I don't get the criticisms of Chan's artistry, for the entire FP I didn't see a moment of lapse, even while he was doing amazing things with his feet, his movements and motions were perfectly performed to every nuance in the music, it's not "paste-on", whatever that may mean.
Chan's arms may not be enough for the Bolshoi but he's being judged for his skating, not those other "bonus" traits.
That was my first impression. He was wonderful! virtuoso! Then, I got to see those skatings by the legends, who pursued artistry in figure skating in courtesy of BoP. There was undeniable gap between the legends and the current top skaters(including Chan and Yuzu) That leads me to believe how deep and further figure skating can go, which is as worthy as going for 4As, 4Lzs, 4Fs, 4Ss, 4Ts, and 4Rs. I understand and respect Patrick's decision on training with the current coach to pursue his artistic vision while keeping the technical prowess.
Then, I re-watched Patrick, Yuzu, and (Denis)' performances over and over. I saw how naturally talented Yuzu is, but not using it sometimes (hence noodle-y) and where Patrick is. Patrick's body type (I hate to use this word) is not kind to show his line elongated. If he just moved naturally, free-style, whatever he wanted, his line would not as nice as what he has now. He needed extra care and training to make it smooth and elongated, conversely resulting in criticisms like looking statuesque, not-natural, robotic, or "paste-on". I get it and I don't think it is that negative, meaning it is a sign of progress, and it is worth it.
His LP has full of valuable attempts and a glimpse of the actual fruit. I figured that is why I felt his LP was special and virtuoso in the first place. He was so determined and commanding, controlling feet, arms, neck, chest, back while executing everything top of his game during the entire time of the program to breathe with music. He did not let any un-wanted movements get in his way. And,
his focus on the entire body accentuates his skating and interpretation and brings it to the next level.
If you think that the port-de-bras or artistic pursuit and what not is out of his reach, then I think you are underestimating him. And, there is nothing wrong with aiming high. If you think he doesn't need it, well, I respect that, too. I honestly think he still has one of the greatest body movements in this current field. I wanted to bring up the classic/old/artistry because it is another way to look at figure skating and it is very relevant.
@ Interspectator, I agree with most of posts you wrote. There were a few comments that I presume you included me in "they." I just want to clarify things otherwise, misleading.
So his style is not what they like. And to be honest, not my favorite either. When I hear the music, my ideal interpretation of that music is not what I see from Patrick.
No, I like Patrick's style as is now. Do I think he could be better? YES!
Showmanship very is important for the sport. Daisuke Takahashi spent many, many hours polishing his showmanship and got awarded points for it when it was coupled with his great skating skills. If it was just his skating skills would it have been as impressive to the judges? Probably not.
I think it is very noble of Takahashi that knowing he got top PCS in current system, he kept on pouring energy for something that was not written in the score sheet specifically(i.e. BV), thus did not promise how much point he would get awarded.
What is over dramatic and unnecessary to me may be someone else' favorite part of the whole program. It might be that way for a judge who is watching.
The moments I mentioned in my OP were IMO where his mechanical training finally paid off and being effortless, unison to music, body, vision, everything. I was ecstatic to see moments like that and hope he conquers the whole program with full of those moments.
Sportsmen deny that it is a sport. (Fishing is a sport.) Artists deny that it is performance art. (Mime is performance art.)
