SCD Series 22 Discussion Thread

[*Wallace]

Yayy I finally got my proper internet services back so I was able to finally watch the semi-finals show. Just watched it and here are my thoughts:

Week 12 Semi-Finals Thoughts:

 

Tasha & Aljaž - Salsa: Ooh he judges talking to the couples' in the semi-finals feels new to me? I feel like this is something we normally see in the finals. But I do like this of the judgesgiving the couples tips on how to improve their dances to get to the final. I am excited for this Girls Aloud Salsa for Tasha! Love the song choice even if it's not a pure type Salsa song. But Tasha did look fierce. Wow this was a strong dance to get the party started for the semi-finals! This was a fiercy and in-your-face Salsa with a lot of fast paced content. Maybe some of it was a bit much for Tasha but I thought she danced and handled it really well for the most part. It wasn't as smooth and seamless as most of her dances, but it was still great and a lot of fun. Oooh I did love that move where she did those walking cartwheel walking moves up in the air? Not sure how to describe it but that was fun! Then there were a lot of ambitious lifts in the dance. A lot of them were great. But some of those lifts worried me, specifically that last one where it really could have gone wrong but luckily it didn't. There was some tough criticism but it was fair and understandable. Aww a 35 does seem low for Tasha but I do think mostly 9s were fair here. 

JB & Lauren - Paso Doble: It's crazy to me how JB hasn't had any of the dramatic and intense dances until.... now. And it's a shame JB wouldn't have gotten to dance a Tango or Argentine Tango, ugh. But I was definitely looking forward to his Paso! Oooh this was a really stong and great Paso from JB! I loved how intense, passionate and fiery he was in this Paso. He danced this with a lot of strength and attack in his movements and with how he performed this. He had so much intensity in the way he performed this! I loved the partnering work he did with Lauren and he also great shaping and clean lines throughout the dance. I loved the mix of quieter moments along with the intense and faster moments. Oooh and yess, he slayed the cape work in there too. This was strong and much better than I was expecting it to be! JB really is peaking at the right time! Aww so sweet of the cast, especially Amy, to sing and bring out his birthday cake! Yayy for another 39 for him! Great scores, which I can't fault here. 

Chris & Dianne - Charleston: lol Chris calling Craig out on him liking the Charleston to be messy. Ah the Charleston is an interesting style for Chris. I do think he's growing and showing fun & joy as a performer so I think he's more able to pull off a Charleston now than earlier in the series. It did feel like it took a little while for the dance to get going. I get they were setting it up with the storyline of it though. But yeah I thought this was a cute, fun and joyous dance. Chris had a lot of good fun and enjoyment while performing it. I can and do get Craig's comments that Chris was a little under-energized. He performed it well but I think with more energy levels and variety, it could have been stronger and made the dance pop more. He danced it decently and he had some decent swivels but I also would have liked to have seen more swivel footwoork. He did have good partnering work and side by side dance work with Dianne. I do think the 9s were a little much, but I do agree with the 7 and 8 from Craig and Motsi. So I'd probably got with a 30/31, rather than a 33? 

Sarah & Vito - Tango: Aww Shirley calling Sarah remarkable as a lady inher 50s was really sweet. It's kinda shocking to believe that this is Vito's first Tango on Strictly, as he skipped this style with Fleur and Ellie. I think Sarah could pull off a good strong and dramatic Tango, or so I hope she can. I thought this was a good, solid and dramatic Tango from Sarah. She danced and moved really well in hold. Sarah seemed really committed with how she performed the dance and hot she got into character. She was sharp and had good scattaco throughout the dance. I do get the judges comments of her top line & shoulder line being a little too tense though it didn't really distract me. But something was missing to make it a really wow dance so maybe that was it? I do think the straight 9s for a 36 total were fair here. Ooh lol I love how Claudia brought up this being Vito's first Tango on Strictly too.  

