RECAP: “Drag Race Down Under” Season 4, Episodes 4-5 (Design, Makeover)
First, apologies for the late blogs. I’ve been traveling the last two weekends and it’s been impossible to keep up on all things “Drag Race.”
Second, as of Episode 5, we are now officially halfway through “Down Under” Season 4, and I can confidently state that it is giving “Down Under” Season 2 a serious run for best “Down Under” season. In fact, I’m tempted to give 4 the edge right now.
That’s really saying something, because I consider “Down Under” 2 one of the better seasons of ANY “Drag Race” franchise. But the changes made for 4 have made a world of difference. RuPaul stepping away has given the proceedings a whole new energy — there’s a looseness, the queens appear to be having more fun, and Michelle Visage is taking this shot very seriously. Having the previous “Down Under” winners (and breakout stars) on the panel has been wonderful. And overall the challenges have been good (that said, we’ve yet to have an acting challenge).
But the biggest factor in this season’s success is, simply, this cast. I was very bullish on this crew as soon as their promos were released, and if anything I’ve just come to love them more. By Episode 5, I knew every elimination thereafter was going to hurt. I literally do not want to see any of the Top 6 go home (and I was sad to see the 7th Place gal given the boot). The casting department absolutely nailed it this time out, as these girls are bringing us charisma, great drag, unique stories, and playful shady drama.
To that end, I’ll be going over episodes 4 and 5 by sharing my thoughts on each queen individually — how they did in the challenges, how I feel like they’re doing overall, and my sense of their shot at winning the competition. Disagree with my takes? Leave a comment below.
RELATED CONTENT
REACTION VIDEO: “Drag Race Down Under” Season 4 Cast
TOP 10: “Drag Race Down Under” Season 4 Promo Looks
Brenda Bressed: Poor Brenda! I hated seeing our Snatch Game winner sent home so early, and I honestly expected her to go further. But Brenda had two rough episodes back to back. I didn’t totally hate her tie-dye fantasy in the design challenge, but that reveal was objectively a failure. As for the makeover, I don’t think Brenda had the most exciting physical transformation, and I agreed with the judges that the story being told was awfully slight. (Rhys Nicholson earned his paycheck this week with his hilarious comments on this.) I thought Brenda put up a good fight in the lipsynch, but Max absolutely beat her. We love you, Brenda!
Freya Armani: Freya is one of the remaining queens struggling the most. I believe she’s got all the goods — she is gorgeous, she is lovely, I think she has a taste level but sometimes the details pull her down. For instance, the design challenge. I thought her gown was great in concept, it was just poorly constructed. But man did she come alive in that lipsynch; what dynamite performance. I thought the judges were perhaps overly generous in their praise of her makeover, but she did a good job. I would be surprised if Freya made it to the finale at this point. That’s not a read on her; there are just too many queens in this season who are consistently putting out better work.
Lazy Susan: After dominating the first two weeks of the competition, Susan has pulled way back on the throttle. I don’t know if that’s intentional on her part — it could be strategy, and I wouldn’t blame her — or if she just feels secure and is coasting. I liked her design look, which had personality and whimsy on top of decent execution. I thought her makeover was among the worst of the night and probably should have landed her in the Bottom 2. I guess the story component was weighted more than the aesthetic presentation, because those costumes showed very little effort, and the transformation of her Viking librarian was barely there. I still think Susan has what it takes to get to the end, but I would like to see her engage again. She came out so strong and set a bar she is now struggling to clear each week.
Mandy Moobs: Mandy was waiting for that design challenge, and boy did she make the most of it. She turned out one of the most gorgeous design looks I’ve seen on a non-“All Stars” season and for sure deserved that win. Which is a testament, because pretty much everyone did well in that design challenge. Look after look walked out and I kept thinking, Jesus Christ, are they ALL seamstresses? On the makeover, I think she took the easy route. Mind you, the mug and wig on her partner — flawless. Expertly done, looked like an actual working queen. The outfits were not particularly exciting, and I agree that they could have done so much to tell the story of the hanky code (about which many young gays probably know NOTHING). Mime fisting while pulling out the red! Start slapping each other around with gray! I don’t know what the hanky color is for submission, but that’s what this felt like. I think Mandy’s a toss up for the finale, which is again down to stiff competition more than Mandy herself.
Max Drag Queen: Oh, poor Max. I am honestly stunned by how much she is struggling in this competition, and I completely understand that some of that is a result of her wrestling with grief over the loss of her mother. It’s difficult to watch, because I think Max is one of the most impressive girls this season, I really mean that. But after that makeover, I think Max is on her way out. She’s not even being coy about it on social media, where she has been quite open about her disdain for her treatment on the show, especially how she felt the judging on the makeover was unfair. To her credit, the makeover is RIPE for manipulation; the rubric is highly subjective and not applied consistently even in the same judging session. She and her makeover partner looked ADORABLE. Aesthetically, it was a triumph, truly. But I can’t fault the judges for their argument that the “story” part of the assignment was not there at all; additionally, I would argue she had one of the easier partners to transform. Do I think she should have been in the Bottom 2? No, I think for sure Lazy Susan should have been in there with Brenda. But I’m getting Sagittaria on Espana All Stars vibes from Max at this point, and with that attitude, I would be stunned if she gets to the finals.
Nikita Iman: Two outstanding episodes for Nikita. She was right, if Mandy was not there she for sure would have won that design challenge. Amazing work from her! And then she followed it up with a beautiful job in the makeover, doing not only a good job with the aesthetic, but from a personal storytelling perspective, it was everything the judges and viewers wanted. Nikita is a real threat right now, and if she can keep up this level she could easily make the finale. That said, we are due for an acting challenge, and I do not think that is going to be her strong suit.
Vybe: I’ll just be honest, Vybe is my favorite queen left. I love the perpetual bridesmaid storyline, and Vybe is doing it better than just about anyone. She has been consistently good all season, top in every single week. I thought they were going to continue to edge her with the makeover, where Nikita was very obviously the best of the night, but I was so glad for Vybe that she got the co-win — I thought she did a great job bringing her partner out of his shell. I also need to mention Vybe’s absolutely incredible job in the Reading mini-challenge. I watched that on a plane and was laughing so hard I was embarrassed. Every time they cut away from her I was like, “No no, go back to Vybe; she hasn’t gone through all of them yet.” One of the best jobs in that challenge in any “Drag Race,” period. I think Vybe has to be a shoe-in for the finale at this point. She’s the dark horse this season, even though she’s been great from the start.
What do you think of “Drag Race Down Under” Season 4? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
