[MB.]

Mirror Chat
Back in the werk room the next day, the queens go over how they think they all did in the improv challenge. Kandy still seems confident about her contributions to her scene, confidence which is only exacerbated by Gia mentioning that she thinks she did poorly. Jazell tells Jasmine and Tina that even though she was supposed to be playing the serious detective, she couldn’t help but break character and laugh at their improv shenanigans. This compliment prompts Tina to discuss her status as the current reigning National Comedy Queen. In a confessional, Jasmine says that while she loves Tina like any sister would, she does have a tendency to brag just a wee bit.

When Denali mentions that she loved the murder mystery movie Clue as a kid, the queens get into the always light and cheery topic of childhoods. 6 talks in frank detail about her own childhood growing up in foster care; by the time she ran away from home, she says, she had lived in twenty seven different foster care homes. After this, she struggled with addiction and homelessness, living on Skid Row for three years, and by the age of fifteen she was working in gay bars. She says she feels the struggles she’s been through in life have made her a stronger performer and indeed person today, and that most importantly of all she’s in a place in her life where she’s happy.

Runway
This week's runway category is Absolutely Androgynous (outfits that combine the masculine and the feminine to create a look that's neither). As ever, I've supplied a moodboard below, and coincidentally this one features one of David Bowie's fabulously androgynous outfits made by the late Kansai Yamamoto (RIP):

Spoiler:

Judging
Based on their performances in the challenge and their runway presentations, Denali, Jazell, Moltyn, Neon and Toto are declared safe, leaving the remaining six as the tops and bottoms of the week. Before the safe queens leave the stage, Ross gives Moltyn and Jazell a shoutout for their great work as his scene partners in the challenge.

The judges then critique the top and bottom queens. 6 is praised for her Ziggy Stardust-inspired jumpsuit on the runway, but in the challenge Michelle felt she lacked a sense of fun and ended up fading into the background. Gia is also praised for her Klaus Nomi-esque androgynous look, but is criticised by Ross for being too "in her head" and allowing herself to be swallowed up in the challenge by her scene partner Kornbread. Speaking of the devil, the judges loved Kornbread's performance as she managed to make a minor role extremely memorable, even if her runway look (literally, she's dressed as the Devil, Crystal Methyd is shook) is a tad sloppy.

Olivia is given praise both for her quick wit and charisma in her scene and for stepping outside of her "pretty" box on the runway, while Kandy, who confidently chose her own role, receives criticism from the judges for her one-note performance and allowing other queens to overshadow her. Michelle does really like her club kid look on the runway, but isn't sure this is enough to keep her out of the bottom. Speaking of scene stealers, Jasmine and Tina - aka Lady and Grandma Tuckingham - are called "a comedy double act of ingenious proportions" by guest judge #1 Jamie Lee Curtis, while guest judge #2 Bowen Yang (of SNL fame) says that Jasmine's effortless use of improv techniques made her seem like a professional improv actress. The judges agree across the board that both Jasmine and Tina are forces to be reckoned with in the competition, and Ru declares them both the winners of the challenge. If you're into reading facial expressions, Tina looks a smidgen happier about this joint win than Jasmine does.

Kornbread and Olivia are also congratulated on their strong performances and declared safe, leaving 6, Gia and Kandy left on stage. Eventually, Ru declares Gia safe, leaving 6 and Kandy as the bottom two.

Safe: Denali, Jazell Barbie Royale, Moltyn Decadence, Neon Calypso & Miss Toto
Winners: Jasmine Rice LaBeija & Tina Burner
Safe (High): Kornbread Jeté
Safe (High): Olivia Lux
Safe (Low): Gia Metric
Bottom Two: 6 & Kandy Muse

Kandy says in a confessional that she was so confident throughout the challenge that being in the bottom feels like the wind being knocked out of her sails. 6 says that she refuses to fade into the background in the lip sync like she did in the challenge, and that while she loves Kandy, she has no qualms about sending her home if she must.

[MB.]

