"Top Design 2" recaplet (Ep. 2.03): Re-designing the "Runway"

Previously on Top Design 2, we lost our first gay designer (RIP #3), Schroder reminded us who her husband is for the 100th time and fall out shelters became bohemian chic. This week the gang will meet their newest clients, previous contestants from Bravo's other reality staple Project Runway.

The episode kicks off in the Designer Lofts and everyone is adjusting to the double elimination last week.  While some of the women take a moment to reflect on the dead, Preston copes by taking his shirt off (screencap anyone?) while Nathan takes the opportunity to boast that he's on the road to winning the competition.  Am I wrong or are there still like 98 designers left before a winner is crowned?  Jumping the gun much #1?  

Can I ask a question before moving on?  The title cards are telling us that Wisit and Eddie are only 30 years old.  Am I the only one that thinks someone's lying about their age?  Forever 21 30 much?  I'm about to turn 35 and Wisit looks like he could be my Dad.  I want birth certificates or I start sawing people in half to count the rings...

The designers head out to meet Host India Hicks at what looks like a gay rainbow sherbet strip mall.  Once again they'll be working in teams of two and leave it to Schroder to be the bitch right out the gate.  She's paired with Preston and is quick to point out that he's been in the Bottom 2 in every challenge so far.  Thanks Schroder, and tell us again who your husband is?  

Project Runway's Santino, Andrae, Daniel, Jeffrey and Sweet Pea

Out walks the designers from Project Runway and instantly Eddie and Nathan melt.  I'm not sure any of the other designers know who the Runway folks are but they feign excitement.  I kid, who doesn't know Sweet Pea, Santino or Jeffrey? What about "Where's Andre?"  I'd like to forget that ridonkulous Daniel who seriously couldn't milk the PR experience more.  I mean hell, he came back on both Seasons 1 and 2 now this?  Someone needs to "Auf" him for good.

DESIGN CHALLENGE: Create a window display around a Runway designed garment.  Seems easy enough right?  Think again, imagine the egos colliding when fashion and interior designers are forced to collaborate?  I see chanelle flying already.

Team Santino is Eddie and Teresa; Team Jeffrey is Wisit and Big Daddy; Team Sweet Pea consists of Ondine and Natalie; Team Where's Andrae is Shaz and Nathan and Team Daniel ends up being Schroder and Preston.  Let the games begin...

After 30 minutes of consultation, the PR designers were tasked with picking a Project Leader from each team. This is also the first time that the TD2 folks get to see the garments they'll be working with.

Santino's got some V for Vendetta black number, Sweet Pea's outfit is a sunset Cocoon (sans Wilford Brimley). Daniel once again proved that he's very unstable - he read a poem and wants the outfit to be floating - someone cue The Carpenters' "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft!"

When Nathan saw Andrae's drab gray election inspired dress he was worried but Shaz seemed to understand where he wants to go with it so I think Nathan might be taking a back seat on this one. 

Jeffrey's Blade Runner inspired suit was not only crazy gorgeous, it was crazy confusing for Wisit and Big Daddy.  When Jeffrey mentioned Blade Runner, Big Daddy thought he was talking about the Will Ferrell schlockfest Blades of Glory... not so much, yet somehow Jeffrey picked him as the team leader after suggesting he go a little David Hockney with his design.

The shopping spree ends up being quite the panic scene.  Not only are people running around all frantic but they're breaking mirrors and knocking down everything in their paths.  It's like Hurricane Top Design blew into town.  Of all the teams, I'm most worried about Wisit and Big Daddy.  Wisit will not give up his idea of elegant and pretty when Jeffrey wants the room to be like looking into a kaleidoscope.  This is not going to end well, I can already tell.

Back at the sherbet strip mall, the teams have 3 hours to work and I don't know if they haven't slept in a while or if everyone's on speed because they were hilarious!

Preston lets it all hang out

Eddie explained their design plan to Teresa as this: "Black, black, black, black, mirror, mirror, black. She's black, the wall's black, mirror, black black.  Got it?"  

I didn't think anyone could top that quote but within seconds Nathan summed up Top Design like no one on the show has to date: "Honey, there ain't nothing straight on this show."   True dat!

The hilarity continued when Big Daddy left wispy Wisit holding a huge mirror in place... or at least try to.  From Big Daddy's impersonation of Wisit's panic stricken face to telling the camera what he'd like to do after Wisit let the mirror slide down the wall: "I was about to drop kick him to Jesus" - when did Big Daddy become my new fave?

The next morning the PR designers show up to see what's transpired so far and the wicker starts flying!  Andrae has an aversion to wicker so half the accessories for the room are out!  Whoops.  Sweet Pea hit panic mode.  Jeffrey took the boys aside and chastised them for being not-so-modern and futuristic.  Daniel about gushed when he saw his blank gray wall.  Santino let Eddie trash Teresa every which way but loose.  

The Judges - check out Wearstler!

When dusk rolled around the Judges descended upon the sherbet strip mall and holy crap, Wearstler looks kookier than ever!  She had on a little beret that was supposed to what?, control that huge lion's mane-Diana Ross hair under it?  Hilarious!  She's the best thing on television; I can't take my eyes off her.

Of all the finished windows, Sweet Pea's stands out the most.  It's bright, colorful and so much more lively than the others but at the same time it might look a little too Michael's Craft Supply explosion to win.  As much as I don't want to like Team Daniel because of Daniel, I have to say that their minimalist floating forest might be the most elegant room to showcase the actual garment. 

You can never tell what the Judges are thinking though because Jonathan Adler rolled his eyes and made faces of horror almost every time he was on screen so who can tell.  Back at the warehouse, no time is wasted in picking a winner.

The Week 3 champions are Team Sweet Pea, Ondine and Natalie.  The other Judges fave was Preston and Schroder from Team Daniel which means that 4 out of 5 remaining gays are in danger of going home.  

Eddie and Teresa were let off the hook pretty quickly but Big Daddy and Wisit were dragged through the broken glass and left bleeding to death on the floor.  Moving on to Nathan and Shaz, Nathan blurts out that he hated Andrae's dress and that the downward spiral began there. 

At this point, I have no idea who should go home.  The Judges deliberate and let me just say that it's never good to have a professional equate your work to that of a High School art project.  Ugh!  Looks like Shaz and Nathan will be going home though to be honest, Wisit needs to just blow away.  

Big Daddy was big time screwed

In a Week 3 shocker, the Judges decided to send home Big Daddy!  Just as I started to like the Southern Belle they gave him the boot. 

Am I wrong in thinking that Wisit or Shaz deserved to go home?  They said it themselves, Wisit did nothing to contribute to the design and Shaz might as well not even be there.  Oh I'm so frustrated at the outcome this week.  Where do you guys stand on this issue?  Did the right designer go home this week or did Wearstler's beret and the 40 gallons of hair spray cloud everyone's judgment?