Partly watched a BBC stream without commentary. Was mostly on my tablet. Would like to see the beautiful fairy-tale/classical music section again on a bigger screen, but unless there's a replay to view on my PC, I'd have to sit thru NBC telling me "This is Rach, this is Scheherezade" etc.
The little segment on South Korea was OK too. Rest of it was the typical closing stuff: Wasn't this a great games? (well, to me, no), long speech by IOC guy etc. Glad I don't have to look at Putin's face almost daily anymore.
Looved it! It is rare that I truly enjoy closing ceremonies but this one was on the same level as the opening ceremony! Had a shed of tear with the bear, it was soo cute. And, of course, ballet, classical music, circus...well, everything!
(loved the beginning of korean part, but towards the end it looked sloppy...)
I knew that the thing I'd enjoy most about the ceremonies here would be the music and the references to the various other creative and performing arts. Russia has one of the richest cultural traditions of all. The closing ceremony is doing a great job of showing that tradition.
Edit: I just love that floating steampunk air-boat!
On American TV they usually have a quick retrospective video montage after the end of the ceremonies, with some beautiful slow-motion footage of the various sports, and I always wait for that. It makes you realize, especially in the winter sports where so many athletes end up airborne, that there is artistry inherent in many sports, not just in skating. Look at snowboarding halfpipe, for example, or ski jumping. As an old American pop song says, poetry in motion.
My only regret this year is that they didn't do the montage to music from the last movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. But it was still exhilarating.
Agree, opening and closing ceremonies were well done, well planned, both spectacular and tasteful. Usually winter games are nowhere near as good as summer games in this respect, but russian had openings/closing ceremonies to rival any summer games.
Watching on DVR now. Huge props to the producers for having a sense of humor with the ring that didn't open reference.
I thought both opening and closing was quite lovely. Other than the problems caused by weather, they mostly seemed to do a nice job with venues and overall, I think they did a nice job hosting the games.
Beautiful ceremony, funny resolution of the fifth Olympic ring mishap.
Beautiful execution of the Russian anthem. Funny to see the skaters sing.
Adelina looks really beautiful with loose hair.
I am disappointed I could't find Mikaela in the US crowd. Is she really there?
in the end Sochi was great and spectacular
not even the propaganda and slamming deterred the games
Russia is proud
and people in Russia are crying because they don't want the games to end and are very happy of their athletes performance
but alas everything always comes to an end
I watched and re-watched the closing ceremony on CBC/CTV but I hated as they butchered it with the stupid adds. I managed to watch the first part on NBC late, at midnight, only to realize how much I lost with thous boring adds. I wonder if anybody cares for those adds, as I always cut off the sound and look elsewhere. I don't buy things based on advertising. Sorry for the out of topic lament!
I loved it! I love classical music and ballet, so this was a delight!
I really loved and I truly appreciated the tribute to the Russian writers persecuted by the Stalin's regime. I was shocked when I saw it happening and I never believed it would be possible. So much has changed...