RECAP: “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 9" Episode 8
Sorry for the delay; just back from a cruise and catching up on TV. I have to be honest: I debated whether to even bother recapping this episode because it all felt so inconsequential. I mean, is there ever any REAL consequences with "Drag Race"? That's debatable. But this season in particular, it feels even less essential to keep up with what's going on. As many others have said, many times, there just seem to be no stakes whatsoever. What happened in Friday's episode, in which two frontrunners just extended their lead over the others, feels almost like inertia. And as we get closer to the end of the season, the question becomes: does anything else even matter? Or will there be some twist, that completely throws the standings into upheaval?
We'll leave that for the future. In the meantime, here are my thoughts on the "Make Your Own Kind of Rusic" design challenge, in which the queens had to design outfits inspired by one of RuPaul's pop/dance tracks. There was also a photo shoot mini challenge that was...fine.
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Angeria Paris VanMichaels: Angie got "Cake & Candy," and although she went through two very different concepts -- a bodysuit that would work best thematically with the song, and a gown that is more her personal style -- she ultimately came back with neither, instead going for chaps. Angeria looked good, and the highly sculpted wig she topped it off with further referenced the song by looking like sweet frosting. I give Angeria credit for working quickly and turning out seemingly multiple designs, and a finished garment that looked polished. But the end result wasn't exactly memorable, in my opinion. Still, she remains one of the queens to beat this season, as she has done well or better in pretty much every single challenge.
Gottmik: Unpopular opinion: I did not like Gottmik's look inspired by "New Friends Silver, Old Friends Gold." I thought her concept was interesting, knotting gold and silver fabrics and creating a sculptural minidress. I could see how it involved a lot of work. And I could see how it was fashionable, even chic. I just didn't think the braids read particularly well on screen, and the silhouette was very basic. I also thought the lock bag was overthought and not particularly successful. We've seen much better, more interesting design work from Gottmik. This was actually toward the bottom of the pack for me.
Jorgeous: Jorgeous chose "I Bring the Beat," though you'd struggle to know that looking at the look. She said it was meant to feel futuristic. I guess that's true if you categorize it as "Judy Jetson Hooker." That technically would be futuristic! Jorgeous gave us a very Jorgeous look: tight, minimal fabric, cut-outs, etc. It looked polished, to be sure. But was it particularly interesting? No. It was a pop-star outfit, but also a highly forgettable pop-star outfit. This was resoundingly mid.
Nina West: Nina has historically been on the struggle bus with design challenges, but bless her heart she pulled out a very solid garment based on "Cha Cha Bitch." The dress was very simple, and yes, the corset did a lot of the work. But it was tasteful, it was dramatic, it was eye catching, and the Spanish dance elements were clearly communicated. Nina should be super proud of herself for this look. Personally I put it toward the top of the pack overall.
Plastique Tiara: Plastique got "Star Baby," and proceeded to go for a very ambitious, elaborate star-influenced gown with a massive star-shaped train and large star details on the bust and sleeve. There were some obvious construction issues here and there, but what Plastique pulled off in the time allotted was truly astonishing. That star train and the chest piece in particular were *chef's kiss*. Plastique has repeatedly impressed me this season, and this was no exception. She could have gone for something safe, but it is clear she is really pushing herself to give us something bold and different. I, for one, appreciate it. It was easily one of the best looks of the night.
Roxxxy Andrews: Roxxxy also was committed to impressing this week, after getting little attention in the season's ball challenge. Roxxxy got "Lady Cowboy" and went literal, creating a multipiece cowgirl outfit in leather and denim. While not the most inventive look, what Roxxxy created was very strong. She gave multiple pieces, embellished in fringe and rhinestones. She looked very good and her ass clapping in those chaps stole the show. My one quibble was the RuPaul stoned in the back, which was unnecessary and looked a bit amateurish compared to the rest of the look, which was quite chic. Another strong week for Roxxxy, who is picking up steam and pulling ahead as the frontrunner everyone expected her to be.
Shannel: Poor Shannel continues to struggle, and it breaks my heart. I continue to appreciate the coaching sessions Ru is giving to Shannel, and the other girls also seem supportive of her -- I like to see that. But as of Episode 8, Shannel has 0 badges. That's heartbreaking to me, and it must be so frustrating for Shannel herself. That is not to say she's doing badly. She's not. I don't think she's flopped a single challenge, honestly. But I also can't think of one where I felt she deserved Top 2 more than anyone else. She got "Hey Sis, It's Christmas," which is perfectly suited to our Queen of Christmas. The result was...fine. A simple silhouette festooned with giant accessories on the shoulder and hip, and some embellishment in front. It was one of the least successful looks of the night, but at the same time, would have been perfectly safe in just about any design challenge.
Vanessa Vanjie Mateo: As I've said for weeks, Vanjie just seems to be delighted to be there, and having a good time. Her look to "Kitty Girl" was a very simple leopard-print tube mini dress with buckles. Not much of a stretch. It was extremely basic, but Vanjie sold the hell out of it on the runway. This bordered on a nonentry to me, and was another week where Vanjie decided to do enough to meet the brief, and call it a day.
Ultimately Plastique and Roxxxy were named the Top 2, which was correct, and they lipsynched to "No One Gets the Prize" by Diana Ross. This was probably the best lipsynch of the season, which is a backhanded compliment if there ever was one. Plastique actually seemed to know the words -- first time in four lipsynchs! -- and Roxxxy gave great emotion and cheeky humor, pulling out a nail file as she kiki'd about her trifling man. Not the most memorable lipsynch, but it was at least competent, and that's the bar for this season's lipysnchs.
Roxxxy was named the winner, and blessedly we were spared of the handwringing over who she was going to snip, because it was abundantly clear that the rivalry going between her and Angeria meant that ol' Angie got scissored. And Angie knew it was coming, and took it like a pro.
It's interesting that this was the final episode involving blocking. I assume we have 12 episodes this season, which leaves three before the finale. Next episode is the Rusical, and Angie is blocked. I think that probably means Episode 10 is the Talent Show. Does that mean Episode 11 is Queen of She Who Done Already Had Herses, and the finale is separate. I guess we'll see.