Episode Discussion: The Final Three

[keeper-of-stars.livejournal.com]

The Final Three

Welcome back, squirrel friends! It’s time for the next leg of the race! Bust out your wigs and padding because this is going to be a crazy ride.

Wigs and heels don’t go on for a few hours yet, but let’s get the T flowing now!

Just a few things to keep in mind…
~ Try to stay on topic. This is an episode discussion after all.
~ Don’t be throwin’ no shade towards your fellow LJ-ers. (Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.)
~ Since this is an episode discussion, there will be spoilers in the comments. Enter at your own risk.
~ Please do not post spoilers for upcoming episodes.
~ And of course, don’t forget to werk.

Also, don’t forget that @rupaulsdragrace is once again holding their contest to win a prize pack! Just re-tweet the specified message and you’re entered.

[Poll #1909851]

Comments

[panteakid666.livejournal.com]

All I really need to know is if the Finale taping is gointg to be live or not and how I get tickets to it!

At this point I'm fine with anyone winning. I want Roxxxy to win, but after last weeks episode everyone now seems to hate her and think she's a bitch.
My opinion of Jinkx is she's just too much of a character queen for my liking. Alaska I'm not sure about. I never felt she was riding Sharons coat tails, and rather suprised by her performance on the show so far. At this point it's anyone's game and I'm okay with that.

But Like i've been saying, Alyssa is the real winner this season.

[forlornreverie.livejournal.com]

Roxxxy better not win. Bitter, insecure, pageant queen is not a good look for the next drag superstar.

[redhandedjilll.livejournal.com]

I know Roxxxy lashes out when she's insecure, but she really needs to tone it down. It's incredibly immature to fly off at the handle and put people down to that extent just because you can't handle your own shit. It's also incredibly disrespectful to act like comedy is something not worth any merit, which is what she was getting at by saying "not everything is a joke". Comedians are extremely professional and take their work very seriously, and Roxxxy is proof that it's a really hard thing to accomplish successfully. That just bothered me a lot.

[redhandedjilll.livejournal.com]

Also, I don't know what the hell she was talking about when she said she 'changes it up'. Her looks are so similar I can't tell most of them apart, and she resorts to the same character every time she has to be funny.

[shiny-lights.livejournal.com]

I laughed so hard at that. Has she even done a runway look without a tearaway? Seriously, because I can't think of any.

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

I love both Alaska and Jinkx. I've said for a long time that I think that Jinkx will take the crown. With the last few episodes though, I think Alaska has shown us that she could snatch it too.

I'll be happy as long as it's not Roxxxy!!

Is the finale going to air live? I have my tickets for the event (it's May 6 in NYC) and Wikipedia says that May 6 is also the air date for the episode when we find out who wins. So they really are doing it live this time instead of filming 3 endings like they did last season?

[lady-lockhart.livejournal.com]

No, it's just like last year. :( finale/reunion is being filmed next week (Monday I think?) with the three endings I'm guessing and then the actual crowning will be in NYC on May 6th. There's video on youtube of Sharon's crowning at XL last year with Raja putting the crown on Sharon's head. Wonder if that's going to be awkward if Alaska isn't the winner!

[stormkpr.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the clarification! I think either way the show in NYC on the 6th will be great.

And yeah, I wonder....it will definitely be awkward if Sharon has to put the crown on Jinkx instead of Alaska, but I know that Jinkx and Alaska are friends so I have to believe that the three of them will be able to handle any awkwardness.

[kapvik.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine how it would be awkward unless Roxxxy won (pui, pui, pui). Jinkx has certainly earned it as much as Alaska. And in the event that Alaska doesn't win, she has nothing to be sorry about. She's done everything she set out to do in this competition: finally get on, make a name for herself as someone other than Sharon's significant other, and kick ass.

[lunafroo.livejournal.com]

Having to wait two whole weeks for the finale will be a very challenging task for sure. Gah!

[silvers-shadows.livejournal.com]

TWO WEEKS? AUGHNWHF;IUWGF;HW;GFH;OGHO;

*ahem*

How come it's two weeks?

[kapvik.livejournal.com]

One week for the clip show, and then the reunion/coronation the week after that. It allows anyone who missed the bulk of the season to catch up, obsessive fans to see "never-before-seen footage," and saves the production company money because it's cheaper than shooting an actual episode.

