S17.E13: Drag Baby Mamas

[davidcalgary29]

Our queens stumble back into the Werkroom after Lana's departure, both teary at Lana's departure and with what seems to be a growing weariness as this season grinds on. And who can blame them? I've actually enjoyed this season the most out of all of the Mothership Series since S12, but it would be hard for anyone to maintain this composure at this point in a competitive reality season. As Sam cries in her still not-ugly gown, the queens steel themselves for the next episode.

Ru arrives to lift the queens' moods by making them gawk as he drifts into the Werkroom in a Lumbersexual suit. I appreciate the nod to the Pacific Northwest, but this is like the time Prince wore flannel in that one video from 1992 as grunge was coming onto the scene: it's a pass. And I know I bitched about the picnic basket melange he trotted into the Werkroom a few episodes ago, but NO.

Everybody, it's time for the Makeover challenge! Ru announces the day's festivities by presenting our contestants' loved ones, and it's hard to carp when we get to see actual, unfaked reactions of joy appear as three mothers -- and two fathers -- walk onto the set to be made over by the queens. These episodes are presented for one real reason: to give all of the contestants a favourable edit before viewers decide the contest's fate, and S17's entry into the series doesn't much change that trajectory from the show's history. It's still well-done and enjoyable, though.

I have to admit that I usually skip the Werkroom filler these days, but the queens' interactions with each respective parent are telling and interesting. Onya, Jewels, and Sam are blessed with wholehearted support and a strong rapport with their parents, and their segments showcase the warmth and strength of those relationships. Lexi has had a much more complex relationship with her mother, Tammy, and, exploitative as it is when presented on this show, it's a fascinating watch. Tammy and Lexi have apparently had some (or many) rough patches in their relationship, and we get the sense that it's both confusion over Lexi's gender identity and distancing caused by Lexi's drug use. Tammy reaches a breakthrough when she refers to Lexi with her preferred pronoun when talking about her daughter to Ru, and it's a powerful moment for both of them. I decide to like Lexi again while watching the episode.

Suzie has a darker, and sadder, relationship with her mother Susan. Susan's the original Suzie Toot -- Toot was her maiden name -- and it's clear that Susan didn't know that Suzie chose this name as an homage to her, having seen her drag shows "three or four times" because "they're on so late". Suzie seems resigned, and increasingly heartbroken, as she realizes that her family hasn't really shared her drag life. Or show life. Or, apparently, life. Susan seems listless on set, but it's hard to ding her when she's been brought on set to parade around her family dynamic before an international audience. The other queens note Suzie's disconnect with her mother, despite her efforts to connect with Susan. Lexi has an "epiphany" and thinks that Suzie is herself from a mirror reality where she hadn't cycled through the pain of drug use and depression, and promises to be "nicer" to Suzie. I don't know what she's talking about here, as she clearly flatters Suzie every time she attacks her in a rage of naked jealousy. Suzie likes you being mean, Lexi! I guess that "epiphany" wasn't that deep. Sam, in a real display of growth, expresses real sympathy for Suzie. Your heart just grew two sizes today, Sam! "I'm lucky to have you", Sam says to her mother. "I know", her mother retorts sassily, leading the episode into a lighter tone.

It's time for the Main Stage! Ru floats down the runway in a gold cross mini sheath with thigh-high leggings, a look that glitters and sparkles on set. I don't particularly like this one, either. Keep the mini sheath, or ditch the leggings! Ugh -- again, WHO is dressing her? Michelle is joined by Law Roach, making an appearance after an absence of many seasons, and someone named June Diane Raphael. I was quite prepared to be immediately dismissive -- remember Julia Schlaepfer? -- but she's pretty good in critiques, and provides some thoughtful insights. Bring her back!

Mother and Daughter pairs strut down the runway. Lexi and her mother, Mimi Lovely, start the show in outfits that are Vegas Show Whore/Virgin Mary/Queen of Hearts hybrids. They get dinged by the panel for "a lack of family resemblance", but since the judges don't know what the definition of that is -- or are even consistent with their own criteria for judging -- I'm not paying attention to them this episode. I actually really like their looks, and had them pegged for the top as they prance down the stage. Sam and her mother, Sassy Star, follow up in  polished, pageanty gold-and-denim cowgirl looks. It's a great look for both of them, but they both remind me of Alyssa's makeover for AS2, in which she was sent home. That does not happen here, and again -- consistency, judges? Suzie mimes her way down the runway with her mother, Queenie Toot, in a graphic black-and-white look. I was certain she was going to be in the bottom, but Law Roach called her look 'a ten', and Ru can do nothing but purse her lips and frown at that unexpected turn of events. Read your briefing, Law Roach! 

