Just finished watching the ladies on TV. A few initial comments:
Missed Mai Asada, unfortunately, and Hughes.
Sasha looked better than I expected, actually, for this early in the season, where, by all accounts, she is not planning to seriously compete for some time. She was still the only lady there who had the presence that reached to the rafters.
Watching Mao Asada was definitely interesting. She has undoubtedly grown a lot since I last saw her. No longer the little pixie (in size) she once was, I thought she looked clearly as if she is still adjusting to her newfound height. Not surprising at all, but it is effecting her performance, not only of the jumps (which I think actually look like she will be on top of in no time), but also the artistic component. She looked a little like she was saying to herself occasionally, oh right, my legs are twice as long now. I don't know if it was just because it is so early in the season, but there was absolutley zero connection to her music happening so far. Very mechanical presentation.
The one I was most impressed with is Kimmie Meissner. I thought it was almost too bad that she won the world title last year, as she had not had time to develop artistically at all before the meteoric success. But I thought her program and movement this year is a huge step up in that direction. She doesn't quite have the confident presentation of it down yet, though I think part of that is that it's so early in the season, but great potential there for a breakthrough artistic year. The music and choreography is really great in her new program and delivers a much more polished, sophisticated style than her rather empty previous efforts. With a little more work in front of an audience, she can really sell this. I've seen her look off the ice, and I think a haircut so she doesn't always have to wear those really grandma (on her) looking buns would be a plus, but I know what it's like to be attached to your hair so.....