Reeling from the shock of Jane Don’t’s elimination, episode 14 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” fell short of being another excellent episode. Maybe it was the lack of Jane or the surprise of there being ANOTHER improv challenge so late in the season (where was the music video challenge or the ball challenge?), but this episode was a bit lackluster for the last main challenge of the season.
Rise and Shine, Bitches
My face almost mirrored Juicy Love Dion’s face when RuPaul announced that the final main challenge of the season was another damn improv challenge. At this point, it’s pretty obvious they are trying to actively prevent Juicy from entering the finale. The producers were not anticipating Jane’s major fumble the previous week, which meant Juicy got to stay another week. It’s so fascinating watching them come up with ways to get the dancing diva out. That’s the only way I can explain why we have this random challenge at the end of the season.
Let’s break down the best parts of episode 14.
The Drama
With most of the cast gone at this point, there really is no drama. Aside from Myki Meeks not wanting to be paired off with Juicy again, it was a very chill episode. It included the infamous Tic Tac chat, with a twist of Ru “painting” personal portraits for each girl; every one more unhinged than the previous. Myki’s “paint me like one of your French girls” portrait is easily the most unhinged one; yes, beating Juicy as a damn centaur. Anyway, there was barely any drama but the girls opening up, especially Darlene Mitchell, was really heartwarming.
The Talent
We hopped straight into the main challenge this week, no mini challenge; probably because the girls murdered the idea of a mini challenge last week with the puppets. But realistically it was probably cut to make room for Ru’s iconic Tic Tac chat with the final four.
The main challenge ends up being a talk show they have to do in pairs called ‘Good Morning, Bitches’ (previously seen in “Drag Race” season 9, episode 4). Nini Coco and the girls are a little baffled that this challenge is happening right before the finale, but they forge ahead anyway. Nini and Juicy are paired off in the “Good Morning Bitches” skit and they don’t have the best chemistry. Juicy was making a hell of a lot of inappropriate jokes for a morning show and the editors made sure we knew it, cutting to Ross’ over-the-top reactions every single time. They got a few laughs out of me, but Nini seemed too stiff and Juicy was too much.
Myki and Darlene, on the other hand, crushed it. They both work really well together, as seen previously in the Rusical. Myki had easy comedic timing and felt so natural in the role. Darlene looked scared as hell at first, but really came into her own and ran away with the skit by the end. Their Zane Phillips interview was really well-done and felt like an actual news segment.
The Looks
Category is the standard Drag Excellence we get every season. Juicy’s rags to riches, all gold look is really high fashion and a cool nod to Morphine Love Dion’s gold chain wig look from season 16. Nini’s black silver gown with exaggerated shoulders and chest plate was visually astounding and a doozy to look at. Also, her wig was WONDERFUL.
Myki’s starry, celestial gown with a floating solar system piece around her was the best look of the runway. Like Ms. Frizzle goes to the Met Gala. I always love how she does her accessorizing. Darlene’s gold gown with a billowing red cape is underwhelming compared to the others.
The Guest
The guest judge is Teyana Taylor and she really showed up for the girls. It’s a special thing when the show brings in guest judges that are really embedded in the culture, rather than just being observers or fans. She lifted the girls up with her cheeky feedback, but not only did she give the girls praise, she had a special message for the judges, saying they do right by the girls by pouring their love into them. It was sweet moment that really touched the heart.
The Winner and Loser
Predictably, Juicy and Nini end up in the bottom and lip syncing against each other. Myki and Darlene BOTH win, which makes sense, they crushed it together. Myki’s fourth win and Darlene’s second one; they are set up nicely for the finale.
Meanwhile, this is the battle of the perpetual bottoms with Nini and Juicy lip syncing over and over again this season. Juicy’s tricks and flips are always beautiful to watch, while Nini embodied the song facially, restricted by her gown. It was hard to tell who won, but Nini took the win.
Final Thoughts
The finale is set! Think back to the first episode, did you think that Myki, Darlene, and Nini would be the final three? I know I didn’t, but it’s such an interesting top three and it makes me very intrigued to see how the finale shakes out. Myki is my preferred winner, but the fandom would probably go wild if Darlene won this whole thing. We’re getting the girls back for a Lip Sync Lalaparuza next week and the week after finally crowning season 18’s winner!
Season 18 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” airs weekly on Fridays at 5/8 p.m. PT/ET on MTV.
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