It was a very good demonstration of all he's learned and different dance techniques, I'm just not sure it was a showdance. He has the ability to do something spectacular.

I was left feeling "Oh, was that it"?

It just trundled along, no drama, no emotion, no wow factor. Just a leisurely stroll down memory lane.

Totally underwhelmed

Me too and the big test is .................I haven't the desire to watch it again whereas I'm still watching the 'jive' from Week 3.

So glad he won tho'

Yeah, me too. I can watch the jive over and over and it holds up well, you usually see little mistakes, but no, stays amazing.

From last nights, I would only really watch Georgia's charleston and Kellie's showdance again.

Going against the flow of this thread I feel, I have to say that I really did enjoy Jay and Aliona's showdance. I did think the opening dramatic sequence did look out of place and I almost wished they had not started like that, as it did not lead onto what you may have expected. However, that aside, it was super cool, very very clever choreography, danced extremely well, mixing many dance styles seemlessly. For many, it obviously did not have a "wow" factor, but I have watched many showdances ( not SCD) and for me, there does not have to have an "obvious in your face wow factor" for me to appreciate the work that had gone into it and super dancing.

Can I echo this? I didn't really 'get' it at first, but I like it much more upon rewatching. And whatever you think of the choreography, it definitely wasn't danced badly like many on the show thread were saying. The 'throw everything but the kitchen sink' type of showdance wouldn't really have fit their vibe.

I definitely "got" it at the time, it was super cool, classy and subtle. Perhaps Aliona wanted to choreograph something completely different what she would have known Kevin would do. I thought it was great but I enjoyed all the showdances for differing reasons. I like seeing different styles, it makes it more interesting.

It wasn't a showdance it was a display of improved technique.

I still liked it

i didn't particularly like it. no-one had to convince me of jay's technical ability or his 'subtle' (read: largely imaginary) communication... i wanted to see him either cut loose and have a whale of a time, sod the technique, or to show us something more, eg a knockout contemporary number which i think would have really worked for them.

They don't really have much time to perfect a really memorable showdance, do they? Just one week in which they also have to re-rehearse two previous routines.

The only ones are can still remember are:

1. DVO's - whether you like her or not, that was performed to an amazing level

2. Bacofoil

3. Louis Smith's - Flavia got away with murder, just having him faff around on a giant beach ball!

Since Jay can't act, Aliona's choice was probably very suitable.

It was decent, but not for me. I thought he was capable of much more, but I am wondering now if he was.

He was more than comfortable with what he did, and he said this a few times. I think that alone proves he was not interested in producing a performance for anyone other than himself and Aliona.

I enjoyed it much more on second viewing.

I agree, Aliona really sold him short.

I agree to a point, it was cool and classy and I enjoyed it but it didn't have to wow factor the best show dances have and I just think they were capable of much more.

Perhaps it was a reference to "dropping Aliona on her head"

Depends how you interpret the "show" bit. You can either show what the celeb is capable of, or show off.

It was definitely a dance.

As for being showy....

It was a class performance, rather than a flashy, frantic comedy routine which the judges seemed to want.
See how many hits on their routine they get on YouTube, in comparison with the others.
The public have spoken.

For me, it was one of his best dances by a long way, and one of the few I will go and rewatch. I thought he absolutely nailed it. Beautiful dancing and really impressive transitions between the dance styles.

Was it showy enough for a show dance? Maybe not. Still the best one of the night for me. Anton had the best concept, I thought, but Katie couldn't pull it off. Kellie was too frenetic and ugly for me. Georgia was overly sappy and melodramatic.

Me too and perhaps this shows that a "Show Dance" does not have to be all jumping around - this was also demonstrated when you had Louis vs Denis.

I adored it!!! Just watched it again and it is soooooooooo totally Jay. Made me smile again and watch it again and again and again as it ended far too quickly for me! Sign of a good dance usually It was his own kind of show and I don't think either of them are about to apologise for that. The audience in the room seemed to enjoy it too.

Jay was my favourite, followed swiftly by Georgia. Kellie I just didn't warm to. The judges were way off with their marking of her Tango I felt. Whilst she puts so much verve and vigour into her dances, they don't speak to my heart the way that Jay's did.

Not being a dancer (as maybe most of the voting audience???) - I will vote for someone that moves me with their dancing and will never apologise for that. Above all, it is an entertainment show. Pretty much all of the celebrities entertained me in one way or another , that is why I enjoyed it so much more this year!

Just going to watch his showdance one more time ..............................

Merry Christmas!

No problem with it not being 'showy' but it was simply badly choreographed, lacking cohesion and proper flow. There was no story to the dance, just a bunch of moves stuck together like a technical demonstration.

I have to disagree, it was brilliantly choreographed and moved seemlessly throughout. Dances don't have to have a story. It was very good work by Aliona, danced extremely well by both.

Technically, yes. Artistically, no. It lacked entertainment factor. Impressive but you can be impressive AND entertaining.

Personally I'm of the opinion that dance is an art and not just a technical exercise in getting your limbs in the right places. That the point of dance is to tell a story. I can nod and say their dance was impressive but from a performance pov it left me completely cold.

There was a story ... it was Jay and Aliona's Strictly story. I think him being lowered upside down was a nod to how outside his comfort zone he was when he started. They shortly after that walked down the steps to echo what they do at the start of each show. Then a montage of his fave dances (with embellishments) ending with his own perfect moment ... the jive.
I loved it. I'm not a fan of the 'everything inc the kitchen sink' lift fest show dances that we sometimes get and I don't like frenetic unless it's done with finesse.