Monday's episode of Challenge was intense.
Semi-final? Check. Cambridge derby? Check. Paxman's tone alternating between disappointed geography teacher and hemorrhoidal drill-sergeant? Check.
But on top of all that, this episode had an extra adrenaline-inducing factor: it brought together two of this series' most charismatic contestants - Eric Monkman and Bobby Seagull.
Eric Monkman - man, myth, possible Bond villain. And Bobby Seagull, probably the most dapper and elaborately named contestant since cameras began rolling back in the old days.
As many on Twitter pointed out, it couldn't help but be a landmark episode.
Things started well for Seagull's Emmanuel College. Literature, art history? Simple. Twenty quick points. But Wolfson countered with a flurry of buzzes and bonuses. Suddenly Seagull was trailing 35-20.
And it continued this way for most of the contest. As the scores climbed, so did the volume of Monkman's otherwise pitch-perfect answers.
Korean geography, Latin terms in printing, the difference in spelling between Senegal's Dakar and Bangladesh's Dhaka. Both teams tussled for dominance over 25 minutes of feverish quizzing.
And then, like that, it was over. The gong went, the audience finally exhaled, and Paxman consulted the scoreboard. Monkman and his Wolfson team had taken it, 170-140.
Many lamented the departure of Seagull, but had to admit Monkman deserved the place in next week's final.
And even after the thank-yous, the genteel clapping and the wan waves goodbye, a beautiful epilogue began circulating online that proves even the most heated trivia battles are no bar to a true friendship.
Missed all the excitement? Want to give it another watch? It's all there on iPlayer.
