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… nicely, just about ever, with Dan a degree up however AJ capable of redeem herself with that closing carry. Even then, the judges have made some insane calls this collection (Shirley giving that tango a 9??), so I couldn’t fairly consider it till they really saved AJ.
It really would have been a travesty in any other case. AJ and Kai have persistently pushed themselves on the present, taking thrilling inventive dangers. To punish them for that, and to see Dan amble via 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.
Nonetheless, after a great dose of the judges killing-with-kindness, and even Anton seeing sense (twist!), the Dan followers lastly deserted their trolling mission. Which means we’re now left with roughly the proper closing 4, and will but see the three strongest reaching the final stage. Subsequent week’s two-dance check ought to hopefully lead to probably the greatest 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 Selection will come simply forward of a equally freestyle showdance. Poor planning, guys. MISS
- Extra irritating track picks. That Phil Collins wished to be a rumba, Gotan Undertaking 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 get together or to not get together: that’s our Christmas coronavirus dilemma as soon as once more. The professionals got here down on the facet of partying, however solely whereas sporting preventative lengthy gloves and dreaming of happier occasions. 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 easy Whole pleasure.
- Finest costume: AJ’s gold fringe Runner-up: John and Johannes’s sparkly shirts.
- Finest transfer: Rose’s diving carry One other wow second.
- Finest line: Craig’s “I find it irresistible when it goes improper.” Not less than somebody had a great 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 particular person 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 grew to become all about The Raise, which, following a fumbled entry, noticed John holding his associate like a clumsy pile of kindling after which dumping him on the hearth. Not less than Johannes styled it out. OF COURSE.
Tune: “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 nicely rehearsed and it is best 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 mild, including to a quantity that solely about 50 per cent seen. This was in all probability my favorite of their dances since their manic power was reined in by the type – or simply about. Nonetheless moments the place Rhys rushed and misplaced his stability, and his ft have been too flat and wild. Nonetheless, thrilling lifts through which Nancy really 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 dwelling, children) and a few nice ganchos and sharp musical accents from Rhys. Extra in regards to the tips than the emotional connection, and undoubtedly didn’t want the ground spin, however a robust efficiency general.
Tune: “Within the Air Tonight”, Phil Collins
Judges’ feedback: Anton cherished the depth. Craig loved the drama and ganchos, however the grapevines obtained out of sync. Motsi favored the stillness of Rhys’s higher physique. Shirley mentioned he’d realized 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 normal and Love Really and a fluffy white frock and STILL managed to be superb fairly than sick-inducing was frankly a Christmas miracle. It’s watching this beautiful pair in ballroom that simply overrides every thing: they really transfer and specific as one, just like the platonic perfect of the dance kind. Stunning body and footwork from Rose – although, sure, lacking some heel leads – nice flooring protection and musicality, and I cherished the giddy dance breaks that basically confirmed her persona. Plus that dive! Braver than coming into a department of Waitrose on December 24, however gasp-inducing because it was, it additionally stayed consistent with the fashionable, easy quantity. Simply pure sunshine. I’ll fortunately rewatch it on each gloomy winter night.
Tune: “This Will Be (An Eternal Love)”, Natalie Cole
Judges’ feedback: Craig was wowed by the carry and the storytelling, simply famous the pivots weren’t on a heel. Motsi cherished the modifications of temper. Shirley, that means nicely, mentioned she’d finished nicely to dam out the noise round Rhys’ routine… Anton adored the traces and musicality.
Judges’ scores: 9, 10, 10, 10 – 39
Dan and Nadiya – Time to tan-go
Yeah. Possibly not the very best thought to spend your VT explaining how not remaining flat actually impacts the move 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 performing as a solemn pinstriped pole for Nadiya to seize onto whereas creating 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, significantly going into promenade. Not actively horrendous, simply not ok for this stage of the competitors.
Tune: “Santa Maria”, Gotan Undertaking
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 suffering from stability 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 closing salsa lifts? The curse descended as soon as once more on poor AJ and Kai, who nonetheless, crazily, have but to hit that excellent rating (and jinxed themselves by bringing it up beforehand – mainly that is all of the producers’ fault for crafting gremlin-ridden VTs). Now, I’m unsure they might 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 carry. Craig is true that the dismounts weren’t nice and she or he stored selecting her ft up fairly than working into the ground. However oh, that finish carry. It actually did go on without end, with AJ trying like she was caught on a barbed-wire fence in between two circles of Hell.
Tune: “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You/Get On Your Toes”, Gloria Estefan
Judges’ feedback: Shirley cherished the sass and braveness – a disgrace it went improper. Anton mentioned the remaining was terrific however yelped for hours in regards to the finish carry (we’ve suffered a lot worse from you, love). Craig famous the transitions have been ropy and too flat-footed, however completely watchable. Motsi referred to 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 high.
Dance-off
AJ and Kai versus… Dan and Nadiya, lastly!! This was genuinely tense: sure, AJ had the better job of an apparent error to appropriate, however she needed to repeat an extremely advanced and high-risk dance and overcome the trauma of that first dance disahhhster, whereas Dan simply needed to potter via a fairly 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 obtained 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 really optimistic instance of both, or that he ought to have lasted this lengthy. Nonetheless, I cherished attending to know Nadiya higher this yr. She was humorous, variety, 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 proper pair go dwelling? Get in contact on Twitter to share your ideas: @mkmswain
See you once more quickly for the semi-final. Within the meantime… maintain dancing!
{Photograph}: Man Levy courtesy of the BBC.