Pete & Jowita - Foxtrot: I do think the Foxtrot is one of the better remaining picks for Pete since it was a ballroom. Though lol Shirley saying Pete can't afford to make mistakes at this int. That sure hasn't hurt him from getting this far, lmao. But I do love "Beyond the Sea" for a Foxtrot as it's such a classy traditional song for the Foxtrot. Hmm okay, this Foxtrot was.... decent at best. He was better here than his Waltz. Pete tried and I do want to say that I think he gave it his all. He did try to show some joy while he danced the Foxtrot. I guess his top line and posture in hold was good. But ahhh he drives me kinda crazy once he dances in hold because he gets so serious and that concentrated face while dancing in hold and all of the joy he's supposed to have disappears. I do wish he would also bring more joy in the out of hold parts too. I do feel like Jowita overdoes it for the performance factor that Pete lacks. So I guess that makes sense as to why Pete skipped the Charleston and Jive as he definitely wouldn't bring the proper performance factor for those dances. Ooh and while I did like the cane as a prop in this dance, I feel like it was used a little too long/too much where it got distracting in the dance. I do agree with Craig that he lacks the dynamic of stylish, energy and joy as a dancer here. And yikes, I also agree with Craig's robotic comments as Pete does come off as robotic in his dancing/performing. LMAO Anton's "by June you'll have the full picture of a great dancer type comments. Shirley is too much for the 9 here, lmao. I do think the 8s and 8s were more fair though I'd moreso go with the 7s for like a 28 or something. 

Tasha & Aljaž - Waltz: Wow Tasha scoring 18 10s and being one of the highest scoring dancers in Strictly history is just incredible! I'm reallly excited for a Tasha Waltz as she's proven to be so strong in her ballroom + Aljaž IS the king of ballroom, so I know this will be amazing. But awww Tasha's mother, nan and boyfriend coming to show up in her rehearsals was really so sweet and touching. And yep, this Waltz meant all of my expectations and then some! This was such a beautiful, classy, elegant and absolute Stunning Waltz! I agree with Tess that this dance was breathtaking and effortless - as Tasha really made it look like this. She was so good in frame and in hold position. She moved around with so much grace and elegance. She had lovely footwork, lines. And yeah, this was just such a brilliant dance from Tasha that she just made look so effortless. Ooh and aww I loved the snow falling at the end of it, which made it look like a Christmas movie! I must also say that I really loved  their outfits too! OMG Craig's "sick" comment and that being it for his comments. Also I do see a lot of comments/comparisons of Tasha looking like Nadiya... and she really looked like and reminded me of Nadiya here. Yayy for this dance getting a perfect 40, which is totally deserved for this dance! Aww Aljaž's last words to Tasha on why she should make the final was really sweet.  

JB & Lauren - Salsa: Aww it's so nice to see JB's mother, wife and their kids show up in his rehearsals. This was such a cute and sweet segment and awww his daughter is so precious. Oooh and yes I'm so excited for JB with the Salsa - he slayed the Samba so I am hopeful for his Salsa here too! YESS JB slayed, killed and ate this Salsa! Ahh yes, JB was just sooo good and so in his element here. He made this look so smooth and effortless. He had great hip action throughout the dance. But not only that, he had fantastic rhythm, great side by side work, great lifts and great partnering work all throughout the dance. He made this look so smooth, effortless, joyful and a whole lot of fun! This dance... I was just smiling throughout it and it made me so happy. It felt like something you would see at a party, club with two professional dancers just grooving and doing their thing! This dance suited JB's personality so well and perfectly. This dance had everything I wanted to see in a Salsa and then some. Another reason why JB is peaking at the right time! And what a great birthday JB must have had here. Loved it from the start to finish. I'm very happy for JB & Lauren getting their first 40 and I completely agree with it! 

Chris & Dianne - Viennese Waltz: Aww it's really nice seeing Chris' friends showing up to support him in his rehearsals. While I don't necessairly think of Metallica for a Viennese Waltz, I do think "Nothing Else Matters" makes sense for it. I was predicting this to be Chris' stronger dance of the two of his dances and yep, I was right on that. Aww I kinda got some chills after watching this dance. I thought Chris danced and performed this dance beautifully. He connected well with Dianne here. He partnered her well and danced it well in hold. He was good and light on his feet and footwork. He provided a better frame than in his past dances. And yeah the emotional connection that Chris & Dianne had here was lovely to watch. He had a good flecklr in there. I do think this was up there as amongst one of his better dances. Aww I loved Chris' comments of why he selected this as one of the songs he wanted to dance to. I can get why some may think the 9s were a bit much but I didn't really mind them here. I'd probably go with a mix of 8s and 9s, for like a 35 or so. But not mad at the 36. Oooh dear, not Dianne's comments to/about Chris on why he should make it to the final getting me emotional here.  

