Review: Canada's Drag Race, S1 E6 Star Sixty-Nine
Each week Toronto based comedian Chris Middleton will review the latest episode of Canada’s Drag Race. The Canadian version of the worldwide phenomenon RuPaul’s Drag Race premiered July 2 on Crave. The main judges and mentors are Stacey McKenzie, Brooke Lynn Hytes, and Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman.
Court is now in session, and I’m suing this episode. This episode should be using the insanity defence, because Tom Green being an amazing guest judge was the least confusing thing. I went into this week thinking one thing, left feeling another, and over all, nothing made sense with my fantasy. Let's hear the arguments.
The mini challenge this week was a psychic reading of a secret guest. I was waiting for Traci Melchor to be on the other side of that partition in a squirrel costume, but was disappointed. Instead, we got Crystal shining in from across the pond! Everyone did well. Who would’ve predicted that Priyanka would redeem herself (not her Miss Cleo)! BOA should’ve had this challenge, but they love Lemon’s one character so . . .
The maxi challenge this week had the queens shooting a late night lawyer infomercial. The Sissies (Ilona and Scarlett) really snatched my wig (and scalp) with this one. Though they scrambled to film everything, it was cohesive, layered, and they did their own stunts! Though I think Scarlett was working her aggressions about Ilona out with that book slap.
Team Bachelorette (BOA, Jimbo, and Rita) had a strong showing. BOA may have struggled at first, but went balls to the wall. Rita pulled out nuanced performances, and j'apprécie beaucoup (whatever that means [jk, I was in French Immersion {jk, that means nothing}]). It was also Jimbo’s SPECIAL! DAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYY!
Team Pussy Protectors (Priyanka and Lemon) disappointed me. They had some strong writing, but overplayed their pussies a bit too much. I appreciate the meta narrative of them just stealing, but they couldn’t get away with it. From a team that was set up to win, they really missed the mark. That’s editing for ya!
Category on the runway is Canadian Tuck-Shedo. Scarlett gave an 80’s rock vibe, and cleaned up (with all that bleach, she’s bound to). Ilona gave us a really clean chaps look, and I loved the execution. BOA was a little denim angel. Jimbo patched this look together beautifully, and I’m just impressed she could move. That looked heavy! Rita gave us a look from P!nk’s blue period, and I appreciated the stripped down tracks! Priyanka dropped her kids off at soccer practice and went to her rich daddy's pool party. Lemon was a real daisy don’t; it walked well, but felt like a puzzle with pieces from different boxes.
Brooke asked the queens who they think should go home (cue the dramatic music) and it was 4-3 Lemon vs Ilona. For me though, Brooke should’ve gone home with that comment about Ilona’s ass! Body shaming isn't cute.
The win that was set up to be Scarlett’s this week went to Rita. That’s editing for ya!
The bottoms this week were Ilona and BOA, because contrary to getting the most votes to leave and the worst critiques, Lemon was safe? White twink mediocrity is a poison.
I’m a fan of when they do a slower lip sync song. It separates the queens who perform, from the queens who pull tricks. Ilona edged out the win and sent BOA home. Though I wasn’t a fan of her at the beginning, BOA grew on me, and I thought she turned it around towards the end. Thank you for sharing your story this week, and I’ll be waiting on that lasagna recipe!
THE SPOILERS:
Mini Challenge: Ho-Ho’s Astral Alliance physic hotline operator
Mini Challenge Winner: Lemon
Pit Crew: Best Boy Grips
Maxi Challenge: Late-Night Law Firm TV Commercials
Runway Theme: Canadian Tuck-Shedo - Denim on Denim on Denim
Winner: Rita Baga
Extra Special Guest Host: Tom Green
Lip Sync: BOA vs Ilona Verly to "Scars To Your Beautiful" by Alessia Cara
Eliminated: BOA
