if you are not
watching Out of the pants
you are only getting
half the story
-rupi Kaur
We have abundance to unzip this week. Kandy fights Elliott, Kandy really he fights Tamisha, and the queens engage in a mini challenge with the baby dancing theme that is as mysterious and unlearned as it is psychically disturbing. However, most of that episode is the main challenge. A Bag Ball in which the queens serve a total of THIRTY-SIX EYES. So, let’s dispense with the preliminaries and go straight to the main event, going from queen to queen:
Symone
Symone deigns to reveal a flaw for us this week: she doesn’t know how to sew! Finally, a deadly quality. Symone makes it clear from the start that she is aiming for “safety”, but that does not stop her from serving a few catwalk moments to stop the show along the way. Symone’s “look bag mix” is my absolute favorite in the category. Think that Swiss scientists impact Diana Ross and Amanda Lepore on the Hadron Collider. Its excellence in the first two categories drives its final look: a simplistic (but well-adjusted) skirt / bra set. Symone does not eliminate this challenge, but it did not have to. His record remains immaculate, and the audience has a chance to see a few other crown contenders at the center of the stage.
Denali
Denali desperately needed to stay out of the fund this week, and she does it admirably. Her crash test dummy is creative and fun, and her Cruella de Vil money bag look is really beautiful. She also has an appealing concept for her handcrafted haute couture look, but in the end, it’s paper glued to a corset, which jurors rarely give high marks. Drag Race. Still, she is totally safe, so we are not pleased to see her lip sync talents again.
Elliott with two Ts
How is it that Elliott, technically, was never at rock bottom and yet, every week I remain convinced that she is the next to fall? It is revealing that Kandy says Elliott is mediocre and deserves to go home twice this episode, and none of his castmates intervene to disagree. Elliott’s two prepared looks are completely banal (a special cry for “gift bag”, I would like to burn it), but his saving grace is his powerful 80s jumpsuit. Maybe it’s the result of my low expectations, but I I whispered an audible “wow” this week when I saw her turn the corner on the catwalk. So, yell at you, Elliott. I give you 1 of 2 t’s.
Olivia Lux
Before Out of the pants this week goes crazy, the queens have a little debate about which of the safe queens could have deserved a higher place (presumably on Rosé). Among them, I think Olivia has the best case. But while her wonderfully well-constructed geometric sleeves are certainly a step above Rosé’s skirt / bra, her boxer stitching unfortunately suffers from an acute case of SDIBS (“Symone Did It Better Syndrome” for those who are not in the medical field) . So, our good-natured New York queen is safe for another week. But is that a small flicker I am detecting in that 1,000-watt smile? Only time will tell.
Gottmik
If there is one thing RuPaul is going to do, it is projecting / gushing over the youngest, leanest and most beautiful fashion queen of the season. And this year, this is Gottmik, baby! Gottmik slides smoothly into first place after an effortless and charming werkroom presentation and an editorial presentation on the main stage. Judges are particularly gagged by the appearance of money bags: an asymmetrical metallic suit with ruffle details adorning the sides. Gottmik is now undefeated in his fights against Utica (the first being his voice acting debut). Maybe I’m just a sucker for a freak, or maybe I’m a little tired of the fashion industrial complex, but I think I would have won Utica both times. Gottmik leaves this episode with a victory and momentum, but she still has a long way to go before reaching Symone.
pink
Like her New York sister Jan, Rosé had a strong start to the season. In addition to losing lip sync for the first time, Rosé has already had high ratings and positive reviews in all the episodes in which she appeared. But every time, she is just shy of gold (in this case, a little more shy than normal). So, now, I ask the question: is RuPaul setting up Rosé? Ru is not an idiot. He knows that Jan’s cracked face last season was gold on TV. And he knows exactly which buttons to push to turn a competitive but affable musical theater show into a chaos tornado trained by BFA. And I have reason to believe that he’s doing it again. Rosé’s looks this week are well finished and well prepared, and her haute couture look is certainly the best of the skirt / bra brigade. But Michelle says she is not “boring” enough and RuPaul is stuttered by Gottmik. Then, once again, Rosé hears “it’s not your turn” and leaves the stage a little more irritated. I’m worried about my girl. Somebody call Stephanie’s Child Protection Service.
