Well how about that, we're at the semi-finals and Strictly 2020 is almost over. In a way it feels too soon, but as ever, everyone seems pretty tired and slightly overwrought, meaning it's pretty normal for a semifinal! This was an interesting mixed bag of stuff and highlighted to us that the reduced schedule has meant not everyone has done a range of dances this year. The biggest casualty has been the rumba with only one this year; if you'd told us 10 years ago we'd have wanted more rumba we'd have laughed, but here we are!
Jamie and Karen
We were promised a Studio 54 salsa and we certainly got one! Props to Karen for bringing this one out first and not having their last dance to...Last Dance. So it wasn't salsa canon obviously, but I thought it was Jamie's journey in a nutshell, thinking about his lumpy cha cha in week one this was a real progression. His timing, musicality and just ability to do a routine have all improved. Not too bad on the lifts too, plus the unprecedented male floor spin. A fun way to start the show!
It wasn't salsa.
Ranvir and Giovanni
Ranvir continuing with her run of lovely delicate ballroom and what a frock! This was an old-school delight, full of proper moves and only a couple of tiny breaks in hold for dramatic effect. As Shirley said, great frame and hold. They may have even overcome the issue of having a staid (translation: boring) dance in the semifinals when everyone else gets showstoppers.
This was lovely but somewhat underwhelming for the semi-finals. Ranvir is a naturally-talented dancer, particularly with the more elegant styles, but she hasn't shown all that much improvement in terms of technique. Her improvement in confidence and performance should be noted though.
Bill and Oti
Ah, the quirky Charleston was always going to be a good one for Bill and he carried it off with his regular aplomb. I agreed with the judges it could have had a bit more oomph, but that might be because they're doing two dances this week. It was charming and confident, which is 90% of the work with a Charleston, with his customary great timing. Plus Oti's dress should've looked like a pair of curtains but, being Oti Mabuse, she made it look fabulous.
Throughout this process it has been evident just how much time Bill spends perfecting each dance. This was slightly less polished than some of his others, which I think it down to having to squeeze two dances into the same amount of time. He is an absolute joy to watch however, and I hope he inspires lots of different people up and down the country to have a go.
Maisie and Gorka
So. I don't want to see Couple's Choice or hip hop on Strictly, but I cannot take away the fact that Maisie had this down from the first second and was always going to walk it. She's had a rough ride during the show, so it was worth it just to see her having an awesome time. Plus anyone who can slide onto the floor and then get up without looking like a sack of potatoes is impressive in my book.
It was great. But it was Couple's Choice and therefore I don't care.
Harvey and Janette
Only rumba of the series klaxon! I quite liked this, they took out the sexiness and went for sweetness, which probably made sense to avoid the traditional cringe you can get with this dance. A bit stop-starty and not a huge amount of hip, but it was a good effort from Harvey. If only we could have seen some more rumbas this year!
I thought it was pretty harsh to give him a rumba when no one else has had to suffer it. Yes, as a viewer I would have liked to see more of them but if there's only going to be one... and then he gets a wee bit slated for it (I'm sorry, I don't think it deserved less than Jamie's marks) it seems a little off. I understood the judges' comments but it wasn't terrible. HVRY is naturally a very talented dancer and I don't think there's any doubt he's already one of this year's finalists.
*DING DING DING* LET'S GO ROUND AGAIN!
Jamie and Karen
Quickstep, yay, cowboy theme, boo! This was movie-week levels of theming and for no discernible reason. I'm a Jamie fan and I think this routine did him a disservice, he has enough bounce to do a normal quickstep in an entertaining way. The quickstep parts were good enough, but I could have done with more though. Karen in a Pipi Longstocking wig was an interesting diversion.
BOO THEMING. It was jolly and peppy and would have been so much better with a top hat, white tie and tails vibe, but hey we're 16 years into this and I don't think we'll be getting away from CGI animals any time soon. The thing is with Jamie is that he really does sell it to us. Do I think he's one of the best dancers? No. Do I think he has shown more improvement than most in the semi-final? Most definitely. He is NOT a natural at this so the fact he comes out and presents something so... presentable... is a huge credit to him, and to Karen.
Ranvir and Giovanni
It always felt like the jive would be a sticky one for Ranvir and that certainly came to pass. They could have gotten away with it in week 2 or 3, but this was a very bad choice for her. A rumba would have been better! She was in time, but didn't have the right energy or picked her feet up enough. Hilariously camp sailor outfits though, give the people at home what they want!
Oh poor Ranvir. This wasn't her dance and it was damned bad luck to get it at this stage. But she's been very lucky with her selections most weeks, favouring the elegant (or dark and moody) styles. The ones that are a bit...slower. I get it. In my 20s I could dance about my living room making easy attempts at the jive without collapsing into a heap. Now, well into my thirties with a little added weight, I run the risk of my knees giving way under me. NOT EASY.
Bill and Oti
There had been so much chat about this one that expectations were so high! They just about pulled it off for me, it wasn't a tango for the ages but it was jolly good fun and had plenty of attack. I agree there were some mistakes, but the momentum of the routine carried it along fine. Extra points for Oti's gorgeous Game of Thrones goth look too, she looked like she was about to ride into battle!
I was so looking forward to this. Perhaps I'd hyped it up in my head too much. And it was good, but that's it, it was good. I really wanted Bill to have another big explosive dance moment but it just didn't come.The best thing about this was the clip of Dave Arch living his best life.
Maisie and Gorka
Even with the rather odd Taylor Swift floaty guitar opening, this was lovely. They built a story in a way that I don't think I've seen before, so along with improved footwork this was a treat. I could have done with more in hold but all bets seem to be off with this. Well done to Maisie for proving she can do both ballroom and latin, I have my fingers and toes crossed for her.
I would have liked more actual Viennese Waltz, but what there was, was lovely. I think Maisie being in the bottom two surprisingly set her up as a bit of a series underdog. And we love an underdog. If you'd asked me several weeks ago could she win it, I'd have said no. Ask me now, I think she could. I have no doubt she will be in the final and if she pulls out the same level of dance ability she has shown in the semis, then my votes she will get.
Harvey and Janette
This was sunshine and light and Harvey totally nailed it. It felt like a lost Musicals Week routine, but one of the better ones as there wasn't too much theming and a lot of content, the boy sure can swivel. It was predictably good, the Charleston was always going to be his dance, but it didn't offer us anything new like Bill or Maisie. Saying that, I can't deny his talent or work ethic, it's just that I still haven't connected with him as a contestant yet.
I really liked it. It was charming, well-performed and the technique was good (as much as you need for Charleston, anyway) Another almost dead-cert for the final, but much like Ranvir (and Bill to some extent), what I haven't seen from HRVY is a great deal of improvement. I think it's a while that we have gone into a final without having a clue who might come out victorious. Next week is going to be EXCITING.
No comments:
Post a Comment