First of all, I called it. This week's surprise was not dog models. :( It was family members. The reunions were meant to inspire the contestants' original textile designs which in turn would weave a tale about their own identity and the narratives of their lives and yadda yadda, let's just make these poor put-upon people even more stressed and emotional, shall we? Well, it worked, and very few people came through this one triumphantly, although there was a winner, and there was a loser, and I feel like one thing has been made p r e t t y clear as to what's going to ultimately happen here, but let's get into that behind the break. And first, heeerrrrrre's Gretchen:

Okay: elephant in the room. Mondo's going to win the show. He took home his third consecutive challenge win last night, and with very good reason. His look was totally him, and well executed. Even without the momentous on-air confession that his positive-sign pattern related to the fact that he is HIV positive, he deserved to win it, and I'm sure he would have. He's definitely the horse I'm betting on, and besides that, he's utterly lovable.

As an aside, how awesome was the soap-opera style editing right before the commercial break when Nina was asking Mondo what his story was? dun-dun-DUN. As for Gretchen, I thought her print was really cool:

But the top she made with it was... not good, although at least guest judge Rachel Roy didn't say it was strange and confusing and upsetting, which I think beats out Kors for the most biting criticism of the episode. Here's what they did say:

"Lady of the canyon flow-y moment" is pretty good, though. And that Rachel Roy is kinda annoying, isn't she? Anyhow, as always, one of the contestants had to go. The parade of eye-rolling expressions across Valerie's face made it clear she was ready. Almost volunteering, even, as per last episode's "I wish I could go for you, I really do" weeping and wailing. And gah, what was up with her in-the-round Wizard of Oz-conclusion speech where she tearfully affirmed each contestant of the ways in which they've grown during the show as designers—nay, as people! "And you, Tin Man, you found your heart," etc. Oh well, I shouldn't make fun:

Frankly I liked her dress, and if someone had to go based just on this one challenge, Andy clearly should have been it. But there's no way he's through. He may have fucked up once, but don't forget that last week he pulled out this crazy shit:

No way are we through with him yet. We're in the final stretch now, so if you're the type that likes to jump in just for the juicy parts, we're there now. Seeya next week!