Jason Brown

[Tavi...]

I wonder whether the new version is a bit empty in spots because the team is leaving space for a second quad? In various interviews, Jason said they planned two as a goal, AFAIR?

I doubt it. For one thing, he already has the maximum number of jump passes in his program, so they couldn’t just add a quad, they would have to replace a jump that’s already in there with a quad and also change the choreography to allow for a longer set up. For another, he couldn’t just add another solo 4S; it would either have to be in combination or he’d need a second quad, like a 4T. Neither of those things seem at all realistic right now.

What’s most telling to me is that when Jason initially said he was going back to SL, he simply said he wasn’t finished with it yet and had more to give. He mentioned some possible “tweaks” to the choreography, but he never said he felt they got the program wrong initially or that it needed a major change. Yet somehow, that’s exactly what happened. The only thing he’s said about it is that a judge suggested changing the music would change the mood. So unlike changes to Piano in year 2, these changes don’t seem to have been driven by a strong internal vision of where the program or Jason’s skating needed to go but by the idea that some kind of change was necessary if they were going to use it again, especially in an Olympic year.

It honestly makes me sad that neither of his programs have the same impact they did originally. I don’t think it’s because they’re no longer new: after all, we only saw them a few times each. I think it’s more because they changed them just to make changes. Last year, the almost universal sentiment was that his SP was one of the best men’s SPs ever. You don’t hear that kind of gushing now. No one has said wow, they took the best SP ever and made it better. Although SL wasn’t quite as universally acclaimed, most people -including the judges, who gave him his highest marks ever - were moved by his emotion, the compelling beauty of his movement, and the story he was so clearly telling. He’s still trying hard with it, but at least so far, it doesn’t have the same beauty or emotional impact it used to.

 

[noskates]

Well I do think there is something to be said for it not being new to us. I watched with my family and they were stunned by the beauty of SL and loved Sinnerman. I think we're all examining everything Jason does with a fine toothed comb, so to speak. There is an issue with using the same program(s) 2 years in a row or from previous years but I plan to compare it to others in the competition and not have Jason compete with himself. That's how I'm personally looking at this. To each his own.

 

[el henry]

I think we are looking at this through the eyes of Jason fans and not as "auschlanders". Which is fine, because we are Jason fans.

For me, Sinnerman still has the power and impact of the "original". And more importantly for me, it does for others ( more importantly for me, because I already love Jason. I want others to as well ) Mark Hanretty this year called it one of the best SPs ever. Ted Barton said of this year's version, I don't care if he ever does a quad.

As for Schindler's, it doesn't have quite the same impact, again just for me. But if he lands quads that are called rotated, well I'm happy. . and I do think overall it is still an impactful program, and as long as it's more impactful than other LPs, well again I'm happy

Although both programs skated perfectly would be great

 

[Seren]

I don’t think we’ve seen the final versions of either of these programs. My guess is some of the changes to sinnerman may be related to his injury.

 

[Tavi...]

Well it doesn’t really matter what I think and I’m glad a lot of people are liking it, but yeah, guilty as charged - I do expect a lot, and maybe too much.

But seriously, as a former musician, it really bugs me that the new FS choreography misses so much in the music, and as a former singer in particular, I miss the strong emotion that was there previously. . The fact he looked up and grinned immediately after finishing was very different than anything I recall from 2020, and it just seemed odd to me.

For the SP, it just seems silly to me that they moved that really hard transition right before the spin he got level 2 on last Friday. Maybe they are trying to increase GOE, but the transition comes right after the 3A, which has been iffy, and he’s never done better than level 3 since they made the change. The points he lost there alone (-1.5 points versus Worlds 2021) would have been enough for him to take silver ahead of Shun. So it just doesn’t seem like a smart choice to me.

Re year 2: When he did Year 2 of Piano, I know some people were disappointed because they hoped he would do something more upbeat and dramatic. But do people still think that? I’ve heard a ton of people say it’s their favorite FS of his ever.

Anyway, even if I have qualms about the programs, I’m thrilled he’s recovered (or nearly so) from the injury, happy he’s managed such a good season in spite of it, glad he got the call on the 4S, and looking forward to rest of season!

 

[kan01]

The fact he looked up and grinned immediately after finishing was very different than anything I recall from 2020, and it just seemed odd to me.

This is a very interesting observation. What I think happened there is he grinned because he immediately thought about the popped triples. You know when you do something bad and sometimes you're frowning, but sometimes you just smile because the mistake was an unusual one (unusual to do these ultra-c and then pop these triples in his case). His mind was very focused on the mistakes you can see it in his expression right before he does the salute to the public even though apparently he's happy, he actually seemed bugged. He's very focused on skating clean and that may actually affect him performance wise and in general, but he will get there.

 

[Tavi...]

