Elektra Abundance has nowhere to sleep.
She has no lover, no mother, no family.
The finales quietly devastating opening sequence puts into perspective just how much Elektras life has changed.
Credit: JoJo Whilden/FX
I dont like being needy, Elektra tells Blanca at the diner.
I hate myself for it.
(Which doesnt exactly c’mon Damon and Ricky.
And Elektra, true to form, proceeds to insult the decor.)
The finale continues in that tradition, offering glimpses of hope earned and wisdom learned.
Take Damon, who has been mostly in the background the last few weeks.
He wants Ricky to audition as a dancer for Al B.
Sure!s next music video hello, late 80s references!
but Ricky says hell only do it if Damon does too.
They announce the news at dinner with Elektra revealing herself as a mega Al B. fan ranking among the finales most delightful surprises and Blanca reacts enthusiastically, but also nervously.
Blanca had said shed be supportive either way, but this is evidently the outcome she was hoping for.
He says he wants to make her proud; in MJ Rodriguezs eyes, you see he already has.
Another person Blanca is trying to get on the right path: Pray Tell.
Ive just been keeping my head down, working, he says.
Im doing my thing, but life has become a wash of grey.
But Blanca implores him not to give up.
What he discovers on the date, improbably, is a chance at a new beginning.
But Keenan takes it all in stride.
And so she gets the job.
Initially it feels like a mild retread of the speech weve seen Blanca give dozens of times.
I need you to take care of this house, Blanca tells her.
Its not tomorrow, but its sooner than you think.
What Mother of the Year affirms is that she has changed lives as a mother.
It leaves Blanca in tears.
Sobbing in front of the mirror, Blanca sees a stunningly dressed Elektra approach behind her.
Its Elektras turn to do a bit of mothering.
In one of the episodes most touching scenes, Elektra expresses gratitude with shocking for her, anyway sincerity.
You taught me what a real mother is, she says.
You have always been my heart, Elektra tells her.
They walk out together, ready to snag the grand prize from their new, common enemy.
Returning to the floor, Elektra hits back at the House of Ferocity with some truly artful shade.
To Lulu: A foolhardy chunk who makes her living on the pole.
(Oh, and one more: Youre nothing but bags of rancid, rotting meat.)
Dominique Jackson shows off her quippy talents in all of their scathing glory here.
Pray Tell introduces the theme: House Versus House.
(Who among us will be able to forget Rickys smoldering bad-boy routine?)
Pray Tell leads a collective chant of And Pose!
Candy, especially, demands that they win a trophy.
An explosion of violence breaks out, led by Candy.
He says hes back to rescue her.
Youre not my first Prince Charming, Angel tells him.
We were just good ideas in each others minds.
A family needs a mother who is affirming, caring, loyal, and inspiring, he says.
This woman is that and much, much, much more.
She has saved many a soul lost in darkness, simply by shining her light.
I know this to be true, because that is how she saved mine.
He says her name.
Shes lifted up by her family, cheered on by the whole ballroom as confetti falls.
Theres still the fact of Blancas disease, implicitly informing this triumphant ending.
Tragedy is baked into this story.
ButPoseonce more chooses not to despair.
And as Blancas deserved victory shows, thats something to cheer.