Runway
We waste no time in getting to the runway this week, as there are a whopping 33 looks to get through. Here are some moodboards for the three categories (and bear in mind that since the Valedictorian Eleganza Extravaganza looks are supposed to made from scratch, I don't really have anything to reference photographically, so instead I just made a collage of some Drag Race-themed mortarboards):

Bookworm Realness:

Spoiler:

Sorority Sister from Another Mister:

Spoiler:

Valedictorian Eleganza Extravanganza:

Spoiler:

Judging
After seeing the queens present their 33 runway looks, including their Valedictorian Eleganza Extravaganza looks, the judges declare 6, Denali, Olivia, Tina and Toto safe. The remaining six queens, Gia, Jasmine, Jazell, Kornbread, Moltyn, Neon are announced as the tops and bottoms of the week. As safe queen Tina leaves the stage, Jasmine tries to keep her composure.

Gia, Neon and Jazell are all praised for their construction skills and creativity. For Gia, the judges love her Moschino-inspired pink sorority look and think her risky funereal valedictorian look is a massive hit; Michelle likens it to something out of a Tim Burton movie. The judges are also big fans of Neon's conceptual bookworm look, which incorporates actual books into the look, including one as a headpiece. Her valedictorian look, meanwhile, goes down a storm with guest judges Chloe x Halle, as it transforms from a demure graduation outfit to a club-kid-at-the-graduation-afterparty look with very little effort. Jazell, whose black valedictorian gown is more on the traditional side, receives rave reviews for her attention to detail, such as a corsage made out of paper and jewellery decorated with confetti. While Jazell jokes that it's been a while since she was of graduation age, Carson thinks she looks one of the most beautiful of the night.

The three remaining queens - Jasmine, Kornbread and Moltyn - receive less glowing critiques for their garments. Jasmine is criticised for trying to do too many things at once with her look, with the end result looking cluttered and unfinished. Kornbread's feedback is centered around her obvious use of hot glue to apply random bits of fabric, resulting in her outfit lacking a clear silhouette. The judges acknowledge that Moltyn tried to go for a less-is-more approach, but Michelle thinks her outfit is too basic for a ball challenge and wonders if she has the taste level needed to advance to the next stage of the competition.

Neon and Jazell are announced as safe, meaning that Gia is declared the winner of the challenge and the £5,000 tip that goes along with it. In a confessional, Gia is ecstatic about winning her second challenge, and hopes that she can stay on this upward trajectory for the forseeable future. Jasmine is then declared safe, leaving Kornbread and Moltyn as the bottom two.

Safe: 6, Denali, Miss Toto, Olivia Lux & Tina Burner
Safe (High): Jazell Barbie Royale & Neon Calypso
Winner: Gia Metric
Safe (Low): Jasmine Rice LaBeija
Bottom Two: Kornbread Jeté & Moltyn Decadence

Moltyn says that while this is her second time lip syncing, she won't let that stop her from giving her all to the performance. Kornbread, on the other hand, says that she was never going to be the most fashionable of queens, but what she does know how to do well is give the judges a show they won't forget in a hurry.

[MB.]

Mirror Chat
Following the Snatch Game, the queens chat about the reasons behind their choices. Denali says she didn't want her portrayal of Lea Michele to be cruel, but rather in good humour, as she considers herself to be fairly nice as far as drag queens go. Kornbread, however, isn't convinced Denali achieved this vision in her performance (it was just a lot of shouting, she thinks). Toto says her choice of Lord Voldemort was inspired by her love of Harry Potter, and although she was initially conflicted due to JK Rowling’s storied history of transphobia, she decided she would reclaim the character instead (which she did in part by making her Voldemort a messy drunk party animal from Florida, naturally). This in turn prompts the discussion of trans and biological female competitors in Drag Race, which Tina has in the past said she thinks creates an unfair playing field. Jazell says she respects Tina's opinion but kindly reminds her that whether you're trans, cis, or a bio queen, nobody is born with the innate ability to be good at Snatch Game. Except maybe Bianca Del Rio.

Runway
This week's runway category is She Wore Blue Velvet, which I promise is nothing to do with the David Lynch movie. See below for a moodboard in case you forgot what blue velvet looks like:

Spoiler:

Judging
Based on their performances in the Snatch Game and their velvety runway presentations, Gia, Jasmine, Jazell and Neon are declared safe. This means that 6, Denali, Kornbread, Olivia, Tina and Toto are left nervously waiting as the highs and lows of the week.

