Only watched the men so far:
Jason’s program was perfectly executed, as I expected, very precise and on point.
I do prefer the concept of Satoko’s Schindler’s List program, so in direct comparison Jason’s approach didn’t catch me as much. I think if I had to describe what I like about Satoko’s version, it’s the impression that she’s not afraid to look ugly when skating such a theme, and her program seems to be more about expressing emotions, I guess? Whereas Jason’s program is more about trying to create what’s considered classically beautiful images and about putting out a perfectly composed performance.
Another difference to me is the fact, that Jason is skating big and more directed to the outwards with grand moves (there’s that performance aspect), whereas Satoko is more delicate and introverted in her expression, which I find more fitting for this theme. I guess I was hoping for something else from Jason at this point of his career, showing us something that we haven’t seen from him yet, because this feels like an upgraded version of his The Piano program.
Oh and I know people love to complain about costumes so much and also, I distinctly remember many people being bothered by a certain skater’s pit stains in the past… and I guess we should hold Jason to the same standards, fair’s fair, right? So Jason, get rid of those pit stains and please, please get better fitting trousers! I get that this is supposed to be the look, form-fitting on the top, loose on the bottom, possibly reminiscent of work trousers (?), but the way the fabric stretches on his legs in certain positions (his camel spin for instance) creates really unattractive shapes and lines.
I don’t like that version of ‚the sound of silence’ that Dima uses in his FS, and to be honest, I also didn’t think his performance of it was of the same quality and intensity as his SP skate. Add to that the fact that he visibly ran out of steam in the end and his final spins lacked impact, then I don’t think his PCS was unjustifiably low.
I also don’t get the controversy about his popped 4Lz being rated as a triple instead of a double, which led to the invalidation of one of his +3Ts. Yes, he tried to open up after two revolutions, but he did so too late and when he landed, he had completed another half turn in the air and landed forwards. Now do you really expect the panel to treat this as an overrotated 2Lz??
But I have to say, his 4Ts, when he lands them, look so easy, it’s like he’s doing triples.
I wish he’d pick a different style and use different music for his programs, so maybe I could get behind his skating more, because the way he moves and his lines are nice (although I still prefer Kolyada). But if that’s the style he enjoys and feels comfortable with, I can’t argue with that of course.
Not too fond of Nathan’s music selection in this program either, especially Rocket Man, it’s all a bit too ‚pop‘ for my taste, and by that I mean that it sounds a bit too radio-friendly, and so is the choreo, which I find a bit too generic. I do think MFD really succeeded at incorporating the jumps in a way where they highlight points in the music, which makes it much more exciting to watch, especially since compared to his SP performance here, Nathan was really on the music this time.
And the third act is fire of course and you gotta give it to him, he always ramps it up in the end of his programs, after all those strenuous jumping passes before that, and he knows how to end a program with a bang.
I especially enjoy the contrast between how soft and fluid his movements (especially his arms) look in the main part of the program, and then he manages to completely change the way he moves during the breakdance/hip hop sequence to this much more powerful and totally different dance style.
I honestly think he doesn’t get enough credit for how versatile he is.
Jason’s program was perfectly executed, as I expected, very precise and on point.
I do prefer the concept of Satoko’s Schindler’s List program, so in direct comparison Jason’s approach didn’t catch me as much. I think if I had to describe what I like about Satoko’s version, it’s the impression that she’s not afraid to look ugly when skating such a theme, and her program seems to be more about expressing emotions, I guess? Whereas Jason’s program is more about trying to create what’s considered classically beautiful images and about putting out a perfectly composed performance.
Another difference to me is the fact, that Jason is skating big and more directed to the outwards with grand moves (there’s that performance aspect), whereas Satoko is more delicate and introverted in her expression, which I find more fitting for this theme. I guess I was hoping for something else from Jason at this point of his career, showing us something that we haven’t seen from him yet, because this feels like an upgraded version of his The Piano program.
Oh and I know people love to complain about costumes so much and also, I distinctly remember many people being bothered by a certain skater’s pit stains in the past… and I guess we should hold Jason to the same standards, fair’s fair, right? So Jason, get rid of those pit stains and please, please get better fitting trousers! I get that this is supposed to be the look, form-fitting on the top, loose on the bottom, possibly reminiscent of work trousers (?), but the way the fabric stretches on his legs in certain positions (his camel spin for instance) creates really unattractive shapes and lines.
I don’t like that version of ‚the sound of silence’ that Dima uses in his FS, and to be honest, I also didn’t think his performance of it was of the same quality and intensity as his SP skate. Add to that the fact that he visibly ran out of steam in the end and his final spins lacked impact, then I don’t think his PCS was unjustifiably low.
I also don’t get the controversy about his popped 4Lz being rated as a triple instead of a double, which led to the invalidation of one of his +3Ts. Yes, he tried to open up after two revolutions, but he did so too late and when he landed, he had completed another half turn in the air and landed forwards. Now do you really expect the panel to treat this as an overrotated 2Lz??
But I have to say, his 4Ts, when he lands them, look so easy, it’s like he’s doing triples.
I wish he’d pick a different style and use different music for his programs, so maybe I could get behind his skating more, because the way he moves and his lines are nice (although I still prefer Kolyada). But if that’s the style he enjoys and feels comfortable with, I can’t argue with that of course.
Not too fond of Nathan’s music selection in this program either, especially Rocket Man, it’s all a bit too ‚pop‘ for my taste, and by that I mean that it sounds a bit too radio-friendly, and so is the choreo, which I find a bit too generic. I do think MFD really succeeded at incorporating the jumps in a way where they highlight points in the music, which makes it much more exciting to watch, especially since compared to his SP performance here, Nathan was really on the music this time.
And the third act is fire of course and you gotta give it to him, he always ramps it up in the end of his programs, after all those strenuous jumping passes before that, and he knows how to end a program with a bang.
I especially enjoy the contrast between how soft and fluid his movements (especially his arms) look in the main part of the program, and then he manages to completely change the way he moves during the breakdance/hip hop sequence to this much more powerful and totally different dance style.
I honestly think he doesn’t get enough credit for how versatile he is.