The makeover episodes are always a staple of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and end up being my favorite episodes of each season. Episode 12 was no different. Bringing in not just cowboys, but GAY cowboys who are on the rodeo circuit was an inspired choice.
Newly Forged Family Bonds
This episode was country-fried from start to finish with the mini and main challenges being thematically about cowboys, riding horses and innuendo. It was a fun episode that actually shook up the dynamic and trajectory of the queens’ rankings. Jane Don’t actually has a weakness!
Let’s break down the best parts of episode 12.
The Drama
There was a severe lack of drama in this episode. Aside from RuPaul being very clear and direct with the girls about making sure their outfits have a drag family resemblance (which was more foreshadowing than anything), there wasn’t a whole lot here. But that doesn’t mean this was a boring episode!
The Talent
The mini challenge was one of the funniest of the season with the girls getting into ugly ass quick drag (that we got to see this time!) and riding inflatable horses to the finish line. The best part of the getting-ready montage was Jane seeking wigs from Darlene Mitchell’s iconic wig bag. Need something trashy and messy? Check the gallon Ziploc bag. Discord wins this by simply being faster than everyone else, somehow. It definitely looks easier than it is I’m sure.
The main challenge is a makeover challenge, which gives the queens a chance to show off their drag mother skills via makeup, outfits, and runway walks. The makeover challenge always ends up being the most heartwarming one of the season, especially in the modern era of “Drag Race.” But it wasn’t just the girls teaching the cowboys; they were showing the contestants how to toss a rope, steer wrestle, and throw shade the cowboy way. It was a beautiful exchange of cultures between queers and I loved every minute of it.
One poignant moment that stuck out to me was Nini Coco’s cowboy, Jason, opening up to her about fearing being less than masculine because of the things he experienced while serving in the military. He spoke about serving with Barry Winchell, who was murdered in cold blood for openly dating a transgender woman. It’s a chilling reminder of how trans people and the queer community as a whole have to constantly be vigilant out of fear of violence and murder. I appreciated this moment of realness in an episode full of levity.
The Looks
Category is Drag Family Resemblance and RuPaul, earlier in the episode, was adamant with the queens that Michelle Visage goes very hard on this category. The host emphasized over and over again that the looks have to be a family resemblance. Some queens didn’t listen and guess what happened?
Nini’s butterfly and caterpillar outfits are a nice idea but the execution is flawed. This was exaggerated by Law Roach whispering, “Is that a bee?” about Patsy Coco (Jason), who is supposed to be a caterpillar to Nini’s mother butterfly but instead looked like she was a bumblebee. Adding insult to injury, none of the judges realized what she was meant to be. It was obvious Nini was going to be in the bottom for this.
Myki and Morgan Meeks look so glam and Visage-like, it was astounding. They’re one of the few pairings that actually look related. Juicy and Loosey Love Dion (such a great name) served bright, colorful, Carmen Miranda-style looks. Juicy actually had to make the bodysuit for her cowboy because of his size, making this even more impressive.
Jane and Maybe Don’t were in cute, basic outfits, but they do look alike, in my opinion. Discord and Harmony Addams ate. This was easily my favorite look in the category. The makeup was flawless and their performance was legitimately incredible. The HARMONY CAM along with the Discord cam was fucking comical. I couldn’t believe the judges were so harsh on these outfits. Darlene and Bonnie Mitchell’s trashy sisters-in-Reno outfits were ugly as fuck, which fits Darlene’s aesthetic but compared to everyone else, not great.
The Guest
Danielle Pinnock is the guest judge this week and honestly? She might be my favorite since Cardi B in the premiere. She had very sweet, kind, but also hilarious things to say to each queen and, in particular, their new drag daughters. She was encouraging and thoughtful and memorable. I loved her talking about body shapes with Patsy.
The Winner and Loser
This judging was one of the biggest surprises of the season and really shook up the status quo. Juicy ends up being in the top with JANE IN THE BOTTOM, finally ending Jane’s high streak all season long. They set this up early from the walkthrough with Ru and his warnings about family resemblances. Visage read Jane for the looks not looking like family, but the rest of the judges seemed to disagree.
The winner of the challenge is Myki, making this only her second win of the season, but she could’ve easily had four wins by now. Nini and Discord end up lip syncing against each other, and boy does Discord’s awkwardness really get put on display with this performance. Her signature walk isn’t just a silly thing she does, no, it’s just how her limbs move. She doesn’t have the best coordination and also didn’t know the lyrics that well. Nini takes the win, because she displayed more heart and vulnerability which fit the song better.
But Discord gets all the laughs as she leaves in her signature walk, showing how much of a good sport she is. We’ll see you on All Stars, queen.
Final Thoughts
One thing that is marring an overall excellent season is the lip syncs and how a lot of the queens don’t know the lyrics that well. I thought it was just a one queen (Kenya) problem, but its happened to other queens and now Discord. Why aren’t these girls taking the lip syncs seriously? Visage has said time and again that being able to lip sync is a staple of being a drag queen, so what is going on this season?
Overall, this episode was a breath of fresh air, as makeover episodes tend to be lately. With only five queens left, we’re finally in view of the finale. It’s almost a given that Jane and Myki will be there, but the real question remains whether Juicy can continue this top trajectory or will she collapse in the last episode before the finale?
Season 18 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” airs weekly on Fridays at 5/8 p.m. PT/ET on MTV.
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