Rupaul’s Drag Race: Season 5, Episode 3
on February 13, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Yeah, I know Alaska is still a totally polarizing queen, but can you argue that she’s not the funniest one this season? I mean, come on, this week’s mini-challenge? I died. Lil’ Poundcake, whose catchphrase is “You’re not my real dad and you never will be” was priceless. But my favorite line of the episode was her dry response when Rupaul asked about the underlying lesson to their children’s programming: “Down with Communism!”
I wasn’t weirded out by Alaska’s choice to serve up some Farmer Peewee realness during the TV shoot–for me, the challenge was about proving yourself as a comedian and actor, not as a ravishing drag beauty. So, what was all the fuss about?
The overall challenge this week was totally absurd, but in the zany Drag Race way that we all know and love. Despite some of the trainwreck performances, I was actually surprised by the number of queens who really nailed their characters. Including, of course, Jinkx.
I’ve been frustrated by the lack of screen time Jinkx gets, since she’s one of my very favorite queens this season. But this challenge gave her an opportunity to show off her performance skills, not to mention some of her lovelier looks so far. (People have been saying she did a riff based on Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, but I totally missed it. Anyone?)
This episode seemed to set up Jinkx as sort of an underdog, finally giving us a little bit more about her history (especially her awesomely supportive grandmother). And although she didn’t win this week’s challenge, hopefully we’ll see her pull ahead sometime soon.
Roxxxy was pretty fabulous in the “Kidster TV” challenge, too, especially because she embraced such a deranged, silly character. I’ve been trying to nail down what exactly I find so alluring about Roxxxy–I think she embodies a kind of hyper-realized mega-glamour, which you rarely see pulled off so well. Raven does so, too, but with a very different approach. For Roxxxy, it seems so effortless, but also so utterly fabulous.
If Jinkx is this season’s underdog, Detox is definitely the top dog, or, uh… biggest bitch? In only the best way. Tall, stylish, stunningly distinctive, and sickeningly talented, I think she’s going to be hard to beat.
When Ru announced the runway’s theme was “Think Pink,” I groaned a little. But only Detox could pull out such an unexpected, stunning number.
By the end of this episode, it felt like the show had run through a lot of the “big storylines” it alluded to in the first episode and in subsequent teasers. Monica’s “big secret” has been revealed, Serena got taken down, and I’d guess most of the drama and intrigue about Coco and Alyssa’s past has been dealt with. No, we haven’t heard exactly why Alyssa lost her title, but I suspect the actual reasons are complicated and not terribly dramatic, so I doubt the show will dwell much more on all that.
So, what’s next for this season? My hope is that, now that a lot of the over-sized personalities and rivalries have gotten their share of the spotlight, we might get to see more of the quieter queens, like Honey, Ivy, and (of course) Jinkx. However, in this week’s Untucked, we got a glimpse of something new on the horizon–a potential romance brewing between Roxxxy and Detox. Which could be pretty spectacular, but I just hope the other queens get a little love, too.
Although we’re only 3 weeks into Season 5, I’ve already gotten permission from a lot of the queens to make my illustrations of them available here, so I’ll be posting 11 x 14 prints at $10 each in my Drag Race Print Shop!
Omg. I LIVE for that Alaska/Lil’ Pound Cake picture. SHEER GENIUS!
And although I like Honey’s sleek style, I am kinda looking forward to her going. Most of what she says in the show are either mean or completely off. Which is a shame, because I loved her meet the queens video, but she lost me when she called Alyssa Plus Sized. Wut?
I am loving Rolaskatox and Jynkx. As long as they make it into the top 5 I will be happy (and I’m rooting for Roxxxy to take it all).
You really hit Detox’s look out of the park this week! And I love the animated fan on Jynkx <3
Thanks so much!
Finally!
I know you took a time to make all this, but we (I) wait for it so much.
The Alaska & Lil’ Poundcake are incredible funny! Love it.
Your Jinkx is looking like Detox, sorry. The illustration is amazing, but the face looks like Detox. All of it is stunning!
And we still don’t have a Jade here, man. I’m gonna cry! I understand you make just some of the queens, but I can dream to see all of them here.
By the way, I finally finished my Britney. Is not so good as yours, but I’ll get there. http://tiagotoy.deviantart.com/art/Britney-Spears-Hold-It-Against-Me-352857235
And Alyssa gonna win, note my words
I just read your post. I didn’t know that you needed permission from the queens to draw them.
Question, if u are able to answer:
- Some queen didn’t like her illustration?
- Some queen didn’t gave you the permission?
Success!
I ask the queens before selling prints of them. The queens have all been really positive about my work, but sometimes I’m just not able to get their permission for the prints!
It’s Glenn Close in Dangerous Liaisons not Fatal Attraction.
http://content9.flixster.com/photo/13/75/55/13755523_gal.jpg
Ah, thanks!
Paulina mentioned Jinkx’s Fatal Attraction look in their Kids Show, which that blond spiral wig and super cut cheeks are an obvious reference. It was subtle, but I think it points to Mlle. Monsoon’s deeper talents. To then give the Dangerous Liaison’s look for the runway reinforced that interpretation in my mind.
