RPDR Season 17, Episode 8: The Recap.

Season 17 is underway and it's undeniably entertaining.

The Main Challenge

The Rusical!

Not only is it a Rusical but it's The Wicked Wiz of the Oz as told in the style of A Chorus Line. It's time to weaponise that BFA!

The queens were tasked with deciding who got what role. There was a bit of debate but ultimately everyone ended up with a role that they seemed comfortable with.

We got to see a bit of the behind-the-scenes recording of vocals, rehearsals, and chat, with the final results presented on the runway.

Overall, this was good. Really, no weak leaks - everyone hit their characters, delivered the choreography, and lip-synced to the vocals that they'd recorded.

Onya and Suzie were great, Acacia was telegraphed to be one of the weakest.

The Runway

The category was Parasols - Shady Ladies.

Umbrellas and parasols often feature in runway looks but I think this might be the first time that we've had an entire category dedicated to it?

I guess what we're looking for is something inventive and creative that isn't just serving a look while carrying a parasol.

• Acacia Forgot: Acacia described her look as Parisian and Dior-inspired, both of which might be a bit of a reach, but it was definitely camp. She was carrying a matching parasol, but she also had two parasols built into the wig. You can't say that she didn't hit the category hard. It wasn't fashion but it was drag.
• Arrietty: Another stunning runway from Arrietty - a black gown with a burgundy ruffle and a matching parasol. Gorgeous.
• Jewels Sparkles: Jewels gave us a glamorous black widow on the day of the funeral, carrying an embellished parasol that matched the look.
• Kori King: Kori was bang on theme this episode - her parasol look was Dorothy from TWoOz. It was cute.
• Lana Ja’Rae: Lana looked gorgeous, giving us a glamorous black widow with matching parasol and vampire teeth.
• Lexi Love: Lexi gave us a Schiaparelli-inspired look. What I liked about Lexi's look was that her hat was a parasol but she began the runway disguising that by carrying a cane so she looked like she was carrying a parasol that turned out to be a hat. Loved it.
• Lydia Kollins: I didn't really understand Lydia's look but then I rarely do. It was a sheer gown embellished with floral motifs, and she was carrying a matching parasol. She also had an elaborate headpiece that matched the gown and sort of echoed the parasol. It was interesting.
• Onya Nurve: Onya gave us a yellow look - combining sheer fabric with structured corsetry, and a matching parasol.
• Sam Star: Sam gave us a Southern Belle with bustle and matching parasol. She looked expensive.
• Suzie Toot: Suzie gave us a Busby Berkeley showgirl from the movie musicals of the 1930s. It was a cute look and she was carrying a matching parasol.

Overall, this was a solid runway - everyone hit the category and did what needed to be done, although there weren't really any gag-worthy moments.

With both Jewels and Lana giving us Black Widow, the producers opted to put them at opposite ends of the runway, which was the generous thing to do.

I liked Lexi's look because she was really the only one who tried to play with the creative possibilities of the category. From a fashion point of view, Acacia had the weakest look but it was the most drag - so you've got to give it points for that.

The Judging

Safe were Arrietty, Lana, Lexi, and Lydia. That all made sense.

In the top were Suzie, Jewels, Sam, and Onya.

In the bottom were Kori and Acacia. It's hard to argue against that.

Sam was declared the winner, which was a surprise. What it does is help spread the wins around - the obvious choice was either Suzie or Onya, both of whom already have two wins - and it also pushes Suzie a bit closer to the edge of her inevitable Black Swan moment.

The lip-sync

The track was Wet Dream by Adam Lambert - this week's guest judge.

This is a fun track and it sounds exactly like Drag Queen music. It's got more of a club vibe than a lip-sync battle vibe, but it's a good choice.

Acacia did the track. Not terrible.

Kori is an engaging performer although it all felt a bit chaotic. The wig came off, which seems crazy - she must have known that she was vulnerable and she knew what the track was. She must have run out of time to glue it down.

In other circumstances, the wig malfunction might have ended it for Kori, but it was still an obvious move for her to be safe and to send Acacia home. Kori gives good TV.

Episode 8, done!

The Cast

Still in the competition

• Arrietty: I adore Arrietty - she's got great personality and serves stunning looks. However, it's a tough road ahead for Arrietty. The judges have suggested she switch up her make-up (worst critique ever) and she's lost a lip-sync and been saved by the chocolate bar. The win in the ball was a redemption moment but the failure in the Snatch Game killed that momentum. As an Arrietty stan, it's an exhausting emotional roller-coaster. Next week, a sewing challenge. We should be good, right?
• Jewels Sparkles: Love. Adore. Already seems to be a fan favourite.
• Kori King: Lots of personality, great presence, and engaging energy. Kori is giving us good TV but she's not winning challenges. Next week's sewing challenge could spell trouble.
• Lana Ja’Rae: Stunning and her personality is super-charming but things are bumpy for Lana. Low-key kind of amazing that she's still in the game and next week's sewing challenge is unlikely to be her friend.
• Lexi Love: Lexi is giving us good TV. Loving everything she does.
• Lydia Kollins: On one hand, Lydia's low-key personality is getting lost in a room full of attention-seeking queens. On the other hand, Lydia is creating runway moments that is showcasing her off-beat sense of humour and perspective. Lydia isn't going to win this season and so her departure can't be far away.
• Onya Nurve: Great presence and engaging personality - seems to be a favourite with the judges.
• Sam Star: She's a pageant queen from a very accomplished Drag House - that can take you a long way in this competition.
• Suzie Toot: Loving her sense of humour and the perspective she brings to everything. She could easily win this season.

The eliminated queens

• Acacia Forgot: Acacia had a rocky start to the season and never really found her feet. She made it to Episode 8, beaten in the lip-sync by Kori.
• Crystal Envy: It was a surprise to lose Crystal in Episode 7, making her 4th out - she's a strong performer with strong looks who hit every challenge with intention. Snatch Game was her downfall, and the lip-sync against Lana went against her.
• Hormona Lisa: The rest of the cast never seemed to gel with Hormona and it wasn't clear if it was because of the way that she was cast, or just a personality clash. It could have been a bit of both. Regardless, Hormona gave us the storyline that she was sent here to do but she never really seemed like a force to be reckoned with in this competition. Eliminated in Episode 6, beaten in the lip-sync by Lana.
• Joella: Joella gave us the Katy Perry storyline that no one wanted but beyond that it seemed as if production didn't have any storyline options for her. What endeared Joella to everyone was that her level of delusion was off the charts - it's glorious to behold.
• Lucky Starzzz: Hugely talented and a crafty queen in the best possible way. Surprisingly, it was the sewing challenge of Episode 3 that was her undoing, beaten in the lip-sync by Joella. Lucky is the Pork Chop of the season.