RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE SEASON 17 EPISODE 1 RECAP: SQUIRREL GAMES

The Werk Room is buzzing with excitement as Season 17 of RuPaul’s Drag Race begins with the premiere episode, Squirrel Games. The franchise promises a comeback with new players, intense competition, and a higher level of artistry after a few divisive All-Stars seasons. The queens quickly demonstrate their charm, individuality, bravery, and skill because the stakes are high. This thorough synopsis explores the challenges, the queens’ introductions, and every moment that contributed to Episode 1’s remarkable premiere.

INTRODUCING THE QUEENS

The season’s mood was established by the queens’ entrance appearances and personalities. From seasoned pageant competitors to eccentric comedy queens, each queen offers something different. A closer look at the competitors vying for the title is provided below:

Lexi Love: With more than ten years of drag experience, Lexi brings a sardonic sense of humor to the Werk Room. Her statement, “I put the whore in hormones,” betrays her self-assurance and wit. She radiates charisma and power while wearing a leather dominatrix outfit.

Joella: Clad as a living candy cane, Joella, a self-described Katy Perry superfan, walks in. Although some queens doubt her depth, her vivacious demeanor and exaggerated facial expressions make her unforgettable.

Kori King: From Los Angeles, Kori exudes high fashion in her entrance outfit. Kori is a woman to watch because of her poise and well-spoken, candid remarks, which combine futuristic style with traditional glamour.

Lydia B. Kollins: With her gothic aesthetic and eccentric style, Lydia is reminiscent of Beetlejuice. RuPaul is instantly drawn to her entrance attire, which consists of a striped suit with neon green accents.

Arrietty: With pointed ears, a flowing emerald cape, and elaborate beadwork, Arrietty’s whimsical entrance is influenced by elves and fantasy literature. As the “queen of enchantment,” she proclaims herself.

Jewels Shines: Leaning into her campy aesthetic, Jewels sports an oversized bow and a sequined jumpsuit. Viewers are taken aback by her candid humor, which betrays a keen mind behind her colorful façade.

Lana Ja’Rae: Wearing a fitted gown with a dramatic train, Lana’s elegant entrance symbolizes New York City. Despite being quieter than her peers, she has a commanding presence.

Sam Star Sam, a southern queen with pageantry experience, makes a glamorous entrance. She exudes confidence and sophistication with her rhinestone-studded gown and flawless makeup.

Onya Nurve: The charming queen of Cleveland, Onya’s humor is evident during her confessional and entrance scenes. Her ensemble, which consists of a glittering catsuit and striking shoulder pads, is striking.

Suzie Toot: A 1920s-inspired queen, Suzie’s extensive costume details, such as fringe and art deco embellishments, reveal her tap-dancing heritage.

RuPaul’s personal choice from a recent book tour, Hormona Lisa, makes an elegant yet understated entrance. Despite being fashionable, her entrance doesn’t draw as much attention as that of her rivals.

Crystal Jealousy: With years of pageant experience, Crystal feels secure in her rhinestone bodysuit. She has time to develop because her personality doesn’t come through right away.

Acacia Forgot: Acacia’s striking colors and mismatched patterns draw attention, but not always in a positive way, thanks to its avant-garde, ’80s-inspired style.

Lucky Starzzz: There is so much energy in this queen’s entrance. She stands out as a cunning and creative competitor thanks to her handmade appearance, which features stars, glitter, and striking geometric shapes.

THE MINI CHALLENGE

RuPaul quickly brings chaos into the Werk Room. When the queens arrive, they find they were unwittingly taking part in the first mini-challenge. Their interactions with a phony producer were recorded by hidden cameras, which tested their capacity to remain true to themselves under duress.

Lana Ja’Rae is the most notable performer; she maintains her composure and charm throughout the hidden camera setup. She wins the prize and receives a $2,500 cash tip for her calmness and quick thinking.

THE MAXI CHALLENGE: TALENT SHOW

The first Maxi Challenge of the season, a two-part talent showcase spanning the first two episodes, is announced by RuPaul. The queens have to choose between performing in the upcoming episode or the premiere.

