The trick for television on Saturday night was to make a one-horse race more exciting than it really was and TV One and TV3 both pulled that off with their competing coverage.
"I've been told to stop saying 'fascinating'," announced a semi-delirious John Campbell in the heat of it all on TV3's Decision 14, as he juggled commentators, analysts, interviews, comedy spots, sudden segues to excited reporters at party headquarters and often ill-timed speeches by all those party leaders.
One (Kim Dotcom) even apologised. Another (David Cunliffe) appeared oblivious to his own demise. The winner was triumphant, yet classy.
Yes, there was much drama in the predictable, as National cruised like a big grey battleship to victory, smaller craft sunk or were damaged all around them, TV presenters variously honking (leftie Campbell) or smirking (rightie Hosking, on TV One's Vote 2014).
Early on, there was far too much interest in the tragic buffet at United Future's HQ, but as the votes moved from trickle to deluge and the inevitable took monstrous shape, it all got a little gripping.
