RuPaul’s Drag Race UK ‘Rucap’: Episode 3

Jake Yates-Hart 14 October 2021

After a more or less adequate second episode, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK returned to top form this week with an exciting design challenge and important emotional beats for the contestants.

So far, series three is proving itself to be a worthy sequel to series two, one of the most popular outings for Drag Race of all time. Let’s look at what improved this episode, including a spectacular guest judge and shocking eliminations. Beware of spoilers.

Victoria Scone’s unfortunate exit

Image courtesy of BBC Three and World of Wonder

Almost right off the bat, the queens (and the audience) are hit with some devastating news: Victoria Scone has left the competition after injuring her knee during the lip sync in episode one.

Victoria’s early exit had been hinted throughout the previous episode, in which she explained that her knee was beginning to ache, forcing her to use a stool during the dance challenge.

Her departure is especially unfortunate as Victoria was not only a front runner, but the show’s first ever AFAB queen, which was an important inclusion to make in a series all about diversity.

At the beginning of the episode, Victoria told the other girls how much it meant to be surrounded by people that believe her drag is valid, making her withdrawal from the competition all the more gut punching.

Hopefully like Veronica Green, Victoria will return next series ready to slay the competition.

Charity Kase opens up about HIV diagnosis

Images courtesy of BBC Three and World of Wonder

With Victoria’s early departure, we get to hang out with some of the other queens for a lot longer. Charity especially has an important episode as she opens up about her HIV status in a powerful confessional.

She shared that drag became a ‘therapy’ for her after she contracted HIV at 18, and the difficulty of processing that at a young age. Additionally, Charity has also faced discrimination in the dating world for her status, even though she is undetectable, meaning the virus cannot be transmitted.

Charity also explained there are effective treatments in controlling the virus and she can live a normal life expectancy with continuous use of her medication. The subject is handled beautifully and highlights the stigma around HIV which degrades those with it as ‘diseased’ and ‘disgusting’.

Already in 2021, It’s a Sin has helped change the narrative around HIV and represent the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community in the 90’s; Drag Race is continuing that discussion by exploring how that stigma has changed, especially in the age of social media dating apps.

Looking camp right in the eye

[From left to right: Scarlett Harlett, Krystal Versace, Ella Vaday, Choriza May, Vanity Milan and Veronica Green] Images courtesy of BBC Three and World of Wonder

Now, this was fun! This week, RuPaul tested the queens’ sewing skills in a design challenge using only materials you would find on a camping trip. These high fashion outfits were created with tents, sleeping bags and tablecloths.

The design challenges are some of the most enjoyable to watch on RuPaul’s Drag Race, but not for those actually in the competition. It’s high stakes this episode as a lot of the objects the queens have to use aren’t exactly easy sewing material.

This leaves some of the queens worried about their position in the competition, especially Ella Vaday, who isn’t an experienced sewer. However, she turned out pretty good runway that landed her in the top - a dress made out of a plaid, rubber mat and two raincoats.

Others in the top included Krystal Versace and Scarlett Harlett, the latter winning the challenge for her picnic blanket, off-the-shoulder gown. Landing in the bottom or near to it, is Choriza May, Vanity Milan and Veronica Green for their less than stellar camping constructions.

Nicola Coughlan, please come back

Image courtesy of BBC Three and World of Wonder

Look, my name might not be Roxxxy Andrews, but I’m here to make it clear: Nicola Coughlan is a gay icon! Her role as Clare, the neurotic ‘wee lesbian’ in Derry Girls, as well as her general overwhelming support for the LGBTQ+ community has cemented that status.

So, when it was announced that Nicola was to be a guest judge on series three, I was ecstatic - and she did not disappoint! Wearing a baby pink dress from Alberta Ferretti with a bold smoky eye, Nicola was hilarious on the judges’ panel, quipping throughout the runways.

Yet, what made Nicola even more endearing was her instant love, connection, and support for the contestants. She advised Vanity and Ella on how they could have elevated their runways and became emotional during Veronica’s speech.

Nicola clearly cares about the queens, and with Derry Girls coming to an end, perhaps we will see more of her on Drag Race. After all, she’s an icon, she’s a legend, and she is the moment!

Veronica Green is eliminated

Image courtesy of BBC Three and World of Wonder

Victoria Scone isn’t the only queen to say goodbye to Drag Race this week - Veronica Green is the next to sashay away. It’s a devastating blow considering her early success in series two, which was halted due to testing positive for COVID.

On the runway, she served an admittedly convoluted mess: A multicoloured, ruffled gown with rainbow kites attached. Her makeup was editorial and detailed, but it unfortunately did not make up for the dress itself.

It’s here that we see Veronica at her most vulnerable as she explains that she wanted to create something that represented her struggle with depression over the last year, and the joy that came from that darkness. It’s a poignant tableau and an all too relatable experience.

While it was a close call against Vanity in the lip sync - perhaps because it was so eye catching watching her strip away her dress of many colours - Veronica is eliminated and says goodbye in an emotional farewell scene, and just like that, we're already down to eight queens.