Strictly - week before Blackpool
Nov. 9th, 2014 04:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shallownessEarlier this week, I rewatched some of Artem and Natalie's dances (not the Ra-Ra-Rasputin Cha Cha) like the showdance to end all showdances. Good times.
I didn’t watch this live last night, which meant I couldn’t vote, but I could skip any VT nonsense I didn’t like. Hurrah. And I’m definitely going to be commenting on the dances in order.
It was a surprise to see Simon up first, until he did the quickstep, which I thought was his best dance yet or up there with the Charleston for selling it, and it probably had more technical challenges. I was a little surprised by the nines, and I don’t think Craig is right about him being a contender, not after two dance-offs, but Simon’s genuinely shocked responses are laying a challenge for Karen.
I loved the mood of Caroline and Pasha’s dance, although (I’m so impressed with myself) I missed the rise and fall of the waltz. Craig’s comments seemed to suggest it was the footwork that failed her on that. The dress didn’t work.
Jake’s rumba had good bits in it, but a lot of not quite there bits, and I think he’s definitely in danger because the other men are improving and he’s plateauing or being given dances that don’t quite suit him. As every dance is apparently hard for a male celeb, I’m not sure how much to believe in the judges’ claim that it’s haaaard, although the women tend to find it easier.
Oh, Judy. Someone who says ‘I know I’m rubbish, but I’m less rubbish than I was’ is hugely endearing. Also, Judy’s dress was flattering and the skirt was excellent. See how I’m not talking about the content. I think Len nearly crossed over the nasty judging line that must get people voting for these two, but then admitting he wanted her through to see Craig’s face was perfect. I was chortling at Anton’s claims of dancing in the air, except it’s likely what he’s got planned.
Sunetra looked delicious and was back in the ballroom. I didn’t notice the thing that went so very wrong, although I didn’t think that the wafty bit of fabric added anything except difficulty, and I did spot the gapping.
Alison’s son won the underlying visiting relatives contest.
With her Charleston, it was nice to see a dance that should suit someone suit someone. It wasn’t as good as the over-excited audience made out – I’m with Craig – the cartwheel trick was a bit squiffy.
Mark managed more rise and fall than Caroline in the waltz. I agreed with Darcey that he’s certainly expressive now.
I’m with Len, I enjoyed the samba – I thought it would look more under-rehearsed, although I didn’t make much of the bit going up to the bit in front of the orchestra in the middle of the routine or Kevin’s top. Zoe, who had seemed much more relaxed about filling in for Claudia throughout, handled Frankie’s tearful frustration well (much better than cloth-eared, be nice, everyone! Tess).
Very much a night for Pixie to take for her own, then. And she did. Lovely dancing with star quality – as for the routine, for me, it felt slightly like two different dances, one a foxtrot and one a musical comedy number, rather than one whole. But these two are such a good partnership. I was expecting all nines, so Darcey’s 10 will offset Len’s 8 in my head. (Why is Trent ashamed of his age?)
I wondered why Steve was last, but then there was accidental (?) groping, so apart from it being a very fierce (where was the shaping?) paso, I suppose they wanted to be as close to the watershed as possible. Thankfully, it was much better than the Charleston mess last week.
Having looked again at the scoreboard and the marks, it’s going to come down to a popularity contest, isn’t it?
I didn’t watch this live last night, which meant I couldn’t vote, but I could skip any VT nonsense I didn’t like. Hurrah. And I’m definitely going to be commenting on the dances in order.
It was a surprise to see Simon up first, until he did the quickstep, which I thought was his best dance yet or up there with the Charleston for selling it, and it probably had more technical challenges. I was a little surprised by the nines, and I don’t think Craig is right about him being a contender, not after two dance-offs, but Simon’s genuinely shocked responses are laying a challenge for Karen.
I loved the mood of Caroline and Pasha’s dance, although (I’m so impressed with myself) I missed the rise and fall of the waltz. Craig’s comments seemed to suggest it was the footwork that failed her on that. The dress didn’t work.
Jake’s rumba had good bits in it, but a lot of not quite there bits, and I think he’s definitely in danger because the other men are improving and he’s plateauing or being given dances that don’t quite suit him. As every dance is apparently hard for a male celeb, I’m not sure how much to believe in the judges’ claim that it’s haaaard, although the women tend to find it easier.
Oh, Judy. Someone who says ‘I know I’m rubbish, but I’m less rubbish than I was’ is hugely endearing. Also, Judy’s dress was flattering and the skirt was excellent. See how I’m not talking about the content. I think Len nearly crossed over the nasty judging line that must get people voting for these two, but then admitting he wanted her through to see Craig’s face was perfect. I was chortling at Anton’s claims of dancing in the air, except it’s likely what he’s got planned.
Sunetra looked delicious and was back in the ballroom. I didn’t notice the thing that went so very wrong, although I didn’t think that the wafty bit of fabric added anything except difficulty, and I did spot the gapping.
Alison’s son won the underlying visiting relatives contest.
With her Charleston, it was nice to see a dance that should suit someone suit someone. It wasn’t as good as the over-excited audience made out – I’m with Craig – the cartwheel trick was a bit squiffy.
Mark managed more rise and fall than Caroline in the waltz. I agreed with Darcey that he’s certainly expressive now.
I’m with Len, I enjoyed the samba – I thought it would look more under-rehearsed, although I didn’t make much of the bit going up to the bit in front of the orchestra in the middle of the routine or Kevin’s top. Zoe, who had seemed much more relaxed about filling in for Claudia throughout, handled Frankie’s tearful frustration well (much better than cloth-eared, be nice, everyone! Tess).
Very much a night for Pixie to take for her own, then. And she did. Lovely dancing with star quality – as for the routine, for me, it felt slightly like two different dances, one a foxtrot and one a musical comedy number, rather than one whole. But these two are such a good partnership. I was expecting all nines, so Darcey’s 10 will offset Len’s 8 in my head. (Why is Trent ashamed of his age?)
I wondered why Steve was last, but then there was accidental (?) groping, so apart from it being a very fierce (where was the shaping?) paso, I suppose they wanted to be as close to the watershed as possible. Thankfully, it was much better than the Charleston mess last week.
Having looked again at the scoreboard and the marks, it’s going to come down to a popularity contest, isn’t it?
