Ok, before the lovers of Ricky's AT have a go at me, I did enjoy his AT. I thought it was a very very good dance. He did it almost effortlessly, and for me, certainly had a certain sparkle about it. But, I do not think it merits the 10's it got, and the continual adulation. I saw at least 2 pretty major 'fumbles' in intricate foot work, and one or two wobbly moments. I think that if a dance has that certain magic about it, the judges and public can overlook a minor little fumble – I know I can.

But a 10, particularly so in the semi's, warrants absolute perfection, technically as well as having that certain sparkle about it (which of course is subjective). I just don't think having at least 4 mistakes warrants a 10, no matter how sparkly the dance is.

On another note, I also think him and Natalie up'd their game last night in terms of appealing to the public on a more emotional level. Until the show, I think everyone assumed it was a Cola and Ali/Brain final – I know I did. But, am I the only one who noticed a slight de-icing from Natalie, and a more personable Ricky last night? I'm wondering if they got some PR coaching?? Whether it was real or contrived, they did seem to 'show' a more affectionate side to their relationship and their participation of the show, ala Cola-style – we even had Natalie shaking and crying! I gotta say, I think this, plus their AT, (and Ali's rather shaky AT) tipped the viewers votes to him. Everyone assumes it's a Cola final, but I'm starting to wonder that if they keep this up, then they might be in with a real shot at winning the final.... as I feel people want to vote for his technical ability, but are just not 'feeling' either of them in the personality stakes.

Did anyone else notice the mistakes in Ricky's AT? Did anyone else notice the shift in personality from robotically-competitive to audience-friendly displays of emotion? Would be interesting to hear if anyone else noticed it.

I noticed she actually stood on him twice - I suspect because his foot was in the wrong place, and I thought he mistimed once too. But it seemed like a much more complicated routine than the others and the atmosphere was great.

I also agree. But then, the only dances I feel in the history of SCD should have had 10s were Jill's jive and Alesha's waltz. That's it. Everything else received 10s because of the overscoring for others. If Len gives Chris a 9 and Ricky is better, where else is there to go but 10? But for me, a 10 would require perfection from the celeb. Something that has only been achieved twice in SCD history. It's not the giving of 10s that should be reigned in, it's the giving of 7s, 8s and 9s to people who don't deserve them that really pees me off.

I have to be honest I was so over-awed by the actual performance that I didn't notice any "major" mistakes until this morning and those I did notice were minor. I think you'd have a hard job convincing the public who voted, the studio audience and the pros that his AT wasn't worth 10s. The pros were all booing his 9 and Flavia was nodding her head in agreement when Tess pointed this out.

As for Natalie's "change" in personality, I strongly suspect we're at last being allowed to see her softer side. Both Ricky and Natalie have suffered from their lack of appearances on ITT. Last night, we saw more of his humour and her human side than we have in all the clips of ITT put together!

Once cola A/T have got an 8, I would have given his 11--different league to colachops. Baring that, cola can have 6s and Ricky 9s

I kinda tend to think too many 10s are given out generally. But I loved Ricky's AT last night and by the standards of the show, 10s seemed appropriate.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I wouldn't dream of trying to convince anyone to change their opinions, it's always a fruitless exercise, and rather pointless. Nor would I be as presumptuous as to try, we are all entitled to our opinions. I saw the mistakes in the live dance, but not heard anyone mention anything about them, so I did . To me, foot fumbling in the AT on more than one occasion is a pretty big mistake. But as I mention above, I felt the performance had sparkle... the kind of sparkle that has been lacking this series from most dances.

I think you make a very good point about their lack of appearances on ITT hurting their chances at winning. When I have seen them on their, it's normally training footage, and it always seems to be edited rather harshly when they interview Natalie, picking out the more provocative of her comments.

Ahh, yes, 'that' jive. That is one dance I can watch over and over and over. Simply amazing. Though, it's confession time for me.... Ricky Groves paso is another dance I could watch over and over also! Not necessarily for the same reasons LMAO!

