Ep 1. Episode 1

In Blown Away season 1 episode 1, we are introduced to a group of ten highly-skilled glassblowers as they enter a hot shop in Toronto, Canada. They are greeted by their hosts and judges, glass artist and designer Katherine Gray and arts journalist and broadcaster Nick Uhas. The contestants are given a short introduction and a rundown of the competition before they are given their first challenge.

The contestants are tasked with creating a unique sculpture that embodies them as an artist in two and a half hours. The catch is that they cannot use any mold or tool to help create their masterpiece. They can only rely on their creativity and skill to shape and blow the molten glass into their desired form. The pressure is on as the competitors scramble to come up with their concept and execute it flawlessly.

Throughout the challenge, we see the contestants facing various obstacles. Some are struggling to make their glass sculpture stand up, while others are having trouble with the movement and fluidity of the melting glass. We also see some contestants taking more risks with their design, adding intricate details and trying innovative techniques to make their piece stand out.

As the clock winds down, the stress levels of the contestants rise as they try to finish their sculpture in time. They are dashing around the studio, frantically reheating the glass to maintain its malleability, trying to shape it into their desired form. When the time is up, they step back and present their work to the judges for critique.

Katherine and Nick give their honest opinions about each piece, praising the technical skills they see and providing constructive criticism. The competitors wait with bated breath to see who will win the challenge and be declared the "Top Glassblower" of the week. The winner's piece will be displayed in the Corning Museum of Glass in New York.

Overall, Blown Away season 1 episode 1 is an exciting and visually stunning introduction to the world of glassblowing. We see the incredible talent and creativity of the contestants as they push the boundaries of what can be done with molten glass. We also witness the drama and tension that comes with being under such a tight time constraint, making for an engaging and suspenseful viewing experience.