They’ve got the power!
Then came the unexpected.
RuPaul revealed she and the judges would not be judging them; they would be judging each other!
Image via MTV
But unlike last season, the queens from their respective weeks would not be judging one another.
The opposite week queens would be.
So, the queens from Week 1 would rate the Week 2 queens, and vice versa.
Image via MTV
This twist on the twist was the correct way to fix a slightly obscure twist.
If this doesn’t raise the stakes, what will?
They were able to incorporate an element of power into their game.
A game they had previously played.
Rarely have new queens to the franchise ever been given such power.
Sometimes, multiple times in a season!
Image via MTV
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This season, having already seen one season’s results play out, the queens took this into consideration.
By putting themselves in opposite groups, they had the power to inflict serious damage on the results.
It was a genius move.
From Belgium to the world!
Athena Likis is proud to represent her drag and her country on the global platform.
It was something that no one else had.
She essentially could influence the game by deciding who she wanted to lip sync against.
All she had to do was convince the others that this plan was best for everyone involved.
She chose not to.
She served the judges cake, and then some.
Acacia delivered the first gag of the season.
That makeup brush is now and forever iconic.
With the new mechanics thrown in, the Rate-A-Queen twist reached its maximum potential.
Especially knowing that the queens will find out the exact rankings by each queen in episode three.
WhenDrag Racelays it on, they lay it on heavy.
She had a 1 in 5 chance of staying, and she did.
Perhaps, like Acacia ensured Hormona was her rival, she used some of her own strategy.
Or some good old-fashioned luck.
From there,the other queens' placement was not revealed.Will they be in future episodes?
Based on last season, no.
Imagine finding out your new drag sisters did not think so fondly of your performance in week one.
Could further alliances be produced?
Will newfound rivalries take center stage?
The fallout could be chaotic!
Nothing says heartbreak like a fan-favorite queen sashaying away.
Fans of the show are sometimes bewildered and perplexed by Ru and the judges' decisions.
And once again, that’s the tea.
WatchRuPaul’s Drag RaceSeason 17 Fridays at 8 p.m. onMTV.
All previous episodes ofRuPaul’s Drag Raceare currently available for streaming on Paramount+
Watch on Paramount+
