RuPaul’s Drag Race recap S16E2: “She’s Got Three Names, She’s Got Three Homes”

Hershii LiqCour Jeté comes in first to start the night off, which is never great! I just think it can’t be fun to walk in serving face and giving a cute intro line to no one in particular. Also, you noticed her name, so it’s immediately known she is Kornbread’s drag daughter. Plasma, from New York, comes in wearing something akin to something I’ve seen southern women wear in church on hot summer Sundays, but her reaction to hearing Hershii’s full name for the first time is the reason I tune into Drag Race. Geneva “Vroom Vroom” Karr comes in next, seemingly reserved but I’m willing to bet more time with her is going to prove first impressions aren’t always what they seem. Plane Jane’s entrance is leopard and titties as her introduction confessional proclaims her to be the “authentic Russian clown hooker from Boston,” so now we all just wait on Katya’s reaction, but Trixie’s on “The Pit Stop” will also suffice if Katya doesn’t feel like providing one). Jane comes in and gives the girls a sour taste in their mouth, so time will only tell if she proves to be more than a catty queen. 

Anyway, back to the entrances. The cosplay queen of Brooklyn, Megami, comes in ready to attend the met gala. The next Queen to walk into the Werkroom is someone audiences might be familiar with from TikTok: Mhi’ya Iman Le’Paige. Especially over the past several weeks since the cast announcement, Mhi’ya can be seen flipping onto tables and into splits. This is also apparently the time to find out — reader, understand that I’m not on TikTok so maybe you already knew this — that Geneva is actually on the app as well, garnering likes for drag and styling leg hair. A pinned video on her profile reveals 9.6 million likes, so this is clearly reaching audiences and interests I certainly didn’t know existed. The girls laugh together and confide in one another that they hope the next Queen in slips, and in a stunning turn of events that would shock even Sandra Bullock in the critically acknowledged film Premonition (2007), Nymphia Wind tosses a banana on the ground and slips on it as she enters the Werkroom. The first Queen from Taiwan, Nymphia immediately lays down her case to be the season weirdo. In a confessional, Megami immediately answers a question that was beginning to rummage around my thoughts by saying, “she’s a psychopath.” 

Just like last week, it’s time for the first challenge, a quick photoshoot. The girls are taking photos at the DMV, and Ts Madison is behind the shutter. Plasma’s up first, and something that’s quickly evident and important to understand about her is that she’s going to bring the talent. Hershii’s shoot is fine, but it’s completely upstaged by the fact that a roach appears on the counter Ts and Ru are at, and Ru crushes it with his bare hand. I will be thinking about this until the next episode, possibly longer if I become unsatisfied with not hearing an explanation about this. They do their shoots one at a time, filing into the Werkroom afterwards to de-drag in front of each other for the first time, a time-honored tradition in Drag Race akin to watching a loved one open a Christmas present every year. One always hopes for the best. Jane has comment after comment about everyone, so it will be fun to see how the other Queens react to this attitude after multiple episodes of it. The new Queens learn about Rate-a-Queen and Immunity, then move on to a quick discussion about the usuals: how will we vote? Will it get personal? Will friends choose friends? They all know the answers to these questions, but ask them anyway. It’s admirable. 

Plasma is apparently worried that no one is watching her, but it could be a strength to not draw so much attention immediately. Either way, she’s certain that she’ll come into focus for the others after she takes the stage for the Queen’s Choice Talent Show. Hershii reveals that she is raising two children with her partner, momentarily giving the series a boost while she gleefully discusses her relationship with her child. Hearing about queer joy is lovely in all cases, so hearing her speak with genuine joy about raising her children with her partner is a balm to the soul. Moving onto another talent show hosted by Derrick Barry and with guest judge Becky G, the real fun begins.

Geneva’s talent showcases every usual drag performance dance move audiences are familiar with, but she does hit each move with a spirited energy. Hershii’s talent show is hairography and a catchy song, and it completely works for her. Plasma’s performance finally made me figure out who I’m reminded of when I look at her: Jinkx Monsoon and Sasha Velour in one. Plasma earlier mentioned that she was ready to prove herself, and it seems her talent show was able to do that. Nymphia pays tribute to her culture with a dance that sees her moving gracefully across the stage (think Coco Montrese in her All Stars 2 talent show but slightly more fun to watch). Megami does lip sync, which isn’t really impressive, but there’s a message! Does that help? Jane doesn’t seem to think so. To be fair, there’s not much Jane has been impressed with thus far. Mhi’ya comes in and does exactly what is expected: she tears up the stage. She’s genuinely fun to watch and hits a high kick that would give even Kennedy Davenport a run for her money. Becky G gives Plane Jane a look during her burger finger performance that signifies a level of spiritual understanding that one seeks their entire life. 

A quick rundown of the runway: 

• Nymphia comes in dressed and ready for a Marina and the Diamonds Froot album party, as apparently bananas might be her theme.
• Hershii looks incredible, her dress form-fitting with glasses that she looks over right into your soul.
• Three reveals later, Plasma’s final outfit is revealed. She’s proud of it, and she should be!
• Mhi’ya looks beautiful, but her reveal actually took away from the first look. Revealing a swimsuit/bodysuit is never going to have a “wow” factor! Stop it!
• Geneva has possibly the coolest reveal, only made better by the fact that her paint looks great.
• Megami “reveals” that her eyes are in her hands during her deity outfit, which is not only a little boring, unfortunately, given how interesting the rest of the look is, it’s also… not a reveal.
• Jane provides us with big titties again, but it’s her pronunciation of “encapsulation” in the confessional description that had my full attention.

After the judges’ critiques, the Queens begin rating one another. Once again, RuPaul’s iteration of The Circle begins and the queens shadily announce their surprise with each other’s performances. Jane hilariously refers to Nymphia as her sister while explaining why she deserves her bottom vote; the Queens always do this, but doing it in the first time being around one another while putting her at the bottom really stands out. Back on the Main Stage, Plane Jane and Geneva Karr are announced to be the top two. Jane puts her money where her mouth is during the lip sync to Becky G’s “Shower,” giving an energetic and hilarious performance that announces her presence on the show. Plane Jane backs up what she’s been saying about herself all episode by winning her first lip sync, but hopefully finds a way to be more humble as the season progresses.

Photo: MTV