Last week we said goodbye to one of the favourites, Jan and she even got a little montage at the start of this week’s episode as the other queens talked about her bright, upbeat persona.
Moving on to this week and Ru set the girls a quick mini challenge to become Kitty Girl 2020 – an excuse for some product placement from a kitty litter company. First up was Crystal who playfully knocked over a vase, then came Purrrtha Kitt (Jackie) who rolled her r’s as she had Ru and the other queens laughing. I think Heidi, Jaida and especially Widow took it too literally as they rolled around with a ball of wool, chased a laser pointer and even pole danced the scratching pole. Gigi kept it cool as she played a disinterested fashion kitty with a cool edge and in the brief glimpse of Sherry she spat out a fur ball. Jackie was rightly crowned queen.
Ru then announced that this week’s maxi challenge would be a Presidential debate and invited Raven to the Werk Room to advise the girls. Raven was never a favourite of mine, fashion wise she’s great but I found her a bit bitchy, however in this episode she was incredibly witty and self depreciating. She gave some good advice to the girls telling them to not take it too seriously and make sure they had a good platform that would allow them to bounce off the hosts.
Raven roasting herself is an entire mood. 😂 #DragRace pic.twitter.com/ydz7wS7pAl
— RuPaul’s Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) April 25, 2020
The debate was hosted by Jeff Goldblum and Rachel Bloom and the fun and games began. Sherry Pie was marginalised again in terms of air time but her cause was about feeding everyone up. Crystal was all about glitter and had a party mullet going on, clearly playing to her strengths. Heidi was a sweet, respectable southern Belle; Gigi a fashionista; Widow was stern and fiercesome; Jackie was all about Canada and Jaida was a bitch for the bitches.
It’s not the greatest challenge and despite Jeff and Rachel trying to pull it all together, some of it fell flat. Jackie, who is usually great at these improv comedy challenges seemed to only have one gag (that she was all about Canada) and that quickly became stale. Plus how did she not use ‘Oh say canada you see’ for her national anthem joke?
Gigi also failed to get started. Her performance was very wooden and unintentionally robotic this time, unlike her brilliant Snatch Game performance. I still think this competition is hers to lose mind. Widow took it too literally and was trying to act like a Presidential candidate and unfortunately didn’t have any gags.
On the plus side, Jadia played her street ho style candidate well and managed to throw in the art of distraction which played nicely to what most politicians seem to do – avoid the question. She had Jeff and the other queens laughing along with her. Personally, I would’ve liked to see more from Heidi. She acted disgust and shock well when others were talking but didn’t seem to have much to say herself.
“LOOK OVER THERE!” 😂☝️@jaidaehall @Racheldoesstuff #DragRace pic.twitter.com/qXORt2u6ul
— RuPaul’s Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) April 25, 2020
Heading in to the runway, it felt like Jaida was leading the pack and Widow and Gigi could be in trouble.
The category for the runway was Stars and Stripes Forever and there was much to like from the seven queens in a strong round.
Category is: Stars and Stripes Forever ⭐️🇺🇸
Whose patriotic lewk was your favorite? #DragRace pic.twitter.com/Xkwdj0ZkH0
— RuPaul’s Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) April 25, 2020
First out was Crystal who had thrown together a mish mash of fabrics and prints in red, white and blue complete with a red fedora, blue wig and gorgeous glittery eye make up. It fit with her hippy aesthetic. Heidi was next in a sequined short top/dress with red wig and red knee high boots that looked part pageant part Beyonce in Telephone. Widow brought an interesting twist with a black and white striped body suit with a few giant sparkly, silver stars and a black panthers pose. Jackie also made a political statement with a red and white striped caftan and a blue starred hijab to show her muslim heritage. Gigi looked a little costumey for me as she wore a red coat soldier look – fashionably of course. Sherry gave a street look which was a nice change for her and then came Jaida, or should that be Super J, in her see-through body suit complete with well placed stars and stripes, plus giant shooting star shoulder pads.
As Ru and the guest panel gave their critique, Sherry was told to show a different persona in future challenges and Crystal and Heidi were praised for their performances. Widow got upset and didn’t take her criticism too well feeling like she couldn’t please the judges whatever she did. Knowing Ru, it was not a good move for Widow to give back chat. In contrast, Jackie took criticism for her one-joke Presidential candidate rather well before getting emotional about her auntie not being able to com to America because of Trump’s travel ban from certain countries. That’s how you save yourself Widow!
Gigi’s outfit excited Carson but the debate performance was a bit frigid. Jaida received praise for both her look and her Presidential performance with all agreeing she brought the house down.
Then came time for Ru to reveal who was top and bottom this week starting with Sherry, Crystal and Heidi being sent to safety. Jaida was condragulated as this week’s winner (and rightly so) and that left Widow, Jackie and Gigi in the bottom. Gigi was sent to safety, leaving Widow and Jackie to lip sync to Katy Perry’s Firework.
These ladies are lighting up the stage tonight, henny! 🎆 #DragRace pic.twitter.com/9A27pL4JvB
— RuPaul’s Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) April 25, 2020
Widow tried her best but ended up looking a bit pedestrian next to Jackie who won me over straight away by pulling out a plastic bag and chasing it round the stage to the lyric ‘do you ever feel like a plastic bag, blowing through the wind’. She kept a good balance of comedy and movement going through the song and there could only be one winner. Jackie was safe and Widow was asked to sashay away.
I feel like Widow has had a bit of a journey in this show and hopefully watching it back will make her realise she needs to believe in herself. As we get closer to the finale my money is still on Gigi for the win but Jaida has definitely elevated herself and could steal it yet.
, and Episode 8.
