I was going to apologize for being off-topic, but it seems as if there isn’t a consistent topic anyway
Random, but Daria’s programs... I was a huge critic of them at the beginning of the season. Both programs I had the criticism that the music choices were generic and thoughtless (still true), and that the choreography is generic Danny G choreography (still mostly true) that we’ve seen 50x over. I will say, I like both programs now. They are certainly on track to be my most rewatched programs this year.
I still see Daria as a delicate, gentle skater with softness, flow, and fluidity throughout everything she does on ice. She has beautiful arms, with flexibility and expressiveness throughout her entire body. Before the season started my personal wish was for her to do a Clair de Lune SP. Daniil had a different vision— Moulin Rouge! More overbearing heavy, deep womanly vocals for this delicate, gentle skater. It’s not all bad, though. There’s a fairy-like feel to the music and some majestic sound effects in the music that she hits right on the musical notes that effectively make the program feel softer, delicate, more magical, like the skater herself. I’ll always be mad at the most beautiful 2A entry and exit being changed to one that’s so much... worse. However, it’s still impressive that she has so much control over her beautiful 2A even if the transitions aren’t aesthetically pleasing. I like the steps into the Lutz and the exit— it is choreographed beautifully to the music and Dasha does this so well. Then there’s the highlight(s) of the program! The beautifully extended spiral (that could be held a second longer!) into the 3f3t and then the beautiful exit, right into the I-spin— all perfectly matching the music (nice composition during this part, Daniil) and done at absolute top quality. Then the stunning ina-bauer that starts off that StSq, that could be held longer, but it’s right on the music and makes sense within the choreography, so I’ll let it slide. The first half of the StSq is sublime. All of those strengths within Daria’s skating are highlighted in the first half of the StSq. Her ice coverage looks amazing, she’s in tune with the music throughout. She has big, yet soft and delicate skating that’s really shown here. The first twizzles are magnificent, too. I’m running out of adjectives but the ending choreo/spin/pose is really nice, too.
I think this short program is my favorite this season after Anna’s. Though, I will say, Anna and Daria’s SPs as my top 2 this season is a lot weaker than my top SPs last season. While beautiful and my favorite that I’ve seen this season, they don’t match up to Anna’s Perfume, Zhenya’s Exogenesis, Alina’s Me Voy, etc.
Back to Daria, here’s a prayer/manifestation circle for her 3A. She’s been having a great season, better than most expected, but she does need that jump soon! I’ve grown to like her R&J too, I think there’s a genius section of it that I can go into detail about later. The spread eagle into the 3Lo, then the I-spin on the music, well into the slower part of the music is just.. wow. Worth the rewatch if you don’t remember what I’m talking about
I do still absolutely hate the FS StSq. I genuinely wish they would scrap that last music change and just insert Kissing You and redo the choreography. Even the most generic and overplayed music and choreography would be better here. Seriously. The music and the choreography is just absolutely horrendous. Especially for Daria. Especially when we see her do a beautiful, well suited, and nicely choreographed StSq in her SP. Oh, well. Still can’t wait to see it again!
Sorry for the ramblings. Stage Five didn’t interest me much with Aliona and Liza’s withdraws, so I went back to watch some of my other favorite Russian ladies instead. Nationals are so soon and everything is so uncertain. I’m both excited and terrified to see what’s coming in the next few weeks.
