Of course its whatever floats your boat, we all like different things. I am always entertained by super dancing as when I study what they are dancing, and how, that is where I get my enjoyment.

They very competently danced an example of most of the dances they had done previously which was a great idea but for me there were some problems with it.

Dancing bits of other dances one after the other is not particularly entertaining for the viewer (or at least this viewer) without extras to pull it together. For me there were no extras.

I didn't understand the story. What were they telling us? And why was he hanging upside down at the beginning?

And I really disliked the music. It was like someone on a reality talent show would sing. I'm supposing it's a popular song as my daughter sang along to it all the way through (though commented 'this is a rubbish version' though I cheered up slightly as she hummed O Fortuna for the rest of the night...there is hope ).

My feeling was mainly one of puzzlement when it ended.

Watching it back, I love it even more. So technically difficult to switch styles so quickly, I thought it was excellent choreography, and they danced it beautifully.

I loved that it was their story in two minutes.

I have always found that when I have watched Jay and Aliona's dances back you love them more . The Rumba was one of them and the Tango.

JayDee this has just made me laugh out loud 😂

I agree. I loved that it was about the dancing and showing off Jay's dance talent. I can understand why some wanted more "show" but for me, it was the best danced of the show dances.

The one that had the most "show" for me, was Katie and Anton's but that was the worst danced, in my opinion! Then the other two sat somewhere in the middle on both scales.

And to you Buddy - and Mr Buddy! x

BIB I think that was symbolic of him falling into something he didn't understand and being in a spin when he started the show. You see Aliona steady him and help him down (I like the way she 'put him on his feet'), she then leads him down the steps and onto the dance floor and they start dancing....they end the dance with the jive ending...their ultimate dance and the best jive that's ever been seen on the show, maybe the best dance ever.

it was ambitious, no doubt about it, but that is how they chose to show their story.

That's too obscure for old dance philistine me then.

I've just watched the film about Nureyev on BBC and in the beginning the actor/dancer playing him says 'there's no life in it' after a rehearsal. That's a bit how I felt after Jay's dance. Not that I expect or want him to dance like Nureyev but even a not so technically great dancer can dance with 'life'. I suppose that's what was missing for me. That and the dreadful music.

Having said that he is a great dancer and while I know most people like his jive the best for me it was his tango that stood out. It was beautiful and in that I enjoyed Aliona's choreography. I would have loved him to dance that again.

I always find the show dances underwhelming. None of them made me go "wow" last night but then they rarely do.

I loved that Jay showcased his dancing and it as all string dancing as opposed to relying on gimmicky lifts and twiddles. I loved Georgia's first bit but thought the second bit where she was in Hold was a bit meh. I grew bored of Kellie and Kevin cos it was all the same side by side stuff that we have seen so many times from her. Not great technique just great performance. Katie was just awful wobbling all over the place. So for me they were all much of a muchness

If Anton had missed catching Katie it would have been a Wow dance!

I thought Katie was able to switch effortlessly from a stumble, to a trip, to a wobble and then a clumsy lift.

She love her though.

Loved that - as always Aliona and Jay's dances are nearly always lovely to watch again. Think they will stand the test of time.

How many truly memorable showdance a have there been (memorable in a good way, I mean. ) not many.

Maybe they should replace it with a viewers choice dance, or get them all to do the dance they've skipped.

I really like the idea of a viewer's choice. Think people would have picked Jay's jive, Georgia's Charleston and Kellie's VW.

I liked it. Yeah it wasn't in your face with lifts and such, but it was still very good.

I was watching some old show dances and I think Denise has the best one in recent years.

I think Jay & Aliona's showdance is much better if you watch it as just a dance rather than a showdance. I liked it, but yes, it wasn't quite showy enough for its purpose. The showdance I liked the best this year, choreographically speaking, was Katie & Anton's, but while it would have been great if danced by two pros, Katie wasn't a good enough dancer for it.

The beginning put me in mind of a fruit bat.

I liked it. It was subtle and technically very good.

Oh no DVOs was terrible all bloody lifts.

IMO
They were well aware that the Showdance was not to the Strictly script. It was a dance from them saying what this Strictly had meant to them.
They were quite prepared for it to be their last dance.

It wasn't a Showdance for the normal purpose of a Showdance on strictly.

http://jaylands.tumblr.com/post/135525645401

All depends how you interpret Showdance .....A ' Showy dance or a Show of dance . For me personally a Lindy Hop, Charleston and Showy dance are all the same.

Yes, his Tango was so close to perfect for me...and close enough for 10s across the board I think.


I agree, my two favourites right now too.


I think this right Fatskia. I think by the time they got through the Semi-finals neither of them thought they could win. I think we all sensed that KK or GG had more support from the judges and so perhaps this confirmed to them that they could do what they wanted rather than a regular show dance.

I sort of get the feeling that Aliona partially enjoyed dancing with Jay because his love of dancing is very much part of him, it must make a difference. I think she choreographed the showdance for him, not just steps to show him off, if this makes sense.

I can see why people might be underwhelmed by something that's not shouty but, as others have said, if you watch it a couple of times it has a genuine beauty about it.

I must admit, I liked Jay's Tango and Paso best.
Probably followed by his Rumba.
I liked his Jive, but I don't see it as some kind of Holy Grail; I think the hype about it has spoiled it for me.


I think you're spot on in that analysis. Very well said. *applauds loudly*

The jive will probably be the only jive that I like, as I hate jives, but that one is so cool, I just love.
But I kind of agree with you. The paso and tango were stand outs, as was the rumba. And I love his Charleston too (ugly lift/drop/slip included). And his salsa.