Top Model Episode Recap: America's Next Top Model Is...

• Nov 19, 2008 10:35 PM ET
• by Gina DiNunno

Three have survived the Top Model challenges and shoots to date, but on this week's finale, one of the girls is crowned the winner after a commercial challenge and windy walk-off.

Right off the bat, the episode begins with the CoverGirl commercial and photo shoot. With their Tyra Mail, comes their lines — in Dutch, mind you. The premise of the commercial: a few girls having fun, they see a cute boy and end up kissing him. Easy, breezy, right? Not so much.  

First up is Sam. She definitely tightens her belt on her bubbly personality, and the judges find the result a bit choppy and not convincing. Her picture comes out adorable. Analeigh, the born actress, completely blanks on lines the second the cameras start to roll. And the resulting video is mighty painful to watch if you're rooting for her. The judges think her face is too sweet and not edgy enough. Then is McKey, who actually uses her personality in the commercial unlike the last time (even if it was a little fast). Her picture goes over with rave reviews, and I have to agree that it's my favorite as well. The judges reach a decision and the first girl picked as a finalist is McKey. Now it's down to Analeigh and Sam. We have Analeigh who has the "striking, high fashion poses but with a face on the commercial side." Then we have Sam, who has "high fashion, striking photos, but in person she's still stuck in a mall." Ouch! And the other finalist is Sam. Whoa...can't say I saw that one coming.

Next up, the two girls get a glimpse of the runway they'll be facing and are joined by last season's winner Whitney as they get ready. The actual runway (which was designed by Ms. J) is pretty awesome with it's hot pink hills, steps and windy paths. And as McKey and Sam make their way through this whimsical walk-off, they both do really well. Not even a hint of tripping, slipping or stumbles. Even the running start up the hill goes off without a hitch.  

At final judging, both girls walk in to panel (where Tyra is in some serious shoulder pads) to run through their performances. McKey's first walk goes over well, but the second really impresses. All she needs is a little more grace. The judges love how Sam worked her garment but could see the worry on the face.

The judges deliberate one final time, and both girls have their pros and cons through all the shoots to date. So who stays and who goes? Drum roll, please. And the winner of America's Next Top Model is...McKey. After bear-hugging and lifting each and every judge off the ground (she's an interesting one, alright), McKey heads over to do her winning photo shoot with Nigel. And another cycle comes to a close.

What do you think about the way this finale went down? I can't say I thought I'd see Sam in the final two, but I definitely knew McKey had this one in the bag for quite some time. As "cuckoo in the head" as McKey is, girl can really take a damn good picture. Do you think the right person won? What were your expectations for the finale? Let's hear it!