"Face Off" Recap: "Beyond the Expanse"

Written by John Edward Betancourt

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

I've always loved how special makeup effects help us enhance our imagination in so many ways. They allow nightmares to come to life and at the same time they can envision the impossible or perhaps give us a possible glimpse into the future when they are utilized just right and last night on Face Off, mankind's future was the focus. 

With only six contestants left, a Focus Challenge was put down in front of the remaining artists that tied into Syfy's The Expanse. Where they were asked to show us human evolution hundreds of years after a devastating disaster and well, "Beyond the Expanse" set the stage for the upcoming season finale and I found it to be one of the most polarizing episodes on a personal level when it came to who was left standing at the end of this episode.  

First off with only six people left, the makeups were pretty damn impressive. You're now seeing the cream of the crop and it was so cool to watch these sensational six quickly get their makeups in order...save for Nora, more on her in a moment. I mean heck Scott was completely done with his sculpt when mentor Michael Westmore came back to tell him to change it and make it more human and with some drastic changes he remained safe along with Nora. But there can be only one winner and that turned out to be Evan and his wild snake/human hybrid definitely deserved the win.  

Stevie unfortunately went home for her so so make up of a human being that evolved to be more aquatic, and that's where I found myself once again disagreeing with the judges because joining her in last looks was Ben. Now Ben's creation, well it turned out awful. He used a ton of metallic paint and hair gel to create a volcanic look and was lambasted by the judges for it and stayed and I don't get why. Ben has been one of the most inconsistent contestants here, often times skirting by with an okay makeup and he is still here. If anything Stevie deserved another shot because of her creativity but man...I just don't get how this guy keeps sneaking through, we can talk about his wins but something about his style and work has me concerned about his ability to win this competition.  

In fact it's high time we take a moment and start looking at who may win this because next week, two people go home and three are left standing for the finale and at this point, I'm calling Scott or Evan to be the winner of this competition. I like Jordan's work, but I'm not sure he's able to handle the pressure the same way Scott or Evan can, you already know my thoughts on Ben and Nora has me concerned too. Every single week she has trouble with her sculpt and pulls a new design out of thin air and this close to the end...I'm not sure that will fly, especially with the pressure to come. Either way we find out who is in the final three next week and I can't wait to see who it is. Until then. 

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