Attacks and counter-attacks. Love for one former president, loathing for current one. A 76-year-old front-runner essentially got called old, and he turned around and called ar rival a “socialist.” But will it change fundamentals of a minating fight that remains remarkably stable at top with five months until voting begins? Here’s a look at some takeaways and potential answers:

STATUS QUO PREVAILED

third Democratic debate seemed to end in a 10-way tie. Former Vice President Joe Biden was sure-footed (until end), at least for him and compared with previous two debates. re were more attacks on President Donald Trump than on each or. one dominated.

Biden took on most fire, but parried it and, as front-runner, benefits most from a -decision. Sen. Bernie Sanders faced sharp criticism about his universal health care plan from several candidates, but his base has demonstrated its loyalty. Sen. Elizabeth Warren was more in background than in prior debates but didn’t dam herself, and closed with a compelling personal story. Sens. Kamala Harris and Cory Booker were both crisp but got lost on crowded st at times.

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Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke and Sen. Amy Klobuchar helped form a sensibility caucus, offering pragmatism and civic-mindedness. Andrew Yang, a tech entrepreneur, spoke eloquently about immigration and assured himself a mention with his proposal to give 10 families $1,000 a month, from his campaign. rmally mild-mannered Julian Castro, a former Housing secretary, decided that attacking Biden, often in personal terms, was one way to get ticed.

FIGHT THAT DIDN’T BREAK OUT

first matchup between Biden and Warren h so much anticipation — and so little fireworks. re were a few criticisms of Warren on health care, though she t directly answer wher her plan would raise taxes on middle class.

At one point, during a discussion on tre, Biden even said he agreed with Warren’s call to bring labor to table. Certainly, he-to-he confrontation will come if Biden continues as front-runner and Warren maintains her momentum as perhaps most likely progressive alternative. But perhaps two campaigns were right after all when y said privately before debate that September — five months before Iowa caucuses — isn’t necessarily time for a titanic fight at top of field.

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BERNIE BATTERED ON HEALTH CARE

Sanders took heavy fire on his single-payer health insurance proposal, with Biden and ors hammering Vermont senator for cost and political palatability of effectively eliminating existing private insurance market.

former vice president went hardest at Sanders when senator argued that his estimated $30 trillion costs over a dece is cheaper than “status quo,” which he put at $50 trillion — with most of money being what Americans spend privately on premiums, co-pays, and out-of-pocket costs. Sanders’ argument is that most U.S. households would pay less overall under his system, even if ir taxes go up.

Biden roared that Sanders would effectively be handing Americans a pay cut, arguing employers who w pay a share of workers’ premiums would pocket that money inste of giving workers raises if government were to cover all health care costs. Biden punctuated point with one of quotes of night: “For a socialist, you’ve got a lot more confidence in corporate America than I do.”

Buttigieg piled on Sanders, too. Buttigieg said he “trusts American people to make right decision” between private insurance and a public option. “Why don’t you?” he asked Sanders.

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OF AND EXPERIENCE

At center of debate, st were three candidates in ir 70s who have h a collective helock on upper tier for months. Of seven younger contenders, Castro, 44, was most explicit in arguing it was time for a new generation — and he specifically targeted front-runner, 76-year-old Biden.

“Our problems didn’t start with Donald Trump,” Castro said in his opening statement. “We won’t solve m by embracing old ideas.”

Castro also seemed to allude to speculation about Biden’s mental acuity during an exchange about health care. When Biden denied that his health plan required people to buy into Medicare, Castro exclaimed, “Are you forgetting what you said 2 minutes ago?” He continued to suggest Biden didn’t remember what he’d just said about his own plan.

Later, during a discussion about deportations under Obama ministration, Castro mocked Biden for clinging to former President Barack Obama but n saying he was only vice president when Obama’s conduct was questioned. “He wants to take credit for Obama’s work but t answer any questions,” Castro said.

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MONEY FOR THING

Yang is an urthodox candidate, and he came to debate with an offer to match his persona: a proposal to use his campaign funds to pay 10 randomly-selected families $1,000 a month.

Yang anunced maneuver in his opening statement. It’s intended to illustrate center of his quixotic campaign, to provide monthly $1,000 payments to all Americans 18 and over. After lamenting how country is in thrall to “ almighty dollar,” Yang, 44, urged viewers to go to his campaign website and register for contest to win money. His offer drew cheers from audience and chortles from some of or candidates onst. “It’s original, I’ll give you that,” Buttigieg said.