The girls check out their new apartment in New York City and admire the humanitarian theme behind this year's loft. Once everyone is settled, Jay Manuel and Miss J take the girls to Times Square for an impromptu Badgley Mischa fashion show. While some ace the runway, others leave Miss J appalled. Paulina Porizkova is introduced as the new judge and gives the girls some honest and harsh criticism. One model stuns the judges with her revelation.

The models are called to duty with Miss J and the New York City Fire Department where the girls strut their stuff and show off their quick-change skills. Next up is a runway show with the designer Tuleh. Cycle eight winner Jaslene Gonzalez makes a surprise appearance as a judge for this challenge and hurts one of the models' feelings with her harsh critique. The show wraps up with a photo shoot in the meat-packing industry that not only has the girls posing with racks of meat, but wearing it as well.