With that, Sophie and Laura are back in the room and the judges have reached a decision. Tyra talks about their journey, and the fact that they're friends. Oh God, and then she tries to make a comparison to the history of the U.S. and the U.K., which were at battle during the Revolutionary War but are now allies. Maybe she also took a history class while at Harvard Business School. Unlike the U.S. and England, though, only one of these girls can be named America's Next Top Model. Will it be Laura, the rocking rebel girl who zags and marches to her own beat? Or will it be Sophie, the sweet girl who lights up a room and makes people want to befriend her? Laura says that her heart is racing, but not in a panic attack way. Sophie is awed at how huge this moment is. And then Tyra announces that America's Next Top Model is... Sophie, obviously. The panel erupts into jazz hands.

Tyra hugs Laura and says that she's amazing and is going to be a high fashion model. Laura is proud to have made it this far and gotten through all the crazy emotional stuff, and says that just because her face isn't on the winner's screen this time doesn't mean that it won't be on some other screen another time, hopefully not as a mug shot. Sophie then cackles as she tells us she never thought a Brit could be America's Next Top Model. Tyra offers to teach her some American swagger, and for some reason this is the moment that I really notice Tyra's crazy turtlenecked Linda Evans on Dynasty dress. Sophie tells us that she was the little girl from the countryside who went for Britain's Next Top Model, didn't get it, but kept on going. She got an agency, kept working and kept fighting, and showed that persistence pays off. We see photos of Tyra and Sophie clowning, and are out!

Thanks to all of you out there who have continued reading during this, the EIGHTEENTH season of America's Next Top Model! Now go eat a loaf of haggis and enjoy your summer! I'll see you in the fall, for the gonzo participatory action research season!

Potes loves you. She can be tweeted @traciepotes, or emailed at potesypotes@gmail.com.