I've never found a couple's dance to be better the 2nd time; they've usually lost all of the impact the dance had the first time. That was, until now. I've been a Natalie supporter all the way through, but had found her AS a bit meh- a bit soulless and wafty. However, this time around I was actually very much moved and found that final mad run at Artem -which would have knocked a lesser man off his feet- to be incredibly (dare I say it) sincere. I got the impression that they've both seen the nastier comments online, knew they'd never win, but went all-out to dance their hearts out anyway. I think I prefer the "tragedy" of them not winning!
Maybe if they'd had that level of abandonment earlier in the series more of the public would have liked them, but then they'd have probably gone batsh!t crazy with that level of intensity and ended up burbling in a corner by week 9.

I was on Natalie's side all the way through but I got the impression from comments in here last night that she won quite a few doubters over with her performances in the final.

Very much so, I would think. Best way possible to squash any thoughts that she might be a technical perfectionist at the expense of emotion - and I admit I had occasionally thought just that.

I don't think even her biggest critics could deny how emotional that performance was. It was amazing to see how many pros and Celebs were crying when she went up to see Tess. Her AS and show dance were both great to watch.

She did dance it beautifully. Ok, I'm a bit like Len on this. Didn't like the choreography, but I can't deny that her dancing was lovely to watch, better than last time and quite emotional.

Yes, it was very much better this time around. I'm wondering if what has been frustrating many all series in terms of "lack of chemistry" or "can't warm to her" is simply that she has been holding back her full talents all this time, not quite daring to let them loose because it would have made it so (much more) obvious that she's not in the same league as the other celebrities?

As I said in another thread, she has extra gears available that the others don't have. That was just the first time she really dared to engage and use them.

It was 100 times better, the emotional element she brought touched me for the first time, it was wow. Unfortunately it was too late.

It must have been good. Fair play to you.

Yes it was much better - both her dances were.

I did vote for Natalie as well as Susanna in the second half. I think her victory was getting to the second half.

The AS was the first time I felt that Natalie & Artem were connected & that she was living the dance rather than just performing.

She was excellent & I so wish we had seen this early on.

I've waited & waited to be wowed by her & last night she finally delivered.

I agree I never ever though she would get more votes than Sophie.

I loved it the first Time but loved it even more the second time! Such great choreography in synch with the emotion of the music and beautifully and a passionately danced! Fab-u-lous!

BIB: Same and same to the rest of your post. She blew me away last night with emotion, drama, passion, energy and lyrical beauty in all her dances.
I voted for her last night because she deserved to get through to the second half.

There is something strange with the fact that she only allowed herself to let go in the last week. It may have been down to Artem holding her back or herself either way it was strange.

I agree, and I think that she has done better by being in the top three, just image the vitriol she would have had thrown at her if she had won. As it is, many viewers were so moved by her showdance that they are now saying that she should have won.

Very strange but I am so glad we finally saw her her full potential.

Their American Smooth last night was the one and only dance in the whole of the series that had me in tears this time around....really beautiful.

I was av emotional wreck watching the dance especially the ending when she launched herself at Artem.

I agree. That was what I was waiting for from Natalie.

A bit sad reading this thread. I have never ever been anti Natalie as I don't care a jot about her previous dancing, but all through the series I just never got wowed or 'involved' in her dancing. Last night she absolutely blew me away, what a shame she didn't do it before.

L feel exactly the same. If only...

It was marvellous. Wonderful song too, very emotional.

Rachel was standing right behind Natalie and her eyes were streaming.

I am just glad that the public had enough sense to vote her through to the final 3 so that we were able to see such a knockout performance.

I totally agree with the original post . This is exactly how I feel about it and you're right , they've had a different kind of "journey" to the final and all the emotion of it came out in that dance . I wouldn't have changed any of last night - it was something very special that I have never seen or felt before in a dance or from the two performing it . I think the judges felt it too .