Still logged at work (and probably will stay this way until...who knows when), but since I'm feeling like producing some 'word vomit', vintage Beatrice style (those who are here awhile will know what that means lol), let's go (to be possibly edited later).
I have A LOT of opinions from past two weeks actually. But I'd rather keep them to myself, especially not so favorable (or downward petty) ones. The general thought for my perspective about Ice Dance is that the dramatic pendulum swings (either way)) seems to be in fashion nowadays & rewarded handsomely by judges. I feel like more balanced (or possibly, nuanced even) approach and philosophy about packaging and choreography is frowned upon this season - everything has to be loud, flashy, explosive, 'wow'-worthy in a very literal sense. The 'literal' theme also seems to be a very common 'trend' in itself. And I'm less than a fan, let's leave it at that.
It was quite interesting to watch 3 US teams side-by-side in Vancouver, especially post-debut of C/B AND with SC being second outing for Brown siblings. I won't lie, I am surprised by the way US teams hierarchy fell down, but I'm happy about it nonetheless. Browns for me are one of most 'driven' performers among young-and-coming teams and team with brilliant timing/musicality. Tgey are fast, agile, expressive too - hence I'm overjoyed to see them smashing their PBs with solid chunk of skating and possibly more confidence growth. My only 'but' lies in their packaging - but it's definitely not mine to decide what costume styles they are comfortable with/what they can afford for. I just wished for bit more 'polished' look that would 'dial in' more with senior Ice Dance. At the same time though, I wish they would never lose that youthful look around them - just amazing the packaging with right impulses. Their FD is not exactly my cup of tea (I was a fan of last season one though!), I feel it's a bit too 'generic' for them and does not capitalise the best way on their fortes, RD though is a perfect fit and just needs a bit of fine tuning and that 'oomph' to ekevate distinction level.
Zingas/Kolesnik are promising, but at this point I'm not sure what team they are in terms of identity/personality and I hope the partnership lasts enough to get a gist of that. I still consider him as one of the best partners in ID (his partnering in that golden junior Rach FD in 2020 is still etched in my brain) and I hope she can get more comfortable as time progresses. They have somehow good programs imho (for Igor team and I'm relieved they got spared with 'four same CDs on rotation' FD philosophy) and they seem at ease to perform them quite convincing. She appears stiff and nervous though at times (which of course should cease as season goes), he really goes lights out and truly provides a beautiful frame as a partner. I know I harped on literacy earlier, but - I WISH Emilea had Belle yellow dress for FD. Strangely, I'm quite a sucker for a fairytale as someone grumpy in general and it would made me content to see that yellow instead of red. But to each their own and it this is their preferred look, so be it. I'm meh about RD musical choice, but it seems to suit them (not everyone can be crazy, original and so on).
Pate/Bye left me a bit disappointed, especially after Autumn Classic debut. I feel like maybe nerves got to them too much or maybe they've tried too hard. That RD really suits them to the T and it stands out in the sea of music already being done even before 80s RD theme (this could be a potential advantage at Nats IF performed/skated well). Logan in particular seems like a such expressive performer to me - as someone always scared to step forward I applaud those not scared to be vivacious and expressive in any arts/sports performance. The FD...They didn't escape Igor's CD stash and I'm grumpy about it. The music itself is okay, it's just that the music in Igor's hands makes it into quintessential type of program I've probably already seen. I just wish they had something similarly distinctive for FD as they have for RD. But I very much appreciate their technical ability and progress they've made.
I'm heartbroken for Wang/Liu. And I don't want to twist that knife of anguish about 'what ifs' deeper. I just wish they can pick themselves up and not retire yet. They are brilliant performers.
Germans and their programs leave me indifferent second season in a row. I see efforts, I see decent quality. I just don't see that 'oomph', something that would keep my interest. One of teams I acknowledge, I wish they had something characteristic in terms of competitive programs though to be noticeable more.
Part two (for those interested and I feel like releasing more thoughts as I've watched some programs few times more).
Cannot help, but smile everytime Molly Lanaghan performs. She is a 'rocket' that fills up the rink with energy and presence for me, plus with her infectious smile. Overall, I think both her and Dmitre are very engaged performers as a team and overall I usually enjoy what they are bringing in with their programs, especially identity and character, even if not skated the best. I also appreciate sort of 'different' (unusual??) take on Riverdance presentation - and I applaud changing Molly's costume to black/gold comparing to Nebelhorn, it truly made tge visual working better. Plus what I always like when 'choreography' elements that are mandatory are not a 'trickery showoff' or a cop-out: here I felt like all 3 elements made sense, were musical AND conveyed musical theme well.
Good to see Fabbri/Ayer being back. I sort of expected this team to expand more after Frida FD which I really liked, yet they seemed to be torpedoed with health issues. I'm not the biggest fan of this FD or maybe to put it a bit differently - I feel that the construction/idea for this program could be less 'typical' and expected, it would make it more standing out than just 'pretty'/easy on the eyes. RD feels a bit like an afterthought, but it's a common disease this season in my very honest opinion.
