S12, Episode 12 - "Viva Drag Vegas" (spoilers)

[Captain.Remy]

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[Amy Jade]

Loving this episode, the Vagas show was amazing and honestly they all did really well but I was honestly drawn to Jackie the most. Just watching the runway now...

[Amy Jade]

Jackie done dirty imo but it was fairly obvious Ru wanted her gone.

[Captain.Remy]

So there we have it: Gigi, Crystal and Jaida in top 3.

That was a good idea to do something different for the last challenge, and it was a good number from all of them. The runway looks were all great too.
I thought Gigi would come out with some boring fashion outfit, but she added some fun into it, so that was nice. That freaking look from Crystal...WORK!

We can clearly see Ru went for the report cards this week because it was a tough week and they all did a solid job. (he didn't even try to hide it when announcing the finalists) Jackie was the obvious one and in order to stay she had to do a stellar job, far better than the others to make it work. I hoper we get to see her again some day.

I suppose that's the last time we saw Sherry Pie. Unpopular opinion maybe and putting outside stuff to the side, she did well and deserved (at time of filming) making it to the top 4. She was a solid contestant throughout with looks and performances. It's a shame he behaved the way that he did.

At this point if we go by report cards, Gigi will probably win. If I follow my heart I would say Crystal because her winning would be so good, deserving, and what a sweetheart. Realistically, I would say Jaida to get the crown, she's very good at lipsyncing and is overall a strong competitor that can give Gigi a run for her money. All three wins would make sense at this point.

I can't wait to see how that Zoom crowning thing is going to play out :joker:

[Saph]

I really enjoyed this ep, I feel like the critiques the judges give on the final ep are always much nicer than what they usually give. The musical number was great, maybe even one of the best ones ever, they all did really well.

The edit is suddenly trying to make Gigi this seasons comedy queen? sure.. I mean Jaidas the fashion queen clearly so she has to be something I guess.

Thank god Crystal stayed, I like Jackie but she always does this weird crazy lip sync face and stares right at the judges :joker:

Sherry did the best this ep imo :eyes: her runway was amazing. followed by Crystal and Jaidas.

[MB.]

Gigi currently being dead last in the "who do you want to win?" polls :eyes:

[Daniel-X]

That was a fantastic maxi challenge, one of the best of all time even. Every single girl killed it, it’s a shame it was the last episode because nobody deserved to go really - each and every girl made it their own.

I can’t really call who will win out of the final three girls now though if Gigi is last in the polls :eyes:

[MB.]

Update: on Twitter, Crystal is first, Jaida is second and Gigi is third (with roughly equal distance between the three), while on Instagram Crystal is miles ahead of the other two

Not that social media popularity actually matters in a universe where Monét X Change won All Stars 4, but hey, it's sport

[Smithy]

Thought it was an excellent episode, I honestly thought for a second Sherry was gonna be in the bottom after the comments this week, no surprise Jackie went but I’m lowkey surprised they’re not bringing her back for a top 4 considering they filmed them both winning the lip sync/leaving

[Shaun]

Jaida losing on IG, the racists have taken over that platform </3

The performance clips I've seen were really cringey but I'll give it a watch later. The lipsync was enjoyable and I feel nothing re: Jackie's departure. She wasn't finalist material and she really just does nothing for me with her drag.

[Wizard.]

I loved the challenge, so will it just be a top 3?

Also whatever happened to the “Gigi...” *pulls out a baby picture* “what would you say to little 3 year old James?”

[MB.]

I loved the challenge, so will it just be a top 3?

Also whatever happened to the “Gigi...” *pulls out a baby picture* “what would you say to little 3 year old James?”

Gigi's mother is in fact a clinical scientist who grew Gigi in a lab three years ago for the sole purpose of being skinny and wearing nice clothes, and as such no baby photos of her exist

[Saph]

"what would you say to little gigi?"

https://wp-media.patheos.com/blogs/sites/149/2015/03/test-tube.jpg

[Wizard.]

:laugh:


True, Crystal would just be some glitter, Jaida a crown, Jackie a merkin and Sherry a pie

[RileyH]

Loved the challenge & lipsync, I don't think Jackie deserved to go home this week but judging by track record I can see why it had to be done.

Praying Jaida can pull the win out :fc: :love:

[Jigs]

Jackie did well this week but I felt that she wasn't on the same level as the other four. I enjoyed the change of challenge from rumix to rusical but it doesn't quite have that showstopping feel that I've felt with prior seasons (although these peaked at AS3 and 10).

