Well, within the first five minutes this episode is shaping up to be a bit of a shocker. While hanging out with his roommates, Bert determines that he needs to play nice with everyone so that he doesn't have to make apologies for being an old crank. I'm so proud of Bert! At this rate, he may go back to being one of my favorites. Meanwhile, Becky and Laura try to make nice now that Becky has moved into her suite. Hey, if Bert can place nice, they can, too.
Heidi informs the designers that they will be collaborating on an art project with students from the Harlem School of the Arts. Each designer will use the painting he or she creates with one of the students to inspire an avant-garde design. This seems all kinds of complicated, but I am looking forward to seeing some of the designers deal with children.
Right off the bat, Viktor does not disappoint. He looks at the camera and sneers, "Working with children. How cute is that?" Of course, his distaste for small people seems instantly petty the minute Anya chirps about how her parents run a foundation to help children, so she's instantly thrilled about this challenge. Way to take the fun out of it with all that sincerity and goodness, Anya!
Of course, Viktor is assigned to Sky, a very happy, very chatty, very bubbly 12-year-old. I see cheesy '80s sitcom potential! Viktor felt it would have been easier to deal with Sky if he'd had a drink. I'm guessing, though, that they'll warm up to each other, as that's how it usually works in Disney movies.
Meanwhile, most of the other designers seem to looooove their kids. Bert gets along famously with 16-year-old Antonio. Laura thinks her kid Kai is a little Dalai Lama in disguise.
After the designers and kids dabble with their paints, it's time to sketch and hit Mood. Mood is tougher than usual, because it's an avant-garde challenge, and, as Laura informs us, avant-garde requires lots of material.
Josh C. realizes he has $300 to spend and has only spent $170 dollars of it. Well, go back and buy more stuff, Josh C.! It's not that hard!
We learn that Josh M. lost his mom to ovarian cancer. She was his rock and his inspiration. I suspect this will be worked into his outfit somehow, or the producers are just trying to make us sad.
Bert talks about losing his husband to AIDS and how that sent him into some very dark places, including alcoholism. He video chats with his sister and her family and gets to see his dog. This is becoming a Very Special Episode of "Project Runway."
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Read the full recap at HitFix.com.
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