I 'clicked' with Reed/Ambrulevicius last season and I'm still dialed in, despite considering last season FD as superior compared to one they have now. There's something unique about their material and 'team identity' I feel - as I described it in RD or FD thread, they are sort of dialing in with the past and present at the same time regarding their material. It makes an interesting mix of nostalgia and current tendencies in Ice Dance and makes them standing out. I'm shameless fan of that RD - it's a PERFECT vehicle for both, Saulius especially, they are keeping that high energy level throughout the whole performance and never lose expression/attack in choreography. I feel like FD lacks something...it's not as 'hard-hitting' as Faithless last season, maybe it's in the music (composition/edit??), maybe choreography needs to be amped up to make more impact overall. I'm super happy nonetheless about their medal - and their joy was one of the best moments of SCI this year for me.
Disco Brits, Fear/Gibson...I'm not even sure if 'Disco Brits' term is still applicable though. I will however always treasure that nickname and the origin of the nickname (18/19 FD) and while I fully understand that they moved on from that 'era' (because that's the way of the sport), I miss some of that look about them. I consider their material for past two season as 'good seller' and entertaining for the general audience, but while I totally get the need of something less 'serious' and more 'light-hearted' to watch, I feel like the amount of gimmick/trickery makes it too one-dimensional to take for my subjective opinion. It makes my brain to be set more on acknowledging athletic efforts to perform all of the lifts etc. than appreciating the storytelling or just enjoying the performance. The other thing is that maybe I'm not a big fan of (too) literal translation of a theme into a program, especially theme leaning into rather entertaining/showy aesthetic. But that's just me. Good for them to find their 'path' to explore (or maybe exploit..?), sticking to things they feel strong about and capitalising on all of that. It clearly works and I'll leave it as such.
And probably the most non-objective, biased part about a program I honestly don't even know at this point how to describe (laughing at myself). Part of that question mark comes from the fact that I just didn't expect this OST to be used, in these cuts AND with such approach towards the story/theme. I fully expected a lyrical melancholy fest, possibly infused with some dramatics or OTT moments, and that the program will align with the feel of Wuthering Heights story sentiments. Yet my mind got blown away and that ending pose sits on the surface of my brain since Saturday.
From the first practice clip posted here I immediately thought about Hitchcock FD. Ten years back, a different era of skating. From that beginning sequence, I felt the same intense curiosity about the way Piper and Paul seems to treat the story and music as departure points to unleash something else from them - and they really surprised me this time. The Hitchcock FD sentiment that cane to my mind also sort of proves that P²'s identity/footprint was made so early on and got honed to the brilliance it is now. I feel that there's sort of juxtaposition in how fluidly program seems to be constructed with the unsettling feel it radiates as performance of it goes. That paleness, slight sheen of the costumes, fair simplicity of the palette, even Piper's light makeup are quite deceiving when contrasted with intensity of their expression, that 'edge' and 'menacing' look in their eyes (few GSers used menacing when describing this FD in competition thread and I want to give them credit!). Watching it for the first time I didn't even know what kind of climax this program could have, which is a feat itself in the era of predictability than suspense.
Apart from unexpected way the theme/music were treated in terms of storytelling and conveying character, I was surprised too about choreography. It's way more punctuated than expected by myself, yet it compliments music arrangement just exquisitely (BIG shoutout for the MUSIC EDITOR, my hat is off yet again!!!), with enough 'punch' to accentuate, but without unnecessary embellishment to lose the moment. I was laughing at myself when I realised that judge jumpscare moment marked beginning of choreographic step sequence (I really missed it watching first few times lol), but in a way this proves that I got so lost inside that 4 minutes that I forgot to pay attention to singular elements building this program. It makes me think that the way program, music and P² storytelling abilities clicked, it made me physically feel the emotional package the performance brings before/than feeling the weight of physicality put inside the program and deconstruct how the performance is packaged (which is nowadays the way I mostly watch Ice Dance).
I saw comments accentuating that this vehicle was made for Piper. While I agree her performance qualities/character embodiment just shine there, Paul and his expression in some parts are just impossible to look away from for me, e.g. judge jumpscare, his movement and face between twizzles and spin, ending sequence. Plus that ending comes way too quickly, leaving me wanting more. And thinking it was cut too short.
️
) Speed to me is nothing if movements are not fully completed or rushed. Not the case for Piper and Paul. I do feel, just from watching on the stream, that they have good flow and ice coverage. They glide so smoothly. The one part we can see them decelerate is before the spin... well that's normal
Exactly. I felt the same. I was like, 'Do this generation even remember when Bourne/ Kraatz skated that Riverdance FD?' 
