'Jon & Kate Plus Eight' recap: Home (and away) on the range

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There was almost too much irony about the fact that Jon, who never really wore the pants in his family, volunteered to wear a dress for his girls' dress-up party, particularly in an episode where he gets about 20% of the screen time. It was almost enjoyable to watch Jon play with his kids again, going so far to be a good sport and actually don a dress, purse, and hat. That was until Jon reminded us that now he's living in New York City, and while he misses his kids, he really, really likes being on his own there. Kate? Consider the pink hat, the heels, and the shoddy Southern accent forgotten!

The little girls, who were particularly funny during their couch interviews, saved the day with their dress-up commentary. A not-so-modest Leah boasted, ''I looked like a rock star!'' But, in her defense, she really sort of did.

The girls' brothers, back on the ranch, were wowed by a cowboy named Clay, fascinated by horse poo (but, what five-year-old boy wouldn't be?), and enamored with escaped goats and kittens. Kate disappeared (as Aaden cried, ''We can do whatever we want, 'cause Mom's gone!) to try her hand at the shooting range where she not so slyly said she was picturing someone while doing it. It's a long shot, but my money's on her imaginary target wearing an Ed Hardy shirt.

Kate also mentioned that it was the first time in five months that she (though she doesn't mention the kids here, oddly enough) had been free of the paparazzi. While it was certainly nice to see Kate let go of a lot of her former idiosyncrasies, when she talks about the paparazzi hounding her, you can't help but think to yourself, ''But, you've still got a camera in your face right at this very moment!''

When she reunited with her boys, they took part in a mountain lion trail (no lions, just a lot of their former prey), rode horses again (this time ending in an egg fight) and attended a rodeo/cookout. While I realize it's petty to pick sides (and many of you have told me how you feel about doing that in these recaps), it was hard not to wave your Team Kate flag when she said, in a most heartfelt manner to her boys, she's ''so honored to be their mother.'' While the episode was one of the more tolerable, light-hearted ones of this season (thanks mostly to those wee Gosselins) it all still feels like its losing steam. It's not as depressing or tense as the season's rocky beginning, but there's still something looming over this show that no amount of rodeos and cute outfits can salvage. Do you feel the same way, TV Watchers? Do you also feel torn? Or do you think Jon and Kate have made a show worthy of your time again?