RuPaul’s Drag Race loses a bit luster the second time round

Screenshot: RuPaul’s Drag Race

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RuPaul’s Drag Race’s first premiere kicked off season 12 with a bang, placing the primary half of the season’s queens beneath an intense highlight. It was quite a bit, but the primary seven queens greater than lived as much as the scrutiny, distinguishing themselves and establishing at the least their half of the season 12 solid as one to be reckoned with. They’re a tricky act to observe, and whereas the gifted last six queens of the season placed on a powerful second premiere, “You Don’t Know Me” lacks the power and suspense of “I’m That Bitch.”

It’s solely honest for the remainder of the season 12 solid to deal with challenges simply as demanding as those their counterparts confronted, however the producers are a bit too literal right here. The second premiere copies and pastes the format of the primary, with the very same mini problem and solely a tweak to the maxi, swapping out the primary group’s rap efficiency for a Fosse-inspired musical quantity. Since there was no elimination within the first premiere, it’s clear immediately that there received’t be one right here both, and that lowers the stakes for the viewers, if not the queens. Shaking up the challenges a bit may have helped freshen issues up, or centering the 2 premieres on completely different stumbling factors—two episodes in, the disastrous choreo rehearsal to surprisingly polished efficiency narrative is already drained—however with such an identical construction and pacing, the second premiere can’t assist however fade compared to the primary.

The episode begins with a fast reminder of the primary set of queens, who’re contemporary from their non-elimination. After a second to decompress, Ru pops up on the display screen, prompting the primary group to depart a message for the others on the mirror and head out, to allow them to begin that premiere magic once more. The primary into the Werk Room this episode is Rock M. Sakura, an anime-inspired comedy queen from San Francisco. She enters with a manic burst of power, working across the room, hopping up on tables, and making herself at residence. Her look is fairly simple however her paint is distinctive, with big eyes and lashes that tie in straight together with her anime aesthetic. Subsequent in is Dahlia Sin, an L.A. look queen from the Home of Aja who makes an impression with a cool denim look. Rock M. and Dahlia’s energies couldn’t be extra completely different, and that holds with the subsequent queen as nicely, Sherry Pie of New York Metropolis. She’s a camp and Broadway queen, which is mirrored in her sequined purple prime and cherry pie lattice bodice and skirt.

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Fourth is Jan (“simply Jan”), additionally of N.Y.C., who is available in sporting cheerleader stylish, a black and purple gown with an oversize athletic jacket. She might bungle her entrance line—if you must clarify the reference, you’re in hassle—however as she makes abundantly clear, Jan can sing and primarily based on the opposite queens’ reactions, that’s not the one card up her sleeve. The Posh to her Sporty, subsequent in is Jaida Essence Corridor, a glamour and look queen from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She appears to be like beautiful in her chilly shoulder turquoise robe and describes herself as extra of a feminine impersonator than a drag queen. Final in is Aiden Zhane of Acworth, Georgia, who has a definite and artsy look, sporting black latex with a purple and gold jacket and common paint that includes excessive, arched eyebrows. Notably after the uber-confident Jaida, Aiden comes off a bit insecure and her distinctive look and power throws the opposite queens a bit, who quiz her, attempting to pin down her model.

As soon as the interrogation is over, the queens begin to snoop across the workroom, in search of hints in regards to the different queens whose message, “We achieved already achieved had oursus,” piques their curiosity. Earlier than they will totally rifle by way of the primary group’s belongings, RuMail pops up and the episode is off. Ru is available in to greet the queens and introduces the mini problem. Like their predecessors, these queens might want to current a spring and fall runway look, and after the standard the primary group introduced, expectations will likely be excessive.