[nephyr-pariah.livejournal.com]

Looking at the official blogs and whatnot, I've noticed that several people who are rooting for Alaska are also rooting for Jinkx. For that reason alone, I expect Jinkx to take the crown. If everyone who was torn between Alaska and Jinkx decided to pick a side, I suspect they'd be much closer in the voting so far. As it stands, if it's up to the fans, Jinkx is pretty much a lock. Not complaining, I love Jinkx too, just speculating based on observations.

[myswtghst.livejournal.com]

This was my suspicion as well (and I'm one of those people who is torn btw Jinkx and Alaska). It feels very similar to the Raja / Manila top two for me - Manila (like Alaska) was amazing but was up-and-down a lot, while Raja had almost the entire season on lock-down, similar to Jinkx. If you take that in to consideration, and add in the fans who'll vote for Jinkx as a way of taking her side in the "feud" with Roxxxy, I think it's likely she'll win.

But, knowing that Mama Ru (and no doubt the sponsors) get to weigh in, I also think it would be possible for Alaska to win - think of the opportunities they'd have to market Sharon and Alaska together as Drag Race royalty. ;)

As long as it isn't Roxxxy, I'm fine - I don't think she's shown the versatility she claims she has, and she's also said a lot of things which could be seen as disparaging Ru (mocking comedy queens, for one thing). I think it'll also be interesting to see who wins Miss Congeniality - I'd vote for Alaska / Jinkx, but what happens if the winner also snatches the crown?

[nephyr-pariah.livejournal.com]

I was torn between Alaska and Jinkx for a long time myself. Alaska's just kept so focused, though, I can't help but admire her. Since leaving Rolaskatox, she's excelled in challenges, has proven to be everything and more and besides that has managed to steer clear of the bulk of the drama. I mean, what can't she do? Imo, she's the whole package. :)

I just love the idea of a Drag Race royal couple, especially with one crowning the other! ♥

Miss Congeniality? Oh wow... I'm afraid, lol, since the winner likely won't be allowed a double crowning. I think Latrice should hold the crown for another year, personally.

[myswtghst.livejournal.com]

I give Alaska a lot of credit for how diplomatic she's been throughout the recent shenanigans - it can't be easy for her, given the clique critique and separation, followed so closely by Roxxxy and Detox beating up on Jinkx, but she's handled it really well. Plus, I do think she's fabulous, and she's definitely turned it up the last few weeks (I honestly just wish she'd done it earlier).

And I am totally on board with Latrice continuing her reign as Miss Congeniality. ♥

[zestyzorra.livejournal.com]

Ugh, now I wonder if all of Roxxxy's backpedaling and apologizing last week was vote pandering, now that she knows the fans get a say. I hate to be so cynical, but I just think the fan vote has to be part of it. :|

I lol'ed when she said, in her "defending your life" segment, that she was someone people could look up to. Ummm no.

Anyway, go Jinkx and Alaska!

[teacup-werewolf.livejournal.com]

IMO that is the only reason she apologized is to make herself look better so she can get more votes.

[kapvik.livejournal.com]

This, Just, all of it.

[irveja.livejournal.com]

Roxxxy's apologize was so fake, oh my god, how awful is she? just go away, she should have been announced as 3rd.

I was rooting for Jinkx, but Alaska was way too good in this episode, when she defended her life specially. I hope one of them win. (as long as isn't Roxxxy)

[blacktonguedevi.livejournal.com]

I don`t know why people are even speculating over Roxxxy`s Jinkx-bashing motives, that bitch know`s exactly what she`s doing, just like with the well timed blubber about being left at a bus stop, and with last weeks internet damage control when she realised her hostility towards Jinkx would effect the public vote. The bottom line is that it`s a competition, so throw your marbles down the runway, put powdered glass in the other queen`s rouge, do whatever you need to do to get that damn crown !

The final 3 all have something different but in fairly equal measure, so I don`t really care who gets it. Personally I would have liked to see Llineysha in the top 3 ( even though she did`nt know who Diana Ross was, ) and i`m only looking forward to the finally to get another glimpse of her.