I think the sparkle of the performance was why most people forgave the "mistake(s)". A lot of people on here thought Chris's Charlston deserved a 10, not because of his ability but, his performance. Chris sold his dance to perfection, and Ricky did the same last night. More people were/are complaining about Ali's perfect score in the AS, than Ricky's AT 10s. I think what happens is if the audience connect with the dance then they're more likely to agree with the higher scores, even if they spot minor errors.

I suppose it all comes down to personal preferences and which way we lean within that. Me personally, I certainly want to see a 'performance' and be wowed by that, but technique has always been higher for me (though this year, I hate to admit I have been leaning more towards the 'personalities' for some reason). But both have to be there for me, I can enjoy a technically good dance, but if there is no sparkle, I'm left a bit 'meh'. Conversely, I want the sparkle, but if there are technical mistakes, whilst I can forgive a minor one, if they are glaringly obvious, the mix doesn't fit right. If both are there in the proportions I prefer, I'm a contented arm-chair critic.

In Ricky's AT I saw a couple of foot/leg mishaps (not so great in the AT when all eyes are on the legs). Actually, if they had performed that exact same AT earlier in the series, then I probably would have gone with my own arm-chair-critic 10's. But I personally feel in the semi finals, to be giving out 10's, everything has to be just right. But yeah, it was certainly electrifying to watch, regardless of the mistakes; and on performance alone, I'd give a 10 personally.

Either way, on the night, in a choice between Ricky and Ali (with Chris being a foregone conclusion) I feel the right person went through to the final.

I think it was a combination of the fact that SCD showed footage that they've had forever of Natalie actually being a human being. That and the fact that they are both quite similar people: quiet, reserved, introverted and last night Natalie was a complete mess which actually showed people she was human. And the fact that as a couple they very much concentrate on each other when dancing BUT with the AT this actually helps. You want to believe the couple will either rip each others clothes off or destroy each other AND you totally believed it with these two.

I think the fact that they are both essentially focused, calm and disciplined when it comes to the work means that there hasn’t been much in the way of sensationalism with SCD and them this year.

You make an excellent point there shya1000. I've mentioned quite a lot today about the 'personality' types, but I do so somewhat cynically in most cases. I love dance, have done my whole life, and Strictly will always be more of a dance competition for me, than a reality TV series, where those larger than life type personalities seem to warm them to the public vote. I do think it's somewhat sad that the calm, focused discipline that you mention is overlooked; or even being unapologetically competitive, which Natalie seems to be, is viewed as being 'cold'.

But, hey 'tis the nature of it all.

Ali's AS was severely overmarked, as was Chris's AT.

So it's only fair all 3 had one overmarked dance, tbh.

I think they just had to come across as a little more accessible. This is a prime time Saturday entertainment show. However I feel that was the fault of the editing, as well as them. I think in reality they're probably not very approachable people and are probably quiet and keep themselves to themselves; which is fine, and it certainly makes for a good dance partnership (and not the best show partnership) BUT they are both obviously nice people and they're fond of each other (seemingly) and there is fun in their training. And you know communications and PR are important on a show like this and lasts night VT helped them with that. Begs the question though why did SCD not show it for sooo long. Most of that stuff was months old. Anyhow bygones.

Absolutely, I think the VT certainly did help them. I think the whole 'shift' in personality (and by that, I mean, what we are being shown on SCD and ITT, not how they actually are naturally) that I mention in my OP was a major factor in why they made it to the finals - that, and their AT. I think with them, a lot of the voting public want to vote for them as they are technically excellent for the most part, but don't cause they aren't appealing to the side of them that Cola does. It will be interesting to see how this 'shift' effects the votes.

You raise another good point; this sudden shift in how they are being presented to us is quite interesting. But yeah, I feel this is perhaps making the finals a little less predictable and a little more interesting.

Well I was convinced that they were going last night: before the show. After the show I wasn't so sure anymore. I always saw them as a good couple and a pair with tremendous chemistry BUT I also got that that wasn't translating to the audience at large. Last night it did, and people I think actually went: those two are interesting. Its all to play for next week.

Yeap, exactly. Regardless of my own personal feelings regarding pandering to the public vote through dramatic displays of emotion (whether it was intentional, or SCD's editors were responsible), I feel it's starting to work for them in terms of appealing to the masses.


Indeed! I'll have my popcorn at the ready and am looking forward to some great dancing!