- Joined
- Mar 5, 2014
To those who find my "same old, same old" comment dismissive or lack of respect, you have every right to think so, but I don't agree. Do I not respect Mao or Gracie? I don't think so. But was I disappointed by their performances in THE ICE on Sunday? Yes. And I echo chapis's opinion of "expectation" - After the Worlds this is the 5th time I watched Mao's EX live, I was really expecting something new and special, especially being the de facto curator of THE ICE, and she won't compete in the new season. However, at least TO ME, I didn't find anything amazingly special, not necessarily new and "wow", and I really expected to see something more technical. So like I said in my previous post, I hate to say so but I couldn't remember any details. The performance didn't meet MY expectation, so I was not really impressed by THIS ONE. It is totally fine if someone disagrees with my opinion, and I am also glad that someone enjoy the program much better than me.
Similar to my comment to Gracie. I think she has great potential, and since this is the first time I watched her EX live (I watched her competition before, though) I also had certain expectation. But she didn't do well at all technically on Sunday, and didn't really connect to the audience (at least TO ME), so I was disappointed as well. I kind of doubted if she is prepared entering the new season. So again, it is about my expectation.
And to answer gotoschool's question “Were her performances in the LP at Sochi and the World Championships 2014 also the "same old, same old," since these are older performances? ” No, her Sochi LP was legendary and her Worlds SP was extraordinary (I was one of the standing ovation audience in Saitama). But I don't think this has anything to do with how I view her performance on Sunday. Or if it has anything to do, it only set my expectation higher. It seems TO ME, being one of the best single skaters in the world, if not the best, Mao's EX programs don't always match the same level of her competition programs. I am not saying she needs to do a 3A or level 4 steps, but the impressiveness (to me) of her EX programs is not always the top level, and that's where the disappointment came from.
If I may compare, although someone might disagree with this comparison, being one of the best single skaters in the world, if not the best, and not competing in the new season either, Patrick's Tango at the same day was one of the greatest EX I've seen this year, totally exceeding my expectation even towards a 3 times world champion. Not to mention how Adelina's Swan Lake and Je Suis Malade totally changed my negative thoughts about her. So I would really wish Mao's EX could be more special and memorable. If someone finds it dismissive, well then, I guess everyone can have his or her opinion which the others don't have to agree with.
Thank you for the in-depth explanation and context you provided. Now, I fully understand your reasoning, and to some extent I agree. Given Mao's recent stellar performances in the Sochi LP, at Worlds and her stunning and surreal Ballade performance in Astana, I would (like you) have liked a little more technical content in "Let It Shine:" more jumps and her trademark Biellmann. But once I looked at it as an inspirational dance performance, I was really impressed. No hard feelings I hope. If she decides to continue competitively, I hope to see Ballade as her SP.