S17.E03: Monopulence!

[davidcalgary29]

The queens return to the Werkroom with one thought on everyone's mind: when is someone going the hell home? Okay, they all congratulate Lexi on her well-deserved win, but still: seriously, when is someone going the hell home?

Ru struts into the room with an Escheresque suit -- it's art! -- and quickly announces the words we've all been waiting to hear since last week: we're having a ball! And for no apparent reason, it's going to be inspired by every ten year-old's biggest Family Game Night Nightmare: Monopoly!

Ru quickly sorts the queens into colour groups that accords with the properties on the board game. Notably missing is cheapo brown, which either means that Parker Brothers/Hasbro didn't want to remind viewers that most players, both in their game and in real life, end up broke, or that Ru's Fracking paradise is located on Baltic Avenue in Tuckahoe, Wyoming, and this is a clever ruse to throw the Envrionmentalists off her trail. Ru throws bits of cash at the queens during this bit, and I only hope they get to keep it, and not have to spend it on tacky WoW merch like fake chocolate bars and bedazzled Ornacias, just like Wheel of Fortune forced its players to spend their winnings on ugly patio sets (and pretend to be excited about it) during the show's Golden Era. Okay, that would be secretly awesome.

Back in the Werkroom, the queens race to collect their fair share of "expensive" fabrics. I guess even chintz and polyester aren't free, and represent an expense to our eyes and taste, so they aren't technically wrong here, so I'll let it slide.

While WoW trots out old, beloved "Get Me Out of Here: I can't sew!" (translation: Joella) tropes for the audience, other queens merrily start rampaging through studio equipment and start working on "opulent" designs sure to break WoW's crafts budget and more than one sewing needle. The pleasantries are interrupted by today's "B" plot, which introduces us to Fringegate. Kori seems to be delighted by the fact that Onya is definitely getting on Jewels' Nurve, but I struggle to follow the emotional beats as the queens bicker and moan over the ugly fringe. Jewels claims that she "needs" the fringe, while Onya angrily defends her petty thievery. Onya wins, and seizes the tacky beading! Emotions ensue, with the drama leaving a number of queens enraptured by the excitement and picking sides. Maybe they should replace the lipsynch with some good ol' tusslin over fabric scraps.

The queens return the next morning to find a furious Hormona wrenching crystals off her garment, as Lexi "told her off" after she discovered Hormona using her own tacky accoutrements to finish her look. Hormona seethes while Lexi looks smug. How dare they not show this takedown on screen! I hope we get to see Crystalgate at the Reunion.

At last, we get to the runway, and despite early fears, no one has to walk down the runway naked. Truthfully, there aren't a lot of standouts, although I'm pretty shocked that Hormona's mermaid gown doesn't make it to the top. Arietty stuns in an extremely well-constructed homage to her roots. Acacia tries a different route by trotting out her take on the classic crocheted barbie doll toilet roll cozy, complete with sparkling nipple pasties for that luxe touch. I worry for, and about, Acacia. The Judges troll Jewels by heaping praise on Onya's purloined beads, but I'm taken back to ANTM's S6 Church Fashion Show with the Aswirl Twins. Sam wins with her busy and unflattering Muppet Victorian Whorehouse fantasy! Kori joins a dispirited Lucky and delusional Joella in the bottom. Kori is saved to tweet her safety to all of social media!

Joella and Lucky spin to a feisty Paula Abdul track. Joella wins. What! Luck completely deserts Ms Starzzz, and she is dunked from the competition by an unimpressed Ru. Well, at least she's thrown a trip on her way out. Aw, I liked her drag.

Next week: the queens recreate iconic DR moments in commercials! This could be good, or a complete trainwreck, in which case it will be awesome. Sam appears on the runway apparently dressed as a ham sandwich! At last, true fashion.

Edited Saturday at 02:26 PM by davidcalgary29

[SemiCharmedLife]

Wow!  I would not have predicted Lucky Starzzz would have been the first to leave the competition. I was looking forward to her creative take on the runways.  I hope she will post them on her social media accounts.  I was also moved by her story and plans for using money that she won to help her family.  I hope she is booked and blessed and can bring her plans to fruition.

[violet and green]

That was a disappointing first boot. I don't understand why Lucky, if she makes all her own costumes, couldn't have made something arty with the fabrics available, and certainly done something a little more avant-garde with her makeup. It was a real misstep, or series of missteps - including that lip sync. Good they gave out another Vegas holiday.

Once again, Acacia did not disappoint! I love her unique angle on things. Am also really enjoying Onya Nerve.