Think:
3. Crystal
2. Jaida
1. Gigi

Want:
3. Crystal
2. Gigi
1. Jaida

I love all 3 of these queens pretty much equally so it's tough putting Crystal 3rd. If they even bother to bring Jackie back she's obviously coming 4th anyway.

[Jigs]

If Crystal Methyd is leading in fan votes across platforms it's still possible she'll be crowned. Her edit has largely revolved around her being "most improved" and she has one of the most blatant upward trajectories ever, being safe/low for 5 weeks and then in the top for 5 weeks. It would be cool if she won honestly.

[Captain.Remy]

I loved the challenge, so will it just be a top 3?

Also whatever happened to the “Gigi...” *pulls out a baby picture* “what would you say to little 3 year old James?”

Yeah that went missing! I usually like those moments with the final speech as well.:shrug:

I don't know when RuPaul makes his final decision about the winner, but at that moment Crystal seems to be the fan-favorite pretty much everywhere.

Unless another "Asia vs the butterflies" moment happens, I think Gigi has it in the bag.
But really in my opinion, Gigi does nothing to me as a Drag Queen. Like yes she's a good technician, does things well, is really into it etc But what's the spirit, what does she add to the plate that we haven't seen? Idk, it's like Brooke Lynn last year: good track record but a little boring.
At least past winners brought something fresh and their own persona. Gigi doesn't have that "brand" thing others winners have like Bob, Alaska, Sasha, Violet, Bianca. Even Yvie had something else. They all kind of represent a different aspect and their own art. Gigi is...a campy fashion model?

And I have the same feeling about this season overall, apart from Crystal and Heidi, it wasn't overall fun or had wow and iconic moments. The confessionals weren't that hilarious or fun either (poor Heidi carrying the whole fun on her back) There was talent, but something was lacking to me. It's not an iconic season to remember. It was a fine season at best.

[Saph]

In terms of challenge wins, then yeah Gigi has the most so I guess that technically means shes done better, but in terms of runways, Jaida and Crystal have left Gigi in the dust (imo)

I'm already bracing myself for Gigi to win, so if she does I wont be disappointed because its expected. I do think Jaida truly deserves it more though.

[Wizard.]

I wonder if they even take the social media likes/hashtags into account when choosing the winner?

Like yeah Yvie was way ahead last year in the social media popularity contest but it also made sense for her to win too. I would love a Crystal win but it would seem sort of random especially if Gigi and Jaida slay the final lip sync in their living rooms.

Maybe it does play some element. I do feel as though they want to make the fanbase happy nowadays ever since the Shangela mishap I mean they even made AS4 a tie just to please people and not be called racist.

[MB.]

I would love a Crystal win but it would seem sort of random especially if Gigi and Jaida slay the final lip sync in their living rooms.

It's probably worth noting at this point that, as far as I'm aware, Crystal and Jaida will be lip syncing from their actual living rooms in Missouri and Wisconsin respectively, while Gigi will be lip syncing from the queer artists' commune that she lives in in LA

Not that any one queen has a slight advantage over the other two or anything

[Saph]

nnnn jaida dancing around her dining table and crystal death dropping on the sofa

[Liam-]

GiGi’s mother to do the lipsync, cause she’s done everything else for her anyway?

[Captain.Remy]

GiGi’s mother to do the lipsync, cause she’s done everything else for her anyway?

Welp :skull: :joker:

[Jigs]

I think this is the strongest Top 3 looks-wise we've ever had.

Entrance Look: Jaida
Spring Look: Crystal
Fall Look: Jaida
Buttons/Bows: Gigi
Ball Ball: Jaida
Capes: Crystal
Frozen: Jaida
Michelle: Jaida
Black Wedding: Crystal
Stars/Stripes: Jaida
Makeover: Crystal
Purple: Gigi
F5: Gigi

Jaida: 6
Crystal: 4
Gigi: 3

[Saph]

my faves:

Entrance Look: Crystal
Spring Look: Crystal
Fall Look: Crystal
Buttons/Bows: Gigi
Ball Ball: Jaida
Capes: Crystal
Frozen: Crystal
Michelle: Jaida
Black Wedding: Crystal (although I loved them all)
Stars/Stripes: Jaida
Makeover: Crystal
Purple: Jaida
F5: Jaida

Crystal: 7
Jaida: 5
Gigi: 1

oop my favouritism exposed :skull:

[Saph]

https://rupaulsdragrace.fandom.com/wiki/RuPaul%27s_Drag_Race_(Season_12)/Queens%27_Looks
this site has all the looks btw if anyones interested

[MB.]

