I'm a little surprised by the lack of support for Davis/White on this thread. Is it because people don't like them as skaters or simply don't like their programs this year? I for one am rooting for Charlie & Meryl to win that gold medal. Frankly, I think it's overdue. I agree: They should have won in L.A. in 2009. And last year . . . I honestly preferred them to Virtue/Moir. That said, I must agree with many others that their programs this year could be better. Despite their best efforts, I find their waltz short a little boring. I keep thinking back to the Bollywood short last year, which was so much more exciting and interesting. As to the long, I really admire them for taking on such a challenging program. Not only does the actual choreography look ridiculously difficult (to this admittedly untutored eye), but the theme is tough as well. I am not a huge fan of tango, finding it a bit monotonous; to keep a tango interesting over a 2-minute short program is one thing, but keeping up the intensity and interest over a 4 1/2-minute long is a true test. I think Charlie/Meryl have passed that test--the program has a lot of great highlights, they really keep it moving, and, boy, is Charlie's partnering not amazing throughout? My only criticism of Charlie & Meryl this year is I feel they're almost TOO focused on winning. The training, the choice of programs, the way they're skating---I'm feeling the effort of it, the intensity of their desire to win, much more than I'm feeling joy and pleasure for the sake of simply performing. To me they're skating more intensely, but also more tightly, than last season: perhaps not coincidentally, they've also had more actual mistakes in competition than I remember in years past. I think they're maybe putting too much pressure on themselves to win: it's like it's this year, or else. I hope they can find more freedom, joy, and pleasure in their skating in Moscow--and, perhaps, finally get that elusive gold.
One other note--there's certainly been a lot of criticism about Meryl's 4CC comments on this thread. I find this ridiculous. She said nothing at all wrong about Virtue/Moir. Of course she would feel sympathy for Tessa, yet her main focus would still be on her and Charlie's performance. What do people want her to say--"Oh, I'm so happy to have won this gold medal, but I guess I wouldn't have won it if Tessa and Scott had competed"? I find the negativity over her comments ironic, because in my personal opinion, Scott Moir's comments about Davis/White have been no better. Moir has always paid lip service to Meryl & Charlie's talent while making it perfectly clear that he believes he & Tessa are the better pair. He's been very open about that.
I'm not a huge fan of Virtue/Moir, but do have to concede that their short looked excellent at 4CC. If they skate that way in Moscow, they will once again be tough to beat.
In regard to other teams, I hope to see the Shibutanis skate well. I think their programs are just so fun, enjoyable, nice to watch, and also brilliantly skated! Also, I expect to see Pechalat/Bourzat win the bronze, and will be happy if they do. In the past I've not been a big fan of theirs, but they've really brought their skating to a new level this year, and their programs are excellent. I agree with many that Bobrova/Soloviev are an attractive team with great lines, however they're a little boring to watch. Right now they lack that "it" factor--the flair and excitement that the top teams have in spades.
As a final note, I'm bemused by the extensive debate about Crone/Poirier and Weaver/Poje on this thread. I'm not terribly fond of either of these teams. As many have noted, I feel like Crone/Poirier are just an ill-matched team physically (unfortunate for them, but difficult to overcome). Also I cannot understand the high scores they've received for the Eleanor Rigby long. I really don't like the program at all. To me, the choreography is too pairs-like and too lift-focused, and the costumes do not evoke the mood of the music at all. I find myself constantly comparing it to Davis/White's 2008 Eleanor Rigby long, which I loved and think superior in every way. As to Weaver/ Poje, I like them better than C/P, but feel they rely too much on their lifts, and I agree that the overall look and feel of their Moulin Rouge long is just kind of tacky and cheap. Would like to see them work more on their technique and footwork, and go for more subtle, less flashy presentation.
I find nothing wrong with what either Meryl or Scott has said .You have to believe in yourself , after all. Especially if you have won a certain position..claim it. ( Don't be wishy-washy about whether or not you deserve it to the press ) V/M have always given D/W props for their abilities and always identified them as their main competitors. They've never shied away from pointing out that because D/W have been marked so close to them, they can't rest on their laurels.
, since men did / do dance Tango together to learn , practice and show off their stuff when there's no ladies around. They can trade off the lead ( and someone could wear a sharp hat 
..I want this now , and it's all your fault !
unheard of!