I sit here writing this, and have been watching SCD, for the entire history, but tonight to give that 10's when it was no where.... CLOSE to Sophie's was appaulingly biased behaviour by the judges, Natalie Swivel's were so poor, as her characterisation, trying to copy Sophie and Brendan, poorly I might say..

How they could ever justify giving sophie 9s and natlie 10's is impossible, just proves the theory the judges have their favorites, and they can come sit on a chair, I dont remember natalie's charleston, Susanna's paso tonight... but I remember EVERY DETAIL OF SOPHIES CHARLESTON!

Natalie was overmarked tonight - the judges love their pro dancer

I think Sophie suffered from going first although the judges do see it in the afternoon too so no excuses really

Or it could be that they can't give 10's that early in the series.

If she got 10s for that Charleston and then danced the next two dances as she did, she would be gone by now.

Conspiracy theory is tiresome.

at least agree natalie charleston was overmarked too

Trouble is, a lot of posters are equally biased

Yes. I am no Charleston expert but I do think Sophie's was the better. Natalie's had some difficult content but it didn't come of quite as cleanly as it might. Overall if my enjoyment were the criteria it would be Natalie 8 Sophie 10 in that particular dance.

just re watched sophies then natalie's...

Danced Side by Side Natalie would be outdanced

Exactly.

Sophie's was better. Hands down.

When the first dances out are over marked with 9's there is nowhere left for the later, better dances to go

Exactly. If she had danced it tonight it would probably have got 4 10s & if she does make it to the final & repeat it there then she will likely get all 10s then.

Already have an earlier Soph vs Nat thread from this evening. On page three now if you want to join in.

Sophie's Charleston was done early, and Natalie's was done in a week where they habitually give out high scores like candy if they can justify it.

So unfair.. because its later on..its better??

Not in this case

Very dry, mimi. Very, very dry.

Seems such a shame for Sophie, looking back at both dances Sophie was much better imo

I hate it that one woman has to be pitted against the other.

Surely a discussion of Natalie's Charleston could have been had without dragging Sophie's into it? Just creates bad feeling.

They were so different and so difficult to compare. Sophie's Charleston was unexpectedly brilliant and captured that era like no other. Natalie's had a modern twist and looked far more polished (her dance experience helped her there). I don't mind that she got higher marks, her execution was better, though it didn't quite match the enjoyment factor I experienced from Sophie's. But that's subjective and the judges are allowed to have enjoyed Natalie's more.

On the same night at the same level of time into the show Sophie's QS was better than Abbey's IMHO. That is the only criteria you can judge a dance on fairly.

How someone danced in week 2 when compared to someone dancing this week is really down to personal opinion.

If Sophie had danced her Charleston tonight she would have been top of the leader-board with a perfect 40

What bad feeling are you talking about? The board is full of different opinions, that's the idea. This is a competition and it is pretty obvious people are going to compare one dance with another. Personally, I don't think Natalie's was more polished as you suggest and I would give Sophie 10 to Natalie's 8 - hope that doesn't upset anyone.

Sophie's Charleston wasn't perfect, but it was the most memorable dance I've seen on strictly in years. The other Charlestons on tonight were well danced yet I'm already struggling to remember the complete routines. That's ultimately more important than the daft scoring on display tonight.

totally spot on

Neither Sophie nor Natalie's match up to Denise Van Outen's IMO.

Any of last years finalists Charleston's really. I've been a little disappointed this year.

I thought Natalie was pretty flat footed tonight. Maybe lack of practice. Certainly wasn't worth those marks.