Ep 3. Tattoo Shop of Horrors

The Black Ink Crew Chicago returns with its fifth season and third episode "Tattoo Shop of Horrors" which is all set to bring the real drama and moments of laughter in the show. The art of tattooing and how it can alter a person's life is something that intrigues many of us. Black Ink Crew Chicago is a show based around the art of tattooing and the mindsets of the people behind the amazing designs.

In the third episode, the Black Ink Crew begins on a high note as things heat up between Charmaine, Lily, and Danielle, when they discuss the recent issues within the shop and feelings being hurt. The crew takes time to reflect on their behavior in the past, with Charmaine getting honest about the reasons for some of the recent drama. Things come to a head between Charmaine, Lilly, and Danielle, with a massive fallout on the horizon.

The theme of the Tattoo Shop of Horrors is going to take the Black Ink artists on a journey filled with unexpected surprises. As the shop is having renovations, the crew decides to airbrush a haunted house theme mural on the walls. No one is expecting things to go wrong though. VH1 teases that they are about to play with us in a big way. One of the local Chicago rappers is supposed to come to the shop to get some ink done with an unexpected guest and audiences are advised to expect the unexpected with all the shock and suspense around this.

Meanwhile, Ryan, the shop owner, and his team of artists deal with the pressures of running a high-end tattoo shop and keeping their clients happy. Ryan is still recovering from his traumatic experience from the previous season, trying to balance the running of his shop while working on his personal issues. However, the road to recovery is a steep one, with Ryan still dealing with the physical and psychological fallout caused by the incident. The episode shows the real-life struggles of the Black Ink Crew, outside of all the glitz and glamour of the tattooing world.

The viewers see the hilarious shenanigans that the crew often gets up to in their free time. One of the funniest moments in the show is when Don tries to convince the boys to try out a new drink recipe he has concocted, the "Don Special", which is supposed to be a great hangover cure. Meanwhile, Van is struggling to come to terms with the recent changes at the shop, especially with the new artist hired in the latest episode. Van is known to be the troublemaker of the lot and his mischievous nature can often lead to some of the more interesting moments on the show.

The customers coming in are as diverse as ever, with each person coming in with a unique story and their own aspirations. The Black Ink Crew members are skilled at understanding their clients and designing tattoos that truly reflect their personalities. The crew also helps their clients deal with any insecurities they may have about themselves or the tattoos they want.

Another major storyline in the show follows the personal life of Phor, one of the artists working at Black Ink Crew Chicago, who is experiencing a public and painful breakup. He is often seen talking to his friends, particularly Ryan and Charmaine, about his broken heart as he tries to repair his relationship. The show provides a real look at the challenges that Phor and many other artists in the industry, specifically black men, face in terms of relationships and mental health.

In conclusion, Tattoo Shop of Horrors is a must-watch episode for fans of the Black Ink Crew Chicago. It offers a peek into the real-life struggles and accomplishments of the cast members and show cases the art of tattooing beautifully. The show succeeds in exploring the emotional struggles of the shop crew, and the individuals who come to get inked, while still serving up plenty of fun and drama. It certainly sets the stage for the upcoming episodes and keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats.