RuPaul’s Drag Race Recap: Mom and Pop

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Hi there! I’ve noticed that the current state of things has influenced how I approached watching the latest episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Typically, both myself and the broader internet community have been critical (justifiably) of the show’s more serious moments. The “What would you say to little _____” segments can sometimes feel manipulative, and the Trauma Makeup Corner, with its formulaic approach to depicting queens’ struggles, can be hard to take seriously. Consequently, when Drag Race delves deeply into sentimentality, my initial response is often a slight eye-roll and bracing myself for a segment that may not resonate with me.

It’s undeniable that RuPaul’s Drag Race stands alone as the only television show where a convicted felon is celebrated for his love towards his gay, drag-queen son. Moreover, it’s remarkable to see a transphobic mother exerting such effort to conquer her prejudices and rebuild her relationship with the daughter she previously rejected. Even Samantha Star’s mother, a traditionally conservative woman with an unwavering loyalty towards her child, is making waves as a trailblazer today. In this challenging world where corporations are discarding LGBTQ+ individuals at an alarming rate, it’s heartening to know that Drag Race still thrives. It brings comfort in these trying times.

In simpler terms, I’m not upset about how tonight’s episode unfolded, even though no one was eliminated. It’s just a minor disappointment because it seems we might be moving towards a top four instead of my preferred top three. However, I wasn’t particularly eager to see Jewels Sparkles’ father witness her elimination (I never thought Onya was in danger). Instead, the episode turned out to be a beautiful tribute to families supporting their LGBTQ+ members, which is something worth appreciating rather than being angry about. It was a comforting experience overall.

As a devoted movie critic, I must say that the latest episode unfolds with what appears to be a seemingly trivial mini-challenge, but in reality, serves as a platform for Lexi to express her thoughts towards Suzie. The contestants engage in a group vote on numerous categories, and the competitor who aligns most with the majority’s decisions emerges victorious. Among this season’s queens, it is Onya who stands out as the one truly grounded in reality, excelling in this challenge. Interestingly, there is a general consensus that Jewels, the only queen with just one win under her belt, will be eliminated next week. However, Jewels refuses to succumb to these expectations and instead embarks on an inspiring journey to confound the odds and secure her place among the contestants for another week.

Later on, every parent arrives. Lexi, Suzie, and Sam are accompanied by their mothers, whereas Jewels and Onya walk in with their fathers. Something that frustrates me is when the show pairs up makeover partners who belong to various genders. It always seems unfair. I can’t help but feel that the two queens who had fathers might have been at a disadvantage in the competition, given that Drag Race, despite its advancements in accepting diverse drag forms, places a strong emphasis on high femininity. Jewels and Onya faced a larger challenge compared to the other contestants and struggled to keep up with the disparity.

Apart from the other queens, Suzie faces a more substantial struggle due to her mom’s reserved nature and minimal involvement in her drag career. This episode offered a more compassionate portrayal of Suzie, making me empathize with her for the first time in a while. Previously, I didn’t actively root for or against her, but seeing her relationship with her mom revealed a very different life for Suzie than what I had imagined. Instead of an enthusiastic stage mom or a supportive figure, Suzie’s mom appears more somber, and their bond seems strained. As a result, Suzie wasn’t assigned a collaborator for the makeover, but was instead tasked with directing and counseling herself – a challenging role to witness. This challenge aimed to offer a glimpse into their real lives, and it certainly succeeded in that aspect.

At the complete opposite spectrum, we find Sam’s mom, who is incredibly supportive of her career. Comparing her real-life mom to Trinity the Tuck, it’s clear that Sam has some powerhouse mothers supporting him back home. There comes a point when Sam’s mom inquires about Suzie’s mother’s attendance at her shows, and Suzie’s mom mentions she’s only been to perhaps four. In contrast, Sam’s mom discloses that she goes every weekend and acts as a surrogate mother to everyone at the club. This moment is quite heartwarming. Furthermore, it seems that she was not just supporting Suzie but also demonstrating what an ideal mother could be for a drag queen.

The most poignant reunion undeniably transpired between Lexi and her mother. Earlier in the series, we learned that her mother disowned her due to her coming out, causing numerous challenges for Lexi to overcome on her path here. Witnessing their reconciliation, with Lexi’s mother stumbling over her pronouns, is a riveting spectacle on screen. It offers an insight into Lexi’s actions throughout the season. Joining this show during her transition (a process akin to puberty for a second time) and working through her issues with the mother who cast her out – now that’s a complex situation, reflected in Lexi’s emotional breakdowns throughout the series.

This week’s storyline for Onya is captivating, featuring her father who was unable to attend significant milestones such as high-school graduation due to serving time for bank robberies. He proposes the drag name Roberta (pronounced Rob-her-da) Banks, which Onya misunderstandingly disapproves of. This is quite amusing! It’s difficult not to adore Onya’s father; he’s kind, he’s humorous, he’s dedicated, and it’s evident that he cherishes his daughter deeply.

In my latest review, I delve into the heartfelt story of “Jewels” and her father. While her father is an unwavering supporter, he was also the one who introduced Jewels to the world of drag clubs for the first time. However, their bond takes a poignant turn as Jewels grapples with the loss of her brother in 2022, a tragedy that has left an indelible mark on their family. The weight of this emotional burden is palpable, making their relationship a complex tapestry of love, grief, and resilience. Truly, it’s a tale that resonates deeply.

