The Great Pottery Throw Down

[Aulty]

Yes, this isn't the most photogenic branch of Raku. Most of the pots will look great with a vibrant green plant in it. I loved the one with the dragon heads. The chickens were executed well, but once the pots are hung, the upside down chicks are weird.

I only vaguely remember Freya, the guest judge, because her father is a well respected ceramics artist and back when she was on the show I thought it was odd that she was chosen for to be a contestant with provenance like that.

[jpgr]

I agree that the upside-down chickens were strange, even though they were well made. Agree that the dragons were very cool, and I also liked George's octopus pots.

[Aulty]

This week, I thought, the group really started to gel on telly. But I am still a bit underwhelmed with the challenges this year so far. Sure, the gargoyles were fun, but overall the show is really into their 3D designs and figurines this season.
Shows like this always tend to give more restrictive or outlined challenges once they hit the 4-5 seasons mark, if you know what I mean. Everything needs a story.

[GaT]

Wow, this show is getting hardly any comments, I don't think this season is engaging people as much as previous ones. The lamps were kind of meh IMO, but I love how supportive Caitlin & George were for each other this episode. I wonder if they've been that way since the beginning & they just didn't really show it, or if that was something new?

[jpgr]

I'm enjoying the season, even if the challenges themselves aren't as interesting somehow. I like all the potters.

I also loved how great Caitlin and George were with each other, especially when she asked him if he wanted alone time or support and was OK walking away. I felt so bad for her when her first pot was ruined so fast.

Derek really messed up the underglazes but I liked his idea and the way he built it. I loved Lois's with the sky colors and the way she did the wind.

I really liked George and will miss him. You really have to understand so many elements and forces to get it right.

[Aulty]

Of course, last week I thought 'George seems nice and he could go far in this' this week he is out. I enjoy the chemistry between the potters and between the judges.
Still not keen on the challenges. Again, 'make it realistic' nudges them towars a specific deisgn corner.

Still needs more Rose!

[TVbitch]

I'm still watching. I'm not having a ton of WOW moments with the pieces this season. I would not want any of those lamps in my house, but it is not the potters' fault. The 3-D stuff did not appeal to me at all. I would rather have just seen elegant shapes and dynamic designs and colors. 

I was annoyed during the mask challenge cuz they only showed us the finished pieces for about a second! I couldn't even get a good look at some of them.

I did like George a lot, so waah. 

[Aulty]

That wasn't half bad considering the desastrous modelling challenges of the past. Some animals were a bit squat and what a shame they chose this week to go with bronze-metallic finishing instead of something that allowed for more colour. The top 3 were pretty neat.

[oldCJ]

Can someone explain to me how Caitlin is on the show? Yes, she is a student. But since the pandemic, she works with her father making and selling pottery. In fact, she co-owns their pottery business, which appears to be their main source of income. How exactly is she an “amateur” potter by any definition? 

[Aulty]

17 hours ago, oldCJ said:

In fact, she co-owns their pottery business, which appears to be their main source of income. How exactly is she an “amateur” potter by any definition? 

Oh wow, I didn't know that. Basically the same as this season's guest judge and season 2 contestant Freya, whose father is a well known pottery artist. But tbh I think at this stage it's level between the remaining potter. Lowes is probably the favourite.

Interesting challenge but the results were too Clarice Cliff on the colours for me.

[Athena]

17 hours ago, oldCJ said:

Can someone explain to me how Caitlin is on the show? Yes, she is a student. But since the pandemic, she works with her father making and selling pottery. In fact, she co-owns their pottery business, which appears to be their main source of income. How exactly is she an “amateur” potter by any definition? 

Yeah, this came up before with other potters who had a lot of experience (including those who use to teach it or did it part-time). In Caitlin's case, I think she got in through the grey area of her being primarily a medical student. While it is a source of her income, it's not what she does full-time.

From the rules of entry for 2023:

Quote

8.     You are not a professional potter, meaning that you do not work full time as a potter, either at home or in a professional environment, nor does your main source of income derive from commercial ceramics or pottery.

 

Even those with more experience on pottery don't always go as far on this show as some others. It's a mix of skill and subjective creativity after all.  I've tried pottery and know of other people who enjoy it as well. As a hobby, it takes more resources to maintain than baking or sewing. Most people can't do the whole process at home and most people can't make it their main source of income at all. I always wonder how many applications this show gets vs the other "Great" shows.

[TVbitch]

It looks like Lois might win this thing, but I am so rooting for one of the older gentlemen. I've really grown to adore them. I was afraid one of them would get cut in the semi-final, and am so glad they both made it through over Caitlyn! 

PS. I don't dislike her, but Lois needs to stop with the "OMG I can't believe I keep winning" shtick!

Edited March 9 by TVbitch

[Aulty]

No surprises there, but well deserved considering all the final pieces.

I still think this season wasn't great due to the weird assortment of challenges.

[khyber]

After seeing what was produced the winner could only be one person. 

[TVbitch]

Yeah, Lois had it in the bag for a long time now, but I was really rooting for Jon. He's such a sweet, mild-mannered guy, and I think he actually learned and grew the most. Lois came in with a lot of decorating skills and that's what put her ahead. I did not care for the final challenge, and did not find any of the vases particularly attractive.