- Joined
- Mar 23, 2014
Rewatching the best performances from today where I can focus on them better since I am not at work.
Jesus. James/Cipres. I've been saying since Skate America that their LP is the best program of the season in any discipline, and this performance finally did it justice. I'm SO happy. Kind of never thought we'd get to see it clean. Quality and originality of the choreography should've had them in first in the LP, and then in 2nd or 3rd overall, probably, since their TES was the highest. Lack of reputation really effed them here, seriously. This is a masterpiece. Capitalize on this medal for Worlds and for next season, my adopted children!
Aliona and Bruno have two excellent, first class programs. Probably the pair with the overall best two programs this season that isn't Sui/Han (have we seen their programs yet? I feel out of the loop). When Aliona picked Bruno, she chose super well. Who would've thought they'd be so beautiful and successful together? When Aliona first announced her comeback with a new partner, I think it was mostly joked about. I love how her work with Bruno is SO different from what she did with Robin. This LP is just beautiful, and Aliona is a goddess, as usual, and Bruno holds up his end of the partnership, too. Their SBS spin was magnificently in-sync and fast. This program is basically destined to become iconic, which makes me wonder how they can top this (and their SP) for next season.
Evgenia and and Vladimir have the best all-around quality of overall individual elements in the world. They might not have the BEST twist, or the BEST throws, or the BEST SBS, but they are the only team to be really stunning at all three, at the moment. (Chinese need work on SBS, S/M still need the throws to be perfect). Their skating skills are excellent, only outmatched here by S/M and S/K. Too bad this LP is generic as can be, with dull choreography and uninspired (though effortful) interpretation. They do their best with it, but lack a certain spark or WOW factor that J/C, S/M, and S/K have. The right choreographer/choreography could bring something new out of them. Mozer better do justice to them next season. Everything else is all there. Give my other adopted children better programs! They could be Olympic champs.
Ksenia and Fedor are beautiful and elegant and their skating skills are top-notch, the choreography is unique and interesting and extremely well-executed, and the program feels a little like modern art. But it leaves me utterly cold. There's zero warmth here. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing...aesthetically interesting and excellent. But I think programs that make you FEEL something (like S/M's LP) end up having more of an impact. Their twist isn't at the same level as the other three pairs I've discussed here, and they fell on one throw. The throws have been looking a little small; even when landed, one feels it wouldn't have the same wow factor that T/M's throws do. Their lines, skating, and synchronicity (and confidence in that synchronicity) are unmatched. Flawless in everything but the elements and in how cold they are. Time is on their side, as opposed to S/M. Will they go past 2018? For now, their limited (yet excellent) interpretation and a few of the elements are holding them back. We'll see if they bring it for Worlds.
But seriously, SUCH a well-skated pairs event. Stunning. 4CCs probably can't top it, but I'm super excited at the prospect of seeing Sui/Han! My other adopted children! Plus, I do really love Yu/Zhang and Peng/Jin.
Jesus. James/Cipres. I've been saying since Skate America that their LP is the best program of the season in any discipline, and this performance finally did it justice. I'm SO happy. Kind of never thought we'd get to see it clean. Quality and originality of the choreography should've had them in first in the LP, and then in 2nd or 3rd overall, probably, since their TES was the highest. Lack of reputation really effed them here, seriously. This is a masterpiece. Capitalize on this medal for Worlds and for next season, my adopted children!
Aliona and Bruno have two excellent, first class programs. Probably the pair with the overall best two programs this season that isn't Sui/Han (have we seen their programs yet? I feel out of the loop). When Aliona picked Bruno, she chose super well. Who would've thought they'd be so beautiful and successful together? When Aliona first announced her comeback with a new partner, I think it was mostly joked about. I love how her work with Bruno is SO different from what she did with Robin. This LP is just beautiful, and Aliona is a goddess, as usual, and Bruno holds up his end of the partnership, too. Their SBS spin was magnificently in-sync and fast. This program is basically destined to become iconic, which makes me wonder how they can top this (and their SP) for next season.
Evgenia and and Vladimir have the best all-around quality of overall individual elements in the world. They might not have the BEST twist, or the BEST throws, or the BEST SBS, but they are the only team to be really stunning at all three, at the moment. (Chinese need work on SBS, S/M still need the throws to be perfect). Their skating skills are excellent, only outmatched here by S/M and S/K. Too bad this LP is generic as can be, with dull choreography and uninspired (though effortful) interpretation. They do their best with it, but lack a certain spark or WOW factor that J/C, S/M, and S/K have. The right choreographer/choreography could bring something new out of them. Mozer better do justice to them next season. Everything else is all there. Give my other adopted children better programs! They could be Olympic champs.
Ksenia and Fedor are beautiful and elegant and their skating skills are top-notch, the choreography is unique and interesting and extremely well-executed, and the program feels a little like modern art. But it leaves me utterly cold. There's zero warmth here. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing...aesthetically interesting and excellent. But I think programs that make you FEEL something (like S/M's LP) end up having more of an impact. Their twist isn't at the same level as the other three pairs I've discussed here, and they fell on one throw. The throws have been looking a little small; even when landed, one feels it wouldn't have the same wow factor that T/M's throws do. Their lines, skating, and synchronicity (and confidence in that synchronicity) are unmatched. Flawless in everything but the elements and in how cold they are. Time is on their side, as opposed to S/M. Will they go past 2018? For now, their limited (yet excellent) interpretation and a few of the elements are holding them back. We'll see if they bring it for Worlds.
But seriously, SUCH a well-skated pairs event. Stunning. 4CCs probably can't top it, but I'm super excited at the prospect of seeing Sui/Han! My other adopted children! Plus, I do really love Yu/Zhang and Peng/Jin.