Project Runway 2, Finale Part 1
Manolo says, the Manolo he is calling this episode, “Santino Humanized”, in which the joyful, chaotic evilness of the Santino is happily explained away by his having been the ugliest child since Bat Boy!
It all reminded the Manolo of the Dr. Evil’s explanation for his malfeasance in the Austin Powers movie.
The details of my life are quite inconsequential…. very well, where do I begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a fifteen-year-old French prostitute named Chloe with webbed feet… etc.
By the end of the episode the Manolo half-expected the Santino to unveil his plans for world domination through the wickety-wack.
Actually, the Manolo must now admit that he has begun to develop the affection for the Santino, who with his wickety-wack, and his greasy, spectral, night-of-the-living-dead features, his lamentable choice of personal dress, and his Lurchish, you-rang voice, would appear to be everything the Manolo would dislike. But indeed this it is not entirely the case, as the Santino, all the evil aside, has the wonderfully mischevious sense of the humor, and is in his own way perhaps sweet. (By which, the Manolo means that he did not attempt, when offered the opportunity, to bite the head off of the small child on his lap.)
As for the rest of the episode. Shrug. Meh. Whatever.
Daniel’s collection leaves Tim unmoved, although the Manolo, like the Professor Ann suspects that this partly is the dramatic editing device, one designed to raise the suspense before the shows of the runway. And the Manolo, he is still convinced that the Daniel V. will be the winner.
Meanwhile, the collection of the Chloe looks like the overstuffed sofa and ottoman set in the living room of the aging Texas debutante. All that is needed is the addition of the extravagant gold tassels.
For the Manolo, however, the best part was the return of Andrae, whom the Manolo now loves above all others, if only because it has become clear that he is the most literate and the most delightful of all of the designers.
And so, on to the final episode!
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Comments
19 years ago
As the Manolo so astutely points out, this episode was rife with the type of editing devices that have marred this entire season. As for the Santino, obviously the editors sought to Wendy Pepper-ize him, as every dramatic vehicle needs a villain after all.. Then realized he needed some redeeming human qualities to offset the spawn of Satan they had created – and to justify the machinations that went on to assure he made the final three.
And what the hell was Chloe thinking??? First the upholstery collection, then choosing the sweet, but scatterbrained Diana? Others noted Kara looked upset at not being chosen to assist her. Personally I thought the look on the Emmett’s face was most crestfallen.
Hopefully next season the producers will take a hard look at some of the editing shenanigans that have gone on this season and realize that editorial restraint may need to be the first topic on the table during initial production meetings..
That said, it is good to have the Nick and the ever-adorable Andrae back, even if it is brief. And I do expect the Daniel V will indeed take the day when it is all said and done.
Doralong 19 years ago
The Doralong’s apologies for neglecting to sign the above missive.. Lack of sleep from staying up to see the Project Runway epidose no doubt…
pc 19 years ago
Dear Manolo,
Every Wednesday I look forward to the latest episode of Project Runway and then the next morning, I look forward to your recap. I don’t think anyone does it as well as you. I don’t know if any of the designers reads your blog on the show as they do the Project Runway blog, but more people must pay attention to yours. You are the king.
gidget bananas 19 years ago
If the Balenciaga can do the upholstery look then why not the Chloe?
The Gidget thought all the garments looked better in the TV closeup than they did in the runway stills, but yet, the Gidget would only purchase the hat of the Kara if the opportunity arose.
I think perhaps the Kara looked upset at the chosing of the assistants because if the Three Chosen Ones had to produce another look, then so did she, as the decoy? Did the Chloe chose the Diana to annoy the Santino, I wonder?
Lucky Daniel V to have the Nick, Lucky Santino to have the Andrae.
19 years ago
Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons, in Spring we’d make meat helmets.
tbone 19 years ago
I never would have believed that The Manolo would warm up to Santino! Can The Manolo not already picture Santino coming out with his own line of shoes with the glued wickety and the stapled wack? This would be the herald of doom indeed.
The Tbone too, is nearly moved into the Santino corner with the look of the final designs. Chloe’s couch couture and Daniel’s marching line of rivets look like trouble. And when the magnificent Tim Gunn can think of no words to say, he is being kind.
To pc: Manolo is the king! Without him, there would be no Blogging the Project Runway as he is our beloved Blogfather.
Wickwire 19 years ago
I was disappointed that I thought that dress of Santino’s looked very nice. Even more disappointed when I saw Daniel V’s line, which looked like your average normal 25 year olds good will give aways. I wanted Dan to win but I don’t think he will now. I laughed out loud when I read your, “Lurchess You-Rang voice”
JayKay 19 years ago
“By the end of the episode the Manolo half-expected the Santino to unveil his plans for world domination through the wickety-wack.”
HYSTERICAL! I am light-headed from laughter. Thanks! :)
Cosmokid 19 years ago
The Bat Boy reference and the quote from Dr. Evil are brilliant! Me thinking that the Manolo, he is quite the cleverness personified.
Those who are fond of “Where the hell is my chiffon” might enjoy the gear that is featuring this phrase at this shop:
http://www.cafepress.com/lipstickmystic
redsquid 19 years ago
The Manolo says, the mania for the Santino, much like the poncho, it is now over.
