[Lisa McKinnon is] expensive but she lives in L.A. or thereabouts I believe. And she's brilliant.
Yes, I completely agree. It's too bad that McKinnon's price range is too high for most skaters. But her work is certainly worth all that she puts into it and delivers to her clients. There's an elegance and a sophistication to her work. We've seen costume-related features in the past with skating designers, and I hope we see more that examines that whole process between choreography, music and costume selection (and the importance of the collaboration with a costume designer, as much as with a choreographer and in some cases, a composer or music editor). Of course, some skaters edit their music selections themselves. Jeremy Abbott is one example.
I actually thought Dave's comments about US pairs were fairer than usual. He leads with his criticisms and is snarkey, and that tends to skew how I perceive his overall view. But when Jonathan gave Dave a chance to predict which US pair would win a chance at the 2022 Olympics (assuming only one) and state his preference boldly, as he usually does ... Dave said that he felt, as things stand now, that it could easily be Jessica&Brian, Alexa&Brandon, or Ashley&Tim. Just depending on who really steps up. I personally think that we'll earn two teams to go, as Ashley & Tim earned 2 for 2020.
I don't disagree with most of Dave's critiques about the pairs event. In general, he was fair. I just feel that his phrasing and approach (as well as his eye-rolling expressions) are often too OTT and unrelenting. IOW, he makes statements that don't take extenuating factors into consideration. He sometimes makes blanket, dismissive observations rather than offering constructive critiques. At the same time, I do think he has a good eye and substantial knowledge about figure skating, and he's clearly passionate about the sport. He approached his critique of K/F's fp music and performance with some fair qualifications, but I personally don't agree that their fp music is unsuitable. It works (as he conceded) for a debut program for a new pair. Plus, K/F are showing a connection. I'm not sure that Chris was necessarily more demonstrative and expressive than Brandon either. To me, they have a similar vibe in terms of expressiveness. And Alexa & Brandon smile a lot at each other, so they already seem to have a good connection. It will be a journey for them in coming together more fully, and that's the nature of a new partnership. They've already made a lot of progress in a short time.
IMO, Dave has attempted to tone down some of the snark. I get that he is catering toward being entertaining with his shtick. Still, his views are stated like the last word, which can be unfair and off-putting. For eg., while his critique of Tarah/Danny is generally accurate, the eye-rolling and blanket statements are a bit harsh. Too often, he seems to position his aesthetic views as the 'gold standard.'
I think your first answer to another poster a few days ago about Ashley and Tim was correct. A&T were a little underscored, to finish 10 points down from K/F, in my opinion. But I'm calm about it. I think their FS will develop, and I can't control what the judges decide anyway. Also, I agree with you that I wish they had consulted a different choreographer this year. But they're very attached and loyal to Camerlengo. I can't argue with that. I think their SP is very good. My biggest problem with the FS is that those dramatic points in the music aren't being utilized in the way that I imagined, even watching the program for the first time, they would be. I was expecting fierce, emphatic movements...
I personally didn't have expectations for what the choreo for Rach would look like. For me, though, the opening moves to the fp are rather dramatic and OTT, but in a way that seems to mimic their similar edgy, dramatic attitude in the sp. But I don't think that approach works for Rach. Plus, A&T's fp costumes aren't great, so the packaging is off. And, there is something missing with the choreo, added to A&T needing to become sharper technically. Maybe that will come with more time (especially due to them losing a bit of training time when rinks re-opened, due TImothy's concussion).
Dave said yesterday that Tim had a concussion during the summer and that A&T lost a lot of training time. That could have affected their lifts and other technical issues. It would also be in line with my thought that they've been working on new steps and movements more, to get those down. I also concur with your idea that they greatly missed their usual work with Nina Mozer. Partly because Mozer really builds their confidence. Also because I think Ashley in particular likes to work in Nina's international camps with other pairs; she likes the camaraderie, and she and Tim don't have that (I think) at home. When you think about it, both K/F and C/J may be benefiting from watching each other train each day.
Yes, Timothy's health issues would be one of the reasons why perhaps the fp isn't as fleshed out as it should be, added to having to get new choreo from Camerlengo via technology. And also (as you agreed) missing out on their usual summer training camp with Nina and her teams in Europe.
Definitely, C/J and the Knierims benefited from training together, and now C/J and K/F do as well.
And remember, when the mods welcome new members to the forum, they do say "Post LONG and post often" 
