As predicted, the Rigathon(I mean Cha Chathon) was farcical and there were certainly some intriguing verdicts and some clear agendas. To me at least, it felt as if it was based off boosting their pimpees, rather than judging based off who dances more competently. In the end, those "life-changing" six points didn't change the leaderboard too much, however it feels unfair that Louise and Danny are at the same position on the leaderboard.
So, these are my power rankings. For those of you who haven't seen my power rankings, it isn't based off who I liked the most, but who I feel is most likely to stay.
1. Danny & Oti
In my opinion, they won the night. Firstly, they had an Impressive samba which I dare say which I dare say was the best samba ever on Strictly. It was samba, but fused with Afro jazz and tribal elements. Even though this is from DWTS, I feel like the samba from Shawn Johnson and Derek Hough with Mark Ballas is like this.
Here is the link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qyXE_x3xw2g. Anyway, they were the only couple I feel really fused the technicalities of the actual dance with the crowd-pleasing wow of the dance. I think they were robbed during the Rigathon. Although it wasn't their best dance, it was a smooth Cha Cha, with no blatant mistakes- he got down into the ground, his chacha walks were pretty good, his New Yorkers were good and his Cuban breaks were also pretty good. Whilst it wasn't the best cha Cha ever(see Caroline, Natalie G), I think it was worthy of the six points in this instance. I think they have enough public support to make it through and even if they are in the dance off, they would most likely be through, due to their first dance.
2. Twimsy & Receding Hairline
For what it's worth, I think Louise & Kevin were the third best of the night. Their "waltz" had swing and sway, good movement around the floor. For the 30 seconds of waltz there was. However, it was an American Waltz(40% in hold, however a lot of open work), rather than the International Waltz we see on this show. I would have liked more actual Waltz content and less larking about. It just feels fishy that Len, the pickiest technician on the judges table, didn't call out the lack of waltz, especially considering he usually docks points for this(case in point, Natalie touching the divine and getting 36). Hmm. If that was 36, this was 34. In all fairness, I think the dance itself was worthy of a 9, maybe a 10 from Bruno and an 8 from Len. We all know what would happen if Danny & Oti did this. As for the Cha Cha Cha challenge, I thought that Danny, Claudia and even Rinder did better than her, yet were given less. I would assume she isn't struggling with votes, which leads me to assume they are doing this to send subliminal messages that it is a two horse race between Danny and Louise in terms of skill. I think they've got enough voting juice to make it through to next week, however I feel as if Kevin cheated with choreography and was awarded.
3. Clowdia & Her Friend From School
This was fishy. After her cushy score and Greg's undeserved departure, this seemed like a week to undermark her. Her Argentine Tango was 37-38, not as good as Danny & Oti this week, but still amazing- her lifts were impeccable, her ganchos were amazing however her disociars needed work and I would have liked to see better pasadas in her Argentine, but still good
It was weird, as they gave her high praise and a pimp slot yet a lukewarm score. I'm not sure if she was hosed, as much as weirdly under marked. However, the general con census seems to be that she was under marked. This, along with a bottom two Bounce and pimp slot seems enough to push her through to next week. My one thing is that everyone other than her seems to have had their moment- Rinder's Cha Cha, Danny's Quickstep, Ore's jive, Ed's Cha Cha/salsa/American smooth, Louise's Argentine Tango but Claudia has been getting good but not standout stores most of the time. In terms of the Chacha Challenge, I think she should have had 5 points, as she had a nice Figure of 8 rotation, good technique good Cuban breaks and nice New Yorkers.
4. Waterworks & Princess Twee
If that dance was a 10, even Louise's was an 11 and Danny's was a 14. His hand gestures were intriguing to say the least, it needed more paso content. Style over substance in a nut shell. Additionally, his movements needed more conviction. Also, it lacked finesse at times, as well as some pretty weird timing. Yet it was given a 10. Yeah, totally legitimate. I think Craig's marks were more correct, considering the content and execution. As for the Cha Cha, I think he struggled creating the hips, resulting in a more square style Cha Cha. I think he is probably safe and out of the dance off, however the death slot suggests he isn't getting the votes needed to make it through to the finals without serious manipulation. I see a Rinder vs Ed dance off, with Ed going, however Ore wouldn't be a shock.
