RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars, Episode 3: "Snatch Game of Love"
Why are the AS4 queens blowing smoke up Valentina's ass? First, they allow her to monologue after she wins and now they are overpraising her lip sync against Monét. Let's be real, it wasn't that great. She was spastic, didn't know all the words. I guess you had to be there? After the obligatory talk of how hard it is to send your sisters home (which has never sounded less sincere), Monét reveals she also sent home Farrah. I get the feeling that Valentina's edit points to either an unceremonious early out or that she goes all the way. We will see.
RuPaul reveals that it's time for the All-Stars to play the Snatch Game, but with a twist. The queens will be playing the Snatch Game of Love. They will still be pulling out their best celebrity impersonation, but they will be vying for the heart of a mystery "snatchelor" a la "The Dating Game."
The queens start pulling out their lewks and it turns out that Gia and Trinity both want to impersonate trans trailblazer and Republican crack pot, Catilyn Jenner. Gia tries her Farrah intimidation schtick on Trinity to try to get her to change. When that doesn't work, she tries to say that since she's trans that she should do Caitlyn. Strike two. And Gia doesn't have a back up. What? Are you new? She finally lands on Jenny Bui, who I guess is Cardi B's nail tech. I'm an old man and am not familiar, but it basically involves Gia doing a vaguely offensive Asian accent, so good luck?
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| Democrats. |
The first group of snatchelorettes are trying to win the heart of Olympian Gus Kenworthy. Naomi Smalls' Wendy Williams and Trinity's Caitlyn Jenner are the standouts with Trinity winning by a landslide. Trinity is hilarious. She has Catilyn's mannerisms down, her jokes land, she knows when to interject. I've watched it like four times and I still laugh out loud. If I had on small critique, it was her use of "honey." That is less Catilyn and more Trinity popping out, but that is a small thing and takes nothing away from Trinity's phenomenal performance. Naomi is fine, but she stands out mainly because the other two girls are overwhelming. Her Wendy Williams is fine and I chuckled enough. Her big moment comes when she is walking off stage and she re-enacts Wendy's famous Halloween faint. Oh Monét. That Whitney Houston was a mess. Monét focused way too much on that sweat gag rather than ya know, being funny. And how shady is it that they left that shot of her spraying herself in the episode? Monét should buy Valentina a nice gift because the only reason that Monét stays out of the bottom is because Valentina's performance as Eartha Kitt's Wikipedia page is so awful. Valentina sounds like Eartha Kitt, but her jokes make no sense. Listen, I love an Emperor's New Groove joke as much as the next guy, but if it's not funny in context... why? It's not a huge shock when Gus picks Trinity as the winner.
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| Hello gorgeous. |
The second group is trying to romance Kid Flash himself, Keiynan Lonsdale. The standout of group two is Manila's Barbra Streisand. Manila takes Barbra to the extreme with the big fake nose and the exaggerated faces. Manila is committed and even when she isn't being asked a question she is mugging. Monique plays herself. I get it. She says she's playing Tiffany Haddish, but let's be real, that is Monique. There is no character work at all. I get it. It worked for Alyssa Edwards in All-Stars 2. If you're going to steal, steal from the best. Latrice is Della Reese and she is super excited to have a second shot at Snatch Game, because season four's Snatch Game was, in her words, "romper room fuckery." Oh Latrice. Maybe you just shouldn't play Snatch Game anymore. Gia clearly doesn't understand what's happening. She interjects when she shouldn't. She's mean and insulting and a lot of that is directed at Latrice. It's clear that as soon as Latrice realizes what is happening, she loses it. She can't keep it together and instead of channeling Della Reese, she's just angry Latrice. I'm surprised she didn't Hulk out and just throw Gia across the set. In the end, Keiynan chooses Manila.
In the Werk Room the next day, Gia attempts to apologize to Latrice and it seems sincere, but who knows with Gia. This could all be an act. I don't know. Latrice and Manila accept and everyone gets ready for the runway.
The theme is Boots the House Down. Monét and Monique are safe. Monét is serving LGBTBMX realness and she looks great. Her ass looks amazing and it's a solid runway look. Monique is Little Red Riding in the hood. Her boots are fun, made to look like the Big Bad Wolf and her makeup is stunning, but the oversized hood and jean shorts underwhelm.
Naomi, Trinity, and Manila are in the top 3. Naomi's horned look is awesome from like the neck up, but from the bottom it just looks sloppy and she is definitely not wearing boots. Trinity is serving '90's super model realness and I'm living for it. Keiynan is getting Michael Jackson but I'm for sure getting Madonna. Manila hops down the runway in a bondage bunny look, complete with carrot gag and for the second week in a row she serves my favorite runway look. Latrice, Gia and Valentina land in the bottom. Latrice is wearing basically like a stage costume and it looks great and well made but this is All-Stars 4 and I'm kind of surprised she didn't get read a little more for that. I'm a big fan of Valentina's runway look. The taupe bodysuit and matching hair work well for me and I didn't really notice the saggy crotch. I also enjoyed Gia's runway look, open denim jacket and blue felt boots. It felt very fashion.
Naomi and Latrice are declared safe. Manila and Trinity are in the top and Valentina and Gia end up in the bottom. Trinity feels like Gia is the obvious choice to go home, but Manila doesn't agree. I can totally respect Manila entertaining the idea of of sending Valentina, a super strong competitor home. But maybe keep it to yourself? I have a feeling that this will definitely come back to bite Manila in the butt.
Trinity and Manila lip sync to "How Will I Know" by Whitney Houston and it's pretty apparent from the beginning that Manila is the clear winner. From the moment she heads to the back of the stage all eyes are on her. Trinity is great as usual, but she's no competition for Manila. Manila wins and sends Gia home and in the end almost gracefully recovers from a the cold shoulder Valentina gives her when she goes in for a hug.
Bye Gia. AS4 will be a lot less entertaining without you. Probably. I feel like someone will fill the villain void. Before we wrap things up, let's do some updated power rankings:
7. Valentina (She could certainly bounce back next week, but I'm not entirely convinced.)
6. Latrice (She needs to win a challenge if she wants to be a contender.)
5. Monét (She's like a yo-yo. She's up, she's down. An improv challenge could be just what she needs.)
4. Monique (I love Monique, but since the premiere she's been floundering.)
3. Naomi Smalls (Naomi has been in the top all three eps. Which is... surprising.)
2. Trinity (Trinity is a clear front runner and as much as I love her, do we need another white queen taking the crown?)
1. Manila (I feel like Manila is finally coming into her own and if she keeps this up, could go all the way.)
One more episode in the books. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Who are you rooting for? Who is overrated? Let me know in the comments.
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