This is a very interesting observation. What I think happened there is he grinned because he immediately thought about the popped triples. You know when you do something bad and sometimes you're frowning, but sometimes you just smile because the mistake was an unusual one (unusual to do these ultra-c and then pop these triples in his case). His mind was very focused on the mistakes you can see it in his expression right before he does the salute to the public even though apparently he's happy, he actually seemed bugged. He's very focused on skating clean and that may actually affect him performance wise and in general, but he will get there.

Good point, and if he was distracted by the errors that could have impacted his concentration and ability to tell a story / convey emotion throughout the second half. I guess we’ll see how it goes next time.

If nothing else, I hope the fact he got a favorable call on the 4S and stood up on it will give him more confidence going forward.

 

[katmari]

I love Jason's family!




I loved the Rohene inspired banners at IdF!

 

[sdwyer52]

Well I do think there is something to be said for it not being new to us. I watched with my family and they were stunned by the beauty of SL and loved Sinnerman. I think we're all examining everything Jason does with a fine toothed comb, so to speak. There is an issue with using the same program(s) 2 years in a row or from previous years but I plan to compare it to others in the competition and not have Jason compete with himself. That's how I'm personally looking at this. To each his own.

That’s an excellent way of looking at it. We do look at everything our favorite skater does and to be honest I think he will get it together. They need to return some of the original parts of Sinnerman. I believe Jason will visit Rohene in a few days. What happened to the big spiral? It seems like they added more jumps (more points). Other skaters have done that too because the quads are messing everyone up. Nobody can do a perfect program.

 

[el henry]

Interesting comment from Jason. I was thinking of GoldenSpin as a distraction,(either go to GPF or train train train ) but I was wrong. It offers certainty, either way he has a comp to train for:

 

[noskates]

Jason is clearly the product of that wonderful and loving family,

 

[Bookseller]

Golden Spin will be interesting, whether Jason goes there or goes to the final. There will be some very good skaters there trying to improve from their GP performances. Personally, I wish that the GP Final included more skaters. What's wrong with all medalists competing? It would be a very interesting competition.

 

[katmari]

That’s an excellent way of looking at it. We do look at everything our favorite skater does and to be honest I think he will get it together. They need to return some of the original parts of Sinnerman. I believe Jason will visit Rohene in a few days. What happened to the big spiral? It seems like they added more jumps (more points). Other skaters have done that too because the quads are messing everyone up. Nobody can do a perfect program.

I think you are right. Here's Rohene's comment from Jason's instagram post:
rohenew Congrats bud!!! Great work and heart as usual!!! Look forward to your arrival!

I don't think either program is in it's final form yet. I remember back to Riverdance and my favorite moment (hydroblade into double axel) wasn't added until Jason's GP in France and the final version at Nationals had additional changes.

 

[ladyjane]

Interesting comment from Jason. I was thinking of GoldenSpin as a distraction,(either go to GPF or train train train ) but I was wrong. It offers certainty, either way he has a comp to train for:

More often than not, Golden Spin is a kind of B-final of the GP in any case. Best thing: we get to see Jason wherever he's at!

 

[sdwyer52]

I think you are right. Here's Rohene's comment from Jason's instagram post:
rohenew Congrats bud!!! Great work and heart as usual!!! Look forward to your arrival!

I don't think either program is in it's final form yet. I remember back to Riverdance and my favorite moment (hydroblade into double axel) wasn't added until Jason's GP in France and the final version at Nationals had additional changes.

Yes, that’s where I saw the comment from Rohene. With him being off the ice so long, he definitely needs more time per week to train. I wish they would leave Rohene’s choreography alone.

 

[sdwyer52]

More often than not, Golden Spin is a kind of B-final of the GP in any case. Best thing: we get to see Jason wherever he's at!

I hadn’t seen this. It sounds like Jason is happy to be skating either event.

 

[NoNameFace]

I had a blast at IdF watching Jason's performances.
It was even more interesting to sort of compare my impressions between Finlandia Trophy and IdF. I think that despite both programs being already used in the past, both are perfectly imho illustrating why Jason is so beloved and for what traits. Watching Sinnerman live is AN EXPERIENCE - there's just such artisanal quality to everything Jason does, how choreography highlights the music and how Jason manages to make the music sing louder by his movement and performer's attitude. At the same time, it's perfectly balanced, there's never a sense of this program being too overwrought or with too little fine tuning put in there.
As for Schindler's List - while I agree that the OG version revibrates with me stronger, I understand that Jason isn't stuck in one place and that the program will evolve alongside with him.
I had a great time cheering for Jason with my US signed flag which was often shown on the stream (yup, that's me ). And it really made me smile to see him lit under people's support, that smile and appreciation.
Some photos for you:

 

[katmari]

 

[el henry]

Thank you so much for sharing your photos and your impressions @NoNameFace and how jealous I am that you saw Jason's programs not once, but twice

We know what a treasure it is to watch Jason, even as we dedicated fans mull over the details. Which we only do because he is one of a kind.

 

[ladyjane]

Thank you so much @NoNameFace ! For the report, for the pictures, and just the all-over feel to it. I confess to being slightly jealous because I've never seen him live. What an experience!