'Ink Master: Turf War': Jerrel cries as he designs a helmet for Nathan who has had 40 surgeries for seizures
'Ink Master: Turf War' is stepping away from the snarky-ness and fierce competition for a bit to make art for a cause. In tonight's episode, the remaining five contestants - Jerrel Larkins, Jimmy Snaz, Angel Rose, Bob Jones, and Kelly Severtson - will be tasked to design on medically-certified helmets that are used to reduce the risk of traumatic head injury.
The canvases this time are specially-abled individuals who have been bullied and stared at for wearing helmets. This is the artists' chance to make something special and help them live a little differently. "For this flash challenge, your canvases all have medical conditions that require them to wear protective headgear in their daily lives. And, today you will be painting one-of-a-kind designs on their helmets," said host Dave Navarro and added that the artists' understanding of composition and ability to convert a practical item into a piece of art that looks "incredible from all angles" are two aspects they will be judge on.
As the canvases began narrating their stories and why they need to wear a helmet most of the time, Jerrel teared up, especially when Nathan shared how he gets these episodes of seizures, which causes him to fall and get hurt. Among the five individuals, two are toddlers. Brennan, 2, was diagnosed with Craniosynostosis and has undergone three surgeries and River, 4, is missing a large portion on the right side of her skull. Cassidy has chronic Lyme disease that resulted in intractable epilepsy because of which she would fall often without warning. Jeanne passes out without any heads-up and that comes with a rare disease such as autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy.
As Jerrel sat Nathan and his sister down to understand his story better, she revealed how Nathan has had over 40 surgeries in his 16 years and added how it has been a tough year for Nathan because he experienced some bullying over the helmet he wore. "Nobody deserves to get bullied for any reason. So, I asked the parents to teach their children about other children who are different," she pointed out.
It was a heavy session for Jerrel who cried as he said to Nathan: "I just think you're awesome. The strongest person I have ever met." Later, in his green-room interview, Jerrel cried a bit more, wondering how a kid like Nathan, who has so much joy and happiness, in him could be bullied.
Jerrel started off by sectioning off areas using masking tape and vowed to give Nathan something he would be proud to wear. The finished product had the word "warrior" painted on it along with a basketball hoop.
Nathan loved it and they both hugged each other.
Will Jerrel win the flash challenge? Time will tell. For now, all we can say is he has won hearts with his art.
Catch all the new episodes of 'Ink Master: Turf War' on Paramount every Tuesday.