Strictly Talking: Week 11 – Dancing Occasions
Posted on December 6, 2021
Thank the Strictly gods for that! Sure, our lengthy nationwide nightmare is over – Dan Walker has lastly exited the ballroom. It was the primary correctly riveting dance-off since… effectively, just about ever, with Dan a degree up however AJ in a position to redeem herself with that remaining elevate. Even then, the judges have made some insane calls this collection (Shirley giving that tango a 9??), so I couldn’t fairly imagine it till they really saved AJ.
It actually would have been a travesty in any other case. AJ and Kai have constantly pushed themselves on the present, taking thrilling inventive dangers. To punish them for that, and to see Dan amble by but once more for doing the naked minimal, would have been enraging. To not point out persevering with an unlucky sample on the present of over-rewarding the white males over everybody else.
Nevertheless, after a very good dose of the judges killing-with-kindness, and even Anton seeing sense (twist!), the Dan followers lastly deserted their trolling venture. Which means we’re now left with roughly the right remaining 4, and will but see the three strongest reaching the final stage. Subsequent week’s two-dance check ought to hopefully end in among the best finals in years. Onwards!
Different hits and misses:
- An odd dance pile-up, with two salsas and two tangos in 5 dances, plus John’s Couple’s Alternative will come simply forward of a equally freestyle showdance. Poor planning, guys. MISS
- Extra irritating tune picks. That Phil Collins wished to be a rumba, Gotan Mission wished to be Argentine (and was wasted on Dan), and disco IS NOT SALSA. MISS
- Associated: Anton’s assertion that he’d by no means seen disco Latin on Strictly earlier than? Reader, I screamed. MISS
- To occasion or to not occasion: that’s our Christmas coronavirus dilemma as soon as once more. The professionals got here down on the facet of partying, however solely whereas carrying preventative lengthy gloves and dreaming of happier instances. HIT
- The second professional quantity was set to a Janet Jackson medley. Huh and why? Nobody is aware of. MISS
- Ts and Cs rando: Professor Brian Cox, including to our stack of proof that studying out an autocue on an leisure programme is an underrated ability. MISS
- JLS… are apparently nonetheless a factor. Neil and Dianne gave us some red-headed bopping. Shifting swiftly on. MISS
Finest in Present
- Finest efficiency: Rose’s American clean Whole pleasure.
- Finest costume: AJ’s gold fringe Runner-up: John and Johannes’s sparkly shirts.
- Finest transfer: Rose’s diving elevate One other wow second.
- Finest line: Craig’s “I adore it when it goes mistaken.” At the least somebody had a very good evening.
Saturday
Tess’s gown: impressed or depressed?
Tortured foil mini gown. Claud in wet-look ketchup.
John and Johannes – Emergency touchdown
“There’s no room for error!” mentioned John in his VT, after outlining his hopes of nabbing that elusive Craig 10. Was that sufficient to jinx it? Or was some disco-salsa-hating individual on the market with a voodoo doll? (It wasn’t me, I promise.) Anyway, the majority of this routine was a delight, with John including a newly liberated efficiency to his nice hip motion and pristine timing. Their sync work continues to be insanely good, even when Johannes provides the odd flourish that upstages him. What a disgrace, then, that it turned all about The Raise, which, following a fumbled entry, noticed John holding his associate like an ungainly pile of kindling after which dumping him on the hearth. At the least Johannes styled it out. OF COURSE.
Music: “We Are Household”, Sister Sledge
Judges’ feedback: Shirley praised the tips and leisure. Anton cherished the novel disco type (…) and thought John conquered his inhibitions. Craig favored the hip motion however wished extra dynamics. Motsi mentioned it was effectively rehearsed and you need to take dangers.
Judges’ scores: 7, 8, 8, 9 – 32
Rhys and Nancy – Elevate me up
No wobbly lamppost, although we did get its cousin: the very purple visitors gentle, including to a quantity that solely about 50 per cent seen. This was most likely my favorite of their dances since their manic vitality was reined in by the type – or simply about. Nonetheless moments the place Rhys rushed and misplaced his steadiness, and his toes have been too flat and wild. Nevertheless, thrilling lifts during which Nancy actually inherited the Janette mantle of “No actually, you’ll be able to juggle me like a set of golf equipment whereas my insane core does all of the work”, plus that strangle spin (don’t strive it at house, children) and a few nice ganchos and sharp musical accents from Rhys. Extra concerning the tips than the emotional connection, and undoubtedly didn’t want the ground spin, however a powerful efficiency general.
Music: “Within the Air Tonight”, Phil Collins
Judges’ feedback: Anton cherished the depth. Craig loved the drama and ganchos, however the grapevines acquired out of sync. Motsi favored the stillness of Rhys’s higher physique. Shirley mentioned he’d discovered from being within the backside and praised the lifts.
