Gonna try to make this as short as possible
Liza's programs were some of my favorites, and I'm as shocked as anyone about it. Every movement in both programs was deliberately choreographed to match the style of the music. FP jumps aside, she ended with the same energy, commitment and attention to detail that she started with. I was pretty impressed.
Maiia's SP style suits her perfectly and I think she's completely committed to the choreography, so it's a little hard to put my finger on why it isn't amazing. Maybe it's too messy? I love her FP dress, possibly my favorite out of everyone's, the flashes of red are just enough - not as heavy handed as that team's costumes often go. I think the beginning of the program is so great and makes her look her best, but towards the end as the lyrics are getting louder and more dramatic, the momentum of the program is really slowing down for me, possibly because of all the rough jump landings.
Daria's SP is nice with some lovely moments, I like the music and I like her. But both the short and the long desperately need long spiral/IB/SE moments. The FP especially needs to build to something exciting and it doesn't.
Aliona I think has the same problem in both programs, which is that the music calls for way more energy and choreography then she's giving/has been given. If she misses the 3A in the short, it's gonna be hard for her to give the rest of the program any swagger. I was really proud of how well she jumped in the free. But her movements are too slow and deliberate for the almost frantic music.
Anna's 2 programs were easily my 2 favorite programs that she's done. The SP was an unexpected deviation from her normal style and she sold it, I think with a full audience applause to carry it it could be a real moment. The last few years her FPs have had the same formula - boring music for most of it, then a dynamic piece right at the end to trick us into thinking we'd enjoyed the whole thing. This one was completely different - all the music cuts were interesting and exciting and brought out the best in her, she actually looked powerful. I was along for the ride, and for the first time ever I thought I wanted to see her skate at the Olympics. I'm confused about her jumps tho, it seemed like besides the double axel, all the jumping passes started with a lutz or flip, but that's not possible? I hope she gets a more interesting dress.
Kamila is obviously doing the same program to different music in the SP, and while with Storm the choreography hit the accents of the music, this one doesn't so it's not as special. She is special, so it's kind of a shame that the program is just ok. I don't think the mistakes in the long are a sign of what's to come, rather that they'll light a fire under her for next time.
Sasha's SP was one of my favorite's that she's ever done, there was way more choreography than I was expecting. All it needed was a few bold smiles and changes of expression, and I would have been completely sold. I actually loved her in that dress, I think the simplicity made her look more grown up than ever, and the matching colors made me smile. The quad axel talk is nonsense, she over-rotated because she doesn't get enough distance. The FP was disappointing choreography wise, the music is so fun and she has a couple cool moves but I think she's capable of way more than they gave her. The jumps were obviously impressive if a little rough, and I hope they only get better throughout the season. If that's her final Cruella dress I'm gonna fight someone.
