Trump and Clinton stay calm as ugly US presidential race nears finish
Donald Trump was more sober in his demeanour when he arguably needed a life-saving bounce, writes Sky's Cordelia Lynch.
Thursday 20 October 2016 12:41, UK
The stage was set for a bloody showdown.
The expectation was that this would be an insult fest, more bad-tempered exchanges, with little talk of policy.
But this time, it at least started with a departure from the norm - a vigorous clash on abortion and gun control.
Donald Trump looked more restrained, more serious.
The candidates resisted stalking around the stage, instead sticking to their lecterns and focusing the audience more on their ideas, not their manner.
The Republican nominee reiterated his stance on immigration reform - concentrating on a border wall, victims of crimes committed by people in the US illegally and the pledge that he would deport the "bad hombres".
Twitter quickly responded with a #badhombres hashtag.
It was a new phrase, but a familiar rhetoric, and we heard precious more detail from either candidate on exactly what they'd do.
The relatively cordial back and forth was soon eviscerated by Mrs Clinton's attempt to turn a question about WikiLeaks into an attack on Mr Trump's relationship with Russia and Vladimir Putin.
He called her a liar. She responded in kind by calling him a puppet.
Many Republican grandees are deeply concerned by his refusal to condemn the prospect of Russia intervening in the American race.
This was the first time he faced questions about the allegations of sexual assault against him.
He needs women to vote for him to get to the White House, but he didn't take a fresh approach, continuing to deny the allegations and blaming the Clinton campaign for producing his accusers.
But when he asserted that "nobody has more respect for women that I do", the otherwise pretty disciplined audience broke out into laughter.
Perhaps anticipating the reaction, Trump's campaign team was quick with a response, sending out a press release entitled: "Donald J Trump's History of Empowering Women".
One the whole, the billionaire businessman was more sober and serious in his demeanour at a time when he arguably needed a life-saving bounce.
But it was his refusal to commit to accepting a result that will dominate the news cycle for days to come.
By questioning his faith in a pillar of American democracy, he left politicians on both sides reeling.
Many of his most fervent followers share his doubt, but their rejection of the outcome before the votes have been counted has raised the possibility of voter intimidation and violence.
It is the ultimate break with convention from a candidate who's built his whole campaign on challenging the status quo.
After a brutal race, the next chapter could prove even more divisive.