S17.E09: Heavens to Betsey!

[davidcalgary29]

Our queens gather 'round the Werkroom mirror to mourn the loss of Ms. Forgot from the competition, and draw forth more genuine affection than what they've shown to anyone else this far in the season. I just wish the editors would SHOW US why Acacia was less forgettable than WoW would have us believe, because I can't remember much of anything that she did at any point on her run. Sam, meanwhile, gets her flowers for her okay performance and the non-winning queens wonder when Ru will throw some wins their way. When? WHEN? Why, this episode! But more on that later.

The next day, the queens' Werkroom chatter is interrupted when Ru steps into the Werkroom wearing a suit apparently made with some type of checkered gingham. This look is both busy and unflattering, but is a grand homage to the inside of a picnic basket, or perhaps the gayest fabric in Paul Bunyan's flannel collection. But there's little time to waste considering RuPaul's sartorial missteps, because it's time for this season's reading challenge! Mercifully, the entire mini challenge is edited to show that everyone gets in at least one good read, and all of the queens look like they're having fun. After a run of total comic bombs, it's nice to see one of these challenges work well. Suzie wins! She claims that she loves being shady, a statement which causes the other queens to sass her in mock-anger. But it's all in good fun; the entire remaining cast seem to like each other, and that's also a nice change from previous seasons.

Ru then ruins the Mood (I miss you, Original Project Runway!) by telling the queens that they're pivoting into the season's THIRD design challenge. I know that I've made a number of suggestions that I'd like an entire season of Drag Race built around design and performance art challenges, but the pacing of these design challenges this season is beginning to feel weird. Why pack the design challenges into the first half of the season? Or are we going to get a FOURTH design challenge somewhere near the end? This week, though, the queens are paying homage to Fashion Original and Reality TV Stalwart Betsey Johnson, and must create a look inspired by one of three Johnson collections: Ugly Grandma Fabrics (aka "Grunge Flapper"); Tacky '80s Prom; and, apparently, "Say Yes to the Mess" a quasi-bridal theme. The queens scream and jump with excitement and delight at the sight of piles of cheap fabric clogging a number of tables. Well, good for them, I say! It probably is a relief to be told to create garments inspired by looks that look like they were put together with fairy dust, clown clothes, and happy thoughts, instead of something with a sleek and structured silhouette that would take normal designers months to create. No one is surprised when Suzie Foxtrots back to the twenties, but it looks like all of the queens pick categories that they can work with.

The Werkroom drama this episode is largely subdued and punctuated by a surprise visit from Betsey, who is both tiny and delightful at 82. She's 82, people! She gamely inspects all of the unfinished scraps the queens bring her, and has kind things to say to everyone. Ru seems less impressed, but holds his tongue with the realization that even he's not going to be able to upstage the lovely Betsey Johnson this episode. It's a win for everyone! Later, Lexi confronts her fashion PTSD as she has a minor breakdown staring at miles of ugly tulle, claiming that "she can't". I couldn't either, Lexi! I can't think of anything that could make me more despondent than piles and piles of white, ungiving, and merciless fabric. Lexi cries. The ugly tulle glares back at her, unmoved by Lexi's emotion. Sam, whom I'm liking more and more, reflects that her liking for Lexi is taking away her natural instincts towards cutthroatedness and savagery, and takes time to calm Lexi down and tell her that she's going to be all right. Aw. I note that the Pageant Queens are the first to rip a hole in someone, but also the first to patch it up. She really does remind me of all of Trinity's best qualities that we've seen on Drag Race. That being said, I'm really not a fan of her outfit. But more on that in a minute!

The fabulous Betsey Johnson joins a well-coiffed Michelle, a largely unwelcome Carson, and strangely outfitted RuPaul on panel. I have no idea what RuPaul is wearing, and didn't really want to take a second look; it's not a gown, which is nice, but it also screams discomfort. I hope Ru got to switch to PJs behind that desk.

The fashion show starts with the best look, as Jewels presents a stunning green velvet faux fur fantasy that really does look like it belongs on a real runway; it's chic and sophisticated, and somehow combines all of the disparate elements of the category into a cohesive look. The fact that she managed to combine all the ugly and clashing faux fur into an appealing collage is a real testament to her elevated level of taste. In the Werkroom, this looked like a total disaster, and Sam sagely noted that it could either be amazing or only fit for the dumpster. Fortunately for Jewels, it's definitely the former. Lydia follows her with an intriguing flapper look with fake furs that's nonetheless poorly fitted and constructed, and Suzie completes the group with what is, for her, the best garment she's constructed this season. This is actually a great outfit for Suzie, who morphs twenties flapper into some post-punk grunge princess from a fantasy time in the 80s or 90s when that actually existed. Overall, it's a great grouping.

