Thoughts on RuPaul's Drag Race season 18, episode 1

Season premiere!

1. Remember when Ru and the judges didn't like fart jokes?
2. Athena looks divine (if you will lol)
3. I don't get this lighting choice
4. Wait, why is Plane Jane just "technically" Athena's daughter
5. Kenya has a great name and is so cute in and out of drag
6. I quite enjoy Nini's entrance look
7. Jane does have a kind of Jinkx look
8. Discord's look is a lot, but that seems to have been done with artistic intentionality
9. Mia is stunning
10. Damn, Mia has like made it as a dancer
11. DD's outfit reminds me of those coyote-safe vests (but make it fashion)
12. Okay, I do love that there are so many queens over 30, but please stop suggesting that's old
13. Did...Juicy make an OJ reference?
14. Either way, she looks fantastic
15. Vita is beautiful in drag and so handsome out of drag
16. Briar is so cute
17. So...Briar is the season's villain, yes?
18. Also, it's looking like Athena is the season's narrator
19. Is Mandy making a Pokémon reference?
20. I love that Mandy is a nurse
21. Okay, so far, Ciara's look is my favorite
22. So, I love that Darlene has leaned into the corn theme, but it is a bit confusing that she is now in LA
23. Hilarious that Darlene used to go by Trash
24. Myki is adorable
25. Five queens from Florida is quite a lot
26. Okay, what is this cane thing Ru is holding? (we never see it used in this shoot)
27. I am laughing to myself about the audition for the background actors in this shoot ("Yeah, uh, we need you to strip to your underwear and dance while wearing a mask as a drag queen screams. Whenever you're ready")
28. OMG Ru does not even know Alyssa Edwards's name
29. I do like Kenya so far, so I'm happy she won the mini-challenge
30. A classic unconventional materials design challenge is afoot!
31. Athena did the smart thing and took some sewing classes, well done!
32. Okay, Kenya, you should've grabbed something more fabric-esque
33. Wait, was Briar supposed to make gloves for Athena?
34. I know what Kenya means, but like...convenience stores DO buy plastic bags
35. Cardi B's looks is pretty cool
36. Ciara's look is awesome
37. Athena looks cute!
38. I do love the sparkle of Kenya's look, but, as she said, it's not the best constructed
39. Nini's look is incredible
40. Jane's outfit looks SO professional
41. Discord's outfit has engaging movement
42. Mia's look reminds me of Kenya's (though it looks like it has better construction
43. Okay...DD's look is just not my favorite
44. Juicy looks adorable, but I feel like some of it is missing?
45. Vita's look is impeccable
46. Briar's look is fun!
47. I see where Mandy was going, but I'm not sure she got there
48. Darlene's look also isn't my favorite, but it looks well-made
49. Myki's dress's bust is probably my favorite part of her look
50. Honestly, DD being safe feels off to me
51. Cardi B saying she'd wear Nini's look outside is so funny
52. Aw, Jane
53. Mandy, if you're a nurse and in grad school, was now the time to come on the show?
54. Wait what is this pink teddy bear in the untucked lounge?
55. I love that Cardi and her glam squad are kind of in Powerpuff Girls outfits
56. Uhhh, Discord, a) Cardi is only one judge and b) Cardi DID say she'd wear Nini's outfit
57. I'm glad Kenya and Mandy are both saved, they seem sweet
58. So not that Nini is doing poorly, but I'm more impressed with Vita because I think her outfit is more restrictive (but I guess Nini won)
59. Glad to see a register to vote reminder
60. Next time is a girl group challenge!

(Prompt by me)

RuPaul's Drag Race, MTV

Promotional image source