Drag Race UK vs The World episode four power rankings: ‘Pangina deserved better’

Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: BBC

Spoilers for episode four of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World follow.

Is RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World the most dramatic season of Drag Race yet? We’re barely over the shock of Jimbo leaving, and now: fan-favourite Pangina Heals.

Yes, the Drag Race Thailand star, a frontrunner to win the series only last week, has bowed out early – and the raw emotion she displayed as she left the stage is among the most intense TV we’ve seen in years.

It’ll surely prompt questions about the show’s format – but then again, was she technically the weakest of the episode? Here is our (highly subjective) ranking…

1) Baga Chipz

After weeks of langour, Baga finally showed up – and in doing so, secured her status as a series frontrunner, and her reputation as one of the best Drag Race stars of all time. 

It turns out her previous turn as Margaret Thatcher for Snatch Game was no fluke. As Misery‘s Kathy Bates, Baga took things to the next level; her zealous, unsettling facial expressions alone were genius. That she was able to keep a straight face at all was genius. She showcased both acting and writing ability in her performance, finessing Misery‘s story to incorporate RuPaul as ‘author’. (We’ll be the judge of that.) 

That a lot of the uncomfortable comedy went over people’s heads – one can’t imagine Katie Price watching Misery of an evening, or knowing what a “dirty birdie” is – only made it funnier. Baga had Ru breathless with laughter, and knew that was all she needed. When she started with the pig noises – and abandoned any remaining traces of vanity – we couldn’t cope.

Her look, by the way? Spot on. The carefully-combed wig, the rouged cheeks, the denim pinafore… it revealed an attention to detail that, like her Princess Di, bucks the rough-around-the-edges trend. Bruiser Bags was back for the runway, naturally, although we preferred her hideous lip-sync frock, in all its cheap sparkle/daring décolletage glory. Nailed it.

2) Blu Hydrangea

Blu’s Snatch Game was also a hit, and a big step up from season one’s Mary Berry. Her Julie Andrews impression last week was pretty draggy, but her Austin Powers was an almost complete assimilation – save for that brilliant, fourth wall-breaking “I’m not the real Mike Myers!” line, evidence of lightening-quick wit. 

It did become one-note. But as Michelle pointed out, Blu has timing, and switched it up at just the right moment, lampooning with equal precision Dr. Evil. Such a gear shift can’t have been easy.

She was in her element for her ‘luck of the Irish’-inspired runway: a sophisticated, sumptuous, glamorous moment for a star whose looks can sometimes veer into silly territory. 

3) Mo Heart

The extravagant outfit, the grand, thespy way of speaking – was Mo’s take on Pose‘s Billy Porter much of a leap from, well, Mo? No… but it’s not like she was intentionally playing it safe. Porter was Ru’s (somewhat uninspired) idea. Gordon Ramsey, Mo’s original choice, could’ve been brilliant, in a Baga-style, so-random-it-works sense. It could also have been a car crash… but we’ll never know.

The speed with which Mo adopted Ru’s suggestion, however, is eyebrow-raising. As per the aftermath of her fall last week, we’re once again detecting a hint of the inner saboteur that’s been plaguing Jujubee. Regardless, there was no doubt she’d be slaying another week after that full-throttle showgirl/mesmerising light show look. Pure artistry.

4) Jujubee

Finally some upward mobility for Jujubee, whose take on Cher, while not an embodiment, was not to be sniffed at. There were a few killer lines, a solid outfit, some great mannerism work. Overall, it was a pleasure when the camera stayed with her. It was certainly more than a “parody of a parody”, as Michelle called it.

In fact, we’d actually rate it over Mo’s SG, but are demoting Juju for yet another underwhelming runway. Don’t get us wrong, she looked exquisite – perhaps the best she’s looked all season – but she’s had one too many minimal looks now and it just didn’t stand up next to the full-scale productions elsewhere. Suffice to say, we’re still waiting for that ‘wow’ runway moment from her. Surely – surely – it’s coming next week?

5) Pangina Heals

Poor Pangina. Her visceral reaction to her exit did not make for pleasant viewing, and once again laid bare the show’s hopeless formatting issues which have already cost it Jimbo. Although this was her weakest outing this season, she didn’t deserve to go.

Yes, her Mariah moment was as flat as a pancake. But she didn’t get enough praise for her eeriely tranformative make-up work. And her runway was as wonderful, and creative as ever. Dressing as an actual slot machine could have proved clunky; trust Pangina to make it graceful and elegant. A legend.

6) Janey Jacké

Janey took a similarly literal approach to her runway, upcycling a gambling table – or should that be an entire casino? – into something neat, sexy and chic.

Her Snatch Game, though, was dull. Not even bad. Just… dull. Which is weird, because her decision to impersonate make-up influencer James Charles in the first place suggested a looming car crash.

In the end, though, it was simply a non-event. Even the make-up – she could have gone super dramatic; much bigger eyes at least – was blah. Could Janey be vulnerable next week? Potentially…

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World continues on BBC Three and the BBC iPlayer next Tuesday from 9pm.