For probably the most half, they ship. Rock M. wears a shiny, Comme des Garçons-inspired search for spring that options her personal artwork on its cape sleeves. For fall, she’s extra subdued, with a child blue mermaid-style gown. Dahlia’s spring look is unbelievable, a neon inexperienced bodycon mini gown that she pairs with a shiny orange wig. For fall, she bundles up with a black fur gown that Ross Matthews later delightfully describes as “sissy that sasquatch”. Sherry Pie’s spring look is strong, however forgettable, a blue stretch gown with tassels on the aspect, however her fall look is extra attention-grabbing, a dramatic, Zorro-inspired black gown full with wide-brimmed hat.

Screenshot: RuPaul’s Drag Race

Jan surprises a bit together with her first look, a gauzy bodice with a floral mini skirt and choker, and her fall look is an intentional distinction, a crocodile gown and coat with black accents. Jaida’s spring look is sweet, a floral print gown with a plunging neckline, however her fall look is nice, a lavender pant with a patterned prime, fur sleeves, and a lavender beret. Rounding up the group is Aiden, whose spring look is cute, a yellow gown with blue opera gloves, white boots, and a inexperienced and yellow sunflower hat. Her fall look is the roughest of the lot, although, mustard tights and hat with an olive leotard and an autumnal cape.

As soon as the queens end their mini problem and clear up, it’s time for the maxi problem. They every want to write down a verse introducing themselves as a part of a Fosse-style musical theatre quantity—assume Chicago’s “Cell Block Tango.” They’ll additionally have to choreograph their group efficiency, presenting the completed quantity to Ru and the judges, together with visitor judges Thandie Newton and Robyn. Whereas a number of of the queens are excited, and Fosse is much from area of interest, there’s a specificity to this problem that makes it an even bigger stretch for these queens than “I’m That Bitch” was within the first premiere. Jaida particularly is worried, as choreography isn’t her sturdy swimsuit. After some dialogue, Rock M. agrees to choreograph the quantity, with help from the extra Fosse-knowledgeable queens, and the group heads to rehearsal.

They appear to start out out sturdy, with Rock M. presenting clear concepts, however issues shortly devolve. Greater personalities begin to crowd in on Rock M.’s route, so she pulls again and Sherry and Jan take over. Jaida is proof against the choreography she’s getting, nervous that it’s too difficult to grasp in a day, and he or she begins complaining that they’ve wasted an excessive amount of time. Jaida might have some extent, however with tensions rising, communication breaks down and the queens run out of time. They’re in hassle. (Or they might be, if that had been really their last rehearsal.)

The subsequent day, a few of the pressure has dissipated, however Rock M. is clearly pressured. Because the queens paint, she opens up about her background. Rising up, her mother was a meth addict and he or she typically blamed her kids for her habit. Because the designated choreographer, Rock felt chargeable for the rehearsal, and when it broke down, it triggered highly effective emotions of disgrace and guilt. That is clearly one thing Rock continues to be working by way of, and to their credit score the opposite queens are instantly supportive, listening and serving to buck her up with recommendation and understanding. Earlier than lengthy, it’s time for the runway.

Screenshot: RuPaul’s Drag Race

The episode properly doesn’t try to prime Nicki Minaj’s entrance from the primary premiere, and Ru struts down the runway in a enjoyable, seemingly dandelion-inspired look. Each Thandie Newton and Robyn are prepared and raring to go, and the episode heads proper into the efficiency. Contemplating the catastrophe that was their rehearsal, it goes nicely. They’ve simplified the choreography and the editors maintain the viewers targeted on the verses. As with the earlier group’s raps, the “You Don’t Know Me” lyrics are principally strong, with Dahlia’s introduction the weakest and Jaida’s the clear standout. Aiden’s verse is enjoyable and nicely carried out, Rock M.’s is foolish and memorable, although a bit a lot, and Sherry’s does a superb job of transitioning again into the remainder of the track, matching its tone. As for Jan, her cheerleading strikes work as an introduction to her, however they detract from the Fosse styling of the remainder of the track. Fortuitously, she crushes her vocals, together with her excessive observe.

