That balcony scene between Shiv and Tom was devastating.
This season didn't feel as tightly constructed as the first two. Characters seemed to just run off suddenly for a side-quest every episode with little forward momentum toward the larger plot until the end. That being said, it had plenty of great character moments and development, and I still really love the show, it just took a bit more effort to get through this time.
I fully disagree with Blue's choice to eliminate Pangina. Yeah, it was gagworthy for her to eliminate someone who had won 2 badges, but it was also just harrowing to watch Pangina's reaction, she was devastated, more than any eliminated queen I've ever seen. Not to mention, I think the strategy to eliminate big competition is lazy.
That lip sync was phenomenal, from the moment Vanity revealed her outfit she was fully in command of that song and stage. Ella and Krystal are my top contenders for the crown right now.
Nah, hard disagree with this decision. Eve is boring, she should have gone home and Suki stayed.
I saw a great explanation on twitter from one of the writers how we've seen bits of this side of Nate from the beginning. He's been resentful from day one and that roast scene in season 1 certainly showed his glee in tearing people down, even if it was played as a comedic moment that was deserved.
And now seeing Nate being slighted all through the season until it reached a boil here at the end is a great deconstruction of his character. Where we thought he was becoming more confident and a better person because of Ted's influence, he's actually just become more resentful and felt more small as a result.
And the absolute betrayal of him going to West Ham with Rupert is an incredible way to carry his arc through.
I've been waiting for the Audrey/Max/Aki poly moment and it did not disappoint.
I lived for the drama of the double lipstick tie vote.
This show really hates Jan. But Jan is also a little delusional.
I'm still waiting for this "Game within a game" thing to pay off.
Even less convinced of the premise this episode.
I truly am just not seeing the connection between a gossip profile on Instagram making kids at this school so scared of bring targeted that they are nice to teachers and participate in class.
Are they so scared of gossip that they're abandoning anything that could be incriminating and focusing on their studies instead? I just don't understand the logic.
Besides that, it's fun, over the top teen drama and we're starting to get a more in-depth look at the other characters.
I'm not sure I buy the idea that the existence of gossip girl reporting on these students would somehow make them nicer to the teachers. Beyond some heavily expository dialogue at the beginning and some bad acting choices (especially from the teachers who look like they're barely any older than the students), it's an engaging new take on the show.
I was really drawn into the relationship between Julien and Zoya, and a handful of the other in-group characters are fairly well-established already, except for Monet and Luna who seem to just act as Julien's assistants and have no distinct personalities yet.
In any case, this looks like a fun new take on the show.
So none of the judges were going to clock Yara on the complete lack of frills in her runway look? She went home anyway, but I think her look should have received more critiques.
I'm happy Jan won and I think she had the best overall performance and look together, but if Trinity's runway were a little more impressive, she would have won this with no problem.
Thank god, she is finally out of Gilead. I was so worried they were going to turn it around once she was on the boat, especially with her own regrets about Hanna being left behind.
Really looking forward to the change of pace and direction now that June is in Canada.
It's decisions like these that make me question the criteria that Ru uses. For the entire show Bimini has been on the rise, progressively getting better and showing her personality every challenge. And while Lawrence has been hilarious and charismatic, she has had some ups and downs. Ultimately, based on track record, based on final runway and challenge it should have been Bimini. I love Lawrence and she was one of my top picks all season, but as time went on she wasn't my number one nor the one I thought would win.
Such a fun take on the show. I like that the judges share input equally and the role of the guest host makes for a fun dynamic.
I find most Drag Race finales are always set up so that there's no clear winner, like the strategize it so that each of the top 3 is at an even playing field for the deliberation even if there's things that could or should be critiqued.
I didn't really like Scarlet's final runway look (the fit wasn't great, it was baggy in the arms and at the waste, but whatever). Rita looked beautiful, though her concept was kind odd to me, she sold it. Priyanka looked stunniiinnng. They all did really well with the challenge, both in the writing and recording of their verses and the choreo. The final lipsync was great (especially seeing Scarlet finally perform and she is killer), but I am so thrilled that Priyanka won. I think she killed the challenge, the runway, and really put the emotion into the lipsync (even though Scarlet was pulling out all of the stops trick-wise).
That lipsync was incredible. I was hoping for a double save.
Challenge was meh, but they all served on the runway (despite the critiques to the contrary). Priyanka's lipsync was so good, hitting the musical cues and being funny and engaging. Ilona was emoting but not working the stage enough.
Jujubee was so strong in this season and her interviews made her so likeable, it's hard to not be sad to see her lose again. But Shae really was so strong through the whole competition and so deserving.
Great Snatch Game, MARY WALSH!!, the lipsync was incredible. The judges are maybe a little harsh on the critiques (especially Jeffrey), but it's a competition.
Liza's cake bit was the greatest completion of a task to date.
I really think Blair should have gone home for that garment she made. She was so confident about her fashion knowledge and then she walked out with some fabric pinned to a bodysuit and called it couture.
Jujubee is the highlight of this season! I think Shae has shown the most versatility, drive, and talent so far, but Juju turns it and is hilarious. I really hope the top three is Shae, Juju, and Cracker.
The entire lipsync I was distracted by the song because I could tell I knew it but in a different version. Had to Google it to realize it was Gordon Lightfoot.
Love all of these queens already! As a Canadian this version looks like a lot of fun. I love the slight formatting changes here--without Ru the judges are more of a team, even voting for the lip-sync winner.
The challenge was meh, but the lipsync was spectacular! Miz Cracker looked amazing in her lipsync! The make-up, the hair - just stunning. She and the lipsync assassin played off each other so well.
Damn, I really wanted to see the Jennings go to Epcot.
It's probably just the edit, but this feels like a different side of Cracker than what we saw in her season. Yikes.
I'm sad to see Ongina go, but she wasn't performing at the same caliber as a lot of the queens. Shae is definitely my top pick to win, she is supremely talented. I'm almost hoping they bring in Sasha as a lip sync assassin on the off-chance they go up against each other.
They didn't run off the Budapest with each other, but they both got what they needed in the end and that's all the more important. It's smarter writing rather than following the cliched "airport run".
That shot where the camera pushes down and spirals through the red stairwell as Elliot and Darlene run was just chef's kiss.
The new rules are kind of insane (and maybe a little over-complicated). The lip-sync definitely makes it harder for the top queen to "win" the tip that week but it made for an incredible performance.
Everyone complains about season 4, but this season is only just a step above. I found the quality of the storylines varied a lot and dwindled in the last three episodes. There are some really stand-out episodes (Advanced Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, Geothermal Escapism, Basic Intergluteal Numismatics) and the show is always good, but season 2 and 3 proved it can be great.
