Ron Does Stuff

Well, the previous episode wasn’t the penultimate episode so let’s get into this penultimate (?) episode?

After the non-elimination episode, Onya and Jewels are understandably happy about the results. Sam is also understandably annoyed that there are still five of them left to compete for the final four positions. But what is clear is that all of them really are gunning for that final four position.

The next day in the Werk Room, Lexi says that this is the last challenge for them and let’s hope that it is because I don’t know what else the show can do to prolong the show. And once Ru walks in and tells them that there’s going to be a winner in two weeks, it becomes really real for the queens.

This week’s Maxi Challenge is auditioning for RuPaul’s Drag Race Live in Vegas and will involve a photoshoot, a video, and a sitdown with Latrice Royale. And then it gets real real for the queens again when Ru mentions that at least one of them is going home, which means more than one is also possible.

Sam continues to lean into her country shtick and I honestly don’t blame her because if it’s not broken, why fix it? But the other queens think that Sam should be mixing things up so let’s see which one of them is correct at the end of the episode.

Onya is going with “A Lot of Nerve” and I am fully convinced when she says that she’s got a fire lit under her ass because of the bottom placement last week. Meanwhile, the girls think Suzie going with her flapper idea is a bad idea but just like with Sam Star, I think it’s good to lean into what you’re better known for. But again, let’s see who’s proven right in the end!

Jewels is up first for the photoshoot and it seems like Ru liked her work! And she made Ru laugh too when she had all those dancers in their pink underwear surrounding her. In fact, it seems like most of the queens do good work! I say most because Suzie immediately torpedoes her chances by immediately saying “No” to Ru, making the classic Cheddar Gorgeous mistake. And Lexi is letting her inner saboteur get to her which I guess means the two of them will be in the bottom.

We then get to the interviews with Latrice and I gotta say Ru should let Latrice and any other queen handle the interviews from now on. The Drag Race alums know what’s it like on the ground for the Ru Girls and I feel like they empathize with the queens more. And boy did Lexi drop a bombshell with that story about her being handcuffed to a bed, without her consent.

The queens get the now traditional recounting of the season before they go on stage and the Slaysian Diva of Los Angeles gets a mention as the worst boot of the season with her quilted runway look.

Maybe it’s just the editing, but I gotta say none of the ueens were particularly impressive during the performance? The outfits though? Gorgeous. I think Jewels was the weakest one but her outfit was still gorgeous.

The promo videos were…there. But I did like the photos! And when it came to the judges’ critiques I feel like they all got a fair share of good and bad? Suzie did seem like she got the harshest but also I think the judges’ critiques all made sense? I’m sorry if I’m not articulating this well! But I think what I’m saying is that the production laid all the breadcrumbs throughout the season to make these penultimate critiques feel valid now.

Jewels, Onya, and Lexi are safe, with Jewels winning the Maxi Challenge. Does that make it two wins? Sam Star and Suzie are the bottom queens and I’m sorry but I don’t think Sam is going to survive this no matter how good she is. This is only the first time Suzie is lip syncing for her life.

And oh my goodness Suzie is sent home! My goodness I did not expect that!