Rupaul's Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 5
This was the week, girls! THE SNATCH GAME! And it culminated in one of the most rewarding moments of the season, with Jinkx Monsoon finally getting the recognition she deserves!... after fighting for it throughout a brutal, punishing episode. Coco summed it up best at the end of this week's Untucked: "Competition brings the best and the worst out of everybody." With several of the queens feeling insecure and defensive about their Snatch Game performances, they pile on the shining star of the challenge, accusing her of being too quirky and unpolished for the competition. But, wait... haven't the other queens SEEN the past two seasons of this show? Remember Raja? And Sharon Needles? The eccentric, edgy queens who've won the damn thing?
I really felt for Jinkx, who refused to sink to the level of the combative queens, and I'm so, so glad she emerged on top. I had been relishing the chance to see her perform as Little Edie, and she didn't disappoint. The level of polish and wit she brought to the character was just sickening--especially when she took advantage of the Game's awkward pauses and snatched back the spotlight.
(And as a sidenote, my hilariously neurotic, reclusive cat is named Edie, in honor of Little Edie. Here she is, being her usual self.)
In any case, you all know how much I love this queen. And damn, do I like drawing her.
But Jinkx has got some competition! This season has its share of fierce performers--week to week, you never know whether Alaska, Detox, or Jinkx will steal the show. Given my overwhelming love for campy queens, I adore all three, but I really have no idea who might edge each other out. How could you pick just one for the crown??
I still adore Alaska, who remains a total wild card--you never know when she'll pull out some delightfully deranged quip or costume. (I do love those animal masks, by the way...) Her performance as Lady Bunny was a hell of a time, and her runway look, although simple, was sleek and funny.
Some of the queens really went with the fishy theme of "The Deadliest Snatch," but others? Not so much. As a total nerd, I figured some of the other queens might have gone more in the "deadly" direction, dressing up like... assassins? Sexy, dangerous ladies? (Jade, Coco, and Roxxxy were totally serving that up, am I right?)
I liked Roxxxy's Snatch Game performances a lot, even though I didn't know anything about the Braxton sister she was portraying. She brings a lot of energy and humor to each challenge, and really, I need no excuse to draw a mohawk.
I was sure Ivy and Lineysha would be stuck lip synching for their lives this week. Although I love both queens, they're pretty subdued, and so I was worried we'd have another underwhelming match-up. But that was not to be! Instead, we got to see Detox at her best, and what a sight she was! I may have my gripes about the predominant role of lip synching in drag competitions, but Detox showed us all how it's done. As if her inimitable facial contortions weren't fierce enough, how much did you love her spin move, where her "jellyfish" dress whipped up around her?
This girl gets it.
As always, I've got books and prints of my Drag Race work (including your favorite Season 5 gals!) right here, so take a look at my online store!