6’s impersonation of P!nk is criticised by the judges for lacking humour, with Ru saying it reminded her of Morgan McMichaels' ill-fated Snatch Game all the way back in season two. 6 admits that she probably should have picked Kate Bush instead, but freaked out at the last minute and went for what she thought was the safest option. Denali’s Lea Michele, meanwhile, is criticised for being too over-the-top and relying on the same few jokes. Similarly, Olivia is criticised for not going far enough with her portrayal of Vanessa Williams (Michelle points out that she was basically just reciting things Wilhelmina Slater says on Ugly Betty, which is something anyone with access to Vanessa's IMDB page can do).

On the flip side of the Snatch Game coin, the judges tell Kornbread that she made for a larger-than-life Ms. Juicy, and think that Tina took someone who doesn't usually strike people immediately as funny (Shark Tank's Barbara Corcoran) and turned her into a fully-realised character with more layers than an onion. That said, their favourite Snatch Game character of the week turns out to be Miss Toto’s slutty spring breaker Lord Voldemort; Ru happily admits that Toto proved her wrong, and showed that she has natural wit and sense of creativity that not every queen in the competition possesses. Toto is declared as the winner of the challenge, with Kornbread and Tina being safe for their efforts. 6 is then declared safe, avoiding her second lip sync, leaving Denali and Olivia to lip sync for their lives for the first time each.

Safe: Gia Metric, Jasmine Rice LaBeija, Jazell Barbie Royale, Neon Calypso
Safe (High): Kornbread Jeté & Tina Burner
Winner: Miss Toto
Safe (Low): 6
Bottom Two: Denali & Olivia Lux

[MB.]

Lip Sync for Your Life

Moltyn Decadence
vs.
Veronica Taylor-Mykels



to
The Jump Off
(Lil' Kim)

Youtube video

(insert gif of Nina Bo'nina Brown saying "oh my god, it's the first lip sync [for your life, at least]" here)

Moltyn looks right at home with the song, having lots of fun and lip syncing the words to the judges as if she were Lil' Kim herself. Veronica, meanwhile, is... well, a white gay man doing a Lil' Kim number. To say it's a mercy kill would be to put it kindly, but hey, at least Veronica is dignified to remain on the stage for the duration of the song as Moltyn runs rings around her.

"Moltyn Decadence... shantay you stay."

Moltyn seems incredibly relieved, and promises Ru that she won't take her eye off the ball in a challenge again. Ru tells Veronica that while she may be creepy, kooky and mysteriously spooky, she'll always be a member of the Charles family, before asking her to sashay away. Veronica then bids her fellow queens adieu with the vow that she'll be a Nasty Freaky Lady for life, and heads on back to Denver (presumably to face the wrath of Yvie Oddly).

[MB.]

Lip Sync for Your Life

6
vs.
Kandy Muse



to
We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off
(Jermaine Stewart)

Youtube video

The lip sync isn't as much of a runaway victory as last week's, seeing as both 6 and Kandy are able to adapt their respective lip syncing styles to the song with relative ease. However, Kandy seems to lose some steam halfway through the performance, while 6's lip syncing remains consistently tight, controlled, sensual and confident throughout. There's no doubt that 6 is a true pro at this game.

"6.... shantay you stay."

Ziggy Stard-I mean 6 thanks the judges, before hugging Kandy and leaving the stage. Kandy seems upset, but is able to pull it together for her parting words. Ru tells her that while her time on the show may have been short and sweet, she'll always be her Kandy, darling. With this, Kandy departs, and unlike her drag sister Dahlia, she actually gives a goodbye message as she does so. It's a step in the right direction, at least.

[MB.]

Lip Sync for Your Life

Kornbread Jeté
vs.
Moltyn Decadence



to
Schoolin' Life
(Beyoncé)

Youtube video

It's a pretty evenly-matched lip sync, albeit with different approaches from each queen; while Moltyn treats the song as a dance number, Kornbread goes the more fun, comedic route, and incorporates the inevitable shedding of the excess material she hot glued to her outfit into her lip sync performance. Towards the end, Kornbread busts out some of her own dance moves, including a surprise slide into the splits that leaves Carson's mouth agape.

"Kornbread.... shantay you stay."

