shows Noel Fielding standing arm in arm with Tom, Toby, Aaron, and Jasmine.

The Great British Baking Show also left us with an explanation for why Paul and Prue chose Toby to get the axe. Although his Showstopper was great, what became Toby’s literal “downfall” was his disastrous Technical bake. Even during his final confessional, he laughed that he couldn’t live down a melted créme mousseline. Paul confirmed that as soon as he and Prue remembered the sight of Toby’s melted framboisier, his fate was sealed.

There’s only one more episode left in the 2025 season of The Great British Baking Show. While it appears to be Jasmine’s cake stand to lose, she doesn’t have history on her side. Although she’s now tied with Richard Burr for the most Star Baker honors in a single season — a whopping five — Burr eventually lost his season of the show.

Nevertheless, what this week’s edition of The Great British Baking Show may have reminded us is that it’s not necessarily about who wins or loses in the tent. It’s about the friendships made and the days lightened by love and laughter.