[kapvik.livejournal.com]

I don`t know why people are even speculating over Roxxxy`s Jinkx-bashing motives, that bitch know`s exactly what she`s doing, just like with the well timed blubber about being left at a bus stop, and with last weeks internet damage control when she realised her hostility towards Jinkx would effect the public vote. The bottom line is that it`s a competition, so throw your marbles down the runway, put powdered glass in the other queen`s rouge, do whatever you need to do to get that damn crown !

I think the reason people are speculating is that Roxxxy is playing her game so *badly*. Any idiot could see through her carefully timed apologies and busting out a sob story and a trick wig at just the right moment. If this actually wins her any significant amount of votes, it's a bloody travesty.

[teacup-werewolf.livejournal.com]

Roxxxy reminds me of this twinky queen that I know in my RP circles. He is catty, and utter tool he has no problem in throwing people under the bus and hold grudges. He's also misgendered me on purpose too. So yeah, Roxxxy reminds me of all the cis-gay men who treat me like shit and she borderline triggering.

I am really rooting for Jinkx but I will settle for Alaska.

[nephyr-pariah.livejournal.com]

A thought has been occurring to me. Roxxxy's a smart lady, I suspect she knows exactly what she's doing. Better to rule in Hell than to serve in Heaven.

[myswtghst.livejournal.com]

So, while I obviously am a Jinkx fan (though I ♥ Alaska too!), the thing that's bugged me the most about Roxxxy isn't her overt nastiness to her competition, but the fact that a lot of the shade she's thrown could easily be seen as disparaging / insulting Mama Ru. She has consistently refused to own her shortcomings / failures, blaming them instead on the challenges - but Ru is the one who comes up with (or at least approves) the challenges she's whined about. Clearly Ru wants someone versatile, or she wouldn't have included all those challenges focused on more than just a look, and Roxxxy doesn't seem to get that just because something isn't her thing, it doesn't mean it's without merit. It also bothers me that when another queen has a specific talent (like comedy), it's schtick, but when Roxxxy has a specific "talent" (her look), it's "part of what makes her versatile".

I appreciate that Roxxxy apologized and owned her shade, without trying to put all the blame on the editing, and I'm glad she and Jinkx have apparently patched things up, but I still am not sure if she really sees the big picture, and when you combine that with her inability to take criticism, I just don't think she's the next drag superstar.

[nearlynina.livejournal.com]

THIS. So much this!
The thing for me is that even beyond Ru picking the challenges and all that, she does comedy drag a lot. Not to the extent that queens like Jinxk, Mimi, or Manila do, but it's still a big part of her public drag persona.

[kapvik.livejournal.com]

So I figure this can go either one of two ways. Either they're just going ahead and stamping "Winner's Edit" all over Jinkx and she wins, or it's not Jinkx - in which case, please, O God-Appearing-As-Cher let it be Alaska - and this is just the biggest mindfuck the show's ever done.

I don't know how many ways I have left to say "Boxxxy Obnoxxxy Rolodex doesn't know what the frak she's talking about" at this point. The judges too, for that matter. SHE'S a well-rounded performer? I didn't know "well-rounded" now meant "one-dimensional drag stripper who loves tearaways and thinks that the entirety of drag is trying to look pretty". Curse you, New English. She's the complete fucking opposite of everything she says she is. Boxxxy Obnoxxxy Rolodex is probably the stalest drag queen I have ever seen. Her entire act is *the* drag queen cliche. No wonder everyone was critical of her and she was about to quit drag; her drag act is lame. And when the competition makes it evident that she's lame, it's the competition/challenges/Jinkx's/comedy's fault. Like myswtghst said, her whining is effectively insulting RuPaul, who comes up with the challenges and demands that success in the competition be predicated on being someone who can do more than just dress up like a woman and be pretty. This chick is the fat Rebecca Glasscock, and I hope she winds up in the same dumpster of obscurity after all of this.

Oh Alaska. You stopped trying again in that video shoot, and that's genuinely my one complaint about you. But hot damn did she ever do her best to make up for it with the rest of the challenge. That runway and that lip sync? THAT is how you do Lady Gaga. And I feel proud to declare that Alaska is the Ant to Sharon's Dec. I still don't know who Tamar motherfucking Braxton is, but I sure as hell know Alaska Thunderfuck.

I think what I loved most about Jinkx in the last challenge is that she insisted on having the hippie flower crown in her last runway look; in my head, it's as far as she would ever go to giving the fashion-backward criticisms the finger.

