This was the worst Blown Away season. The fact that they decided to do a "Christmas" season, rather than just a simple "Winter" theme, was ridiculous. Out of 5 contestants, three of them don't celebrate Christmas, but were expected to not only produce work that related to Christmas gifts, but to decorate a Christmas tree as well. In the last episode, the challenge is to create a Winter Wonderland installation, with no mention of needing to relate to the holidays, yet Katherine asks Nao whether her installation will "be a nice Holiday theme," to which Nao appropriately reacts in a confused manner.
Moreover, Cat should have never been brought back. These positions should have been reserved for those who previously finished third place or lower, but showed a high degree of skill and potential. If a second chance was going to be given to a previous finalist, it is only fair that both contestants from Season 1 and 2 would be brought back.
Episode 1: Edgar should have been eliminated. Contestants were judged on design, creativity, and technical skill. The judges were disappointed in both his technical execution, stating it as being "rough," and that he forgot to add the string despite having more than enough time to make it. Andi, on the other hand, should not have been eliminated. Her piece was very creative, and she executed it beautifully, with the judges praising her colours and ridges. The only negative remark was that the judges were somehow "confused" about the design concept, even with the supporting back story, which is odd considering it very clearly reads as an abstract depiction of candy.
Episode 2: Alexander should have won this challenge. Contestants were judged on design, technical skill, and realism. His piece aced all three. The judges praised the realism and accuracy of the jar, as well as the beauty of the marbling effects on the fish. Bobby said there was nothing for him to pick apart. Alexander decided not to include the cheese so it wouldn't distract from the fish, and the judges only said they wanted him to include it because they loved the piece so much, that it left them wanting more. The only criticism was that it could have been displayed more centered on the podium. Cat should not have won. While the judges praised Cat's overall realism, they did criticize her grapes as the coloring and opacity were not realistic. Alexander had no criticism on his realism.
Episode 3: Cat should have been eliminated. Contestants were judged on design, concept, technical skill, and overall presentation. Bobby specifically says for the design he wants to see a story, not a bunch of random pretty pieces, and he wants them all to mean something. Cat's Christmas tree topper is the only one that does not relate to the rest of her tree. Her tree references the German tradition of hiding a pickle in the tree, and the sun topper does not relate to that at all. The pickle ornament is the only piece that tells a story. The rest is all just pretty ornaments used as filler. They do not add to the story in any way, unlike Nao and Alexander's pieces in which every single ornament, including the topper, has a meaning and adds to the overall story. Cat receives critism on her choice of colour, as does Nao, as well as her poor display decisions, as does Alexander, but the use of ornaments simply as filler, and lack of connection from the tree topper to the overall story deserves an elimination.
Overall this season was extremely disappointing. The decision to not only bring Cat back onto the show, but to give her a win over Alexander in the second episode, and send Alexander home instead of her in the third episode were horrible and unfair. After watching the entire season, it is very evident that Cat was chosen as a fixed winner. In conclusion, this season was not inclusive to non-Christians, made unjust elimination decisions, and overall appeared to cater to one particular contestant.
Moreover, Cat should have never been brought back. These positions should have been reserved for those who previously finished third place or lower, but showed a high degree of skill and potential. If a second chance was going to be given to a previous finalist, it is only fair that both contestants from Season 1 and 2 would be brought back.
Episode 1: Edgar should have been eliminated. Contestants were judged on design, creativity, and technical skill. The judges were disappointed in both his technical execution, stating it as being "rough," and that he forgot to add the string despite having more than enough time to make it. Andi, on the other hand, should not have been eliminated. Her piece was very creative, and she executed it beautifully, with the judges praising her colours and ridges. The only negative remark was that the judges were somehow "confused" about the design concept, even with the supporting back story, which is odd considering it very clearly reads as an abstract depiction of candy.
Episode 2: Alexander should have won this challenge. Contestants were judged on design, technical skill, and realism. His piece aced all three. The judges praised the realism and accuracy of the jar, as well as the beauty of the marbling effects on the fish. Bobby said there was nothing for him to pick apart. Alexander decided not to include the cheese so it wouldn't distract from the fish, and the judges only said they wanted him to include it because they loved the piece so much, that it left them wanting more. The only criticism was that it could have been displayed more centered on the podium. Cat should not have won. While the judges praised Cat's overall realism, they did criticize her grapes as the coloring and opacity were not realistic. Alexander had no criticism on his realism.
Episode 3: Cat should have been eliminated. Contestants were judged on design, concept, technical skill, and overall presentation. Bobby specifically says for the design he wants to see a story, not a bunch of random pretty pieces, and he wants them all to mean something. Cat's Christmas tree topper is the only one that does not relate to the rest of her tree. Her tree references the German tradition of hiding a pickle in the tree, and the sun topper does not relate to that at all. The pickle ornament is the only piece that tells a story. The rest is all just pretty ornaments used as filler. They do not add to the story in any way, unlike Nao and Alexander's pieces in which every single ornament, including the topper, has a meaning and adds to the overall story. Cat receives critism on her choice of colour, as does Nao, as well as her poor display decisions, as does Alexander, but the use of ornaments simply as filler, and lack of connection from the tree topper to the overall story deserves an elimination.
Overall this season was extremely disappointing. The decision to not only bring Cat back onto the show, but to give her a win over Alexander in the second episode, and send Alexander home instead of her in the third episode were horrible and unfair. After watching the entire season, it is very evident that Cat was chosen as a fixed winner. In conclusion, this season was not inclusive to non-Christians, made unjust elimination decisions, and overall appeared to cater to one particular contestant.