Kornbread, having torn off half of her outfit and left the runway looking like a florist in the middle of a war zone, graciously thanks Ru and the judges and gives Moltyn a goodbye kiss on the cheek. Ru says tells Moltyn that in leaving tonight, she has graduated the University of Drag Race with flying colours, and is ready to head into the world with her head held high. Moltyn tells Ru that she has been doing drag for the best part of two decades and that she didn't need to attend the University of Drag Race in the first place (just kidding). Instead, Moltyn gives an appropriately graceful pageant exit, and heads back to Kansas City safe in the knowledge that she did sort-of-okay in an improv challenge.

[MB.]

Lip Sync for Your Life

Denali
vs.
Olivia Lux



to
Get Outta My Way
(Kylie Minogue)

Youtube video

The lip sync is one that would hopefully do Kylie proud; Denali pulls out the dancing diva stunts and tricks that she's made her name on (sans the ice skates), but Olivia is able to connect that bit more with the song, and ultimately manages to get Denali out of her way via the timeless medium of the RuPaul's Drag Race lip sync.

"Olivia.... shantay you stay."

Denali... well, she goes off to film season 13, doesn't she. Olivia unfortunately has to wait for at least one more round to join her. Back in the werk room, Tina Burner twiddles her thumbs, knowing she's missing out on a gig.

[Ammi]

..Lord Voldemort as snatched by Toto definitely has shades of Joan Crawford...?...

[Shaun]

outstanding

[MB.]

Originally Posted by Shaun

outstanding

Much appreciated as ever

[Braden]

I'm here for Kandy getting DQ'd for punching another queen in the jaw. Just for the drama

[MB.]

Originally Posted by Braden

I'm here for Kandy getting DQ'd for punching another queen in the jaw. Just for the drama

I wasn't even planning on making her into an antagonist-of-sorts this episode, but every time I googled Kandy her name seemed to be followed by the word "drama" so... hey, if the stiletto fits!

(and really, I can't imagine that scenario would be much more degrading than being solely remembered for dressing up in a broccoli costume)

[Ammi]

...that Broccoli costume is so iconic......

Youtube video

[MB.]

Originally Posted by Ammi

....there is a Tina Burner Ping Pong Table..(..I swear to the Lord...)...and Ping pong is an Olympic sport so I think we can safely say....

Luckily for her I'm switching the elimination format to Ping Pong for Your Life from next week onwards

[Braden]

I don't encourage violence but just a little bit for these fab fan-fiction things.

[MB.]

which reminds me that Kandy has officially lasted at least one episode longer than her drag sister Dahlia (or she would have done if Dahlia hadn't made a cameo in literally every other episode that season, presumably because she was living on the studio lot)

[MB.]

Just because I'm a sucker for visually-appealing Excel charts and probably won't be able to post this in alphabetical order for much longer:



(white safe means they didn't receive feedback, yellow-y safe means they did. Don't ask me why, I just copied it all from Wikipedia)

[MB.]

Before we begin the next episode:

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A post shared by Instagram (@instagram) on Feb 3, 2020 at 9:42am PST

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by MB.

Before we begin the next episode:

View this post on Instagram

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...I didn’t know of her, the only drag I’ve followed is some of drag race...she had a beautiful smile and such a warm face......such gorgeous photos and a thoughtful tribute, MB.....

[Ammi]

...I’m sure that Shaun might have done death by rice in ICB so there might be copyright issues/court case scandal there...

[Ammi]

....6 ...she’s overcome so much through her childhood to become her glorious self she is today....

[Ammi]

....awww, sad to see Kandy go, but I’m so glad that 6 stayed...I can’t believe you tributed Kansai Yamamoto who designed so many Ziggy and Aladdin iconic looks...I saw some at the V&A museum a few years ago, it was like being in the presence of Gods, emotional...and really quite exquisite and detailed......

[MB.]

I think you'll all agree I'm really Excel-ing at this

[Shaun]

poor Kandy </3

I imagine she'll last around 4 or 5 episodes in the real thing, so this isn't that devastating I suppose.

Santino refusing to take part at all presumably getting to the bottom of Ru's fracking empire (or, even worse, sabotaging it to bring about the apocalypse)

[MB.]

The ball episode is coming up shortly, and you can tell this entire thing is unrealistic, because in this universe the show can afford the rights to a Beyoncé song for the lip sync