Week 9, yes you read that right, week 9 already!
The weekends dose of Strictly action was full of yet more wonderful dances,
Brucie jokes and some fairly odd music choices, but none of those are anything
new. Who needs new anyway, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it as they say.
Although we really would like the producers or whoever it is that decides on
giving the most infuriatingly ridiculous song choices to couples dancing a Paso
or a Tango, to fix it. Thanks. Now… let’s take to the floor.
Susanna & Kevin
Cha Cha
Cha to ‘Hound Dog’ by Smokey Joe’s Café
Susanna had the Cha Cha this week and it was ‘the
one’ she was dreading and unfortunately it showed. For a Cha Cha Cha this was
all a bit static. The hips need to flow and she didn’t have that, and her legs
need to be straighter and much more sharper. Her timing however was faultless
and hers and Kevin’s sparkling personalities shone throughout. For Craig, it
did not “pop” or “zing”! And advised that Susanna needs to almost hyper-extend
her body. He completed his commentary by saying that the whole dance was a bit
mumsie!It was fun and she gave it her all, but not
her best.
Scored | 31 |
Our Score | 8 |
Ashley & Ola
Waltz to ‘I
Will Always Love You’ by Claudia Streza
We have a slightly soft spot for
the showbiz terminator, possibly down to the fact we’ve always loved ourselves
a bit of Darren Osbourne but also because he work ethic and commitment is
beyond admirable. There was a lovely feel to this dance, he told a beautiful story whilst
remaining light on his feet and displaying the required ‘rise and fall’. Ashleys frame was again much much better and we didn't
notice the problem with his head which many of the judges commented on. The
judges weren’t as complimentary as they perhaps should have been, we understand we're getting towards the
business end of things but still its nice for the professionals to have their
hard work appreciated. Regardless it was still a great suave and stylish score.
Scored | 35 |
Our Score | 9 |
Natalie & Artem
Tango to ‘Where
Have You Been’ by Rihanna
Every week we look forward to this couple and
every week we’re wowed, it was very nearly same again. As a routine it didn’t
grab us as we expected and failed to pull us in, after trying to figure out
exactly why the only explanation we could muster was the song choice, it didn’t
encourage any passion, even Craig commented that the whole thing “lacked drama”
which caused absolute uproar from Bruno, who said Craig was talking rubbish!
However there’s no denying it was still fantastic, the
dancing was clean and crisp, full of sharp movements and staccato, technically
brilliant once again.
Scored | 37 |
Our Score | 9 |
Mark & Iveta
Foxtrot to
‘It’s A Beautiful Day’ by Michael Buble
It was evident that Mark had worked on his
technique and it showed with his top line. He did move around the floor but it
was missing the characteristics that make up the Foxtrot – swing and sway. Darcey
said that Mark’s performance had made her smile as it was “very charming” and
he had made some good shapes. She continued to say that it did require “more
flow”. Easily one of his classiest performances, it contained some fun elements
but more weight was given to technique with his lines and improved hold.
Scored | 28 |
Our Score | 7 |
Sophie & Brendan
Rumba to ‘Will
You Still Love Me Tomorrow’ by Amy Winehouse
He’s done it again! Brendan and his breathtaking
choreography has us glued to our screens. It was so
beautiful, with a gracefully understated sensuality to it. Slow, full of
passion and the most glorious lines, you could feel the intensity. We felt
Sophie definitely told a compelling and convincing love story, and the routine
offered romance rather than raunchiness. It’s as if the judges were watching
something entirely different, they completely missed the boat on this one, not
everything has to be over sexualised all the time. We’re very glad Brendan
spoke up against the judges and their critique on this one. Forget them and
their under-marking (for once) paddles, we LOVED it.
Scored | 34 |
Our Score | 9 |
Ben & Kristina
Charleston
to ‘No Diggity’ by Minimatic
Imagine if Ben had been given this dance on week
2, now appreciate just how far Kristina has helped him come both in confidence
on the floor and in his technical ability. The perfect dance for Big Ben to
show-off his muscles with the strongman theme. Ben treated the ladies to a fun,
cheeky Charleston, which showcased his ‘strength’ perfectly as once again, he ‘bench-pressed’
Kristina high above his head. Ben can be praised for coping with a routine
which contained a vast amount of content, and it was nice to see him fully in
character and exhibiting some classic Charleston steps, which according to Len
were “right on time!” We’re very sad to see this duo leave.
Scored | 27 |
Our Score | 7 |
Abbey & Aljaz
Paso Doble
to ’You Got the Love’ by Florence and The Machine
There’s just something about Abbey & Aljaz
that keeps us glued to the screen every weekend. The music, again, didn’t help
in the slightest! However, she executed the Paso beautifully; a fabulous
routine which was fully loaded with content, ending with “a kiss instead of a
kill” according to Bruno, making the routine slightly seductive. Abbey created
beautiful shapes especially with her arms but she just lacked control at times
and needed to have a little more tension in places. It was full of attitude but
lacked a bit of attack. Great choreography from Aljaz and it was a difficult
routine. Abbey as ever was stunning and did a very good job overall.
Scored | 32 |
Our Score | 8 |
Patrick & Anya
Viennese
Waltz to ‘A New Day Has Come’ by Celine Dion
Great hold, great movement, simply
beautiful...until the weird ending. Having been swept along with the gorgeous
vibe of this waltz, it then became frantic and lost the feel in the last few
seconds. The routine was
enchanting, Patrick danced gracefully and throughout the whole performance he
portrayed his love for his partner in a compelling tale. Patrick is a
convincing story-teller who can be commended for the constant rotation
performed throughout this dance. Craig caused his final stir of the evening by
stating that Patrick had completed an “illegal lift” as Anya’s foot had come
off the floor. Anya looked totally perplexed and the other professional dancers
were calling over the balcony that that was simply untrue. We watched it back (the
joys of rewind!) and one foot remained on the ground the whole time!
Scored | 32 |
Our Score | 8 |
Next week we have a theme of ‘Musicals’ in itself
a great idea for a theme, we just hope some of the more character driven dances
aren’t overwhelmed by having to adhere to a certain theme.
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