So I just re-watched the performance and went down the youtube hole of watching the other related videos. I remember watching the performance and thought how bizarre the spectacle was after Evgenia came in 2nd. Watching Evgenia distraught and compose herself at the same time Alina looking like she wanted to burst with joy but just channeled all of her emotion into that Sambo 70 doll.
For whatever reason, I started to watch all the youtube videos like the documentary, and the gala fan videos, and the most recent Japanese interview. I honestly have never felt so bad for some one who just won Olympic Gold and should be on top of the world.
Her coaches: It seems like they were grooming Evgenia to be the bride and Alina the bridesmaid. Somehow within the last few months, with Evgenia's injury and Alina's victory at the European championships, their plans went awry. Even then I have feeling the coaches assumed that Alina would slip up the biggest stage in the world or Evgenia's best would be better than Alina's best. Judging on how they reacted to Alina's high scores, it almost seemed like they were worried that they created a monster. The women coach had a look of disbelief. The old guy looked perpetually angry. At least the younger guy mustered a smile. Their body language after Evgenia got 2nd, was like they suffered a brutal defeat, like all 3 of the coaches just moped. Your 2 skaters were within a hair of each other for gold and silver! As adults they should have been prepared for either outcome to celebrate with the gold medalist and comfort the silver medalist. Personally, I'm sure they preferred Evgenia's skating but your Alina rose to the occasion and and surpassed your expectations
Alina :
1. Her reaction on the ice pure joy - the fist pump at the end. But once she stepped off the ice, she was looking at her coaches for a cue to celebrate or at the very least enjoy the moment regardless of the outcome. Instead all I saw was indifference and the slow realization that Evgenia might not win this without her lifetime best performance, like watch the replay, their facial expressions is "Oh! No!". Watching Alina shake that Sambo 70 doll, like she was channeling every high and low emotion she ever had into that doll. Someone tell that girl that even if Evgenia is your good friend, it's okay to jump for joy and celebrate like a fool.
2. It's is amazing how different she looks without the makeup and uniform and next to normal size people. You can tell she's a fifteen year old kid. Slightly chubby cheeks, scrawny, teen angst of finding friends and burden of realizing the financial sacrifice her parents are making. Living with grandma for a teen can't be great no matter how great grandma is. Childhood friends gone, normal highschool friends non existent since skating is all she does, parents far away.
3. Even at the gala, it didn't seem like anyone wanted to include her in their selfies, especially the other Russians.
In the USA, she would be probably at the Oscars today.