Ep 13. Swan Song

In the season 5 finale of Face Off titled "Swan Song," the remaining three contestants - Laura, Tate, and Roy - compete to become the winner of the competition and receive a prize of $100,000, a year's supply of makeup, and a brand new car.

The episode begins with the artists being tasked with creating an original character inspired by a bird. They are given four hours to complete their design and make-up application. The judges, including special guest judge Bryan Fuller, a writer and producer of several popular TV shows, evaluate each artist's creation - looking for creativity, attention to detail, and technical skill. After their presentations, the judges have a difficult time determining which contestant will be eliminated from the competition.

The second challenge of the episode is called the "Ultimate Spotlight Challenge." The artists are asked to create a full-body make-up and prosthetic design inspired by an opera performance of "Swan Lake." The artists are given six hours to complete their design and application. This round proves to be particularly challenging, as the artists struggle to balance the intricacies of the swan-inspired make-up with the need to create an operatic costume. The judges evaluate the artists on how effectively they incorporate the narrative of the opera into their design, as well as the overall execution and presentation of the final product. As the artists present their work to the panel, tensions are high - as each contestant pulls out all the stops to win the competition.

Ultimately, the judges are forced to choose between two very strong contestants, and in the end, the winner is crowned - and is granted the life-changing prize package. The competition comes full circle as the artists celebrate their journey and look back on their growth and development throughout the competition. Finally, the show closes on a high note, as all of the judges congratulate the contestants on their artistry, talent, and perseverance.