Wednesday night brought the reality television equivalent of a tree falling in the woods and no one hearing it. Project Runway rolled over and played dead this week, plodding through a predictable, drama-free episode.

Blame the Runway stumble on the network executives if you want—they're the same people behind Shear Genius. The previews following last week's episode essentially spoiled the episode for any reality television viewer with a brain. Jack's teary-eyed announcement to the rest of the designers could only mean that his HIV had flared up and he would be removing himself from the competition, and the designers' shock at a surprise guest arriving could only mean that Chris, eliminated last week for not being skinny, would be returning.

This had been coming all season. Jack announced he was HIV-positive in the premiere. During a scene in the coming attractions, he broke down crying while delivering an announcement with Tim Gunn, and it was apparent that he wouldn't be around for the entire run. Unfortunately, for such a horrifying development in Jack's life, it's severely downplayed on the show. Jack's speech to the rest of the designers could hardly be dramatic when he'd already spoken to all of them on separate occasions and announced he would be leaving. (Never mind the fact that everyone kept giving interviews about how much they missed Chris's spirit and wished he were still there.)

Jack was optimistic in his final interview, though, and there's no reason why he should be, given his present state of affairs—and by that, we mean he's still dating his equal-in-mediocrity, Dale from Top Chef.

The challenge itself was simple, design clothing for women who've recently lost weight (we're talking 100 to 160 pounds on average). It was the standard "design for the everyday woman" challenge that Runway trots out every season. Sadly, the entire horde didn't freak out about designing clothes for real people instead of waifish models, but the usual suspects did, and guaranteed themselves a spot in the bottom three. It was obvious from the get-go that out-of-his-element Steven, with his poor attempts at making quips and one-liners, would get the boot.

Apparently realizing that now is the time to get rid of the dead weight, the judges predictably went after Steven and his French maid-looking frock—thrown together at the last minute with, in his own words, "glue and a prayer." Without much fanfare, Steven was sent home, and like that lonely tree that falls in the forest, no one really cared.