Well, this would have been a great episode for Ru to not send anyone home. I'm forever team Latrila, but Monet didn't deserve the chop either. I hate how people are seeing Manila, though. First they judge her for considering to choose with her brain, but then they judge her for choosing with her heart.
I really do like every contestant that is there right now, though. I think these people are absolutely fabulous, and all have chances to win, the season is absolutely impredictable to me.
I didn't think any of the performances were particularly great.. I just didn't think the stories were funny. The highlights of the episode for me were:
-Manila describing her character as Farrah Moan from Jersey;
-Naomi's look in the challenge;
-Latrice's hair in the challenge (LOOOOVED IT, it suited her so much!)
-Trinity and Valentina in the workroom: it's hilarious that the loyalty does not go both ways. I love Trinity, but she should know better than thinking Valentina does anything but look out for herself, everyone knows she's a highly functioning sociopath;
-Trinity's hair on the runway;
-Elton John's video message, ahaha.
Anyway. This season is going kill us all. I know it.
I thought the winners deserved it. And I love Ben, but I am ok with her being safe. This was not a great week for her. I honestly thought this was Trixie's best performance so far, and I am glad about her being a top 2! I was just not sure that Bebe did as well as Trixie, but I think she was at least better than everybody else.
Aja was gorgeous. I LOVED HER OUTFIT. And they could really read her for her lack of history and mispronunciation, but oh, that was gorgeous. It was really not very disco, it was more I Dream of Jeannie, rather than Bardot, Cher or Frances Joli (in fact, I saw nothing of Frances Joli at all). I am terribly sad to see her go, but I would not be happy to see Shangela go either.
Honestly, Kennedy was the one I least liked. Not because she failed, she did not... but I just did not like what she did with her can, I thought it was boring, and I did not love her outfit either, though it really was better than Ben's... Ben's look was, to me, worst than even Shangela's bizarre improvisation.
Overall - I have no idea what to feel! Hahaha.
Well. Wasn't that upsetting? Sincerely, if the other lipsyncing queen had gone home, it would also have been an unfair waste. I think Eliminated queen got too cocky after being constantly showered in compliments and behaved a little arrogantly by not learning the song, but to be fair, I don't think either of them really did so badly as the one who barely escaped. Miss Lucky getting spared by her team's overall performance right after trying to throw them under the bus was ridiculous. She should have gone home after bombing AGAIN and appearing with another BASIC look.
Now, bitterness discussed, can we talk about Trinity? She's been consistently surprising me. She isn't afraid of taking risks, of taking characters, of trying anything that is put in front of her. That one is a force to be reckoned with simply due to her sheer nerve. I feel that she doesn't even blink when taking on a challenge, she just tackles it! She is really growing on me.
Edit: after watching Untucked, the Eliminated's situation turned even more bitter to me. She was extremely aware that lipsyncing was a real possibility, and yet didn't prepare herself. Which is specially bad after getting read on her challenge because she hadn't prepare herself for that either. Girl, you got some explaining to do there. Was arrogance going over your head? You're pretty alright, but since [i]when[/i] has beauty ever been enough in this competition?! You need something to back it up.
I don't think I've ever given the Kardashians more than a passing glance as their pictures tend to pop up a lot, but less so when you aren't in social media like me. This Kardashian musical is awesome though, and I would actually pay a ticket to watch it live! This RPDR episode was particularly enjoyable not just for the great entertainment of the performance, but also because there was a lot less bickering than usual. Everyone was actually pleasant and civil towards each other (at least in the episode, who knows what we'll see on Untucked).
You know, I totally get Nina. Sulking is fine, and some of us do it, and we can't help it. I know it's a horrible attitude and bums everyone out and all, but... I sure can't help it, and apparently neither can Nina. The difference between me and her though, is that she at least tries to deliver despite personal objections, so I give her mad props for that alone. I really hope she'll recover from this low, because she's totally awesome in everything she WANTS to do.
I also totally get Farrah Moan - I also completely lack coordination and stage presence, but then again, I didn't make that into my line of work. I want to like her because she's so cute, but cute isn't enough.
That elimination thought - NOT EXPECTED. But I'm looking forward to next season, because as many personality flaws this queen had, SHE DELIVERED!
Those guest stars, oh my god! Ru is really bringing it this season.