For the ultimate runway, class is: Tulle. Many of the queens go the anticipated route, with stunning, flowy attire. They could be comparable, however every of the queens does a superb job of becoming the class to their aesthetic, and the outfits are pretty in movement. Jan distinguishes herself by going a very completely different route, taking part in on “instrument” with a tulle jumpsuit and development theme. As within the first premiere, the judges are on the entire effusive with the queens. There are just a few crucial notes. Aiden is gently learn by Michelle and Ru for her winter look, with Ru critiquing her meaty tuck. Dahlia is pushed by Michelle on her lyrics and her nerves, and is inspired by Ross to go greater together with her make-up. Jan is warned by Ross to tone down her efficiency only a bit and never attempt to do an excessive amount of directly, whereas Rock M. would possibly want to contemplate modifying a bit, both in her look (based on Ross) or her writing (Michelle doesn’t love her fart humor, at the least as an introduction). Each Jaida and Sherry get nothing however reward, and it’s clear fairly shortly that they’ll be within the prime.

After the judges deliberate, the queens return and the episode takes the identical affected person method to the outcomes as the primary premiere. The distinction is, this time the viewers is aware of nobody is getting eradicated. Whereas the queens’ reactions are nonetheless compelling, this saps the second of a lot of its power. Unsurprisingly, Jaida and Sherry are the highest two, they usually put together to lip-sync for the win, and $5000, to Robyn’s “Name Your Girlfriend.” Each Jaida and Sherry serve face, retaining the opening easy. Fairly shortly, although, Jaida begins dancing and connects with the beat, dropping half of her gown to the bottom to transition her tulle look into an nearly tutu-like mini skirt. Sherry has some enjoyable with the beat, going comedic and foolish, and Jaida pulls out a well-timed break up, amongst different strikes. Whereas Sherry’s efficiency highlights how efficient stillness might be in a lip-sync, Jaida’s extra dance-heavy method suits this model of the track wagerter, and he or she pulls out the win.

On the finish of the episode, reasonably than the standard dance-out, Ru sends the queens again to the Werk Room to satisfy their rivals. The 2 teams dimension one another up, earlier than the primary half lets out a communal, “Meh.” Sure, it’s extremely produced and performative and it’ll seemingly be undercut instantly subsequent episode. It’s nonetheless an entertaining approach to finish the double premiere, plus a bit pleasant rivalry received’t damage, at the least till the numbers get down a bit. With these premiere episodes out of the way in which, the competitors can start in earnest. Spending two full episodes attending to know the queens and displaying simply what they’re able to is a primary for Drag Race. Based mostly on the energy of this solid and these episodes, nonetheless, it’s a worthy funding. Drag Race followers are in for a powerful season.

Stray Observations

• For the second time in Drag Race herstory, a queen has been disqualified. Buzzfeed News reported this week that 5 actors have accused Joey Gugliemelli (Sherry Pie) of catfishing them, posing as a casting director to get them to document and ship him embarrassing and degrading movies as a part of a phony casting course of. For the reason that preliminary reporting, two more men have come forward. VH1 and World of Surprise have introduced that Sherry Pie has been disqualified from Drag Race, and won’t take part or seem within the finale, which will likely be filmed within the spring. Nonetheless, because it was movieed final yr, the remainder of the season will air as initially recorded.
• Robyn and Thandie Newton are enjoyable as visitor judges, and clearly thrilled to be there. I hoped for extra particular critiques, although, notably round methods the queens can enhance.
• I used to be shocked the tweak to Jan Sport’s title obtained such heavy play this episode, after Brita Filter’s was barely alluded to within the premiere.
• Each halves of the season 12 solid have sturdy chemistry. It is going to be attention-grabbing to see how they mesh as an entire. It’s additionally going to be robust to return to speeding by way of 10+ particular person runways and challenges, after attending to luxuriate with smaller teams these first two episodes.