Did Mathoo Andersen fall asleep under a tree for a whole year after Season 4, and they just woke him up in order to shoot this episode and didn't let him groom himself? And on a lesser WTF note, I'm still trying to figure out why Michelle Visage was wearing a flash drive as a necklace in the workroom.

[myswtghst.livejournal.com]

Oh Alaska. You stopped trying again in that video shoot, and that's genuinely my one complaint about you.

This was my biggest concern. I ♥ Alaska, but this was so similar to the first challenge, where she got frustrated so she effectively said "fuck it" and gave up. I appreciate a queen who gives it her all, even if she has no idea what she's doing or is struggling, and while I'm used to Roxxxy giving up and whining, it sucked to see Alaska revert to that when she's come so far.

p.s. thanks for the shoutout :)

[kapvik.livejournal.com]

NP, credit where credit is due.

I ♥ Alaska, but this was so similar to the first challenge, where she got frustrated so she effectively said "fuck it" and gave up. I appreciate a queen who gives it her all, even if she has no idea what she's doing or is struggling, and while I'm used to Roxxxy giving up and whining, it sucked to see Alaska revert to that when she's come so far.

Word. I would still be quite happy with an Alaska win (in a sort of "anyone but Boxxxy Obnoxxxy" way), but I feel like they're going to remember this moment and when she gave up in the first episode challenge, and that will be why Jinkx pulls ahead. Or at least, it would if Ru and the producers were solely determining the winner.

Either way, whichever of Jinkx and Alaska doesn't win, I absolutely want to see on All-Stars II.

[lucifuge-5.livejournal.com]

I still don't know who Tamar motherfucking Braxton is, but I sure as hell know Alaska Thunderfuck.

WERK!

[entj.livejournal.com]

I think Mathu is so busy styling RuPaul that he doesn't have time to groom himself. :) Sort of like how the cobbler's kids never have new shoes, as the old saying goes. That, or he makes his clients feel prettier / more comfortable knowing that they look better than he does! :D

Regarding Alaska, I feel like I've seen the same top on her dress too many times - that flat cut neckline that she wore for her "Sweet Sixteen" look - I'm not sure what it's properly called by designers. Otherwise, I've mostly liked her, though I did think it was a hair hypocritical of her to be all "I'm breaking away from Rolaskatox" and then clearly sat with them during Untucked. She could've at least picked the side of the sofa closest to Jinkx.

[kapvik.livejournal.com]

Eh, not that I have any great love for Rolodex (which will never not be funny), but stuff in the lounge/bars doesn't really affect the competition. Well apart from influencing the audience's impression of the queens for the final coronation vote, but I digress. Trying to hammer out her individual identity in challenges doesn't preclude Alaska from still being friendly with Botox during bar/lounge time.

Plus the more isolated Jinkx is, the better her storyline looks. How the queens congregate during Untucked is probably more producer shenanigans than anything else.

[lucifuge-5.livejournal.com]

Otoh, I'm glad we've got two more eps for the season. Otoh, though, WHY couldn't you just make up your mind, Mama Ru?

Boxxxy Obnoxxxy's mindgames were beyond irritating. I don't really understand why she'd want to be SRS BIZNESS thespian for a RPDR skit. Like, really? Her attitude about comedy being less than pageant made me eyeroll so much I got dizzy. She's a Tyra Sanchez, only one that's incredibly hateful too. >:( I truly do hope that Mama Ru takes into consideration Roxxxy's lack of popularity with the RPDR fen. *crosses all the crossables*

Jinkx did pretty good overall. The one exception was her last runway look. It was...pretty but tremendously underwhelming. She killed it in the skit AND the video too so yays! I'd be happy if she won. However, in a way, I kinda feel like she's the one who's the sure winner so I don't think I'd be as excited about her winning the crown as I'd be if it was Alaska

Alaska might've stumbled (and then some) during the video shoot but she did really well in the skit and her 'Defending Your Life' speech was en pointe. In all truth, she's the queen I'm rooting for. Not only because then she'd be part of the Royal Couple (ooooh!) but also because she's got a good balance of comedy and style, hunty! To me, she's the queen who people took for granted (because of her relationship with Sharon as well as the multiple times she applied for the show). Being so close to winning, though, has grounded her and made her fight for the win in her own 'Lasky way. ^_^