During her tour, RuPaul appears genuinely captivated by all the parents, a delight I always appreciate. What particularly impresses me is when she engages in personal chats with each parent, making the other contestants seem almost insignificant during their conversation. Not only does this add a friendly touch for the guests, but it also helps queens like Suzie, whose mother might otherwise feel intimidated by RuPaul.

On the runway, Lexi takes the lead first. She showcases lingerie inspired by Valentine’s Day, a daring choice for one’s own mother. This action seems to reflect Lexi’s drag persona quite well. However, Michelle criticizes her performance, stating there’s not enough “family resemblance.” I’ve always found this critique puzzling – it appears to be based solely on subjective whim, and even more so when the contestants are essentially painting their own faces due to genetic similarities. In this instance, it seems to me that Michelle might be avoiding confronting Lexi’s mother directly about her makeup, which honestly, does seem a bit off.

First, Sam enters the scene. Typically, pageant judges lean towards rewarding queens who undergo impressive makeovers rather than those who are quirky (such as Trinity winning over Sasha Velour and Jaida over Crystal Methyd). In this case, you could view Sam’s win over Suzie as another instance of this trend, but I believe the victory was well-deserved. Her mother’s makeup is stunning, her outfits are impeccably put together, and their performance was a blast. This week, luck seemed to be on Sam’s side: it was her mother who was in the picture instead of her father, and they share a strong bond. Additionally, Sam’s mother has a captivating stage presence that gave her an edge. So, one could argue that Sam had an advantage in winning, but there isn’t a single flaw in her performance this week. Exceptional work indeed!

In another development, Suzie skillfully resolved the issue at hand. Their vintage-style black-and-white appearance with her mother is adorable, yet what stands out most is Suzie’s dedication to caring for her mom during their performance on stage. While other contestants appear to be enjoying themselves more, that was not an option for Suzie. She excelled in the emotional aspect of the challenge, showing kindness and grace towards a mother who has not always appreciated her art. (Perhaps she should have painted lower on the neck, though.)

jewels should have shown something unexpected or surprising after putting on those bulky parkas. The judges tend to criticize other aspects, but the main issue is that when contestants wear oversized coats, viewers expect a surprise unveiling. When there isn’t one, it can be quite underwhelming. There’s not much more to add, honestly.

In simpler terms, Onya’s appearance isn’t pleasing to me. Her style seems influenced by Princess Peach, while her father appears to be quite the contrast. His makeup is well-done, but I dislike his wig with frizzy hair, and overall, their styles don’t resonate with me. Apologies if this offends.

Jewels and Onya find themselves at the bottom this week, both delivering a solid performance of “1 Thing” by Amerie. Jewels showcases more dynamic moves, while Onya mainly struts across the stage. However, Onya is a well-rounded character, whereas Jewels seems less distinctive during lip syncs of other artists’ songs. She hasn’t managed to channel her signature “demonic Glinda” vibe effectively in these performances yet. Given this evaluation, I’d say Onya just edges it out, but narrowly so. In the end, though, it doesn’t matter much because both queens will continue in the competition! I’m perfectly fine with that – the top five are undeniably the strongest of the season, and I’m happy to keep them for another week.

And also on Untucked…

It was delightful to have an extended chat with the parents, but what truly captivated me in that episode was when emotional Sam threatened to eliminate her biological sister for a chance at the crown. At times like these, you simply can’t help but adore Sam.

It was heartwarming to witness Suzie and Sam display a shared admiration due to their competitive spirit. I’m looking forward to seeing them both outperformed by Onya next time.

The most humorous moment from that episode comes when Jewel’s father exclaims, “Even Mickey Mouse can’t save Suzie and her mother!” This statement effectively conveys the same meaning as your original sentence.

• Not that any of the portraits mattered, but Jewels had the best one.

This season, none of the freshly crowned drag queens had particularly memorable names. However, Roberta Banks has left quite an impression on me and will linger in my thoughts for quite some time.

Regarding the thoughts on contestant Suzie Toot from my colleague Joe Reid, he penned an insightful analysis this week: “I find myself discussing Suzie Toot, whom I believed would be eliminated unexpectedly this week. This isn’t due to any specific difficulty in the challenge for her, but because fifth place is often a graveyard for queens who overthink things. RuPaul frequently advises contestants to stop overthinking and ‘make it stupid,’ as she appreciates carefree antics more than deep thought. If a queen shows signs of excessive contemplation, she’s likely to be eliminated (Ru dislikes thinking queens; I, however, admire them). Suzie has demonstrated the ability to deliver elevated foolishness in acting competitions, but she frequently overthinks situations like the Snatch Game and makes questionable remarks, such as stating ‘my biggest strength in this competition will be my references.’ Jason astutely observed early on in the season that the other contestants were allowing Suzie to adopt the underdog role akin to Jinkx Monsoon. More recently, though, Suzie has allowed the other contestants to define her narrative, whether it’s Lexi Love’s obsessive focus on Suzie as some sort of nightmare or Jewels Sparkles writing ‘cerebral! cerebral! cerebral!’ in her bio for last week’s mini-challenge. Essentially, Jewels might as well have been writing Suzie’s epitaph.

• It seems we’ll be back to a Final Four this year, as only one more episode remains before the reentry of eliminated contestants for a lip-sync battle. Unfortunately, it appears Jewels will be leaving the competition.

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2025-03-29 05:55