Entrance Look: Crystal
Spring Look: Gigi
Fall Look: Jaida
Buttons/Bows: Gigi
Ball Ball: Jaida
Capes: Crystal's felt the most original so I'll go with her
Frozen: Crystal
Michelle: Jaida's was the most recognisably Michelle so I'll go with her
Black Wedding: Crystal
Stars/Stripes: Jaida although I really liked Crystal's as well
Makeover: Crystal
Purple: Jaida by far
F5: Gigi

Crystal: 5
Jaida: 5
Gigi: 3

[Barry.]

I so want Crystal to win. She's had the journey. Gigi hasn't had that imo. Oh and Jaida has been great so it's a close one.

[Liam-]

Entrance Look: Gigi
Spring Look: Gigi
Fall Look: Crystal
Buttons/Bows: Gigi
Ball Ball: Jaida
Capes: Crystal
Frozen: Jaida
Michelle: Jaida
Black Wedding: Crystal
Stars/Stripes: Gigi
Makeover: Crystal
Purple: Jaida
F5: Crystal

Crystal: 5
Jaida: 4
Gigi: 4

[Captain.Remy]

Entrance Look: Jaida
Spring Look: Jaida
Fall Look: Gigi
Buttons/Bows: Gigi
Ball Ball: Crystal
Capes: Crystal
Frozen: Crystal
Michelle: Jaida
Black Wedding: Crystal
Stars/Stripes: Jaida
Makeover: Crystal
Purple: Jaida
F5: Crystal

Crystal: 6
Jaida: 5
Gigi: 2

Close one between Crystal and Jaida. Really looking back at Gigi's outfits, there were nice but boring. Yes it's fashionable but where's the spice and the spirit?

[Shaun]

I watched both this and the previous episode in one sitting because I guess even in a quarantine I can't find the time to watch the last one last week :unsure: so here're my thoughts on both episodes...

Penultimate episode
I generally didn't care for Jackie throughout the season but she should've won this one. Her routine was heartfelt, funny, smart and a big risk for her. I know Crystal has deserved a win for a long time but it was not this one: her exotic dancer thing was just... a bit lame, to be honest. I didn't think much of it. Sherry was the only other one who did good, but obviously ran over and shouldn't have won as a result. Oh Heidi... Heidi Heidi Heidi :( she could've had something if she stuck to just two characters, and I loved her gown... and I know Jaida was messy but I still laughed more at her performance than I did at Gigi's :idc: Call me a hater, this was a third week in a row that Gigi should have lipsynced... but at least it gave us a 10/10 Jaida lipsync in lieu of that robbery.

This Episode
Yeah the performance just really didn't impress me :shrug: just found it corny and the 4 white girls really just... showed their whiteness when it came to the rap, lmao.

OK so I'll be reasonable here: I hated Yvie Oddly a LOT. She was awful. She is awful. But when it comes to "top 5 performance challenges having a standout winner"... SHE WAS ONE. GIGI WAS NOT. Name one thing Gigi did better at than Jaida here. I'll wait. So why the HELL does everyone just get called "safe" at the end of S11 and now we throw another god-damn bone to Gigi this time? God I love this season but the ****ing favouritism is giving me an aneurysm.

Disappointing final looks too... Sherry's was great, and I loved Jaida's dress but didn't see the point of the black cape. Gigi's was nice, but again, costumey... and Crystal's was odd but not entirely in a WOW WINNER way.

Jackie was obviously the weak link and that's fine, but these past two episodes at least helped me appreciate her more.

For me, the season would be judged thusly...

Runways
Will name my favourite overall of the category and then brackets for the finalists...

Entrance Look: Gigi
Spring Look: Rock (Jaida)
Fall Look: Crystal
Buttons/Bows: Sherry
Ball Ball: Jaida overall
Capes: Crystal
Frozen: Jan (Sherry)
Michelle: Crystal
Black Wedding: Jaida
Stars/Stripes: Widow :shrug: (Crystal)
Makeover: Crystal
Purple: Jaida
F5: Sherry

Crystal: 5
Jaida: 4
Sherry: 3
Gigi: 1

Performances / "deserves the win"
I'm That Bitch: Widow
Whatever the Chicago Musical Thing Was Called: Jaida
World's Worst: Sherry
The Ball Ball: Jaida
Gay's Anatomy: Sherry
Snatch Game: Gigi/Sherry
Madonna Rusical: Jan
Droop: Heidi
Choices 2020: Jaida
Makeover: Crystal
One-Woman-Show: Jackie
Top 5: tie

Crystal: 1
Gigi: 1
Jaida: 3
Sherry: 3