[Madding crowd]

I thought the green ruched dress was the best and fit the best. I don’t know what these outfits had to do with monopoly outside of colors;  they should have thought of a different theme. They could have done Candyland although I know they have done a candy theme already. 

[Ananayel]

So far, I like Onya and Acacia. I want to like Kori and Lana, but I'm not there yet. Possibly Sam.

I thought the amount on money on the Monopoly cards would have to be used to buy the materials for the challenge, or bid on them. That would have been fun. 

And someone has to say it - Lucky Starzzz is a terrible drag name.

 

[davidcalgary29]

4 minutes ago, Ananayel said:

 

And someone has to say it - Lucky Starzzz is a terrible drag name.

 

Maybe someone already in showbiz already has dibs on Lucky Charmzzz.

The thought did cross my mind that we might have a Survivor-esque bidding war on supplies, but the Mothership tends to be cautious and tentative with new ideas these days. Maybe we'll see it on Canada or UK first?

[Kaboom 2.0]

Joella commits the two mortal sins of Michelle Visage (a bodysuit that is green,) gives a meh LSFYL & is given the shante you stay?? TF. I guess it's a small mercy she didn't mention her friendship with Katy Perry in this ep. 

I heart Onya but, gurl, stealing that trim? No no no. I'm also glad Lexi brought up Hormona's (I think she only mentioned being personally picked by Ru just once this ep?) use of outside materials. Fair is fair.

I thought Arrietty would get that win but I'm not incensed that Sam was given the win, they to me had the two most complete opulent looking designs. I'm so sad that Lucky sashayed away, I hope she gets nothing but positive exposure and bookings because I believe we need more queens like her out there and also to help her family situation. 

[Red Bridey]

If you can't sew by Season 17 knowing that there is always at least one design challenge and usually more than one, then just don't go RuPaul's Drag Race. I am so sick of those queens being stumped by sewing machines, patterns, fabric!

And I am bored beyond belief by Joella's high opinion of herself. She is completely mid, like I see no creativity, no originality, no sense of humor, no spark! It's not even a fun drag name. Ditto Kori King (?). Very basic drag for someone who also has a high opinion of herself...although I think she's got a sense of humor at least. She enjoyed the read she got from her sisters and the panelists. (I think. Maybe she's burning with fury on the inside 🤷🏼)

[SemiCharmedLife]

4 hours ago, Red Bridey said:

If you can't sew by Season 17 knowing that there is always at least one design challenge and usually more than one, then just don't go RuPaul's Drag Race. I am so sick of those queens being stumped by sewing machines, patterns, fabric!

And I am bored beyond belief by Joella's high opinion of herself. She is completely mid, like I see no creativity, no originality, no sense of humor, no spark! It's not even a fun drag name. Ditto Kori King (?). Very basic drag for someone who also has a high opinion of herself...although I think she's got a sense of humor at least. She enjoyed the read she got from her sisters and the panelists. (I think. Maybe she's burning with fury on the inside 🤷🏼)

On Pit Stop, Monet was saying the same thing that you stated about the queens absolutely should know how to sew before coming on to Drag Race.  THEN, Naomi Smalls, her guest, pops up with the fact that she can't sew a stitch and basically stapled and safety pinned her garment.  She's not alone.  There are a lot of handy glue gunners out there.  But, I do also agree that every drag queen should come with a plan for designing and making a look.  It's too bad the fabric threw off Lucky-- I thought for sure she would be able to pivot...

[Wonderlad71]

Congrats to Sam on the win this week - Sam and Arietty were definitely the Top 2 (although I would have given the win to Arietty) 

Onya defintely has some Nurve (I was team Jewels on that drama) but she pulled out a lewk.

Yes Lucky being first out was not on my bingo card. (I would have booted Joella but Lucky did flubbed the lipsync). I wish her all the success and think we may see her again.  She needs a big confidence boost (I really enjoyed her Lemonade talent show). 

Interesting that she does not mention (or it was edited out by WoW) her connection to Nina Bonina Brown. Nina says they have fallen out - hope they get to reconcile. 

Anyway my pick to win is still Lexi Love. Great looks and great personality. 

[joanne3482]

On 1/18/2025 at 4:22 PM, Kaboom 2.0 said:

Joella commits the two mortal sins of Michelle Visage (a bodysuit that is green,) gives a meh LSFYL & is given the shante you stay?? TF.

I admit I don't sew. But isn't a bodysuit more difficult to sew than say a draping gown? Like in my head an empire waist dress with straps would be so much easier than trying to sew and measure around my legs and butt and chest. I have never understood why the non-sewers default back to the leotard.