finally was able to catch some breather after watching ladies and crying in the corner because of Anna...
in general - a world class, top-notch competition, 9 teams went over 70 pts, Stepanova/Bukin close to that and what a commotion between 2nd and 9th, it guarantees a passionate fight in FD. And it was great to see some surprises happening, which the best was Madison and Zach being 3rd
have to say that I enjoyed very much quite a few teams outside top 10, Charlene and Marco, Alisa and Alper, Isabella and Ilya and Natalia and Maksym in particular. They put the best effort and really got me engaged, Israelis maybe not as sharp as at Europeans, but Italians totally sold me 'Grease' once again, so much sass and personality they can show! And their skating is so easy on eyes, quite fast and 'well distibuted' on ice I'd say.
Ekaterina/Dimitri and Anna/Luca were their strong, usual themselves - Ekaterina too hot to handle, very much in charater, great chemistry and blues section form them; Anna and Luca as always great entertainers, so well into their forte, putting up a good show, with attitude, spark and dazzling smiles. But saying that, seeing them vis-a-vis US and Canadian teams - being at their best - both Russians and Italians felt a little 'flat' and one-dimentional for me, in expression and choreography in particular. Not taing anything from their execution, style and performance quality they obviously had, but personally I resonated a lot more within all 6 teams from North America, as they presented a bit more modern approach/non-standard approach towards rhythm (Piper and Paul) which caught my eye, especially pairing it with equally great execution and powerful performance as a whole. And adding French team in perspective, both Anna/Luca and Ekaterina/Dimitri felt too much of generic side unfortunately - French really have an unique SD, all about little nuances, touches and subtle, seductive vibe, very artsy and photo-like (as for 'holding the moment' quality).
Maia and Alex - a bit surprising position, but still ggod effort, scoe and engaging performance of one of my favourite SD this season. There was an unnecessary nervousness and a bit of stiffness in movement I saw today, which both made the difference. Still - twizzles were outstanding, loved their pattern, relaxed feel of it and great work in holds. Loved their attitude and way of performing, as always, and for me this is the dance wich does not lose anything fromits fresh/modern allure, even if skated with not so perfect levels, as they are usually not much visible to the naked eye (at least mine, but I am a potato amateur who writes too much

). The whole experience sure will be a point of learning for them and no doubt they'll be back tomorrow with all they have the best to present. They just have to loosened up the way they did at 4CC, just tune up a right amount of abandon in sharpness. At the end of the day, they are only humans, allowed to have day off, allowed to be nervous and feel the pressure or put a foot wrong, like every team; I already put their current season, material and approach towards it in a broader perspective and I do believe that there was no accident and fault in so vivid, positive response over them, and that they were awarded rightly with all they had. It is just not my style to cross out a team after one 'weaker'/lower scored performance, as it did not take them back to the point before they progressed immensely as skaters and performers.
Madison and Evan - as I don't like the program itself, I think that it is quite good vehicle for them, for Madison in particular. She is just a beast in that, totally in her element, music is loud and bold, so is she - totally unapologetic and ovet-the top, but it works with the flow, so no complaints. Evan as always a bit out of comfort zone and not so sure as Madison, but still going through and put up his best effort. It was good to see them going strong and steady after such high/low season.
Gabriella and Guillaume - aside of technical glitches, the program felt the best for the whole season, no doubt for me about it. It resonated with freshness, seductive vibe and that flowy/subtle sway in it. It is not an universal 'crowd pleaser' I'd say, not too modern, not generic, not a favourite f everyone, but sure it suits them very much, accentuating their qualities and that artistic, impressionist-like style, feathery way of movement, an ability to enclose and seize the moment within their skating. They did put their best effort and produced still a quality performance, sophisticated, elegant and flirty in reception of mine. Really lookin forward to FD as this will be a moment to catch for sure.
If I'd have to say which performance surprised me the most, no doubt it was Madison and Zach. To make a program, which is for me a 'happy seizure' moment, so extremely busy and 'dizzy' both musically and choreography-wise, work in a way they did today is quite a accomplishment. Not only they truly smashed technical content, being smooth and flowy af (!), but even more importantly - they really led that performance amazingly to the grand finale, keeping its insane pace, character and their personalities in the process. There was a poise, speed, detail, expression, attitude and they really confused the heck out of almost everyone, judges and audience probably included

