Well, that was quite the opening episode wasn’t it? Season two of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, was truly worth the wait. Social media celebrated the diversity in cast, the humour and campiness amongst the contestants, and of course disputed the critiques made during the runways. The nation is still not over that elimination and I don’t think ever will be, but alas we have a brand new week in the workroom.
Life continues amongst the competition, and even the cast showed their dismay and shock at Joe Black‘s shocking elimination. We see his farewell message scrawled across the mirror in the finest Joe Black style “Auf Wiederschen, you camp old bitches, love you, see you soon, Joe Black” a wipe goodbye and we swiftly turn the dial to catty.
We’ve got a new storyline everyone, from the jump the direction is pointing at Awhora as the show’s villain. Only the second episode and within five mins opinions and shade (insert Jan and her shade button) are flying to the workroom. The discussion starts with Tia’s outfit described as basic alongside Asttina’s controversial Asos jacket on the runway, a taste of just how shady the queens will become.
A new day, a new mini challenge in which I’m 100% here for. With it being crystal clear the girls are going to be a chaotic bunch, what better way to rile them up than with a good ole poll..ing booth… and unfortunately it’s not an important vote… Boris Johnson is still our prime minister… welp! The categories are ‘Trade Minister’, ‘Secretary of shade’, ‘Baroness of Bland’, and ‘Leader of Lording it up’. The results were kinda predictable with Tayce winning ‘Trade Minister, Awhora ‘Secretary of Shade’ (shock) Lawrence ‘Leader of Lording it up’ (actually was a shock) and ‘Baroness of Bland’ poor Tia. However with the bottom comes power, Tia being awarded team captain for the maxi challenge.
Tia has the deciding factor on the roles for todays’ challenge ‘Rats’ the musical, it wouldn’t be a drag race season without an over the top questionable musical number that makes little to no sense. We the viewer roll with it in hopes it becomes an iconic moment, and I have to say this episode really has highlighted how fun they really are.
The advantage for quite a few of these queens is as seen with Charlie Hides, most do a singing number during their shows. So the confidence is incredibly strong, Asttina gets the lead part as Jane the city rat. Veronica sticks to her guns amongst the girls as being more than qualified for the role of….. Something which the others disagree with. These confidence gifts can sometimes be a hindrance to said queen will Miss Green succumb to such a thing?
This being essentially the fourth episode of drag race in the space of just three weeks, and over half being musical, I actually don’t feel we’re getting short changed nor too much thrusted upon us. With roles assigned its time to rehearse away, everyone does a pretty good job, whilst we dont see who the shining star is…just yet. We are shown Lawrence Chaney’s lack of confidence amongst the girls and little faith in his own talents. At home you want to cheerlead him on knowing he truly is a star.
The Rusical itself….. Well that was everything… I actually don’t think I’ve got the words to describe what is a visual masterpiece. It was pure camp, fun and everyone flourished and shined! Little Miss Veronica truly has made her mark, and has proven these ladies wrong, who else can make a rat look sexy, mice tassels and all!
My stand out during this challenge is 100% Veronica Green, Tia Kofi, Ginny Lemon and special shout out to my now favourite Bimni Bon Boulash, they kinda made their rat character rough and sexy…. Who knew?
Our category is ‘Surprise Surprise’, an iconic tv show aired during the 90’s, which of course revealed surprises throughout the show. We’re joined by guest judge Sheridan Smith, an icon amongst the West End musical family, and everyone’s favourite regular Alan Carr!
This runway gave us some fantastic reveals, Ginny Lemon is the ultimate icon in what seemed a dumb reveal…. Until she spun around only on British tv would you see a hairy booty! Alot of the reveals were well executed, Ellie Diamond literally going above and beyond with her Wizard of OZ ensemble, the other end of the spectrum saw Lawrence Chaney struggle with his reveal getting a little jammed.
I’m going to be saying this every week and I apologise profusely, but I really couldn’t tell who would be in the bottom two. Season two really is spoiling us,this bottom two is so incredibly strong, we see powerhouse Tayce and Cherry Valentine lip sync to Elaine Page’s ‘Memory’ a fitting song for this week’s episode. Quite a contrast song to use, it’s a slow powerful musical ballad, now Tayce can perform high energy numbers, and so it was interesting to see her perform the hell out of just using her face.
Another shock elimination. We say goodbye to fabolous Cherry Valentine. I for one cannot wait to see what next week brings, and with that I say to you lovely lot to ‘stay home, stay safe and wash your hands!
What did YOU all think of this rusically wonderful episode?
New episodes of Drag Race UK will debut on the BBC Three iPlayer at 7:00 p.m. BST in the United Kingdom and at 11am PT / 2pm ET, exclusively on WOW Presents Plus in the US and select territories worldwide.