Kori King is in charge of allocating performance times, using her strategic acumen to put herself in a good position. There are two groups of queens: the ones who perform in Episode 1 will compete directly, and the other queens will serve as judges and compete in Episode 2. This turn of events gives the competition a fascinating new strategic dimension.

THE PERFORMANCES

When the first group takes the stage, they perform a variety of acts that highlight their wide range of skills:

In an equally raunchy and hilarious performance, Lexi Love blends humor and lip-syncing. She receives applause and laughter for her timing and audience participation.

Lydia B. Kollins performs a darkly humorous musical number that channels Heathers. RuPaul commends her creative vision, and the judges are impressed by her live vocals.

With a dynamic routine set to a contemporary pop song, Suzie Toot wins over the judges’ hearts. She is an immediate front-runner due to her accuracy and charisma.

During her performance with an 80s theme, Acacia Forgot finds it difficult to engage the audience. Although the concept is ambitious, it is poorly executed.

Everyone is taken aback by Jewels Sparkles’ performance, which combines humor and theatricality. She brings her eccentric personality to the stage with ease.

Hormona Lisa gives a quiet spoken-word performance that splits the judges. Some find it disappointing, while others enjoy the artistic risk.

RUNWAY: MASC 4 MASKED SINGER

The queens are challenged by this week’s runway theme to design masked ensembles that exude glitz and mystery. Highlights consist of:

With a snowman-inspired ensemble with elaborate ice accents, Acacia Forgot makes amends. The ensemble is praised for its originality.

Evoking vintage Hollywood glitz, Jewels Sparkles sparkles in a flowing pink gown and a rhinestone mask.

Suzie Toot dazzles in an avant-garde 1920s ensemble that features striking geometric patterns and feathered accents. The judges describe her appearance as “perfect.”

The sleek, futuristic design created by Kori King highlights her ability to combine luxury fashion with narrative.

In contrast to her rivals, Lexi Love chooses a dominatrix-inspired style, but the execution seems cliched.

THE DECISION OF THE JUDGES

RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE 17x1 recap

Katy Perry, a guest judge, brings her characteristic vivacious energy to the panel. To the dismay of her fans, her commentary is passionate but sometimes shallow.

The week’s best performers are highlighted in the judges’ comments. Lydia B. Kollins is praised for her creative musical number, and Suzie Toot is praised unanimously for her tap-dancing ability and runway appearance.

Hormona Lisa and Acacia Forgot, on the other hand, end up at the bottom. Hormona Lisa’s muted showcase falls short of the high-energy standards of a premiere, while Acacia’s poor performance and erratic runway appearance put her at risk.

LIP SYNC

Hormona and Acacia compete in a fierce lip-synch to “Firework” by Katy Perry. Both queens give it their all during the electrifying performance. Hormona gives a passionate and emotional reading of the lyrics, while Acacia uses upbeat choreography but falters in the middle.

Acacia Forgot is sent home when RuPaul declares Hormona Lisa the winner. Despite her disappointment, Acacia leaves politely and thanks the opportunity.

RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Season 17 premiere lives up to its promise of intense competition and new life. The episode raises the bar for the remainder of the season with Suzie Toot’s jaw-dropping tap routine and the intense drama of the lip sync. The stakes are higher than ever thanks to a diverse cast and a clever twist on the talent showcase format.

Who will succeed, and who will fail under the strain? Watch closely as these queens continue to demonstrate their deservingness of the throne.

For additional exclusive updates, sneak peeks, and thorough summaries of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17, visit tvacute.com!

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Olivia Wilson
Olivia Wilsonhttps://www.tvacute.com/
Olivia Wilson is the senior news writer for TV Acute. She spends too much money on collectables and is enamored with movies, comics, and television series. She loves binge-watching and can spend hours talking about movies and TV shows. She can immerse herself into a good story no matter the genre or form and only come out from it when she's had her fill. When she's not writing, she's probably cooking or exploring new places. You can follow her daily exploits on Twitter and Facebook.

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