Sarah & Vito - Jive: It was really nice seeing Sarah's school moms friends stop by in her rehearsals and how supportive they were for her. I'm excited to see how Sarah does with a Jive. "I'm So Excited" makes for a great and fun Jive! Oooh lol why does these outfits remind me of the Ellie & Vito Showdance outfits - at least Vito's outfit, haha.  Ooh okay, this wsa a really fun, entertaining and exciting Jive from Sarah. Vito really goes out all and really challenges Sarah with the choreo here and he certainly did that here! Sarah handled this Jive really well for the most part. It was challenge and a lot of content. She had good energy, footwork and kicks & flicks. I found it to be a lot of fun to watch. Interesting how critical Anton was here and how Craig loved this and had no criticism here - I did not expect that at all. Though I think I moreso side with Craig here? IDK. lol Motsi's hiding when she said the dance felt a little bit hard. I also didn't expect to prefer her Jive over her Tango but I think I did. I do think I agree with the straight 9s for a 36 here. Aww wow Vito's words were so kind and touching to Sarah.  

Pete & Jowita - Argentine Tango: Aww it's really nice seeing Pete's mother show up in Pete's rehearsals. Well, I love the Argentine Tango and I LOVE "Bitter Sweet Symphony" but UGH I did NOT want this to be wasted on Pete. I am so MAD MAD about that, y'all. Anywho, I do think the Argentine Tango suits Pete better than the Foxtrot? He got to be moody and have some hot chemistry with Jowita here. Jowita wsa great, hot and fierce in this - and I FOUND IT hard not just watching only her in this. Some of her leg movements she was doing was wow. Pete did partner and showcase her well. The lift they did towards the end was cool. But yeah I did feel like his dancing left a lot to be desired and I wanted more technique and sharper footwork in his dancing. lol I do get Craig's comments of this dance lacking proper Argentine Tango steps and it just felt like he did one gaucho and just did some steps, lift, step, lifts, etc. But it was still one of his better dances. But it still isn't quite semi-finals worthy. Not Motsi's "dancing is not about steps." GIRL WHAT? OMG I'M DYING at Anton's slip up of "you finally did it on your last dance of the series." Did Anton predicting Pete not making the final? I stan, lmao. Again, the judges - Shirley and Anton are a bit much with the 9s here. But I can be at peace with the mix of 7s and 8s here. I'd probably go with a 30 or 31 here.

 

Rankings:
1/2. JB & Lauren - Salsa
1/2. Tasha & Aljaž - Waltz
3. JB & Lauren - Paso Doble
4. Sarah & Vito - Jive
5. Tasha & Aljaž - Salsa
6. Chris & Dianne - Viennese Waltz
7. Sarah & Vito - Tango
8/9. Pete & Jowita - Argentine Tango
8/9. Chris & Dianne - Charleston
10. Pete & Jowita - Foxtrot

Hmm I did enjoy this semi-final and thought it was a fairly good one. I absolutely loved my Top 3 dances! Then I really enjoyed #4 through #7. I do feel conflicted on my Top 2 and maybe #6 & #7 and my #8 and #9. 
 

[*Wallace]

Just catching up on the results show as well.  

Week 12 Results show thoughts!

- Oooh wow, there are two guest performances this week. The first one from Becky Hill. There was some beautiful pro dancing from Michelle, Neil, Luba, Katya, Nancy & Gorka. Well it started off really beautiful and then got fun as it progressed and kicked up the tempo!
- There sure seems like a lot of filler this episode. But it was nice seeing some past winners in that montage clip of the couples wanting to make the final.
- Aww congrats to Sarah & Vito on being the first couple to make it to the final. Very happy for them! lol Loved Vito's response there.
- Congrats to Chris & Dianne on being the second couple to make it to the final. Well done and no surprises to that there. Congrats to both of these couples on never landing in the Bottom 2 as well.
- Ugh Tasha & Aljaz being the first couple to be in the Bottom 2. I HATE it here. Aww at Tasha sounding so sad and holding back tears while she was talking about being down there.
- I haven't heard "You Get What You Give" in awhile but that should be a really fun song for Chris & Dianne to have their showdance to.
- It's so insane how this is the 3rd final Vito has made in 3 years. He's like the new Kevin Clifton, haha.
- Oooh yayy a performance from Raye! And yay for some really beautiful and lovely dancing from Kai & Luba. This was a lovely and smooth jazzy performance all along. Ooh and I also guess this means no group performance this week?
- Gosh... the last two couples being Pete & Jowita vs. JB & Lauren for who  would be in the Bottom 2 was absolutely nerve wrecking. Thank goodness it was Pete that landed down there and JB was safe, phew. I would have been so livid if it was a Tasha vs. JB Bottom 2. Pete & Jowita did reallly well making it this far without ever landing in the Bottom 2 until now.
- I'm really excited about the JB & Lauren Motown Medley, especially with what songs that will be featured in it.
- Okay the dance off was Tasha & Aljaz's Waltz vs. Pete & Jowita's Argentine Tango. Well, isn't this the most obvious blown away type result for a dance-off? Tasha's Waltz was beautiful and absolute perfection. Pete tried and delivered one of his better dances. And he had great chemistry with Jowita. But really there's no comparison as Tasha was definitely much stronger so I'd vote for her. Thankfully all of Craig, Motsi and Anton all voted Tasha through to the final. Lol Pete & Jowita's faces kinda cracmed me up during the verdict because they KNEW their time was up at this point. They handled that well. Thankfully Shirley would have voted for Tasha too.
- But yeah as I said, Pete & Jowita did really well to get this far and they got lots of love from the cast and audience. I definitely feel that they lasted a little too long here but they had the fans love and support. They had nice messages to each other, but I especially loved Jowita's words to Pete at the end. lol their farewell dance with that big lift was fun.
- LOL oh dangg at the finale starting at 6PM UK time. That is super early. But I know it's gonna be a really long show.  

