Ep 16. Final Exam

Ink Master is a reality television series that pits tattoo artists against one another in a series of challenges to determine who has what it takes to be crowned "Ink Master". Season 10, Episode 16, entitled "Final Exam", is the season finale and culmination of the entire season. The stakes are high as the remaining three contestants must face their most difficult challenge yet, the final exam.

The episode opens with the three finalists, Josh Payne, Jason Elliott, and Danielle Ruiz, entering the Ink Master studio. They are greeted by host Dave Navarro, judge Oliver Peck, and guest judge Freddy Negrete. The judges inform the artists that they will be tattooing a 24-hour chest piece to showcase their mastery of the craft. The winner will walk away with $100,000, a feature in Inked Magazine, and the title of Ink Master.

The contestants have two hours to design their chest-piece tattoo, with the assistance of their respective coaches: Navarro's favorite artist, Steve Tefft, for Payne; season nine Ink Master winner, DJ Tambe, for Elliott; and season eight runner-up, Kelly Doty, for Ruiz. After they have finalized their designs, the contestants each have a one-on-one meeting with the judges to discuss their concepts and ensure that they are in line with the theme of the finale.

The following day, the tattooing begins. The contestants settle into their stations and begin to work on their 24-hour tattoos. The judges inspect their work intermittently, critiquing the shading, the line-work, and the overall composition of each piece. The tension in the room is palpable as the contestants struggle to remain focused and work through the pain of tattooing for an extended period. For the first time, viewers get to see behind the curtain as the artists open up about the physical and emotional toll that this journey has taken on them.

As the second day draws to a close, the judges announce that there will be a surprise twist for the final exam. Instead of the traditional elimination, all three contestants will be moving on to the final critique. The judges will evaluate all of the contestants' tattoos, including the timed tattoo challenges and the 24-hour chest pieces, to determine the winner.

The day of the final critique arrives, and the judges and contestants gather in the Ink Master studio. The judges begin their evaluations, critiquing each of the contestants' tattoos, with a particular focus on the 24-hour chest pieces. The artists have to explain their thought processes, and justify their design choices to the judges, hoping to convince them that they are the obvious choice for the title of Ink Master.

After a tense deliberation, the judges decide on a winner. They call the contestants back into the studio and announce the victor. With confetti falling and tears streaming down their faces, the winner accepts the title of Ink Master, cementing their place in tattoo history.

Overall, Ink Master season 10, episode 16, "Final Exam", is a thrilling conclusion to the series, posing the ultimate challenge for the contestants, culminating in a nail-biting finale that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.