Unfortunately, as great as the guests were, this was one of the most boring challenges I've seen. It was inspired by the Bring it On franchise, but it unfortunately did not achieve the greatness of that opening scene in the first movie. Big Red would have had a fit were she the captain. Now, I'm not talking about the queens performance, I'm talking about the challenge itself: the lyrics were not funny and the demand for stunts was, I think, ridiculous. This show has seen sassy, and those lyrics weren't it, and I think the stunts actually distracted from character development by causing fear and tension. I hope the next dance-related challenges will have more room for funny.
P.S.: for those who can, please look at Sasha Velour's face with your full attention. TRY AND FIND A FLAW. Spoiler: YOU CAN'T.. She is probably the best make up artists that has ever stepped on this show. I have seriously never ever in my life seen a drag look so flawlessly blended, not even Ru's. That's some absurd skill, and mad props to her for that! Also, Valentina's runway make up was so fish! I totally plan on stealing that look for my wedding.
What a fun premiere! And very interesting queens too. I can't wait to learn who's the 14th! I understand people have some notions because of some very plausible clues, but considering Ru's taste for shade in his show, I'm thinking it will be someone far naughtier than congenial... Anyway, whoever it might be, great first episode.
Gaga as a guest was great and it was really nice seeing not only her positive energy and message, but also her passion for fashion and the respect she has for it as art.
The queens overall seemed very strong and polished, on a much higher level than other now iconic former competitors were on their first episodes. Tricks that many queens only learned during the show (thanks to Michelle Visage's tough love) seem to already have been mastered by many, so I'm looking forward to see how will they take their drag even further!
As for favorites, for some reason I find myself cheering for Jaymes and I'm hoping she'll come to herself soon! I also really like Charlie, as both a person and an artist, and Peppermint just has this funky yummy flavor to her that drew me in immediately. I will not guess the top 3 yet, but I really hope these three have lots of screen time! :)
I am SO GLAD to be wrong! NAOMI WAS GLOOOORIOUS. For someone who didn't even know what an interpretive dance was. Just so amazing! I'm... oh, absolutely charmed by how on point everything about her was tonight!
Ok, with my fangirling (partially) out the way, I need to first comment how much I loved the Little Women LA cast. I never knew such show even existed, but they were so fierce. I loved them all, and I think I'll start watching it. They just seem like interesting people.
-Loved: after Naomi, definitely Kim Chi. Ok, the dance was really weird, but... it's Kim Chi. Awkward is just part of her charm.
-I was pretty neutral towards Thorgy's overall performance, but considering she once commented on how negative Acid Betty was, she might want to reconsider the way she comes off in the show - I felt the way she worded her annoyance at Chi Chi and Bob were bordering on resentment, and that's not cool.
-Chi Chi, by the way, did disappoint. I think her attitude just isn't a winning one. "Good enough" is a concept that doesn't exist in Drag Race. It's in it to win it, all or nothing, so that thing of throwing off time, was ridiculous. I don't care if she can't sew, several things on the design can be improved without sewing. Also, it's Dorothy, and no ruby slippers? I just feel that there was more inspiration to be drawn from character. As it was, I found it underwhelming, and I don't give a damn about whether something was hot glued, sewed, safety pinned or glued with saliva, as long as the final result is decent - which, I think hers was. Just not Drag Race decent.
-The hairline blending contour tip is real, girl. Otherwise, I don't think it was really too awful, just really boring (despite her opinion being the exact opposite). I understand vintage silhouette, but that was church grandma silhouette. And again, underwhelming in taking inspiration from the character. I know sewing/construction isn't her thing though, and I can sort of excuse it... but at this point "not her thing" really does mean going home, so efforts must be made beyond all efforts ever made.
-Bob. Her Little Woman was SO extremely pretty, Jesus. I really need to watch their show, haha. However, for all the trouble Bob went through this episode, I think she was humbled by it. I also think that asking for help could do wonders too, but I doubt she'd ever be humbled enough to reach that point.
-At last, Derrick. Oh, wow. So you hemmed something - WHAT A SKILLLLLL. Everyone is absolutely right about her looks, everyone tells her exactly what is up, and she refuses to see. She thinks that one look is just "her drag". She would only naturally be saved by her amazing stage presence. At this point, I think that's the only good thing about her. Because her personality and looks are just pitiful. And now, I'm just really praying that she goes home next week. Derrick is basic in life, something a drag queen should never be.
