It feels like a literal lifetime since Drag Race season 11 kicked off with the comeback of Vanessa Vanjie Matteo, the very loud introduction of Silky Nutmeg Ganache, and an incognito Miley Cyrus ambushing the workroom in boy drag.
Sigh. Is anyone else tired?
This season of the popular VH1 reality TV series has divided audiences - and it's easy to see why. We've seen some great lip syncs, some incredibly ordinary snatch game performances, some divisive personalities and some, er, questionable eliminations.
Ahead of today's finale, we take a look back on the season that was and revisit a handful of highs and lows that made this season either really good or really bad, depending on who you ask.
High: The emergence of Nina West
The universally loved Nina West was a definite highlight of season 11. Serving up traditional camp aesthetics, kindness and some killer comedy, her presence was a much-needed palette cleanser after the pure chaos of characters like Silky, Vanjie and Ra'Ja Ohara.
Low: Ra'ja's mean girl antics
Look, sure, this is a reality TV show about drag queens... but still, nobody likes a mean girl. Ra'ja O'hara's constant attacks on contestants including Scarlet Envy and Plastique Tiara were not only hard to watch, but they brought the show's tone down to a schoolyard level that isn't fun for anyone involved.
High: Scarlet Envy's delusional fantasies
I'm just going to come out and say it: Scarlet Envy was robbed. Not only did she clearly outperform Ra'jah in the lip sync, her scorecard for the show up to that point was out-of-this-world strong. Her runways were clever and well-delivered, her performance in acting challenges were some of the strongest, she handled criticism with maturity, and her delusions of grandeur were harmless and incredibly fun to watch. Viewers also got robbed of Scarlet's snatch game performance, which would have been a winner.
Low: Over-produced results
No matter which way you twist it, there's no way Brooke Lynne Heights deserved to be in the bottom two alongside Vanjie. I get it. It makes for good TV to watch a couple of lovebirds battle it out for the one remaining place in the show's finale. Still, it felt like a revealing insight into how the show's outcomes can be manipulated to suit RuPaul's agenda.
High: Yvie Oddly VS Brooke Lynn Heights
C'mon Cirque du Soleil!
Not only was this without a doubt the strongest lip sync of the season, it has to be one of the best face-offs of all time. Between Yvie's insane flexibility and Brooke's ballet dancing skills, it was a much-needed taste of greatness in an arguably lackluster season.
Low: Silky's sloppy runways
No shade, but when you talk the talk like Silky, you've got to be able to walk the walk. And Silky didn't. Between unfinished makeups, same-same silhouettes and an underwhelming 'best drag' look, Silky's runways left much to be desired.
High: Drag Race's first Muslim queen
Opulence! You earned everything!
She might not have performed too well on the show, but Mercedes Iman Diamond's presence as the show's first ever Muslim queen was undeniably a step in the right direction in terms of achieving solid representation on Drag Race.
Low: Nina West VS Silky Nutmeg Ganache lip sync
Meh.
Watching two of the show's biggest personalities essentially give up was heartbreaking to watch. For Silky to survive after that performance? Criminal.
High: Guest judges
Guest judges are always a fun element of the show - and this year's were an eclectic bunch. From Miley Cyrus on episode one, to Troye Sivan, Wanda Sykes, Lena Waithe and Natasha Lyonne, season 11 served up quality quests who appeared genuinely invested in the process.
Low: Incredibly average reads and snatch game
Underwhelming snatch game performances are becoming a bit of a sad legacy for Drag Race. Gone are the days of comedy queens like Biance Del Rio, Jynks Monsoon and Ben Dela Creme slaying their impersonations and leaving viewers in stitches. This season's group might have been the worst in history, with the vast majority bombing out in a big way.
Yes, I'm looking at you, Yvie.
