BY Eric Rezsnyak

"UK vs. the World" is back, baby! I wasn't sure we would get another season of this quirky little franchise, especially now that "Global All Stars" is a thing. But I'm so glad that we did. While the first "UK vs. the World" had an infuriating elimination order, it also massively expanded the popularity of several international queens, making A-listers of Pangina Heals and Jimbo, as well as nicely boosting Janey Jackee and Blu Hydrangea. So I welcome a second season of the show, this time with more queens, a bigger spread of participating franchises, and for the first time in a UK-based season, an actual cash prize: 50,000 pounds!

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The premiere was a great introduction to the queens, but a poor showcase for RuPaul herself, who was clearly wrestling with a hell of a cold or flu during filming. I'll go over my thoughts with each queen, going over their talent show and premiere runway in the category, "Queen and Country" (a look relating to their place of origin).

Before we do that, here's the queen reveal trailer:

Arantxa Castillo-La Mancha ("Drag Race Espana" S1, 7th Place)

Choriza May ("Drag Race UK" S3, 6th Place)

Gothy Kendall ("Drag Race UK" S1, 10th Place)

Hannah Conda ("Drag Race Down Under" S2, Runner-Up)

Jonbers Blonde ("Drag Race UK" S4, 3rd Place)

Keta Minaj ("Drag Race Holland" S2, 4th Place)

I was super excited to see Keta back, as she was one of the bright spots of "Holland 2" and arguably its strongest competitor. She was iced for very little reason at F4, because had she made the finale, she probably would have won -- and there was a very obvious winner in mind for that season, whether they deserved it or not. Anyway, I felt disconnected from Keta this episode. Between her talent number -- an aggressive original song that referenced doing hard drugs, with a too-brief gymnastics moment toward the end -- and a a two-for-one runway that wasn't quite seamless, it was not a great premiere for her. I know she can do better, because we have seen her do better. Hopefully, like her "Holland" sister Janey Jackee, she can redeem herself in subsequent episodes. Keta was Safe, but if she'd been in the Bottom, I wouldn't have been surprised.

La Grande Dame ("Drag Race France" S1, Runner-Up)

Marina Summers ("Drag Race Philippines" S1, Runner-Up)

Mayhem Miller ("RuPaul's Drag Race" S10, 10th Place; "All Stars" S5, 7th Place)

Scarlet Envy ("RuPaul's Drag Race" S11, 10th Place; "All Stars" S6, 9th Place)

Tia Kofi ("Drag Race UK" S2, 7th Place)

In the end, La Grand Dame and and Marina Summers lipsynched to "Dreamer'" by Livin' Joy to decide the fate of Bottom 2 Gothy Kendoll and Mayhem Miller. This is one of those lipsynchs that was decided within seconds of starting. Absolutely no shade to La Grand Dame, who is incredibly fierce and a great performer, but Marina BODIED that song so hard -- she will also be an international superstar because of this season, I'm sure.

Marina was named the victor, and she didn't drag out the drama: she chose Mayhem to go home. I do think it was the correct choice. Mayhem was undeniably the worst in the challenge, and this was her third (fourth, if you count the "Holi-Slay Spectacular") run at "Drag Race." While Gothy did not make the most of her second chance, it would have been incredibly brutal to send her home on Episode 1 again.

With that being said, I want to send only love to Mayhem. What happened to her this episode was difficult to watch; I can't imagine how challenging it was for Mayhem to live through then, and relive again now. Mayhem is such an accomplished queen. She has nothing to prove, to anyone. She is and will remain an icon, and I think is the purest example of an entertainer who is amazing at drag, but who struggles at "Drag Race." It's never pleasant to go out first, but to go out after a challenge goes like this...that's rough. Mayhem also shared in the episode that she suffers from Long COVID, and I couldn't help but wonder if that may have impacted her performance in the talent show.

Regardless, I know there are people out there who will take this opportunity to kick a queen while she is down. Not here. I hope Mayhem knows that people love and support her, and remain in awe of her talent and thankful for everything she has given drag fans throughout her career. And I hope that career continues for many years to come.

Next: It's the ball, which appears to be fairy tale themed. Will Tia Kofi wrap herself in an adequate fabric? Let's find out together!