Miami Ink Season 1, Episode 17: While Ami's Away

Five Friends

The friends reunite to turn what was once just a dream into a reality. As Ami and three world-class tattoo artists open up a tattoo shop in Miami's South Beach called Miami Ink, the four friends and apprentice Yoji, hope to build a thriving business.

Never Forget

As the business grows, the guys of Miami Ink struggle with the pressure of balancing their personal life and work

In Memory Of...

Ami and crew deal with changes and transformations in their lives and relationships, including the wedding of Yoji to his fiance Bridgette when they get married in a beautiful ceremony on the beach.

Growing Up

While the gang adjusts to the responsibility of owning their own business, a list of celebrity clientèle wait months for their turn under the needle with the masters.

The Apprentice

Yoji slowly learns the ropes, but still has a way to go before he can tattoo. Also: a former member of rock band Skid Row gets tattooed with his kids' names.

The Family

Yoji and Brigette's daughter is born.

Going for the Gold

A medal-winning Paralympic athlete comes in to get his tribal tattoo completed. Meanwhile, Yoji and Bridgette bring Sydney to the shop to meet the others.

Bad Break

Darren Brass takes a little spill and breaks his elbow, so Ami brings in a new girl from Los Angeles to substitute for a few weeks.

Kat's in the Groove

After last week's episode where Kat was brought in to help out, she's now settled in and having fun doing some great artwork. Kat tattoos the Virgin Mary on Darren's wife, and some family members come to visit the shop.

Finding Balance

While exercising to get into better physical shape, Ami revives an old back injury. Meanwhile, the gang are hesitant to let Yoji handle a solo tattoo job on a woman.

Hawaii

On a trip to Oahu, Hawaii, Ami James and Chris Garver meet Keoni Nunez who teaches them traditional Polynesian tattooing. Next, they sit in at a shop in Honolulu and tattoo six locals. While they're in Hawaii, they also meet professional surfers who take them to catch some waves.

More Money, More Problems

Trouble and confusion are brewing with the artists. They learn that as you get more money, you also get more problems. Ami buys his dream car and Darren puts his life and career on the line by drinking too much.

60 min

Step Up or Step Out

Yoji learns that he must show improvement in his drawing skills or Ami will remove him from his apprenticeship.

Party All the Time

Nunez's partying starts to get in the way of his work and demeans the shop's reputation. Meanwhile, Ami spends time with his mother, who is visiting from Israel.

Weathering the Storm

Tensions rise when Ami leaves town just as a huge storm is about to hit and leaves Chris Nunez in charge. Meanwhile, Darren tries to convince his wife to leave Connecticut and join him.

Kat's Return, Ami's Ride

Kat makes a surprise visit from Los Angeles, delighting the overworked staff, and Ami tries to get past the memory of a past accident and resume rising a motorcycle.

Rock 'n' Roll All Night

Garver works on a guardian angel design while Ami finishes a Hindu-inspired piece and then undertakes a Hawaiian-themed design. However, with so much work to do, the long hours are getting to everyone.

The Ink That Binds

Darren does an inspirational tattoo to honor a man's uncle, while Garver does one for a woman who has struggled for years to overcome an eating disorder. Yoji's long work hours are affecting his family life, and the gang offers to look after his daughter while he and his wife see a family therapist. Meanwhile, the guys are jealous of Nunez's lunch date, and Ami places a radio ad for a friend who is looking for a fiancee.

Goodbye Freedom

Darren's wife finally moves to Miami, forcing him to give up his notorious partying. Meanwhile, Yoji and Ami participate in a celebrity ping-pong tournament to benefit underprivileged kids. Nunez gives a young girl the design of her dreams, then helps another with an image to keep her mother's memory alive. Meanwhile, Darren gives his father a first tattoo, and Garver places an image of the World Trade Center on a skateboarder.

Made in Japan

Against Ami's wishes, Yoji gets a Mohawk haircut and adds a tattoo to his head. But Ami can't complain too much when apprentice Yoji finally gets his first paying client. Ami does a rosary design for a girl in memory of her grandfather, Darren makes a design to remind a rock musician that you only live once, and Garver creates a skull tattoo. Later, the guys temporarily leave the tattoo world and collaborate on paintings for an international art show.