The first episode of Syfy’s reality series Face Off proves that reality television is more than scripted dialogue and fake drama, but has expanded to transforming humans into mythical and unknown creatures.

Face Off’s first series brought in huge ratings for Syfy, so continuing with a second season was a must. The show airs Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. and showcases 14 brilliant new artists.

Face Off is a competition that explores the world of special-effects makeup artists and their unlimited imaginations that allow them to create amazing works of living art.

Aside from the talented makeup artists, the panel of judges is remarkable. The panel includes three-time Academy Award-winner Ve Neill (Pirates of the Caribbean, Edward Scissorhands), and Hollywood veterans Glenn Hetrick (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Patrick Tatopoulos (Independence Day).

So far, the contestants have encountered many extreme makeup challenges and have rarely disappointed their audience. They have recreated the characters from The  Wizard of Oz, made humans into fish with make-up that could withstand water, and turned their biggest fears into works of art.

The competitors face two challenges per episode. The first is a quick challenge to win a perk such as gaining an extra teammate. The second is a multi-day project based around a specific theme. Ultimately, the winner of that week’s challenge gains immunity for the following week.

Although this is far from a typical reality show, there is definitely some drama between the contestants. The assignments they are given are too complex to do alone, so they are usually put into groups of two or three people; however, most of the contestants do not get along. This tension causes their end result to have many faults, and oftentimes ends in someone being sent home.

Despite the drama, the ultimate prize at the season’s end is worth the extra stress. They are all fighting for $100,000, a year’s supply of makeup, and an opportunity to launch their careers.

Although many tears have been shed and tensions continue to rise, Face Off has come back stronger than ever in its second season. The talent of these artists has thoroughly impressed viewers and created a strong fan base. At this rate, Face Off may very well continue on to a third season with even more excited surprises and even more talented artists.