So, these are my power rankings. For those of you who haven't seen my power rankings, it isn't based off who I liked the most, but who I feel is most likely to stay.
1. Danny & Oti
In my opinion, they won the night. Firstly, they had an Impressive samba which I dare say which I dare say was the best samba ever on Strictly. It was samba, but fused with Afro jazz and tribal elements. Even though this is from DWTS, I feel like the samba from Shawn Johnson and Derek Hough with Mark Ballas is like this.
Here is the link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qyXE_x3xw2g. Anyway, they were the only couple I feel really fused the technicalities of the actual dance with the crowd-pleasing wow of the dance. I think they were robbed during the Rigathon. Although it wasn't their best dance, it was a smooth Cha Cha, with no blatant mistakes- he got down into the ground, his chacha walks were pretty good, his New Yorkers were good and his Cuban breaks were also pretty good. Whilst it wasn't the best cha Cha ever(see Caroline, Natalie G), I think it was worthy of the six points in this instance. I think they have enough public support to make it through and even if they are in the dance off, they would most likely be through, due to their first dance.
2. Twimsy & Receding Hairline
For what it's worth, I think Louise & Kevin were the third best of the night. Their "waltz" had swing and sway, good movement around the floor. For the 30 seconds of waltz there was. However, it was an American Waltz(40% in hold, however a lot of open work), rather than the International Waltz we see on this show. I would have liked more actual Waltz content and less larking about. It just feels fishy that Len, the pickiest technician on the judges table, didn't call out the lack of waltz, especially considering he usually docks points for this(case in point, Natalie touching the divine and getting 36). Hmm. If that was 36, this was 34. In all fairness, I think the dance itself was worthy of a 9, maybe a 10 from Bruno and an 8 from Len. We all know what would happen if Danny & Oti did this. As for the Cha Cha Cha challenge, I thought that Danny, Claudia and even Rinder did better than her, yet were given less. I would assume she isn't struggling with votes, which leads me to assume they are doing this to send subliminal messages that it is a two horse race between Danny and Louise in terms of skill. I think they've got enough voting juice to make it through to next week, however I feel as if Kevin cheated with choreography and was awarded.
3. Clowdia & Her Friend From School
This was fishy. After her cushy score and Greg's undeserved departure, this seemed like a week to undermark her. Her Argentine Tango was 37-38, not as good as Danny & Oti this week, but still amazing- her lifts were impeccable, her ganchos were amazing however her disociars needed work and I would have liked to see better pasadas in her Argentine, but still good
It was weird, as they gave her high praise and a pimp slot yet a lukewarm score. I'm not sure if she was hosed, as much as weirdly under marked. However, the general con census seems to be that she was under marked. This, along with a bottom two Bounce and pimp slot seems enough to push her through to next week. My one thing is that everyone other than her seems to have had their moment- Rinder's Cha Cha, Danny's Quickstep, Ore's jive, Ed's Cha Cha/salsa/American smooth, Louise's Argentine Tango but Claudia has been getting good but not standout stores most of the time. In terms of the Chacha Challenge, I think she should have had 5 points, as she had a nice Figure of 8 rotation, good technique good Cuban breaks and nice New Yorkers.
4. Waterworks & Princess Twee
If that dance was a 10, even Louise's was an 11 and Danny's was a 14. His hand gestures were intriguing to say the least, it needed more paso content. Style over substance in a nut shell. Additionally, his movements needed more conviction. Also, it lacked finesse at times, as well as some pretty weird timing. Yet it was given a 10. Yeah, totally legitimate. I think Craig's marks were more correct, considering the content and execution. As for the Cha Cha, I think he struggled creating the hips, resulting in a more square style Cha Cha. I think he is probably safe and out of the dance off, however the death slot suggests he isn't getting the votes needed to make it through to the finals without serious manipulation. I see a Rinder vs Ed dance off, with Ed going, however Ore wouldn't be a shock.
