This post was submitted by Topher Burns

[Spoiler alert: we’ll be dishing the full results of Ms. Paul’s Drag Race – if you don’t wanna know which queen was coronated, go back to Royal Wedding coverage]

So, thus ends another season of RuPaul’s Drag Race:  Raja crowned winner, and well deserved I would say.  During the final episode I thought Manila just killed it, but based on the full season there was really no contest at all – Raja had that crown in the bag by the time she hit the runway in her tribal explosion outfit.

Would that I could say “I told you so,” though.  As you may recall from my intro to the season’s contestants, kind words were not what we initially offered the new gals (aside from Pandora Boxx, who was delightful as always).  In fact the final three got quite a tongue lashing.  We compared Alexis Mateo to a horse, renamed Raja “Jafar”, and made a Black Swan reference in speaking about Manila’s bf Sahara Davenport.  Thankfully they all proved us wrong, and brought some amazing action this season.

Unfortunately the same can not be said for the rest of the contestants.  Frankly, the first five episodes of this season just crawled along for me.  Maybe because the gap between good and bad was so wide this season, or maybe just because so many queens turned out to be disappointments, but there was a dragging (pun intended), listless, predictability to the first half of episodes.  The bottom two always deserved it, and I never really cared who went home because I knew the other was soon to follow.  Even the lip syncs were uninteresting until Manila sent home Delta Work with a triumphant performance.

The final episode also felt a bit “check-the-box” – not many surprises, and maybe it’s just me but are the RuPaul song plugs getting a bit tired to anyone else?  I wouldn’t mind if she dialed it up and plugged other things like a book, or a sex tape, but the endlessly repeated “new” gay club anthem is starting to wear thin.

Only exception – Ryan Heffington.  That renaissance ladyboy lights up the room!  I’ve been smitten ever since he started as final choreographer on the first season.  To be honest, I don’t know why a dude with conquistador-inspired facial hair, a (permed?) topknot, jeggings and heels would get my motor running, but I think next season could stand with a fair bit more of it!

In the end, I loved this season of RPDG, but not as much as I wanted to.  It may not be fair to expect a show that trades on shock value and novelty to be consistent, but that’s the nature of the beast.  As Logo itself says, “NewNowNext!”  I want to see RuPaul do this show until she’s being carted out to pronounce judgment in some sort of elaborate hermetically sealed palanquin.  In order for that to happen, though, the grande dame’s going to have to elevate her game.  Seriously, Ru, don’t fuck it up.

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