 

Overall, I do like this Final 4. Three of my four ideal picks made it to the final so I can't complain there.  Even though I know none of those 3 will win, lmao.

 

My final 4 rankings:

1. Tasha & Aljaz

2. JB & Lauren

3. Sarah & Vito

4. Chris & Dianne

[*Wallace]

Since I wasn't able to do a YouTube views post of last week's dances, I'll do it now alongside views for this past week's dances.

Week 11 Dances Views + Likes:

1.    Chris & Dianne - Quickstep: 148,992 views / 2.2k likes
2.    Sarah & Vito - Charleston: 118,416 views / 1.4k likes
3.    JB & Lauren - Viennese Waltz: 114,989 views / 1.1k likes
4.    Tasha & Aljaž - Argentine Tango: 113,633 views / 1k likes
5.    Pete & Jowita - Waltz: 61,580 views / 540 likes
6.    Montell & Johannes - Rumba: 52,015 views / 473 likes

Top 3 likes:
1. Chris & Dianne - Paso Doble 
2. Sarah & Vito - Charleston
3. JB & Lauren - Viennese Waltz

Bottom 3 likes:
1. Montell & Johannes - Rumba
2. Pete & Jowita - Waltz
3. Tasha & Aljaž - Argentine Tango

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Week 12 Dances Views + Likes:

1.    Chris & Dianne - Viennese Waltz: 145,733 views / 1.7k likes
2.    Chris & Dianne - Charleston: 82,784 views / 1.6k likes
3.    JB & Lauren - Salsa: 72,869 views / 879 likes
4.    Pete & Jowita - Argentine Tango: 66,448 views / 661 likes
5.    JB & Lauren - Paso Doble: 65,091 views / 770 likes
6.    Tasha & Aljaž - Salsa: 64,854 views / 601 likes
7.    Sarah & Vito - Jive: 59,501 views / 601 likes
8.    Tasha & Aljaž - Waltz: 53,255 views / 669 likes
9.    Sarah & Vito - Tango: 43,828 views / 549 likes
10.    Pete & Jowita - Foxtrot: 42,824 views / 353 likes

Top 3 likes:
1. Chris & Dianne - Viennese Waltz
2. Chris & Dianne - Charleston
3. JB & Lauren - Salsa

Bottom 3 likes:
1. Pete & Jowita - Foxtrot
2. Sarah & Vito - Tango
3. Sarah & Vito - Jive / Tasha & Aljaž - Salsa

[*Diana]

Remind me will we know the winner Saturday or do they do a result show Sunday? I can't remember 

 

Rooting for anyone but Chris but we all know he's winning  

[taylorkat]

I'm going to keep a little hope that someone else will win.

[Abe1818]

Aljaz lifting Tasha in all 3 dances, poor thing is gonna need a defibrillator at this point

[ungodlyhour]

Best shot of a non-Chris win I think is Sarah devouring the finale so I'm banking on that lol

[*Wallace]

Ahh I'm currently watching the last It Takes Two episode of this series. The last episode of that show is always so emotional.  Though why they don't do one more show after the final, I'll never understand. But anywho, here are some Best Moments videos and final interviews from the Final 4 couples.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then some extra interviews from the eliminated celebs:

 

 

 

[*Wallace]

On 12/12/2024 at 6:47 AM, *Diana said:

Remind me will we know the winner Saturday or do they do a result show Sunday? I can't remember 

 

Rooting for anyone but Chris but we all know he's winning  

Ah I just saw this. But the performances + results are all in one show on Saturday. So it's gonna be like a 2 and a half hour full night event!