This episode wasn’t my favorite. What do we do about Alaska? She’s Black Comedy Gold, but one wonders if she has the depth to take it to the top three. After some sleuthing, I think I know what the real deal is that went down between Alyssa and Coco, or at least who thinks what was done to whom, but I don’t think it’s really that dramatic or engaging. Whether it will become explicit is something I don’t consider too much since I really don’t think either of them is worth the focus. At first I was definitely feeling Coco, but she lost it for me with the hysterics. I know queens are supposed to be dramatic, but as a former debater: I want evidence! I want arguments! I want bullet points! Like Michelle Visage says in the Absolut Ru-Dunnit commericals, “I want the T!” And in this case I don’t mean “triflin’.” My mind was blown when I realized I was now on Team Alyssa. That queen has too many teeth, and she’s awfully shady too. I don’t trust neither of them queens, but it’s funny how these girls can flip-flop on you.
That said, I’m certainly feeling JinkxMONSOON!!! Those eyebrows! I didn’t catch the Fatal Attraction Glenn Close comparision until it was pointed out, and that’s something I feel the other queens are lacking. The richness of Jinkx’s talent is certainly unravelling… in a good way. She’s got a depth that I hope will play out into a really great arc for her regardless of how far she can take her talents within this season.
I definitely think Vivienne & Ivy need to step up their game. I really like them at moments, but it’s never like…”Sssssh! Ivy’s talking!” Honey was just alright for me. Her costumes aren’t really giving me what I need. I feel like I’m the only one not getting Roxxxy. Her face, particularly her eyes, seem off to me. That said, your version of her here is DEVASTATING! That’s how I want her to look. I will say she had the best wig this week, but she’s not the “Total Package” that I feel from some of the other queens.
The Detox/Roxxxy romance angle is odd. I follow her on the tweeter, so getting her sometimes crass feed updates makes me wonder how this all plays out. Maybe I’m just pissy because I feel her/Willam’s & Vicky Vox’s “Boy is a Bottom” parody seems to me like a bit of unhealthy homo slut shaming. “It takes two to tango, my queens, and without bottoms there would be no tops.” Maybe I’ve said too much? I apologize for my lack of brevity.
I can’t wait to purchase this season’s immoral beauties!
As always, I love getting your commentary, Dan!
You do realize that Willam is a self-admitted, total bottom right? I mean, she has a song about how much she loves Big Schlongs. And there is actually a verse in another cut that talks about how their is “no shame in his MO”, and she has said it is more mocking those who are so obsessed on trying to look “masculine” that they deny they are a bottom and call themselves versatile and such.
I appreciate you pointing that out, and I didn’t know about Willam’s proclivities. I know I didn’t make myself totally clear, but my side eye was more aimed at Detox since she’s tweeted things such as “that’s right, I’m a top” like it’s a badge of honor. And though I admittedly have only watched the video twice (though the lyric is certainly catchy and I like it a hell of a lot more than the original), I never saw any sort of “wink” at the camera other than the line you quote. These are just my gut reactions at the moment I’m witnessing Chad’s art and ruminating on the race, but I certainly appreciate when someone more astutely points out where my argument fails. Maybe that’s why I was never a Master Debater, since I never liked to take one stance and stick with it for an hour and half.
I do have to say that, upon initial viewing, I was also a little uneasy and confused about “Boy is a Bottom,” even though it’s a fierce video by some outrageously talented queens! Detox can definitely project a prickly sort of confidence, but I’m guessing we’ll see her soften up a bit on the show.
Jinkx was my favorite. She’s so amazing and I’m also disappointed with her lack of air time.
Also, it was clear her team held her back. While I’m glad for Detox, I wish Jinkx would finally get the recognition she so clearly deserved. I feel like Ru hardly comments on her and the judges largely ignore the fact that she’s a top contender.
Your job is really flawless, my respect.
I love Jinkx’s draw and I love her too, she is something new in the Drag Race time line, absolutely more then Roxxxy, Alaska or Detox (Detox looks like a ugly and on crack version of Raven all the time…)
I live for Jinkx. She gives me LIFE. I agree that the lack of screen time is hurting her, as even though this week she was top three, we saw very little of her. I am hoping for a Jinkx, Roxxxy, Detox/Alaska top 3.
Amazing review! Living for your prints.
I think you nailed it on the head when you said Jinkx is being set up as an underdog. She’s clearly the most talented entertainer of the show (anyone that can deepthroat a mic while singing All that Jazz in perfect pitch is pretty fucking amazing), and I wonder if they’re trying to save her so she stays fresh?
I certainly hope so. She’s by far my favorite one to watch, and I hope she makes it to the very end. Also, doesn’t hurt that she’s humble and gracious.
Not even a mention of Jade? Do you hate her in real life or something? Lol
I like Jade, but like I’ve said, there are just too many fierce queens to discuss each of them this early in the season!