Judges’ scores: 9, 10, 10, 10 – 39
Rose and Giovanni – Leap of religion
That this American Clean employed a gazebo and the sentiments bench and a jazz customary and Love Truly and a fluffy white frock and STILL managed to be superb somewhat than sick-inducing was frankly a Christmas miracle. It’s watching this pretty pair in ballroom that simply overrides every thing: they really transfer and categorical as one, just like the platonic very best of the dance type. Lovely body and footwork from Rose – although, sure, lacking some heel leads – nice ground protection and musicality, and I cherished the giddy dance breaks that actually confirmed her character. Plus that dive! Braver than getting into a department of Waitrose on December 24, however gasp-inducing because it was, it additionally stayed in line with the stylish, clean quantity. Simply pure sunshine. I’ll fortunately rewatch it on each gloomy winter night.
Music: “This Will Be (An Eternal Love)”, Natalie Cole
Judges’ feedback: Craig was wowed by the elevate and the storytelling, simply famous the pivots weren’t on a heel. Motsi cherished the adjustments of temper. Shirley, which means effectively, mentioned she’d carried out effectively to dam out the noise round Rhys’ routine… Anton adored the strains and musicality.
Judges’ scores: 9, 10, 10, 10 – 39
Dan and Nadiya – Time to tan-go
Yeah. Perhaps not one of the best concept to spend your VT explaining how not remaining flat actually impacts the circulation of the tango… after which spend the entire efficiency arising and down like a rabbit on a trampoline. Ditto calling consideration to Dan’s proper hand, which did certainly resemble fish fingers. Anyway, because the judges mentioned, it began OK: Dan appearing as a solemn pinstriped pole for Nadiya to seize onto whereas growing smouldering chemistry with a close-by desk. That mentioned, the precise ballroom part confirmed he’d trailed far behind the others in technical phrases – too upright, distracting rise and fall, lacked cleanly outlined staccato, and really troubled posture, notably going into promenade. Not actively horrendous, simply not adequate for this stage of the competitors.
Music: “Santa Maria”, Gotan Mission
Judges’ feedback: Motsi mentioned he misplaced management within the second half – too hasty and leaning too far ahead. Shirley famous a sensual really feel (?!) and he stayed centered. Anton cherished the opening however his body went, rise and fall, and his hand opened. Craig mentioned it was affected by steadiness points, which made him really feel uncomfortable.
Judges’ scores: 7, 8, 9, 7 – 31
AJ and Kai – The ending is gonna get you
What’s it about remaining salsa lifts? The curse descended as soon as once more on poor AJ and Kai, who nonetheless, crazily, have but to hit that good rating (and jinxed themselves by bringing it up beforehand – principally that is all of the producers’ fault for crafting gremlin-ridden VTs). Now, I’m undecided they’d have gotten there anyway with this highly effective but messy salsa, a lot as I cherished AJ in her glittering gold fringe giving it angle, plus that fabulous solo entrance and the massive cartwheel elevate. Craig is correct that the dismounts weren’t nice and she or he saved selecting her toes up somewhat than working into the ground. However oh, that finish elevate. It actually did go on without end, with AJ wanting like she was caught on a barbed-wire fence in between two circles of Hell.
Music: “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You/Get On Your Ft”, Gloria Estefan
Judges’ feedback: Shirley cherished the sass and braveness – a disgrace it went mistaken. Anton mentioned the remaining was terrific however yelped for hours concerning the finish elevate (we’ve suffered a lot worse from you, love). Craig famous the transitions have been ropy and too flat-footed, however completely watchable. Motsi known as AJ a queen, however the ending killed her.
Judges’ scores: 7, 8, 8, 7 – 30
Leaderboard
Rose and Giovanni – 39
Rhys and Nancy – 39
John and Johannes – 32
Dan and Nadiya – 31
AJ and Kai – 30
One other week, one other swap: Rhys and Rose are up, John and AJ are down.
Sunday
Tess’s gown: impressed or depressed?
Bizarrely chopped black tube with bedazzled stripes. Claud in a fab-u-lous glitterball-esque prime.
Dance-off
AJ and Kai versus… Dan and Nadiya, lastly!! This was genuinely tense: sure, AJ had the simpler job of an apparent error to right, however she needed to repeat an extremely complicated and high-risk dance and overcome the trauma of that first dance disahhhster, whereas Dan simply needed to potter by a reasonably fundamental tango.
So, HURRAH! I really yelped when AJ and Kai nailed it second time spherical, securing a much-deserved place within the semi-final – and concurrently ridding us of Dan earlier than his ego acquired any larger and he challenged Craig to a dance-fight, West Aspect Story type. Medal for AJ, please.
In all seriousness, I do perceive the enchantment of the underdog and the J phrase – I simply don’t assume Dan was a very constructive instance of both, or that he ought to have lasted this lengthy. Nevertheless, I cherished attending to know Nadiya higher this 12 months. She was humorous, sort, inventive and a beautiful performer and associate, and she or he’s undoubtedly earned a hunky younger ringer in 2022.
What did you make of the quarter-final? Did you agree with the judges? Did the suitable pair go house? Get in contact on Twitter to share your ideas: @mkmswain
See you once more quickly for the semi-final. Within the meantime… preserve dancing!
{Photograph}: Man Levy courtesy of the BBC.
