RPDR - Season 13 - Episode 9 Review / Highlights
Before we jump into this, there are spoilers below if you haven’t watched the episode yet. All the comments below are just my fun opinion, its a TV show don’t get upset if I didn’t like your favourite Queen!
The US season of Drag Race is finally back on this week after a pause for a corona special. To start the episode we see the Queens talking about the double save for Kandy Muse and Symone. Kandy is very honest about how it felt turning around and walking away, which is something you never really get to hear to Queens talk about on Drag Race because, well then they are gone of course.
A new day is here and Ru enters the werkroom with a mini challenge for the Queens of an audition for The Panty Hoes! Inspired by Ru’s punk band days in the 80’s where he was in a group called the Wee Wee Pole. The Queens rock it out after getting into 20 minute quick Drag and they did an okay job. All I will say, the UK series has had two similar challenges now like this. Both the Rusical and masc4masc mini challenge, both performances in the UK had the Queens perform live, where the US have managed to lip sync to pre-records both times… just saying standards girl. Either way the Queens rock out and Tina Burner is given the win, I would have also picked Tina or maybe Utica had the decision been mine to make.
Moving on and you know it… it’s time for the Snatch Game! I said this on my UK Drag Race Snatch Game review, but when people say oh Snatch Game separates the good from the bad. I really disagree, it just favours the acting / impersonating celebrity Queens. You could be great at this but look like a sack of spuds out of Drag Race. Just because you did a good snatch game doesn’t mean you are set for the win. Anyway, just my two cents.
The Queens did get a walk through with Ru but nothing major happened, apart from him giving clear advice to Elliott with 2 T’s that his character best be spot on or it’s not going to work. So let’s jump right into my judgement on the Snatch Game! I had clear favourites and I will focus on them. Starting with Gottmik as Paris Hilton, it was perfect, from the clever let me know when we are starting so she can put on her TV show voice to all the little Paris mannerisms. It was perfect. Sat right next to the brilliant Gottmik was Rose.
Another hit for me, her Mary Queen of Scots was hilarious, I was in stitches and I loved how she managed to make an old Queen come to a modern day competition yet still worked and didn’t look out of place. On the top row and the other side of Gottmik was Symone as Harriett Tubman, again like Rose, Symone did so well at bringing someone from history to the modern day. From her hiding joke at the start Symone was in character and hit lots of good jokes. The only person I really liked in the bottom row was Denali as Jonathan Van Ness, who I’m sure must have loved watching this too when it aired. Otherwise main struggles for me was Olivia, Elliott and Utica.
Snatch Game done and we head to the main stage for a fascinating fascinators.
I think my favourites were Olivia Lux and Rose. One was super wacky and had a good story to it and the other reminded me of a rich white lady off to the Grand National. I was however, expecting a little bit bigger fascinators… oh wait Sorry Gottmik’s pin was pretty HUGE! which I did live for. Just maybe the overall style wasn't for me but I can totally stan and live for this look (it just wasn't my personal style taste). The other outfit needing recognition was Symone, what a statement. I’m really shocked that this and her Snatch Game didn’t put her into the top.
The judges give their critics and I didn’t really disagree with any of them. I thought they were pretty valid this time. We see Utica and Elliott in the bottom which I do agree with and then Gottmik was picked as the winner. I personally think despite agreeing with Michelle and hating the constant ruffles in Roses looks I think I would have given her the win over Gottmik. I think she had some funnier variety of jokes through Snatch Game, but I’m totally not mad and can see why Ru picked Gottmik.
Lip sync done and we say goodbye to Elliott which I do agree with. I really warmed to Elliott over the season but I do think it was sadly her time to go. Overall I don’t think this whole Snatch Game will go down in history but some of the single performances will for sure.