Halloween Wars Season 8 episode 2 recap: Clowns, zombies and creepy tastings

In Halloween Wars Season 8 episode 2 recap, the bakers seemed to let the clowns, zombies and circus tricks haunt their execution of the displays.

The creepy factor is back in Halloween Wars Season 8 episode 2 recap. This week’s theme was clowns versus zombies. While both characters haunt many people’s Halloween nightmares, this episode had a few teams wishing for less tricks and more treats.

Before becoming overwhelmed by clowns and zombies, the teams had to tackle the small scare. In the small scare, the teams had to create Frankenstein’s gift to his beloved. Who knew that Frankenstein would be so romantic? Of course, the menacing, green monster wouldn’t bring a standard bouquet of flowers. These gifts tend to be more creepy than cuddly.

Looking at the five different displays, the teams who went more creative and less traditional had an advantage. While I appreciated the franken-dog, the judges thought that this displays was less finished. I would have given some creativity points on this idea.

The ideas of hearts, i.e. Frankenstein’s actual heart, was a little overdone. The idea was obvious, which doesn’t set a team apart in this challenge. While the execution of these hearts was good, it didn’t show off enough creativity.

Zesty Zombies display was somewhat simple, but it was quite effective. The ears on a necklace had a lot of details, which set it apart from other teams. Plus, the idea was creative. From the coffin display box to the details in the ears themselves, Zesty Zombies won the small scare.

Host Jonathan Bennett with judges Shinmin Li, Todd Tucker and John Kassir, as seen on Halloween Wars, Season 8. photo provided by Food Network

Going into the spine chiller, Halloween Wars Season 8 episode 2 recap focuses on two classic Halloween characters, clowns and zombies. Since these Halloween challenges lean toward the creepy, these clowns needed to be more sinister and less silly. Still, the scene needs to be composed and visually appealing.

Looking at the teams, the communication between team members seems to be key. The limited time can make the stress seem extreme. When dealing with delicate sugar work, cake and pumpkin, the smallest mistakes can cause a huge impact to these Halloween displays. It always seems that the teams who can work together well succeed.

In this Halloween Wars Season 8 episode 2 recap, one of the teams decided to add some creepy to its tasting element. The Beastly Banshees choose to add chocolate covered crickets to its caramel popcorn. Previously, I can’t think of any team who has added real bugs into a tasting element.

While I have eaten crickets and don’t feel that there is a lot of flavor in them, the judges seemed really creeped out with this crunchy element. For me, it is quite surprising that the judges acted so vehemently to these chocolate crickets. Given all the other flavors in the treat and the size, I doubt if the judges tasted anything more than chocolate. It seemed more of a mental “taste” than a real taste.

Still, Beastly Banshees’ tasting element was a huge risk. It was good to see a team push the envelope. But, I think that they could have made a more interesting tasting bite using an insect. Incorporating the cricket into a bonbon or even using cricket flour could have made the judges less squeamish.

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Overall, all five displays were impressive. The top two teams were Monsters of Mayhem and Zesty Zombies. These displays had a creative story as well as some visually impressive elements.

Only one really had a complete visual story. The Monsters of Mayhem had a diabolical jester that stole the show. He dominated the display. While the broken zombie had great detail it was somewhat hidden. Also, this team’s sugar work was a little basic.

Zesty Zombies had the most impressive scene. The faces on the zombie and clown were straight out of someone’s nightmare. While the judges wanted the characters turned out slightly forward, this scene presented a complete story.

Although Zesty Zombies had a controversial tasting element (marzipan with a raw almond), the team had the most cohesive story. And, their pumpkin carver took on some chocolate/pastry carving. Even with a little crying in the kitchen, this team scored the spine chiller win.

It is curious that two weeks in a row had the same team won both the small scare and spine chiller on each episode. This week Zesty Zombies earned the double win and last week Candied Cadavers had the double win. Will next week’s episode see this pattern continue?

The bottom two teams in Halloween Wars Season 8 episode 2 recap were Grave Expectations and Beastly Banshees. Grave Expectations had a big mishap in their display. A large sugar element broke, which left a big gap in their scene. Since the accident happened toward the end, the team had no fix for the empty space.

Contestant with Candied Cadavers, Arlen Pelletier, as seen on Halloween Wars, Season 8. photo provided by Food Network

Still, this team had one of the eeriest clowns that I have ever seen. This clown is definitely part of many people’s nightmares. Every part of the clown was near perfection. From the expression to the ruffled collar, this display element was completely impressive.

Also, Grave Expectations had a lovely tasting element. The cupcake with a merlot glaze was a delightful bite. The teams do need to remember that the tasting element is an important part of the challenge. So far, many of the teams haven’t focused on this item. It could make the difference between being safe and going home.

Beastly Banshee had a display that was less scary and more juvenile. The overall look was more PG than the darker feel that the judges want. While the display didn’t have major faults, the look wasn’t as polished as the other teams. The pumpkin car was impressive, but the characters were lacking. Overall, the scene didn’t produce a big fright.

Although not directly referenced in the final judging, I don’t think that the candied cricket corn helped this team. When the tasting element is scarier than the display, the final outcome isn’t going to be in that team’s favor.

Beastly Banshees were sent home this week. I don’t think that this teamhad the best grasp on bringing the scary to the display. These challenges are meant to be extreme and this week’s display was too nice.

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about this week’s guest judge. This week featured John Kassir, the voice from Tales from the Crypt. That sinister little laugh is yet again stuck in my head. It would have been interesting to see the teams incorporate a little of this classic HBO franchise into their displays.

This

Halloween Wars

Season 8 episode 2 recap has come to a close. Next week has the teams tackling a witch’s ride, not a broomstick. Also, the director of

Hocus Pocus

is a guest judge. Wonder if the next episode will feature any black cats, too?