Back in the workroom, we see Maya tell all of the designers that she has enjoyed being with them and they have all inspired her. Tim says that they will miss her desperately. She goes to hug Mila first, who seems really confused and upset. She interviews that she thought Maya wanted very much to go to Bryant Park. Jonathan interviews that none of them really understand why she wanted to leave. Jay thinks it has a lot to do with her age. Emilio thinks her excuses for exiting are a cop out. He thinks she should design the hell out of something and at least go out with a bang. He says that quitters never win. Tell that to my lungs. Maya interviews that she knows her limits and has made her decision -- she feels it is time for her to go.

That was weird. I'm sure that Maya put a lot of thought into her decision, but it seems kind of misguided. First of all, I understand that Bryant Park is a massive marketplace, but... you're on national television. The DVD's of this season will be out before long. I'm not sure that your efforts to control how you are perceived wouldn't have been better channeled towards trying to be bold and fearless. Because, a very large group of people already have a perception of you without seeing a collection of yours at Bryant Park and now, for many, that will include the impression that you are a baby quitter. Also, and I think Emilio, though hyperbolic, may have been reacting quite correctly to this, it smacks of entitlement issues when someone seemingly blithely (and I already said I'm sure she put a lot of thought into the decision, but it still seems kinda blithe) tosses an opportunity like this. They don't grow on trees. Tons of designers auditioned for this show and didn't make it on. Even with the boost of the show, not many (save maybe Christian Siriano) of the designers who were actually on the show have maintained a level of success that keeps them in the public eye. Which brings us to my last point. Being in the public eye may not seem like the biggest deal when considering their work and point-of-view and we get all artsy fartsy talking about these designs a lot of the time, but they are creating consumables. They don't have relevance unless someone is buying and wearing them. From all I hear, fashion is a rough freaking business. Ultimately, I think Maya has made a mistake.