One word: DRAMA! Warning ahead, there are some slight spoilers throughout, so I’d recommend watching this jaw-dropping episode before reading ahead.
After a dramatic seven-month time jump for the Queens – due to the coronavirus pandemic – the hunt for the UK’s next drag superstar continues with RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Alan Carr, Graham Norton with our extra special guest judge this week – MNEK!
Let me begin with saying, wow. What an episode! After last week’s shocking elimination and the tease of the time jump in filming, I was hanging off the edge of my seat the whole time while watching this weeks addition.
Let’s start off with when the Queens entered the workroom. It was so enlightening to see them all full of fight, as even though for us viewers it was one week, for them it was months of lockdown and this was their chance to prove themselves once again.
The brief catchup led to a shocking elimination and return of a previous Queen in the first ten minutes, which is astonishing. Sadly, this Queen (not naming on purpose) couldn’t return to the competition, due to contracting COVID-19 when filming began again, but it was encouraging to see that they are allowed to return on the next season.
The returning eliminated Queen was beaming to return and it was a pleasure to see, but did they really show a seven-month improvement? It’s slightly questionable.
I had to step back and take this all in, but as usual the show must carry on. The main challenge consisted of two girl groups: The United King dolls and Bananadrama. To sum this up easily, The United King dolls easily beat the competition.
I have to admit, I was disappointed in this challenge. The same ringing background music for six minutes ruined it for me and neither compared to the outstanding performance from the Frock Destroyers last season. Nevertheless, the winners clearly showed some immaculate talent, singing and chorography skills, I have to say Bimini’s split Tayce’s lyrics were amazing.
The runway theme this week: A day at the beach, some of the runways were extravagant and need to be worn at the beach and some need to stay sat on their sun lounger.
I have to credit some of the standout looks this week. My favourite was from Awhora, showcasing a couture beachside bag of chips look, playing on camp, yet polished to perfection. Tayce looked stunning as ever, as well as the returning eliminated queens look which I absolutely adored.
On the other hand, I was disappointed in Tia Kofi, someone I root for every week and someone who has so much potential, yet this ice-cream looks melted infront of my eyes. Same goes for Sister Sister, whose look was great, but it clearly drew some inspiration from another Queen and it was blatantly obvious whose look was better.
I have a feeling this drama will continue next week, but as always, we will have to point this out in next week’s review.
On a side note, I am very shocked by RuPaul’s anger in this episode. The pure frustration and drama was very intense! Let’s just say I don’t think any future drag Queen will be buying their outfits from H&M in the future…
The lipsync this week was a great performance, I have to admit the right contestant won, it was pure entertainment with a good song choice, but please Drag Race, maybe some more Britney Spears or ABBA in the future just for me.
This episode is full of drama, entertainment and twists throughout especially in the beginning, I strongly recommend all fans to continue watching and new readers to watch and enjoy some top-quality British humour, which we all need during this lockdown.
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK airs every Thursday on BBC iPlayer.
Episode rating: 8/10
By Jack Proverbs
Feature image: BBC