They're allowed a few skates when they're having to make adjustments. But I don't agree that everything was a result of 'Brandon held back' or 'Brandon didn't [this or that].' ... Alexa looked a little more aggressive than usual, and she seemed stressed.
IMHO, K/F are feeling pressure of being the fed faves, while knowing that their teammates are very skilled as well. Plus, knowing they have little to no political rep or stature with the judges. U.S. fed has consistently been inept at how to support their skaters either politically or proactively. In fact, U.S. fed is probably doing nothing politically to support their pairs discipline, because they are so bad at politics in the first place. They are probably just coasting on knowing that their men and ice dance divisions usually are consistently on the podium these days. The fed is definitely squandering all the talent they have in their pairs division through their utter incompetence. If the U.S. judge is more interested in supporting the Japanese team at Skate America, I think that says it all.
I'm not saying support your teams when they make mistakes, but all the judges should be recognizing and giving U.S. teams credit for their superb qualities, and I don't see that happening, in part due to the haphazard, biased way ISU judges score events on a regular basis.
It's easy for me to talk about what I see, and make suggestions to U.S. teams. I realize that nothing is as simple at their level with all the challenges they are facing. It's just that they have to forget all the noise around them, not worry about placements, and go out there and embrace the opportunities they have. I'm not sure what if anything Meno/Sand are doing to guide mental strategy. But their training camp should focus on coming up with something that might be more effective: Simulation drills. Relaxation techniques. Brainstorm sessions, where they all get out of their system their angst and nervous energy. Something!
Because obviously, the judges and many fans are in Miura/Kihara's corner and in the corner of the new Spanish/Italian pair who train in Italy, while caring less about the prodigious qualities and depth of U.S. teams, who continue to be too easily dismissed and made to understand they have to be completely letter perfect. I suspect even achieving consistent perfection won't be good enough in the loaded international pairs environment, particularly with the dismissive attitudes that continue unabated toward U.S. skaters.
In addition, the scoring of C/J, to me indicates that they see C/J as the second place U.S. team, so that they didn't give C/J full credit for how well they skated, and for the superb quality of their skating. C/J's score should have edged M/K's or at least been in the same ballpark, seeing as how M/K had two visible minor miscues (but were given high GOE). It's blatant.
The judges were also a bit generous to K/F with the 66+, but I think it was in general fair due to their other high-level qualities. Meanwhile, as a new team, Liu/O'Shea were a bit more punished for their mistakes, while not being given adequate GOE for their best qualities. I don't see anything changing anytime soon, so it's depressing. It's a vicious cycle. Skaters can't improve and gain momentum without sufficient competitive opportunities at major events. The U.S. really needs to have 3 spots at Worlds and Olympics for the obvious quality and depth of their pairs teams. K/F and C-G/LD felt too much pressure at Worlds to grab that third spot within reach, but the judges also didn't give them any help or full respect. The teams just have to decide to be bolder and shake off the nerves and anxiety. Do You! Embrace the Challenge!
Chelsea Liu looked like a million dollars with the gorgeous red-highlights in her hair, matched with her red costume. But she proceeded to make the same nervous mistakes. She's got to shake it off. Chelsea & Danny are hugely talented. Don't let your talent go to waste.
for doing the PBPs, 
