For me, I've never been a fan of the Zhangs. Altho' at 2006 Olympics, I was amazed at their comeback to skate near perfectly after that horrendous fall on an attempt at a difficult throw jump. With the disruption in that program (and despite their amazing skate afterward), they should not have been placed ahead of their teammates S/Z. I think the judges were as amazed at how Hao sucked it up and skated so well afterward. I think for the Zhangs, they were well-trained and courageous, but also had no choice, since Yao Bin (and their country) expected no less.
Z/Z look very good in their comeback. To me they are obviously inspired by/ copying the style of S/Z. I still don't feel genuine emotion or any connection between them, just practiced emotion and admirable skill. They skated extremely well and deserve to be in first. At this point, I feel since the judges love Z/Z so much, they are bound to win, no matter how well S/S perform in the free. S/S have never been judges' favorite -- it's just that S/S talent level and innovation simply can not be ignored. Judges will do what they can to keep things even, and give more benefit of doubt to V/T, Z/Z, P/T (are they still competing this season?) and name your pick of other Russian pairs over S/S. In order to stay number 1 and prevail in Sochi (if they stay eligible, which they seem focused to do), S/S will have to be superhuman and perform with such magic and precision that skate Gods would strike judges dead for not rewarding them. JMHO
I love Caydee, too, but... I miss Caitlyn.
I would have had Marley/Brubaker at least 3 points ahead of Denney/Coughlin in the SP, not the other way around as it turned out. Mary Beth and Rockne skate with more speed, better choreography, and more genuine joy. I felt they were much more the complete package and they should have had a much bigger edge over Caydee and John in the PCS scoring. It's clear the USFSA is shamelessly trying to promote D/C as the top American pair, and it mystifies me as to why. :think:
Hate her boots, or are they boot covers?
They have competed 50 times and medaled every time but four, that's love; or I should probably say skill on S/S part. 
This sport, and gymnastics, have become far too analytical. I can see on the protocols why the scoring happened the way it did, lower levels, etc., but for me some components of the PCS marks should be based more on feeling that cannot be quantified. I don't need a set of numbers to see that Mary Beth and Rockne skate with more speed, fluidity, and better choreography. That is quality, not quantity. Caydee and John, like Rachael Flatt, do not capture the essence of the music "East of Eden", IMO. I don't see anything ethereal, light, peaceful, or joyous about these 3 skaters, which is why I feel this piece of music does not work for them and their style of skating. I think their performance, choreography, and interpretation scores should be lower as a result. Mary Beth and Rockne sweep me away more than Caydee and John, who skate too laboriously for me.
