RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars, Episode 10: "Super Queen Grand Finale"
Well... that happened. I know that we all want to talk about the ending to this finale and we will definitely get there. I'm not super pleased with what happened, but I have to keep reminding myself that the outcome of everything is not the reason that I watch the show. I watch the show because I really appreciate the art of drag. I love being exposed to these queens that I never would have seen otherwise and watching them grow and do things that they. have never done before. I watch to be entertained and outraged sometimes. I know that rarely does the queen that I love or the one I think is most deserving is going to win. So, with that at the forefront of our minds, let's take a look at the All-Stars 4 finale.
We have a pretty killer top 4 and they all seem evenly matched as far as their track records in the game. Well, except Naomi. And she's not super pleased when Trinity tells her that was almost a factor in her going home, but Trinity stayed true to what she had said all season long and made the decision based on overall track record. Even if Naomi did the worst in the "Sex and the City" challenge, Latrice had done the worst overall. It was pretty hilarious to watch Monique fake Monét out and it just made me love her more because that is absolutely something I would do.
Ru enters the Werk Room the next day and issues the final four their finale challenge. As has been the case in the past few finales whether it be All-Star or regular season, the queens are challenged to write verses for Ru's new song, "Super Queen." These verses should contain reasons why they are super and they will be doing a one day choreography intensive with Todrick Hall. There is the requisite hand wringing from the top 4, which is focused on Trinity a lot. The editing would make you believe that Trinity is freaking out and I'm sure she is a little bit, but I'm not sure if that is legit or just some creative editing.
This could be a controversial or unpopular opinion, but I'm not a huge fan of Todrick Hall on Drag Race. He was a pretty ineffectual judge on season 2 of All-Stars and ever since he's come back to do choreography, he puts on this hardass act and I just never ever buy it. It seems really put on and not genuine. There's a lot of that here. Chastising Naomi for not being serious enough, etc. I wish that they would have Alyssa Edwards come back and be the regular choreographer. She was great in season 10 and I really like the idea of more Drag Race alum coming back and taking active roles in working with the future queens. That being said, I did really enjoy the cartwheel montage.
The final four get a brief visit from Chad Michaels, Alaska Thunderfuck and Trixie Mattel who fake them out by making them briefly believe that they will be choosing the winner of AS4. And then it's time for the final performance and runway.
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I'm going to just come right out and say it. This was probably my least favorite of these song and dance finale challenges. This is a slowed down version of "Super Queen." I really wish they had used the version that they use on the runway. It's got more pep and is just better, I think. It doesn't help that the final four's verses aren't super memorable. Monét is up first and I love her post-apocalyptic Wakandan costume. It's clear that Monét does this on the regular. Her verse is by far the best and her voice sounds great. Monique follows and it's a bit of a let down. I don't love the black outfit for a superhero theme, but the face and the hair are great. Her verse is OK and I'd say that she probably had my second fave verse of the four. Naomi looks the best though I wish her hair had a bit more volume but her verse is the worst. Trinity finishes up and her look is fine and her verse is competent. She definitely redeemed herself from season 9's "Category Is..."
On the runway it's Best Drag All-Star Eleganza. First up...
Monét X Change serving African princess realness. I think this may be the most beautiful Monét has ever looked on Drag Race. I love the purple against her skin, the pattern, the wooden jewelry, but the dreadlocked up do is really the star here. It's gorgeous. My one small critique is I don't really love the black fabric at the bottom and I wish the dress hit the floor. But again, super minor, Monét is stunning.
Monique Heart walks the runway for the last time next and it pains me to say this but I don't care for it. Her makeup and hair are stunning as per usual, but this dress isn't doing it for me. It reminds me of the purple dress she wore week too, complete with weird gloves. The gathering in the midsection is odd and I rarely think all black is a great choice on the runway especially the final runway.
For your consideration, Naomi Smalls. This is stunning. A lot of queens talk about couture on the runway, but a lot of times it's all talk. Naomi delivers with this look. I love the purple. I love the puffy sleeves and the long train. It's drama. It's fashion. It's Naomi Smalls. This is probably one of the best, most fashion forward looks we've ever seen on the Main Stage. My minor quibbles are the bow under the chin. I understand that is from the original look this references, but I don't love it. I also wish she had kept the train on the whole time, but I get it, she wanted to feature those legs one more time. Overall though, it's fire from Naomi.
Finally it's Trinity the Tuck. Trinity has been slaying the runway game and this is no different. This is probably my second favorite look this week. I love the blue and white porcelain pattern. The tea cup titty reveal is great and a nice nod to how far Trinity is come. I love that she had that little comedic nod in this high fashion gown and it didn't come off as tacky or cheap. Her mug is beat. The hair is perfect for this. Phenomenal.
As they usually are on a finale night, the judges are very complimentary to the final four, but during deliberations it's pretty clear that Monét and Trinity will be the top two All-Stars of the season and they are! They lip sync to "Fighter" by Christina Aguilera and let's keep it super real, Monét killed it. It's a bit of a slow burn but from the moment that she hits that split, she serves. I mean, a kitty cat wig reveal of the exact same wig underneath! I didn't know I needed it until Monét gave it to me and it was wonderful. That's how you keep a wig reveal fresh and exciting. Trinity is giving it her all but it's a lot of what we have seen before, including an unfortunate cartwheel attempt that turns into a somersault.
After they lip sync, Ru declares that for the first time in Drag Race herstory, it's a tie. Yes, Monét and Trinity will both be entering the Drag Race Hall of Fame, getting $100,000 and a scepter and crown. It's a cop out. For sure. Let's be real. The show has been dragged pretty publicly by fans and the queens competing in All-Stars 4 for how blonde and white the Drag Race Hall of Fame is. And coming into this finale it seemed like Trinity was a shoo-in. This feels like damage control and obvious producer manipulation and it doesn't fee good. On one hand, I'm ecstatic to see Monét enter the Hall of Fame. I was a huge fan of hers on season 10 and her elimination still stings, but I hate that she has to share the win. I just wish if they wanted to crown Trinity, they should have and we could have just been outraged and moved on. This sort of taints everything and that is unfortunate because leading up to this All-Stars 4 was a really great, entertaining, competitive season. And that's another reason this tie stings. Because it was so competitive and these queens were out for blood, a tie just feel against the spirit of the whole season. Sigh. It is what it is. Congrats gals. Enjoy the money.
One thing I didn't mention was the queens doing their little "What's the Tee" podcast segment because I don't really care for them. That being said, I loved hearing Monique's story and I know that she will continue to inspire little gay boys for years to come. Team Monique for life.
Well, I'd love to hear your thoughts and I'm sure a lot of you have so many. Let me know in the comments. We'll be back in less than two weeks for the premiere of season 11. See you then.
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