Face Off – Double elimination time

For weeks now, I’ve been squawking about the shoddy craftsmanship Jerry has been exhibiting during the competitions on Face Off. (Here’s an example. And his alien from last night’s show, above, is pretty pathetic looking; more a dippy dime store mask than a detailed piece of artistry.) It looks like if finally caught up with him. It’s about time his foibles got him the exit stage left he’s deserved. Additionally, Tara’s been a mess of nerves and exhibited little confidence (with but a spot or two of truly shining moments), so I’m not surprised she was let go as well.

We’re used to a foundation challenge to start things off (they’ve kind of become tedious in a way, haven’t they?) but that segment has been nixed this week to leave room for the huge task of creating alien interpretations based on judge Patrick Tatopoulos‘ designs. And as we witnessed during the show, the challenge was just as difficult for some as any that have come before it.

It’s where Tara really flubbed: She couldn’t get the chompers set well on her model and ended up ripping them out, leaving a gaping “hole” in her creation. Before that, she was having mold trouble. You could practically see her give up the ghost when the arms for her character fell apart. RJ and Ian have difficulties during molding as well, but both of them utilized their creativity to work around the problem … and to successful effect. Ian’s impromptu fix even garnered the coveted “best of” of the competition.

Right now, I’m hedging my bets on Beki being in the running with her abilities even though some of them have been lackluster at times, regardless of the fact she doesn’t play well with others. But when she shines, she really does shine. Rayce has really got things going on too, coming up with some pretty creative stuff challenge in and challenge out. He might be the underdog to beat.

Notes:

• Did I mention I was happy about Jerry getting the heave ho? From the very first episode, he was a full-blown swagger of confidence. He just couldn’t live up to it, instead relying on excuses instead of talent. He’s got the talent, but he really didn’t use it practically to the best of his abilities.
• If I see Sue whine and cry and make another of her contorted, screwed up faces one more time, I’m going to start throwing things at the television set.
• From the “Slightly Annoying Department”: McKenzie Westmore’s continued introduction of the judges prior to the judging of each competition. I’m pretty certain we get the idea who Glenn, Ve and Patrick are at this point.
• It was fun to see LeVar Burton as a guest judge on the show.

Clacked by Michael Noble
on Feb 23, 2012 @ 10:30 EST5EDT