Episode 9 of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars takes the queens on a trip down a demonic path with a Rusical based on the horror classic, Rosemary's Baby. While the source material might be a bit questionable, the episode itself is a fun and entertaining ride.
The Rusical: Rosemarie's Baby Shower
The challenge throws the queens into the world of the film, with each queen portraying a character and performing a song about their pact with the devil. There's some confusion about the singing format, with prerecorded vocals taking center stage this week. This proves to be a good choice, allowing the queens to focus on delivering their characters through acting and movement.
Jorgeous Steals the Show
Jorgeous shines as M3GAN, the creepy AI doll from the recent horror film. Her robotic movements and captivating performance make it impossible to look away. This is easily one of the best Rusical performances in Drag Race history, perfectly showcasing Jorgeous' talents.
The Other Queens Hold Their Own
While Jorgeous steals the spotlight, the other queens deliver solid performances as well. Plastique faithfully embodies the lead character, Rosemarie, while Shannel does a great job channeling the film's villainous character, Ruth Gordon (or perhaps more accurately, the iconic performance by actress Ruth Gordon).
Gottmik, Roxxxy, Nina, and Vanjie all deliver strong portrayals of their assigned characters, with Gottmik's Blair (inspired by The Exorcist) and Roxxxy's Pennywise (with phenomenal makeup) being particular highlights. Nina West takes on the role of the exorcist, and while competent, leaves the audience wondering what could have been if Angeria had gotten the part.
Vanjie's devil baby concept, while funny, feels like a missed opportunity for pure weirdness. Referencing a recent pop song seems less interesting than letting Vanjie unleash her inner demon child.
The Runway: Pearls and Beyond
The runway category this week is "pearl," and the queens serve up a variety of stunning looks. Plastique recreates the iconic Mugler Birth of Venus dress, though with a slightly off-putting placement of the clamshell. Angeria goes for opulent pageant realness, while Shannel steps outside her comfort zone with a club-kid inspired outfit.
Gottmik shines in a high-impact black pearl look by Diego Montoya, with the detail of black pearls covering her cheek contour being a particularly striking touch. Roxxxy's flapper-inspired pearl look feels a bit sparse, while Jorgeous' Bride of Frankenstein wig elevates her otherwise simple outfit. Nina finally steps up her fashion game with a gorgeous Elizabethan dress. Vanjie delivers a show-stopping half-clam outfit that transforms her head into a pearl.
Shannel and Jorgeous Take the Wins
Jorgeous' win was almost a foregone conclusion, while Shannel's victory is a heartwarming moment, reminiscent of Susan Lucci finally winning her Emmy.
A Strategic Twist: The Double Win and Badge Swap
The episode throws a curveball with a double win for the lip-sync. This means both Jorgeous and Shannel get to donate money to their chosen charities. But the real twist comes when they're allowed to give away their badges (awarded for winning challenges) to another queen. In a heartwarming display of sportsmanship, Jorgeous and Shannel give their badges to each other. This strategic move puts Jorgeous in a strong position for the finale with four badges, while Shannel ties with Gottmik, Nina, and Vanjie. This unexpected shake-up adds a layer of excitement to the race towards the crown.
Overall, this episode of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars is a fun and entertaining watch. The Rusical is full of strong performances, with Jorgeous delivering a standout moment. The runway offers a variety of stunning pearl looks, and the double win with a strategic badge swap adds a layer of drama to the competition.