Ep 5. Remember the Times

In this episode of Legendary, entitled "Remember the Times," the ballroom scene honors the past with a theme that celebrates the iconic moments in ballroom culture history. The contestants are challenged to channel the spirit of the early ballroom culture and bring it to life on the runway. And as always, they'll be judged on their ability to incorporate the theme, their costumes, their dance moves, and their overall presence and performance.

The episode begins with an introduction from the judges - Law Roach, Jameela Jamil, Leiomy Maldonado, and Megan Thee Stallion - who explain the concept of the episode and what they're looking for in the performances. They emphasize the importance of paying homage to their predecessors and passing on the legacy of ballroom culture to future generations.

The first team to walk the runway is House of Balenciaga, who are tasked with reimagining one of the most iconic moments in ballroom history - the legendary House of LaBeija's performance of "Vogue" at the Paris is Burning ball. Balenciaga's performance is energetic and fun, with the dancers pulling off some impressive moves and incorporating a few nods to the original performance. However, the judges note that the costumes could have been more creative and varied.

Next up is House of Ninja, who choose to focus on the ballroom scene's early days in Harlem in the 1960s. Their performance features impressive acrobatic moves, flips, and spins, as well as some impressive dance choreography. The judges are particularly impressed with the way they incorporate spoken word and storytelling into their performance, as well as the way they use their bodies to tell a story.

The third team to hit the runway is House of Gucci, who pay tribute to the pioneers of voguing, including Willi Ninja and Benny Ninja. Their performance features a lot of intricate, show-stopping moves, as well as some impressive costumes that really evoke the vibe of the ballroom scene in its early days. The judges are impressed by their energy and stage presence, but they also critique them for relying too heavily on their individual talents rather than working together as a cohesive unit.

House of Milan is the fourth team to perform, and they choose to honor the legendary House of Xtravaganza. Their performance features some impressive footwork, incorporating elements of breakdancing and hip-hop. The judges are impressed with their athleticism and technique, but they note that the performance felt a little flat and they could have used more energy and emotion to really capture the spirit of the original performance.

The final team to walk the runway is House of Ebony, who choose to focus on the history of ballroom culture and the role it played in LGBTQ+ activism and liberation. Their performance features emotional spoken word and uplifting messages of hope and empowerment, as well as some impressive choreography and costumes. The judges are moved by their performance and note that they really captured the spirit of what ballroom culture is all about.

After the performances are over, the judges deliberate and ultimately decide that House of Balenciaga is the team that did the best job of incorporating the theme and paying homage to the past. House of Milan is ultimately eliminated from the competition, but the judges commend them for their hard work and talent. And with that, the episode comes to a close - another week in the world of ballroom culture has come and gone, but the legacy of the past lives on.