Ronikins 19 years ago
I must admit that I, too, felt a modicum of tenderness for poor little Santino, the kid who probably got beat up the most until he grew into his Lurchness, but by then the psychic damage had been done. Nonetheless, his collection is beautiful, and has an edge that Daniel V. and Chloe are both missing, (especially Chloe!, to my dismay…I’ve been cheering her on this entire Project!)
Why did Chloe chose Diana? My guess…she’s malleable…she’ll do as told without editorializing Chloe’s designs. Chloe’s looking for a workhorse, and Diana’s the pick. Personally, I would have chosen Emmett, as he and Chloe did beautifully together on the Banana Republic challenge.
Was I the only one that noticed Nick’s definite look of relief having been chosen first by Daniel V, thus avoiding any confrontation with Santino? I’ll bet the producers were disappointed. As a matter of fact, I’m sure maybe one had the idea of “Hey Heidi, chose again, and this time say “Santino!!!!” But I think they’re already aware that we savvy viewers are aware of their heavy handed ways.
Santino may just pull this off.
jenny 19 years ago
Good grief, that Bat Boy picture scares the heck out of me every time I see it! (*Whew!*)
deb 19 years ago
First comment, I love the Manolo. I discovered him through the Project Runway boards (Chloe and Emmett told Tim Gunn about him, if I remember correctly). The Manolo, he is fabulous! As for the finalists, Santino is a conundrum. Just when you think he is a complete jerk, they show his Timpersonation and he’s a comic genius. I’m glad he chose Andrae, but I was very surprised that Daniel didn’t choose Andrae and I think so was Andrae. After Kara said that Chloe should be the one eliminated in the last challenge, it was no surprise she didn’t pick her. I think a better choice for her would have been Emmett, as he is very skilled and calm. I think the winner is going to be Santino. When Tim was so quiet, I knew it was in trouble. I like Chloe, and I think she’s talented, but some of the clothes were just too poofy. Daniel V. is going to be the Kara Saun of the show.
I really hate to see it end, because that means no more comments about it from the Manolo.
deb
deb 19 years ago
Sorry. That last comment about Tim being quiet was referring to Daniel V’s collection.
furlagirl 19 years ago
Might I use this space to enter a note of controversy into the world of the Shoeblog – perhaps resulting in debate, sharp disagreements, even trolling?
But the issues are too important not to confront.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1722324,00.html
JaneC 19 years ago
In regards to the article that furlagirl linked to: what makes that crazy person think that UGGs make one’s legs look skinny? On every girl I’ve ever seen wearing them, the abominations made her legs look stumpy, not skinny. Pretty, delicate shoes makes one’s legs look more slender and attractive (provided they fit, and the feet and ankles are not spilling out of the shoe), not boots made from the hides of muppets.
VeddyVeddyBadAng 19 years ago
I agree wholeheartedly with Manolo that the editing was done in such a way as to put doubt into viewers’ minds that Daniel will win. Because, as we all know, those judges LOVE Daniel. They’re Big Dan Fans. Oh yes, he will win.
I have to admit, though, that I’ve been pretty meh on him for the past few episodes – too safe, too boring. And in this episode, he appears to have been watching himself and reading about how good he is, and he seems to have bought into all the hype. His comments about expecting Tim Gunn to be “piddling his pants with excitement” over his collection was EXTREMELY off-putting. Don’t put your crown on just yet, Daniel! You still have to do the runway show.
CK 19 years ago
Santino’s designs are clearly the most well-conceived and executed, but his color palette is strange to me. Very dingy, very blah. Strange. But I believe he will win, not because he is more talented than Chloe and Daniel, but because he pushed himself.
Laura K 19 years ago
Didn’t it seem that the producers could have shown SOMETHING about what Kara has been up to? She produced an excellent show. IMHO – the BEST of all. Yet, no mention is made of her, no yuletide visit from Tim, no acknowledgement in the program that oh by the way, Kara has to make all of these designs too. Oh Kara has to choose models too, and hair and make-up and shoes… Hello? Are we supposed to just forget about Kara? She’s hard to ignore when her collection is completely compelling!
jenny 19 years ago
Interesting article, furlagirl; and very brave of you to post it here of all places. I stay away from super-high strappy heels primarily because they’re torture for my poor feet, secondarily because I feel like they make my toes [and the toes of 75% of those wearing them] look just plain UGLY.
But looking on them as comparitively affordable pieces of art, many are exquisite. And you wouldn’t necessarily expect to be able to wear Marcel Duchamp’s urinal around all night and not experience any back pain, would you? (Just kidding.)
thumper 19 years ago
Every time I read the Manolo, I laugh so hard I have to change the underwear.
ushie 19 years ago
The Kara had a show, too? Where are the pics of this, please?
The Ushie, she is also becoming sympathetic to the Santino, because he was the funny-looking keed, and so comes by his ‘tude honestly. And his shown dress–superbe!
Twistie 19 years ago
The Twistie notes that last season, Austin also did the Fashion Week show but was not shown on PR to be doing so. He was given less time and less money than the three finalists.
As for the Santino, he continues to be dead to the Twistie. Having the rotten childhood does not excuse the crappy actions in the adulthood. The Santino has demonstrated that he knows the pain of being ridiculed, and yet he continues to ridicule the others. While the Santino has the talent as the designer – when he chooses to design and not make the mockery of the challenges – he remains the insecure bully. The Twistie has no patience with this or him.
The Daniel’s handbags were among the scariest things the Twistie has seen in the many moons.