We follow up with the "Prom" theme, and it's an immediate step down from the previous group. Honestly, I don't know why anyone would have wanted this collection, as all the fabric looked terrible. Kori trots out a poorly-constructed mess with a bow for boobs; Michael Kors kept whispering in my ear that she did everything that could make this turn tacky -- it is, indeed, short, shiny, and tight. And ugly. Onya's pink loofah explosion is even worse, and a definite pick for this season's Golden Boot; her shiny and tight latex sheath dress is decorated with hideous tulle bows and bulges in every place it shouldn't. I love Onya, but god, this one is hard on the eyes. Lana actually has the best outfit in the grouping, and it isn't very nice, either.

We conclude the show with "Pre-Nup" and Arrietty is the clear winner here, with a well-fitted black dress that is impeccably embellished with pleasing accessories. Sam is fine in a fifties Dior knockoff, and Lexi -- whom the judges love -- is a vision in white tulle. The underlying dress is actually pretty simple, though.

Jewels, Arrietty, and Lexi are top looks, while Lydia, Kori, and Onya stumble into the bottom. The Judges actually give thoughtful and reasoned opinions why some of the looks worked -- and why others didn't. None of the criticism is unwarranted, and it also doesn't feel gratuitously mean, which is something we haven't seen in ten years. Well done, Judges! Jewels win! This is a great win for her, and she certainly presented the best look of the episode, so it's hard to quibble with it. Onya gets a Bye -- her Ouchfit was an awful disaster -- and is declared safe, leaving a bitter Lydia and confused Kori to duke it out into the lipsynch. I thought that Kori would easily win this lipsynch, but Lydia tears into Lita Ford with a manic energy, and gives an entertaining performance. Kori can't match her energy, and is booted from the competition. I can't say that she added much to this season, but I'm sure the remaining queens will think of something nice to say about her as they gather around her mirror message next week.

Next week: it's the Villains Roast! The remaining contestants get to say nasty, but probably accurate, things about Kandy Muse, Mistress, and a thinner queen I couldn't quite make out -- Plane? -- in order to enact revenge on behalf of audience members who had to put up with their tiresome bullshit on their seasons! Some of the Judges appear to enjoy some of the Roasts.

 

 

Edited Saturday at 06:01 AM by davidcalgary29

[Red Bridey]

Thank God Kori finally gets the Sashay Away. So tired of her mediocrity every week. Lydia is no better, but I guess her inner White Riott Gurl came through at the most appropriate time. So there will for sure be another opportunity to bounce Miss Lydia because she is also just uninspiring.

[Kaboom 2.0]

Lexi removing her earrings as she was read doing the library challenge made my day. LOL

Betsey Johnson is adorable & can still do her splits! At 82!!! I thought she was also so kind to the queens.  I really enjoyed seeing her again, having the queens walk the runway at the end just like a fashion show & of course Betsey doing that split.

As much as I loved Jewels' runway look I felt for Lexi because I thought she had a shot of winning too. I really hope Lexi doesn't get in her head about not having a win yet & starts to spiral. 

I agree with Kory being sent home, she never changed her rigid aesthetic & was all talk when it came to herself. 

[cpcathy]

I hate Kory’s drag, but she won that lip sync.

[EastCoast4Life]

Kory's drag was never show-stopping, although if you listened to her descriptions, she at least believed her own hype. I feel like this season's lip syncs haven't been that exciting. Where is the dancing, the tricks? Give me a decent death drop or something. 

I did laugh at how mad Kory became when Lydia didn't pick her to choose a theme for the main challenge, and Suzie whispered, "Your boyfriend" and Lydia was like, oh no. 

 

 

[bluvelvet]

I really wish Lana would pad sometimes, she really has a boy body and it takes me out of the illusion every time. I say this with the understanding that there are different types of drag/drag queens who can choose how they present themselves. Still a curve or two wouldn't hurt every once in a while.

It was way past time for Kori to go home and Lydia's outfit was horrible.  Lydia does great make up though I will give her that.

Also in the beginning I kept mixing up Lydia with Suzie out of drag they seem very similar to me. Now at least I can tell them apart.

I am happy for Jewels but I kind of wished Lexi got that win, she looked fabulous.

Edited Sunday at 03:17 PM by bluvelvet

[Red Bridey]

I think they've run out of good lip syncing songs, frankly. There hasn't been one in the last five eps that gave the battling queens anything to work with. Of course, bad choices could give good queens the chance to really perform to make a silk bag out of a sows ear, but this bunch of queens just Aren't.That.Good. I wouldn't have objected to a double sashay away, myself. But maybe Ru's waiting for a more dramatic moment to ditch two queens. 

[BloggerAloud]

Kori King's Betsey Johnson is like if like if her entrance took whatever is the opposite of the Substance

[Wonderlad71]

On 3/2/2025 at 12:41 AM, Kaboom 2.0 said:

As much as I loved Jewels' runway look I felt for Lexi because I thought she had a shot of winning too. I really hope Lexi doesn't get in her head about not having a win yet & starts to spiral. 

Actually Lexi won Episode 2 so she does have one win.  I would have given Lexi the win here for being so OTT Drag here, but am happy for Jewels who IMO Is really top tier and overdue for a win.

Also agreed that the Lipsync songs have been underwhelming. I only really enjoyed the Doechhi one from Episode 2 (Lexi Love vs Cystal Envy)