Saturday Service: Week 11
Can you believe it's semi-final time? The best thing about this year's Strictly is that it is still anyone's game. The bookies keep changing their mind on who the favourite is. Any of the semi-finalists could do it. It's the closest Strictly in years, and I'm so excited about it.
Pamela & James kicked off last night with an excellent paso. It had intent and drive throughout. I loved the armography on both the sections when Pamela was seated. Pamela always sells the dance, and she presents everything so beautifully. I love Pamela & James' chemistry. I only spotted one 'wobble moment' toward the end of the routine. My only criticism would be that she tends to raise on shoulders up and down on running steps, which looks a little bit music hall. That's being picky, but this is the semi-final.
Kara & Atrem's Viennese waltz was just perfect. What is it about Viennese waltzes? They have so few steps, yet when they're done well, they score very highly. Kara is gorgeous in hold and gorgeous out of it. She makes everything look effortless, and is technically the best dancer in the competition. I've found Artem's choreography a bit hit-and-miss, but this was a total hit. I loved it. It had great musicality and beautiful lines. Their fleckerl was flawless. I loved the embrace section travelling backwards. Personally, I think Kara's foot lifting off the floor was incidental, and it was not intended to be a lift, but I do understand Craig's point of view. However, this series is has felt like the judges quote the rules when they feel like it.
Gavin has the biggest struggle because he is clearly not as strong as the other four. That said, I think of all of them he is the most improved. He went from shy and wooden to a relaxed performer. The samba is not a nice dance to be lumbered with in the semi-final. Katya's clever choreography meant that Gavin's feet didn't move around too much, and he did little other than stand and show her off. There was not much hip action, which was most noticeable on the samba walks. He was off time at the start of the chorus. Timing is one of the issues he has not been able to overcome. It was a good effort by Gavin, but I'm not sure it should win him a place in the final.
I loved the opening of Scott & Natalie's Argentine tango, with Scott dancing alone. It was a fantastic start. Scott is a great performer and he keeps in character throughout the dance. I had to agree with Craig's comments that he didn't lead Natalie enough. Argentine tango is all about the man being in control. The woman must always follow. It didn't appear that Scott was in control of Natalie. However, in a choreographed dance, it is harder for Scott to make sure his partner is not anticipating the steps. In a free dance the man can test his partner and regain control in a way that isn't possible when the routine is choreographed. Scott will have a lot to prove tonight.
Despite the universal panning by the judges, I really enjoyed Matt & Aliona's salsa. Matt looked relaxed and like he was having fun. I liked the chemistry between them. Choreographically it wasn't as exciting as some of the other salsas we've seen, but that's not Matt's fault. I think he performed the routine well. I get a little flutter when Matt lets out his sexy side, and there was plenty of that in the routine. It was one of my favourite Matt routines. I must be on a different planet than everyone else!
The much-hyped Swingathon was good fun, but was never going to live up to the hype. It reminded of the Viennese waltzes they always used to do. "It's going to be carnage!" they always proclaim and it never is. It's hard to judge those dances at home, because we can't see what the judges see, only what the camera shows us. Based on what I could see, I think it was marked in the order I would have chosen. Although the only thing I care about is how pretty the girls all looked in their Vivien of Holloway dresses. I love my Vivian dress sooooo much!
Can't wait for tonight's action!
Here are the videos...
Pamela & James
Kara & Artem
Gavin & Katya
Scott & Natalie
Matt & Aliona
Swingathon
Pamela & James kicked off last night with an excellent paso. It had intent and drive throughout. I loved the armography on both the sections when Pamela was seated. Pamela always sells the dance, and she presents everything so beautifully. I love Pamela & James' chemistry. I only spotted one 'wobble moment' toward the end of the routine. My only criticism would be that she tends to raise on shoulders up and down on running steps, which looks a little bit music hall. That's being picky, but this is the semi-final.
Kara & Atrem's Viennese waltz was just perfect. What is it about Viennese waltzes? They have so few steps, yet when they're done well, they score very highly. Kara is gorgeous in hold and gorgeous out of it. She makes everything look effortless, and is technically the best dancer in the competition. I've found Artem's choreography a bit hit-and-miss, but this was a total hit. I loved it. It had great musicality and beautiful lines. Their fleckerl was flawless. I loved the embrace section travelling backwards. Personally, I think Kara's foot lifting off the floor was incidental, and it was not intended to be a lift, but I do understand Craig's point of view. However, this series is has felt like the judges quote the rules when they feel like it.
Gavin has the biggest struggle because he is clearly not as strong as the other four. That said, I think of all of them he is the most improved. He went from shy and wooden to a relaxed performer. The samba is not a nice dance to be lumbered with in the semi-final. Katya's clever choreography meant that Gavin's feet didn't move around too much, and he did little other than stand and show her off. There was not much hip action, which was most noticeable on the samba walks. He was off time at the start of the chorus. Timing is one of the issues he has not been able to overcome. It was a good effort by Gavin, but I'm not sure it should win him a place in the final.
I loved the opening of Scott & Natalie's Argentine tango, with Scott dancing alone. It was a fantastic start. Scott is a great performer and he keeps in character throughout the dance. I had to agree with Craig's comments that he didn't lead Natalie enough. Argentine tango is all about the man being in control. The woman must always follow. It didn't appear that Scott was in control of Natalie. However, in a choreographed dance, it is harder for Scott to make sure his partner is not anticipating the steps. In a free dance the man can test his partner and regain control in a way that isn't possible when the routine is choreographed. Scott will have a lot to prove tonight.
Despite the universal panning by the judges, I really enjoyed Matt & Aliona's salsa. Matt looked relaxed and like he was having fun. I liked the chemistry between them. Choreographically it wasn't as exciting as some of the other salsas we've seen, but that's not Matt's fault. I think he performed the routine well. I get a little flutter when Matt lets out his sexy side, and there was plenty of that in the routine. It was one of my favourite Matt routines. I must be on a different planet than everyone else!
The much-hyped Swingathon was good fun, but was never going to live up to the hype. It reminded of the Viennese waltzes they always used to do. "It's going to be carnage!" they always proclaim and it never is. It's hard to judge those dances at home, because we can't see what the judges see, only what the camera shows us. Based on what I could see, I think it was marked in the order I would have chosen. Although the only thing I care about is how pretty the girls all looked in their Vivien of Holloway dresses. I love my Vivian dress sooooo much!
Can't wait for tonight's action!
Here are the videos...
Pamela & James
Kara & Artem
Gavin & Katya
Scott & Natalie
Matt & Aliona
Swingathon
posted by Loulabelle44 @ 4:44 pm
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