I disagree that Nina should receive the same or higher PCS as Rion and Hana. The number of things in the transitions may look similar, but if we look at the beginning of the programs for Rion and Nina, for example, here is what they have:
Rion:
Lunge, roll, mohawk, cross-over, stop, 3-trun on 2 feet into inside ina bauer, cross-over, cross-over, choctaw, three-turn, roll, cross-over, 2 cross-overs, choctaw, cross-over, mohawk, cross-over, spread-eagle, cross-over into a
2A with a nice long running edge
Nina:
Arm movements, lunge, arm movements, roll, arabesque, 3-turn, arabesque, mohawk, 3-turn, mohawk, cross-over, choctaw, 3-turn, cross-over, leg-kick, mohawk, 3 cross-overs, stroke, arabesque, mohawk into a
3L-3T
Looks similar in quantity, but with these steps, Nina goes from the starting pose to the short boardside of the rink in a simple pattern, and then across the rink to the opposite short board on a straight line. Rion did the same, but both times in a more complicated curvy serpantine-like pattern with multiple changes of direction, filling up the rink from long side to long side.
In the middle of the program after the flying camel, Nina does a lot of turns on or around the same spot, whereas Rion never stops moving. Overall, Rion did 3 couters (one of them poor quality) and 1 bracket (poor quality), Nina did 1 poor quality rocker, and both girls did a fair number of choctaws (Nina's overall worse-resolved) and other simpler turns. Nina did a couple more inside ina bauers and she also did a nice spiral into the 2A and a split-jump and several leg-kicks (honestly, I don't see why she needs them in this program, it's more of a "because I can" thing).
It's pretty clear to me who has better skating skills, yet Nina is placed higher. Transition-wise, Rion's come mostly from the blades, Nina has more body, leg and arm movements, OK, maybe they are even (and that's how the judges have them). Presentation-wise, Rion has better posture, overall her skating is lighter, more effortless, yet Nina is higher.