Tina Burner
I almost forgot that Tina was in that episode until Out of the pants came and Tina planted herself as a firm Kandy team. Do we think it’s a good sign? Tina’s luck, however, is historically a sound Drag Race strategy to fly under the radar during the first half of the season (if you can stay here). The New York City queen has been safe, secure and secure for the past few episodes and you can tell she is a little tired of it. This week, Tina produces three B-plus looks, but she’ll have to do a little better than that if she wants to reach the top of this team.
Kandy Muse
Don’t say she didn’t warn you. Kandy Muse told us since the jump that she talks loud and has no filter. And to quote me quoting Instagram quoting Oprah quoting Maya Angelou: When people tell you who you are, believe me. Kandy begins the episode simply to fuel his rivalry with Elliott, but when Tamisha steps in, Kandy is more than happy to turn his fury against the Atlanta queen. The tension is as dense as a hip pad, and they start right where they left off. Out of the pants. Honestly, the fight progresses to a point where it looks like Kandy may be about to stay physically. Fortunately, things get cold … for now. Of course, this conflict is far from over, and none of the queens will retreat anytime soon.
Tamisha Iman
I entered this episode betting on Tamisha’s victory. But just like a Wall Street hedge fund manager, my bet was not worth it this week, and I go be complaining about it through the media. More worrying than his placement in the first three years, however, is the almost violent discussion mentioned above with Kandy. I have Tamisha tied to the top four (I bought the stock for 11 cents!), And while many Drag Race finalist had a rivalry throughout the season, I can’t think of anyone who almost played hands with another competitor. The first episodes painted a picture of Tamisha as a mother, both figurative and literal, and a mentor figure for some of the youngest queens in the competition. But this episode shows a side of Tamisha that is a little less maternal and a lot more insecure. Now, listen, I’m not saying that Tamisha is wrong. I think most would agree that Kandy has exhibited some arrogant behavior throughout this season. But choosing to antagonize her not once, but twice? Mom, you’re embarrassing me! I hope Tamisha can draw on her experience in the contest and crush this Kandy steak, but, like I said, something tells me that these two are just getting started.
Utica
An impressive (and necessary) display for our eccentric Minnesota queen this week. Utica had three average past episodes, and I was beginning to think that my initial impression may have been wrong. Fortunately, this week proved that I am perfect and I am literally never wrong. Oh, and that Utica is about to be a force this season. Although some Christian queens may hide their light under a bushel, Utica is not ashamed to share the fact that she can sew. (Not surprisingly, by the way. Have you ever looked at someone and know for sure that he has a loom?) And she sews. In addition to two well-styled prom looks, Utica manages to transform nylon sleeping bags into a breathtaking hooded dress. It is truly extraordinary and, if I had been in RuPaul’s position, I would certainly have given her the victory. And again: I am NEVER wrong!
Joey Jay
We say goodbye to Joey Jay in this episode. Joey Jay came in declaring himself a “filling queen”, which proves to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. She offers three distinctly mediocre looks in this episode, landing deep in rock bottom. After a brief and disconcerting game of “Who’s On First” with Carson and Nicole Byer, she is forced to do a voice over against the deity LaLa Ri. The poor man never had a chance. A moment of silence for Joey Jay: drag queen, everyone’s sister, chicken feather enthusiast. She will be missed. Amen.
LaLa Ri
No one fails this week’s challenge as spectacularly as LaLa. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to call your arts and crafts project the worst look in Drag Race her story. After all, we live in unprecedented times! However, I would not change anything, because that brings us to one of the best lip syncing performances of the season so far. LaLa hits every beat of this Iggy Azalea song and simply dominates poor Joey Jay. This master class makes me look forward to a confrontation between Denali and LaLa Ri. Don’t let me down, Ru.
This episode is impactful, and I think it will be seen as a key turning point of the season. There are some necessary classification changes (mainly with Gottmik and Utica establishing themselves as strong contenders for the top four), and the start of what I’m sure will be a one-season conflict between Kandy and Tamisha. The queens are already choosing sides, and I only see them increasing from here. Trust: there will be blood.