NHK Trophy FD Overview

Lets start of this event since we were seeing and being able to write about it for the first time, lets start with Iliynikh and Katsalapov' FD; from leading in SD to becoming 3rd overall.. That was expected. But must have been a disappointment for them. They were good but they lacked energy in this program. This choreography is, in some parts over the top brilliant and in some parts a total disaster. Those twizzles, last intricate part of the turn, beautifully tailored little details in movements were choreographed perfectly but in some parts you feel like somebody else took the program and ruined it! For example; after that twisted and sumptuous last part of the turn music goes into its most glamorous part of it but instead of floating on the ice with rough transitions they are standing just right there slowly moving there arms you feel like saying "what the hell are you doing? Just move for God's sake!" those lifts were old fashioned and there is nothing interesting about it all. Overall, it is a confusing choreography they really need to polish it and turn the volume up! I loved Nikita's acting and the feeling he gives to you but for some reason I felt like Elena was stiff and dull which erases all of the great content done perfectly in a second when you see her face trying to concentrate all the time. If they can really edit this program and make it better artistically it will be enchanted. My
sentimental favorites Weaver and Poje were incredible. From the continuity of the speed to fluency of the transitions this performance was breathtaking. You could feel the energy in every movement. There was a lot of passion and sensuality which is giving the program an amazingly strong artistical side advantage. What a shame on that extended lift, they would have won if they didn't get that deduction! Their timing was incredible which is one of the most important things in this free dance, it has so much content, intricacy and speed in it they should manage time in every move they should be very careful with it. I see thir skating skills improving and this program progressing everytime I see them, it makes me really happy. In my opinion the only editing this choreography needs is to move their last rotational lift to the end and make that last straight line lift a long lift (siLi4+RoLi4). It would be glamorous and base values would remain the same. Shibutani's program is still boring to me, I feel like there are only requied elements but not more. They deserved those points but they were so much better in the SD. They were so happy to find out that they won :) But I believe they still look like juniors
no matter how great their skating skills are they lack something. Couples except the top 3 were in a "not there yet" category so with the withdraw from Paul and Islam there was not so much to talk about. I still keep saying "what was that?" to Ziganshina and Gazsi's FD. Kriengkrairut and Giullietti-Schmitt were nowehere near their SD vibe and energy but their straight line lift is mentionably innovative and difficult. Reed's were looking awesome as always in terms of their outfits and styling. And I couldn't watch Alessandrini and Vaturi's Tosca without thinking Belbin and Agosto. So it is very hard for me.