Finally, finally watched all the LPs; big thanks to the kind soul who uploaded B. Eurosport to Youtube (and Mao88 for linking to it).
Radionova: Cranked out all her content admirably, and the deserving winner. But I just can't love the program. Until the parts at the end when she remembered to perform, it looked like a lot of "I'm doing what my choreographer told me to." As chaotic as the SP was, at least she sold the daylights out of it. Here... not so much. I think it's just the wrong program for her.
Tuktamysheva: Love the program and performance. Too bad the jumps didn't work as well as they could've. I would probably have her ahead of Radionova in P/E... but I understand why the judges thought otherwise, with that silly mistake on the final pose.
Gold: I liked the first few seconds of the choreography... but once the jumps began, it became the same plastic smiles and one-note performance. That being said, I have no objection to her placement; her tech got destroyed due to the dumb doubles Zayak rule, so the overscored PCS were just compensation for that.
Cesario: I'm not quite as sold on this program as some seem to be (talking about the "Best Carmen ever!!!" claims)... but I certainly did enjoy it, and I can see why others find it so amazing. What struck me wasn't the movement, but her expressions. :yes: Under 6.0, the gutsy opening combo and 7 triples would've been a massive challenge laid out.
Park: Lovely and graceful, fall aside. However, imo, tech and artistry were both good, but not great (in this particular competition).
Nagasu: Emotionless, seemed totally concentrated on the elements. Polar opposite of Samantha Cesario in terms of expression and projection.
Gedevanishvili: If you're going to skate to lyrics, Aguilera is one of the hardest to pull off--talk about vocals overpowering the skater.
Imai: Wonderful arms, I like the concept of the skate. It just needs a little more refining... more connection between the different parts, a bit more matching between the choreography and the music. Perhaps she'll improve the program over the season.
Meite: Unfortunately didn't make much of an impression, compared to her short. Needs to up the quality of her elements (jump landings, first spiral, spins).
Han: So glad she managed to climb out of last place! Good variation of tempo and choreography that fit the music. Jumps are rather low though.
Popova: I feel the same way as I did during her short... Very expressionless and empty (not in terms of empty choreography, but in terms of "devoid of emotion and meaning")
Radionova: Cranked out all her content admirably, and the deserving winner. But I just can't love the program. Until the parts at the end when she remembered to perform, it looked like a lot of "I'm doing what my choreographer told me to." As chaotic as the SP was, at least she sold the daylights out of it. Here... not so much. I think it's just the wrong program for her.
Tuktamysheva: Love the program and performance. Too bad the jumps didn't work as well as they could've. I would probably have her ahead of Radionova in P/E... but I understand why the judges thought otherwise, with that silly mistake on the final pose.
Gold: I liked the first few seconds of the choreography... but once the jumps began, it became the same plastic smiles and one-note performance. That being said, I have no objection to her placement; her tech got destroyed due to the dumb doubles Zayak rule, so the overscored PCS were just compensation for that.
Cesario: I'm not quite as sold on this program as some seem to be (talking about the "Best Carmen ever!!!" claims)... but I certainly did enjoy it, and I can see why others find it so amazing. What struck me wasn't the movement, but her expressions. :yes: Under 6.0, the gutsy opening combo and 7 triples would've been a massive challenge laid out.
Park: Lovely and graceful, fall aside. However, imo, tech and artistry were both good, but not great (in this particular competition).
Nagasu: Emotionless, seemed totally concentrated on the elements. Polar opposite of Samantha Cesario in terms of expression and projection.
Gedevanishvili: If you're going to skate to lyrics, Aguilera is one of the hardest to pull off--talk about vocals overpowering the skater.
Imai: Wonderful arms, I like the concept of the skate. It just needs a little more refining... more connection between the different parts, a bit more matching between the choreography and the music. Perhaps she'll improve the program over the season.
Meite: Unfortunately didn't make much of an impression, compared to her short. Needs to up the quality of her elements (jump landings, first spiral, spins).
Han: So glad she managed to climb out of last place! Good variation of tempo and choreography that fit the music. Jumps are rather low though.
Popova: I feel the same way as I did during her short... Very expressionless and empty (not in terms of empty choreography, but in terms of "devoid of emotion and meaning")