Still awaiting a 4CC video blog :agree:
Two moments, besides the twizzles, that I appreciate in the Shibs’ FD this year:
-the entrance to the rotational lift where Maia literally falls into Alex’s arms. It’s like Alex is telling her, “I’ve got you. I’ll hold you while you’re going crazy.” It fits with the song and with what Maia and Alex are portraying on the ice. It’s something that took me several viewings to notice but now I love it. All their lifts are so well done and integrated into this program.
-the final choreographic lift, which I think is not anti-climactic (though others disagree). It works, in my opinion, because after a whole program of such high energy and activity, it’s like Maia has finally settled down and gained a sense of calm after a lot of struggle. The simple, calm choreographic lift after the super active diagonal step sequence is, I think, a nice contrast and it goes with the closing calmness in the music. And then when Maia holds Alex’s hand in the ending position she is completely serene.
NOTE: When I say “Maia” and “Alex” above, I’m referring to what they are portraying in the FD and not to any of their “actual” emotions. Didn’t they explain somewhere that Maia is portraying a suicidal person in this program? I think I heard that on TSL, but please correct me if I’m wrong.
Are there other moments in the FD that stand out to you? This FD is brilliant as a whole and it has been magical to watch this season. I LOVE IT!!!
:hap57: :hap93:
YAY! YAY! YAY!
Sorry if I seemed overexcited - It's Monday and I needed something that would be a great start to my week.
I always wondered if skaters ever met fans at competitions who made "cheer banners" for them. It's awesome that Maia and Alex took the time to meet and take pictures with some of them.
: 
That's why I wrote "please correct me if I'm wrong." I can't even remember which TSL episode it was and I only heard it once. That's why I remembered it incorrectly. The explanation of the FD as a tribute to their journey so far is so much nicer anyway and it still makes sense in terms of the song because Maia and Alex have had various struggles to overcome to get to this point.
You listed great moments too! I asked about FD moments, listing a couple to start with, and the more I watch the FD, the more moments that jump out to me!
So another one is when Maia dips down with one leg extended, holding Alex’s hands, and Alex gently pulls her around for a moment or two and then helps her back up (and when they separate again, Maia’s free leg is beautifully extended). The dance spin is wonderful and, lo and behold, it doesn’t have a catchfoot, only beautiful basic positions (and it still gets a level 4)! :yay: Also, I love when Maia does little leaps (e.g. 2:07, 4:02, and 4:13 in this video – there’s probably more) because they look like bursts of celebration, even though I know they’re very controlled. And finally, I just noticed that they each do a great twizzle in the diagonal footwork – just lovely! Okay, I’ll stop listing moments now and just say again how much I LOVE this program!!! 
GREAT VLOG!!! I don't care how long they are, especially if they're shorter because the Shibs are getting better results in competition and more opportunities elsewhere.Shibutanis just posted their 4CC vlog:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfom5URZK-c
It's one of their shorter ones, but they seem to have less time to vlog with all the winning they've been doing lately
I did like seeing all the fans at their autograph session and we finally got to see their mom in a vlog.
Regarding favorite moments in the FD, I have to think about that a bit more but I will say I think the thing about the Shibs and just the way they dance and perform the elements and move into their elements with transitions is done with such ease that I think it causes skating fans (especially the ones that don't appreciate what they're doing), and even myself, to underestimate the actual athleticism and difficulty of their FD. I find the Shibs have an effortless quality that almost no other team has which is their strength but also a reason why they can be underrated.
And, yes, their ease on the ice probably does contribute to them being underrated/under-appreciated by some. In my opinion, Patrick Chan is another skater in the same boat. Incidentally, I contribute to Patrick’s and the Shibs’ Fan Fests the most.:2thumbs: to this post!!!I agree with this so much!!!
Every time I watch the program, when it comes to this lift, I always feel like the entrance is the portrayal of Maia's trust in Alex. In addition to what you've said above, I think, from her perspective it's "I trust you, I trust that you will be able to catch me and carry me through everything".
Absolutely love everything about this dance. It doesn't feel like a competitive routine, it just feels like a performance every time.
I also love the moment where the lyrics go "When you get what you want, but not what you need", the element is so on point with the music, it's wonderful, I start to get chills at this point already
And the spins where they change positions mid-spin, and all the lifts, and basically everything in this program. :luv17:
That was good! I loved Alex's combo answer to "what life lessons have you learned from skating." That's called using your resources!
I also smiled when the skaters started talking about candy and then when they started talking about juvenile programs. Thanks for sharing!
