Ep 17. Merry Ink

Ink Master season 5 episode 17, titled Merry Ink, follows the remaining contestants as they gear up for yet another intense challenge. The episode begins with Dave Navarro presenting the artists with the flash challenge, which involves designing festive wreaths on small canvases. But this challenge comes with a twist: the canvas boards are located in hard-to-reach places, and the artists must use their ingenuity to get to them. Some opt to climb ladders, while others employ their teammates to lift them up.

The resulting designs are impressively creative, ranging from intricate floral wreaths to more abstract, contemporary takes on the theme. The judges weigh in, sparing no critiques as they praise the most skillful designs and harshly criticize the weakest. With the flash challenge completed, the artists move onto the more grueling elimination round, which this week involves tattooing holiday-themed designs on each other's ribs.

As the artists draw and plan their tattoos, tensions rise and tempers flare. Some artists struggle to come up with ideas that will stand out from the competition, while others worry about the pain that they will inevitably experience as they receive their own rib tattoos. Nonetheless, they all press on, determined to impress the judges and move one step closer to winning the grand prize.

Once the artists begin tattooing, the episode really picks up the pace. Ink flies and nerves are tested as the artists work through their designs, hoping to avoid any major mistakes. Meanwhile, their teammates watch anxiously from the sidelines, offering support and critiques as needed. When the time is up, the artists step back to admire their handiwork and await the judges' decisions.

Ultimately, one artist is crowned the winner of the elimination challenge, while another is sent packing. The show ends with the remaining artists looking forward to the next round and the chance to prove themselves as the ultimate ink master.