, but good for them. I bet they'll try their best to keep the momentum created, and with going last tomorrow it could be possible to put even bigger surprise. My personal only complain would be towards some components (CH and TR) for being a tad too high, but a real round of applause for Madison and Zach, quite a way to put themselves on the map!
If I'd have to say which performance felt the most 'relieving' for me, the response would be Kaitlyn and Andrew. They finally made tht MJ program WORK technically best they could. There was a real fire in that performance, sharpness and great timing, especially in the second part with all those choreographical 'pizzas'. They went all out with it, but still kept their cool regarding execution which made me extremely happy. The program itself is maybe not the most artistic, sophisticated or original one, but sure has its appeal by MJ music, modern feel of costuming and choreo and of course Kaitlyn and Andrew doing it, as great performers they are. For me personally, there was quite a spark about the performance and I'd give it a better PCS score.
And if there would be question about most inspiring performance, Disco Reggie and Disco Diane are my only answer to it. WHAT A SKATE! Yes - they stripped some of the riskiest transitions and re-worked lift/ending sections, but still saved that laid-back Disco feel of the music and whole culture. This was a complete performance package - from costuming (Piper in stars

), accessorizing (mustache and co.), through chreography, greatly chosen music, finishing with being so into character, so engaged into performance which amde it much mre attractive and closer to the viewers. The amount of originality, uniqueness and quirk factor of that dance are mind-blowing and totally underappreciated at the same time, which is a real crying shame for me (but this is my favourite SD so I'm not objective there). I felt totally transported and impressed by their dedication, poise and control, yet still feeling a lot of freedom, relaxing feel and abandon while performing. So, so glad they succeeded when it matters the most, still mad about underscoring, but that's the way of being quirks not so into classic approach...Hopes high for smashing the best Tango in the field tomorrow!
and finally Tessa and Scott - for me, the best of their SD performances of all season, not because all lvl4s, but because of filling out that program by themselves, by their personality, charisma, chemistry in a very special way. And why are they so successful, seem so powerful, yet looking easy and effortless? Firstly - insane amount of confidence presented, both in execution and performance areas, really going all out in every competition, fearless, unapologetic attitude towards competitions. Secondly - material they have in their hands, a glove-like fit and beyond; material treated as a starting point for experimenting, improvisation and character-building, not as a final product to skate out; perfect match of music, vibe, movement and personality between all elements. Third - capitalizing on their best qualities and skills they have. Fourth - being engaged perormers, regardless of rhythm, style, program or other conventions. Fifth - having very strong, palpable kind of chemistry and understanding in relationship on ice, which enables them to give out and convey many different emotions taken directly frm them or from music or program presented.
Today I felt like they really did an outstanding work, it really felt like a story in motion: meeting together, knowing each other's moves by skatig side by side at first, then dancing in holds, giving off more intimate, sultry vibe, and then dancing together towards explosive final, all amped up by iconic Prince music.
And lastly, addressing a bit once again 'being past their prime' issue - it is a fact obvious to common knowledge that Tessa and Scott are entirely different skaters and people now, comparing them to 2010 - they look different, move different and their skating is different thantherefore, no wonder about that as there was a lot of things happening meanwhile. And it is a viewer's right to give an opinion if stuff they did in 2010 can be considered as their 'prime', comparing it with current work, but it takes a lot of confidence and conviction to put an equalizer between Tessa and Scott doing stuff in a way they did in 2010 and their 'prime time' and to make it an universal statement, a fact. It is always in the eye of beholder in my opinion to point a 'prime' period for a team, as it could not be connected necessarily with winning in competitions. Personally, right now I am probably too simple and not refined/educated viewer for dwelling on 'prime/best' times of Tessa/Scott, I'm just enjoying them being again in competition in a way they are.