 

On 12/12/2024 at 4:33 PM, Abe1818 said:

Aljaz lifting Tasha in all 3 dances, poor thing is gonna need a defibrillator at this point

LOL I thought of that just the other day when realizing all of the dances they had. Poor Aljaz. Another reason why the judges didn't need to pick the Couple's Choice for them.  

[Arsh]

On 12/13/2024 at 9:44 AM, ungodlyhour said:

Best shot of a non-Chris win I think is Sarah devouring the finale so I'm banking on that lol

It's actually JB. Few weeks back it was Sarah but not now.

[*Wallace]

About a little more than an hour until the final comes on!  

 

I do think JB winning would be kinda epic. He started off with Amy and then really transformed with Lauren. Also he landed in the Bottom 2 on Week 5. I always think it's fun to see a contestant land in the Bottom 2 and pull out the win. I do think he has built up the most momentum to win these last few weeks. But I still don't think it's enough to overtake/overcome Chris.

 

And some fun Strictly stats, Craig has given out 98 tens across his 20-year Strictly career. Meanwhile Anton has given 100 since his 2020 guest judge/2021 official judge role (last week to JB's Salsa) - what a major difference.  I wonder/would think the show would make a big deal of who gets Craig's 100th 10, as it is surely to happen tonight. It'll be whoever gets his 2nd 10 of the night.  

[*Lily]

I think Chris is running away with it tonight pretty comfortably, but excited to see everyone.

[*Wallace]

Looks like JB is kicking off the final = and with his Viennese Waltz. Saw that he got a perfect score/40 for it, so yayy for that!  

[Arsh]

Looks like Producers know it is JB now who can pull out a win if not Chris.

It is almost 15 min they just posted his Videos and opened the voting

 

Edited December 14, 2024 by Arsh

[Arsh]

Suddenly other 3 are posted 1 min apart

[*Wallace]

I went out for a bit. Read some comments and caught up on the scores of the Judges' Picks round.

 

JB & Lauren - Viennese Waltz: 10/10/10/10 = 40
Tasha & Aljaž - Couple's Choice: 9/10/10/10 = 39
Chris & Dianne - Couple's Choice: 8/10/10/10 = 38
Sarah & Vito - American Smooth: 9/10/10/10 = 39
 

So I'm guessing Motsi, Shirley and Anton will give 10s to everything tonight?  

[*Wallace]

If anyone can let me know what songs JB dances to for his Motown Medley showdance, that would be greatly appreciated!  

[*Wallace]

Showdances scores:

 

JB & Lauren - Showdance: 9/10/10/10 = 39
Tasha & Aljaž - Showdance: 10/10/10/10 = 40
Chris & Dianne - Showdance: 8/10/10/10 = 38
Sarah & Vito - Showdance: 9/10/10/10 = 39

Yayy Tasha gets Craig's 100th 10!  
 

[*Lily]

16 minutes ago, *Wallace said:

If anyone can let me know what songs JB dances to for his Motown Medley showdance, that would be greatly appreciated!  

I think it was Uptight, Dancing in the Street and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough!

[*Diana]

Tasha I love you 

 

That's all 

Edited December 14, 2024 by *Diana

[*Lily]

I like Chris and I’ll be happy for him when he wins, but my god is this finale one-sided lmao. Getting a whole poem from Craig?!
 

I gave my votes to JB.

Edited December 14, 2024 by *Lily

[*Lily]

This round is missing this reprised  

 

this

[*Wallace]

19 minutes ago, *Lily said:

I think it was Uptight, Dancing in the Street and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough!

Thank you!

[Arsh]

40 for Chris

 

Chris getting 40 before Sarah was never expected.

Edited December 14, 2024 by Arsh

[*Wallace]

5 minutes ago, *Lily said:

I like Chris and I’ll be happy for him when he wins, but my god is this finale one-sided lmao. Getting a whole poem from Craig?!
 

I gave my votes to JB.

lmaoo yes, it sure is feeling that way from everything I'm following/reading and how the series has been.  I heard about Craig's poem and I am reallly curious to see what this was about.  

 

But yeah I just want to see everyone perform at their best and have fun. 

 

What Dianne has done with Chris + what Chris has pulled off has all been incredible. So I won't be that mad if/when they win it. Plus I've loved Dianne for years and want to see her get her shining/winning moment, so this will be the time for that.