"Face Off" Recap: "Frightful Fiction"

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM...YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK...

One of the best parts of Syfy's Face Off that I don't think gets mentioned enough is the fact that in many ways, this show actually takes the time to prepare their contestants for a career in the special effects makeup business. They do that with the consistent team challenges since a lot of effects companies work in teams to get the job done. 

It makes this show special period, but, if it wasn't for the contestants special talent and keen eye of special effects on their own, they wouldn't be here. Heck, even Tom Savini, one of the greatest effects artists of all time designed his finest makeups on his own, and the individual was the focus of last night's episode "Frightful Fiction".

This episode kicked off with some big time business. Coming off of the celebration of the 100th Episode, there was still an elimination for last week's episode and the judges quickly said goodbye to Missy for her erratic paint job. It was another tear filled goodbye (honestly, is there another reality show that tugs at the feels during elimination like this one?) before this week's task was laid out for the remaining contestants, one that was extra special. It turns out there would be no Foundation Challenge this week, or Spotlight Challenge, it was time instead for the brand new Focus Challenge. This was a challenge that entailed detailed work on the face and only the face, designed to get a good idea of sculpting and painting ability and to go with this new wrinkle to the show, the contestants were expected to create their makeups with a mashup of classic literature characters...thrown into the horror genre. 

Needless to say, we had some impressive results last night. Stevie put together an amazing lizard makeup, and Kevon unveiled perhaps the creepiest Merlin that you have ever seen.  But the winner of last night was Scott whose Frankenstein/Man of La Mancha creation was absolutely amazing. As the judges, joined by guest judge Lois Burwell, said; it was a subtle but effective makeup and that's as spot on as it gets. It was filled to the brim with details and definitely wowed when it finally premiered on stage, so well done to Scott.

However, there was to be another elimination tonight and the bottom looks were spot on. Jason's work while impressive in its paint and design just didn't fit the challenge. Meg completely lost track of time and her concept and it's disheartening to see her in the bottom looks once again considering some of the amazing stuff she put together two weeks ago. But the person that went home last night was Brittany, whose hybrid burn/old age makeup simply didn't make the grade. Either way, this was a fun episode, I really enjoyed this new challenge, and it was a reminder that I wish this show was two hours long because one hour is simply not enough. Until next time. 

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