The last two pairings are immediately and obviously the weakest of the evening. Jewels' father is a total hoot, but Jewels has dressed them both in furry schmattes that make them look like Mod Yetis visiting London in 1966. It's hideous. Onya, if anything, is even worse as she trots out her father, Nunya Bidness, in a hideous confusion of shiny tackiness. It was like watching Naysha Lopez's "Drag on a Dime" mess on S8, except if there were two of them. The makeup is a disaster, too. Poor Nunya! I hope she got Sam to properly do her makeup after the episode finished.

Suzie is declared safe, because Law Roach has actual taste. Sam wins! That's the correct decision, although I would've put Lexi in the top, too. Jewels and Onya are the clear bottoms, and no amount of Riggory is going to be able to fix that outcome, so Ru pivots to the only thing she can do after watching Jewels beat Onya fairly and squarely in the lipsynch -- declare that "love" demands that no one goes home! You know that Ru is just chomping at the bit to get rid of Suzie at this point in the season. We will see if Ru can successfully offer a Flapperesque Sacrifice to the Reality TV Gods' to satiate their ravenous appetites next week!

Next Week: it's another hour-long commercial for a WoW Production! "One...or MORE queens will be eliminated", Ru intones ominously!  "What does that mean?", a puzzled Sam, clearly not one for LSAT logic games (or simple math) muses. We shall see! I predict an exit for Jewels and Suzie.

Edited Saturday at 03:49 AM by davidcalgary29

[Madding crowd]

I was waiting for Suzie’s mom to say she had an illness or something. Why else would you go on TV and say you don’t have much energy? I don’t either but if my son needed me in a competition I would try my best and fake it. Which she kind of did but between Suzie rushing to get her a blanket and her comments I still think something was going on there. I didn’t like Sam’s mom- I like that she she was supportive but not her remarks to Susan that seemed like she was better because she was seen as everyone’s mom at Sam’s shows. As far as costumes I like Suzie and Lexi’s the best.

[Ananayel]

Not gonna lie, a bunch of tears squeaked out of my eyeholes this time. I figured as soon as I saw that Ru tearing up in the workroom was left in the edit that no one would go home, and then when I saw that even the unsuccesses were offset by a huge positive that they all would be safe.

This is the right F5, and if the F2 isn't Sam and Onya, I'll eat a hat or two.

And I'd sure like to know what exactly Michelle considers "family resemblance." I've seen some obvious Nots over the years, but here, even if the outfits were tacky and the makeup not great, I thought they still looked like family.

 

[Starchild]

4 hours ago, Madding crowd said:

I was waiting for Suzie’s mom to say she had an illness or something. Why else would you go on TV and say you don’t have much energy? I don’t either but if my son needed me in a competition I would try my best and fake it. Which she kind of did but between Suzie rushing to get her a blanket and her comments I still think something was going on there.

Yes I think so too. When they were on the runway I noticed that Susan's legs seemed a bit wasted and irregular. I think there might be some muscular degeneration going on. Maybe MS or something?

[Kaboom 2.0]

The queens' parents were all so adorable ("hey queens" will live in my head for awhile, LOL). I loved how attentive Susie was with her mother, I'm not going to speculate about Mama Toot's physical state since it's Nun My Bizness but I thought it was admirable that she chose to come on the show to support Susie. And I must say this, is Onya's dad the trade of the season? Hello there, sir. 

I agreed with the results of the makeover challenge, Sam did an incredible job, and felt Onya and Jewels being in the bottom was correct. 

Y'all know I love Onya but even though Onya kicked Jewels' wig off the stage, I felt that Jewels handily beat her in that lip sync, they were all joy and energy as they performed and I was living for it. I was SO happy there was a double shanty! I have grown to love the remaining queens as the season progressed so I want them all to do well.