Episode 3 of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 9 throws us into the dreaded
"Snatch Game of Love" format. While the Love twist occasionally produces comedic
gold, this episode falls flat due to a lack of consequences and underwhelming
performances. Let's dive into the highs (few) and lows (many) of this Snatch
Game extravaganza.
The Problem with No Eliminations:
The new season's format of "Beautiful Benefactress Badges" creates a significant issue in challenges like Snatch Game. Queens who bomb the performance know they won't be eliminated, leading to a noticeable lack of effort and fearlessness. This stands in stark contrast to previous All-Stars seasons where every challenge held weight, resulting in passionate performances and iconic moments.
Snoozeville Snatch Game:
Group 1: Angeria gets by with a safe Marla Gibbs impersonation. Roxxxy rehashes a previously used Tasha Salad, leaving the audience wanting more. Shannel, never doing a standard Snatch Game before, presents a horny and joke-wielding Liberace, making viewers wish for a classic Snatch Game approach from her. Jorgeous' John Leguizamo is forgettable, but hey, at least she's safe from elimination.
Group 2: Vanjie, falling back on her signature personality as Cleopatra, loses focus halfway through. Nina West pulls out a second Liberace, this time a cartoonish version that keeps the character alive but lacks excitement. Plastique's Ali Wong impersonation is a disaster. Ignoring Werk Room critiques, she delivers a half-hearted performance bordering on disrespectful to the audience and the show itself.
Gottmik Shines Bright:
A beacon in the Snatch Game darkness is Gottmik. Her concept – the dog who played Lassie reinvented as a glamorous Hollywood has-been – is pure genius. Her makeup transformation and hilarious bits, like the exaggerated panting, are comedic gold. While the execution may not reach the heights of her iconic Paris from Season 13, it's undeniably a top-tier Snatch Game moment.
The Runway: Tail and Two Titties:
The runway theme, "Tail and Two Titties," produces a mixed bag. Angeria delivers a well-made dragon look, but it lacks that wow factor. Roxxxy stuns as Jessica Rabbit, while Shannel showcases her high-drag skills with a scorpion costume. Vanjie and Nina both struggle, the former with a subpar scorpion and the latter with a confusing solar system design. Plastique redeems herself with a stunning fox goddess look, reminding us why she deserved a spot this season.
Gottmik's Mastectomy Masterpiece:
Gottmik takes the runway to another level with a powerful and personal statement. Her look, inspired by her own mastectomy experience, features surgeon arms, bedazzled scars, and a purse representing the removed breasts. It's a stunning combination of originality, beauty, and social commentary, solidifying Gottmik's frontrunner status.
Lip Sync and Strategic Slip-Up:
The lip sync to Anitta's "Banana" features Gottmik and Nina. While Nina puts on a show with multiple outfit reveals (some questionable for their connection to the song), it highlights her weakness as a lip syncer. Gottmik takes the win by default rather than delivering a showstopping performance. However, her decision to "chop" Jorgeous with the Ruby Snippers is a curious one. Angeria, who consistently delivers strong performances, seems like a more strategic choice for future challenges.
Looking Forward:
With the underwhelming Snatch Game behind us, one hopes the lack of elimination stakes will be addressed. Perhaps harsher critiques or a point system could add some much-needed drama and competition. Until then, Gottmik remains the frontrunner, leaving us to wonder which queen will step up and challenge her reign.