I liked the idea of the queens ranking each other.  Especially given that it replaced the stale conversations that usually occur between judging and the lip sync.  But, obviously, it didn't really matter this episode, and I am confused if that will be the twist for the rest of the season.  Because why wouldn't they eventually try to get rid of the good contestants, even though that would ruin the entertainment value for the audience?  For example, why wouldn't get Xunami vote off Q, she's funny and has excellent sewing skills?  But, I want to see what she'll do for the ball challenge.

Anyone still watching this season?

3 hours ago, Antoyne said:

Anyone still watching this season?

I'm a devout watcher. It's been a pretty good season. That body lip-synch was one of the most beautiful murders I've ever seen. Nymphia is my personal favourite, Sapphira is probably going to win. It would be a gag if a "villain" like Plane actually won. 

Still watching, although a few eps behind.

Amazed that somehow Mhi'ya Aman Le Page hung around week after week. It's not RuPaul's Flip Race-that was all she brought to the show.

No personality, B Grade costume and make up etc.

Love Plane Jane - she knew exactly how to play the game-she did the villain but had the talent to back it up. 

Somehow Sapphira didn't grab me- I acknowledge her professionalism, talent etc but i just couldn't connect. Just me.

I've read that the writer's strike diminished the opportunities for different challenges in season 16, which may explain why it was so heavily weighted toward fashion challenges. Normally they hire a group of writers at the beginning of the season to pitch new challenge ideas, but this time that was not an option.

Personally, I never preferred the acting challenges, so it is not a big deal.  But, I think that they were lucky to have cast Plain Jane in order to get some backstage drama.  Otherwise, it would've been a bit of a bore.

I am not looking forward to a finale filled with a lip sync smackdown.  My favorite finale was season 8 when the finalists were given lip sync featured performances that were geared toward their personalities.  I feel like they still need to figure out how to end a season with more excitement and polish. 

The Vivienne died this weekend:

 

💔 pic.twitter.com/fKGfItQR9D

— Simon Jones (@simonjonespr) January 5, 2025

 

She really tried calling one 📞 up to God, but The Viv answered.

That's how I'll remember Tyra Sanchez pic.twitter.com/31qvgVNIi1

— 💘 (@thea8p) January 6, 2025

Well S17 is underway...

The Squid game ripoff opening seemed like a lot of time and effort put into something that didn't really land. The brief glimpses of past queens was a waste. I didn't recognize a lot of them and didn't realize Bianca, for example, was even there.

Hard to judge by the first ep but Joella fan girling over Katy Perry to the point of a crying fit was hard to take. And then her talent performance was sub par. Yet she wasn't in the bottom.

Is it just me or is Michelle getting harder to take each season? Something off with her bitch with a heart persona. She seems to be taking herself too seriously.

And Ru's wig was awful.

10 hours ago, Paul Raven said:

Well S17 is underway...

The Squid game ripoff opening seemed like a lot of time and effort put into something that didn't really land. The brief glimpses of past queens was a waste. I didn't recognize a lot of them and didn't realize Bianca, for example, was even there.

Hard to judge by the first ep but Joella fan girling over Katy Perry to the point of a crying fit was hard to take. And then her talent performance was sub par. Yet she wasn't in the bottom.

Is it just me or is Michelle getting harder to take each season? Something off with her bitch with a heart persona. She seems to be taking herself too seriously.

And Ru's wig was awful.

Agreed on the opening sequence. Haven't seen Squid Game so I missed any references, but the pie-throwing seemed especially off, as it obviously wasn't spontaneous. Certainly they had to position the queen just right so the pie would land properly on the face.

I am on the opposite side of the spectrum in terms of opinions. I think this is the strongest debut episode of a season in... years and years and years. The last season in my opinion was very underwhelming. This time... I'm excited. We'll see how it goes... Sadly they haven't been able to deliver the quality of Seasons 2-6 in a loooong time. 

4 minutes ago, Maxim said:

I am on the opposite side of the spectrum in terms of opinions. I think this is the strongest debut episode of a season in... years and years and years. The last season in my opinion was very underwhelming. This time... I'm excited. We'll see how it goes... Sadly they haven't been able to deliver the quality of Seasons 2-6 in a loooong time. 

It's a very fun and diverse group of queens so I am also excited!

13 minutes ago, yrfan1983 said:

It's a very fun and diverse group of queens so I am also excited!

I loved it. And I didn't perceive the Squid Game parody as a rip-off, but a... a parody. Drag is all about that and since SG is so current right now and it's main theme is games, it would have been stupid not to do it. 

I laughed sooo hard.... I even had to invite my husband to see it, since he is a huge Squid Game fan. 

They are a little young and need to grow a bit.  That being said, I am still enjoying the season.  Team ONYA for me!

Still watching. 

Onya is the obvious winner , mainly because there is no true competition. I do find her a little limited in that she always goes for the sassy black woman persona in challenges-the rusical,acting challenges etc,. She does it well but I would like to see more range from a winner.

The only other possibility is Sam Starr.

How Lana managed to stay so long is a mystery. Nice persona but ...

Loving Onya. She’s the only one who seems to have gotten the memo that at the entire purpose of Drag Race is to make Ru laugh.