by Chris Feil
This season of RuPaul’s Drag Race has a celebrity problem.
I had complained about the show taking attention away from the queens and making the show all about famous faces at the beginning of the season. However, this episode was the most egregious offender for being starstruck by celebrities who weren’t even there! The main challenge was a mini-musical on the Kardashian family, an overlong performance that spread our time with the girls much too thin. But let’s not jump ahead for the sake of complaining!
We actually did get what has been missing from the season so far: a mini-challenge and the Pit Crew! The gals got into quick drag for a swimsuit selfie with the boys (including new Crew members Jared and Yadir), with the girls being shockingly tame. Alexis took a much needed win, but I’d have given the Instagram like to gorgeous goofball Valentina for insisting Ru announce her as Miss Venezuela. Yes, my frost for her is thawing.
Alexis’s win means she gets to cast the roles, wisely giving herself Kris Jenner. Nina takes the biggest issue with her assignment, claiming some kind of sabotage. I’m Kardash-illiterate, so I won’t pretend to know how most of these roles provide an advantage or otherwise. (And no shade to Kardashifans, I’m someone who obsessively watched Rock of Love Bus, for God’s sake.) Nina’s complaining was not a cute look, an about-face to her humble sweetheart personality thus far.
Nina’s bitching/paranoia and Eureka’s knee injury from the cheerleading challenge took hold over what little episode narrative there was this week. I’m seeing black and white thunder flashbacks to Farrah’s episode 2 prophecy: there’s going to be a severe injury on this episode. Farrah, you are a mystic or a witch because it proved true. Even Charlie blamed her immobile lipsync last week on a broken rib - but to see Eureka charging through still determined to win on damn crutches, I call shade bullshit, Charlie.
RuPaul’s Best Group Therapy Race - Eureka took a humble step back and apologized to last week’s rudeness when discussing Sasha’s past with eating disorders. Valentina and Shea spoke up with their own struggles, dipping a toe in discussing body standards among gay men, demands that even this show can perpetuate.
In the main challenge, it’s easy to suss out the strong and weak performances even if you’re not well versed in Kardashia. Theatre queen Alexis is a spot-on charmer, while Shea steals the spotlight and smashes it as Blac Chyna. Cynthia arguably has the most eyes on her playing Kim, and flubs about every line. Eureka gives good face as she stands firm center stage - poor girl had to wear flats!
The Runway Does Still Matter - ... but not in the way you think. Alexis destroyed her chances at winning this week with an underwhelming look, proving that the new rules of the runway are that they can hurt you more than they can help you (see also: Farrah landing on the bottom for a meh challenge performance and an adorable runway). It's interesting that Alexis did well this episode, but didn't necessarily impress. Shea once again has the best runway look, which should officially be called The Shea Couleé Award for Best Runway at this point.
No More Drama - Nina’s cool-as-hell Mary J. Blige-inflected look deceives the complete lack of chill she had this episode. For all her grousing, Alexis gave her a great part that suited her well and she turned it out. And if Nina thinks that someone would play dirty to get threats out of the competition, there’s a few out in front of her at this point that would make better targets. Get it together, Nina, we want to root for you.
In the lipsync, Farrah Moan is right in sync with the energy of the song while Cynthia sheds her fur duvet cover dress and flails a bit. Ru, never one to shy away from drama, exits the soundstage, only to return to call Eureka to the stage. In a mea culpa to her knee, Ru sends Eureka home on doctor’s orders with a promised spot on next season. Cynthia should be very grateful.
While her quality has gone down as she became a more grating personality, Eureka went out on top this week. She redeemed some of her childishness while performing well and giving a polished runway. I’d expect her to be a major threat next season in ways that Cynthia has proven not to be.
Untucked is becoming such an essential piece of Drag Race for letting us know the queens in the way the show is failing to do, so be sure to watch this week's genius episode! The queens show some grace and tough love to Nina, Cynthia inters a dead chair, and Alexis out-extras Nina to blame the other girls for her underwhelming look. Farrah may be this season's crybaby, but her heart is quite endearing this week between her hilarious hystrionics.
Current Ranking:
- Shea Couleé
- 🔺Sasha Velour
- 🔻Nina Bo'nina Brown (but the attitude has got to change)
- Trinity Taylor
- Valentina
- 🔺Alexis Michelle
- 🔻Eureka O'Hara OUT
- 🔻Peppermint (not sure I understand the love for her Britney)
- Farrah Moan
- 🔺Aja
- 🔻Cynthia Lee Fontaine
- Charlie Hides OUT
- Jaymes Mansfield OUT
- Kimora Blac OUT
Gif As Episode Grade:
Don’t expect the the celebrity obsession to chill next week, though for better reasons: we’ve got Snatch Game and a rematch with Madonna on the runway. Nathaniel will be covering for me, so the queens better be prepared with more than a kimono this time. What did you think of the episode? And what would you like to see for Snatch Game and the Madonna runway?