Well, I turned off the computer and GS postings and merely ENJOYED the last portion of the team event, the Free Dances. I recommend it. For one thing, I noticed that every single one of the five teams really made me feel something. That's why I watch figure skating, to feel something ... even when part of my brain is admiring technique that is so seamless that you're hardly noticing it.
I was just happy being In the Dream with each dance team!
Kana and Chris. Chris is pure charm, and he's definitely the emotional center of the team. It's as if his beautiful smile exists just in order to focus the attention on Kana, who is the Star in his book. I love their SD and FD this year. The Cherry Blossom music is so right, so light and dreamy; and with their Ice Dancing they convey the beauty.
Anna and Luca. This is my favorite program of theirs, by far. Life Is Beautiful is very difficult to capture the emotion because of the comedic elements that it's hard to forget from the movie. But rather than go comedic, Anna and Luca perfectly portrayed that section of the dance with joy and light. Anna, in particular, for me really embodied the divergent emotions in each section of the program ... and Luca supported her perfectly in it. The triumph and endurance at the end ... just wonderful. I'm so glad they'll be skating this program in their home country for Worlds.
Bobrova and Soloviev. I'm not quite there with this FD; but I really like their SD this year. However, I can see that they're feeling the story and portraying it with drama. I respect their sincerity. And I admire their 100% commitment to the program.
Maia and Alex. I feel like this performance of their FD reached the emotional level that they're been trying for all season. I simply loved it. For the first time, I felt like they transcended their incredible technique and matched their precision with the higher love or purpose that they've intended from the beginning. It was really gorgeous, and you could tell from Maia's face that she (well, they both) were so happy to capture the elusive moment.
Tessa and Scott. For me, this skate was also the outcome of a program that they've been developing and loving and smoothing and perfecting over time. Just what a skater's program is intended to do over the season. And I realize that I'm not typical on this board ... but until tonight, I'd seen the technique and the work too much to really get lost in the experience and emotion of their dance. With this performance, they brought me on board, right onto the ice with them; I felt the passion they have for it and totally understood why they wanted that music so much. Maybe their acting finally became seamless for me. Like watching actors who become the character, rather than watching actors and being aware that they're acting a role. Tessa and Scott lived it. They were just sublime in that moment.