Also, I'm disappointed that even with Marc Jacobs sitting right there, there were no MJ-related prizes. I mean, I understand the support for indie, drag-made brands, but throwing one nice designer item as freebie would really have made some of those queen's days, and these are stressful times...
Previous comments in the page, though short, sum up the frustration with this episode (safe for the eliminated queen. She really sucked in this episode, and it was well deserved).
But on the usual rant: The least funny snatch game in RPRD's history. Clearly, this isn't a season for comedy, only for bitchiness, which some of the queens have to spare. Most characters were, well, horrible. I saw a lot of people complaining that Bob stole the spotlight, but perhaps the blandness of the others just made it too easy for her to do so? Most of them were flailing on dry land, and removing attention from them might have been a blessing in disguise. Derrick finally could play Britney - now, yes, at the right moment to do so, but.. hm. I honestly think Tatianna's Britney would slay Derrick's any day. So... just not impressed. I actually thought Kim Chi's character was funny, and who cares if it was made up. The body language was really nice. Thorgy's Michael Jackson was also pretty good, and the thing about the baby and the blanket was delightfully unexpected and funny. Then there's Bob - which I'm still not sure if she was really very good, or just above average enough to seem in an entirely different category from the rest of awful unfunny barely acting queens. Robbie, which I came to love btw, sunk under her character. Totally sunk, and she then whined with excuses. Robbie, darling, this is not a show for whining, complaining, or justifying yourself - when you suck, you pray you aren't sent home and you LEARN from it. That's all there's to it - unless you can put on a beautiful show when you cry, of course. Also, mention to Naomi: so pretty, so average. I mean, I adore her to the point that sometimes she appears and I just have to stop and wonder how can a queen be so beautiful, but I feel she's beginning to to approach the deep end of the pool, and despite those eternally long legs of hers, she'll be underwater real soon. If I could bet, I'd say she's the next one out... (does a guess require a spoiler alert? Considering it isn't pertinent to this episode, it makes me wonder if it annoys who reads this.)
Now, runway time: TODAY NOBODY COULD CALL CHI CHI BASIC. BASIC ARE THOSE RED KIMONOS. I mean, really, is it some kind of trend? How many of you own red kimonos, did they really just have them there by accident? And when we say Madonna, you all think Nothing Really Matters? It isn't even the most iconic Ray of Light-era look, much less all-time ever. How in the world did they not notice the oriental theme going on around the work room? So many questions for this Gaijin Cherry Blossom festival runway.
But back to Chi Chi, here's my delight in seeing that she has once more shown herself cool under pressure, coming up with what is definitely Madonna's most iconic look on the spot. Well done, my Louisana queen! Ok, Kim Chi's red kimono wasn't so bad - or maybe, it's just my crush talking. Bob's runway makes me ask the same question as before - is she really good, or just good enough to steal the spotlight from this underwhelming lot? Her padding, though, was flawless. And I thought that wig really suited her. She just looked so sweet and pretty when she smiled in the runway, I think she had my favorite make up on too, followed by Chi Chi's amazing glitter eyeshadow. Least favorite make-up was Acid Betty's. I'm not sure if the Victorian actor powder look was intentional, awfully dry skin, or awfully applied translucent powder atop some equally awfully blended highlighter. And to think she's so eager to criticize Trixie's look.... hm.
(As for next week, Marc Jacobs will be the guest judge. Here's to my hopes that the week's winner prize is MJ merch. I'D KILL FOR THAT).
I'm gagging for Kim Chi's thighs! Actually, her entire proportion is just perfect, wow. The whole anime look also has my heart, because, well, I'm really biased, being already a Harajuku fashion enthusiast!
I loved her, and Cynthia, whom to me seemed like the nicest person there, while Bob appears to be the funniest. Robbie however, got on my nerves. Her meanness clearly comes from a place of envy. Acid Betty has the most interesting style, and Naomi... she's the bombshell of the season - those never ending legs and that ass... wow, just wow! (I have no idea why she went so shapeless though I understand the heroin chick look she was going for and all - she really needed to add some femininity to her chest area). Also, I'm shocked by Derrick - breaking away from Britney will be really hard, she's just too spot on on her! The odd one out seems to be Gigi, but honestly, I'm really surprised with her and her skill to pull something decent off in the last minute after her original design was ruined. Points for being cool under pressure, girl! She seems to be the season's underdog, and I think she'll go far if she keeps that nerve.
The other queens... hm. I'm not very impressed. Time will tell what can they bring.
