Madison Chock & Evan Bates Hopes, Fears & Cheers!

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That 23 questions interview was the definition of adorable. Lol at Evan going over the 3 adjective limit to describe Maddie. They said such sweet things about each other and seem to have a strong relationship.

I’m so excited to finally see them! I have a feeling their SD is gonna be great. I’m not a huge fan of Imagine but if they have good choreography and skate well I can see myself liking it. Good luck at CoC Madison and Evan! :cheer2:
 
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Thank you for posting the link! Awww. :) Here's the same video uploaded on USFS' YT account: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUqnMkFuQsw

ETA:
Excerpt about their Latin SD:
In addition to working with longtime dance teachers Susan and Steve McFerren, coaches of the 10-time national champion University of Michigan ballroom team, they added Latin champion Oksana Zolotarevskaya to their team this season.
"(Oksana) has been a huge influence," Chock said. "She brings out the fire in both of us."
"The program has kind of a tribal, almost jungle kind of wild feel for Latin," she added. "We think it will be really different, compared to most of the Latin programs this year, and we're very excited for it."
 
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I liked it! Looked like they were thinking their way through it at times, a little reserved, but I'm sure that will improve with some more outings. I wish they'd done a Senior B but if they feel this approach works best for them... Their twizzles look a lot faster than last season. I hope they can bring their rhumba pattern up to L4. L2 on the midline steps is concerning but they should be able to bring that up to at least a 3.
 
Well, I am not really a fan of theirs but i AM happy they beat the Russians. 2nd is the right placement for them
 
Their FD is going to be polarizing, I would guess, but I personally think its their best work.... because its authentic to them, has an actual message responding to the unease people are feeling around the world (no other top team has an outward directed plea), and Evan is just locked in to feeling it with Maddie.
 
As a Beatles fan, I don't like that they messed with Imagine and added a female voice to Lennon's vocal. But I like Chock and Bates' program. At least there's no awkward looking lift where Evan moves Madison around his body like a sack of potatoes like last year.
 
Chock/Bates definitely had the most base-value technically difficult FD last year and I feel like it may be the same story this year (haven’t spent enough time precisely comparing yet). They spend a large amount of time in close hold and have a lot of transitions and choreographic steps that stand out as unique relative to the other top teams. The same was true last year, particularly of their lifts, but there was a really stark and odd disconnect from the music.

They’re connecting with Imagine and the choreography matches this time. Madison is second only to Tessa when it comes to the difficult entrances and exits. Where Chock/Bates should fall behind is in GOE and SS.

They’re never going to be a perfect team. The partner mismatch and edge work weaknesses will always be an issue. Regardless, this is the best FD I’ve seen from them and can see it being a real crowd pleaser. A non-skating fan in the room with me commented on how much they enjoyed the violin/instrumental version used in the midsection.
 
OMG I thought that free was a snoozefest. LOL, sorry,. But I AM A FAN!!!!!!

3 seasons ago I adored them as I still do but I haven't liked any of their music in a while. I do however like the music for this year's SD.

I dunno, maybe coming off of P&C where they just completely set a mood and were mesmerizing... I thought this Imagine was a bit of a potty break for me.

And I love them to Reeses Pieces I just wish I could pick their music for them. LOL (well, if that was the case then I'd be picking the music for 3/4 of this year's skaters in general)
 
I like the FD! I wasn't thrilled when they announced it but the way the music is put together and the way the elements and transitions match the music and mood has changed my mind. As with any program debut, they seemed a bit slow/holding back, but by Nats, I would expect it to be awesome. At least they hit their usual levels today...would obviously be great if they could get L4 on at least 1 step sequence...GOEs and SS should improve with more mileage.

For those in the U.S. who get the Oly Channel, they are re-airing the FD now, until 3 pm ET. Since I did not have the fortitude to stay up/wake up to watch live, I'm looking forward to seeing Imagine in HD. :)
 
It just goes to show that when the skaters themselves are personally invested in a program, they bring the audience along with them. I'm pleasantly surprised you all have been popping into this thread as well to say that you enjoy the program.
 
I really liked the program. I’m not a fan of the female singer’s voice or the voiceovers towards the end, but I liked their choreography and they seemed committed to selling it. I disagree with the B.Esp commentators who thought this didn’t show Madison off properly and was a copy of P/C’s style. I like seeing this softer, more romantic side to her expression and skating. I think this program really suits them and I appreciate that it’s a different direction for them compared to their last couple of FDs. I’m looking forward to watching this grow. Congrats for their CoC silver :)
 
I really liked the program. I’m not a fan of the female singer’s voice or the voiceovers towards the end, but I liked their choreography and they seemed committed to selling it. I disagree with the B.Esp commentators who thought this didn’t show Madison off properly and was a copy of P/C’s style. I like seeing this softer, more romantic side to her expression and skating. I think this program really suits them and I appreciate that it’s a different direction for them compared to their last couple of FDs. I’m looking forward to watching this grow. Congrats for their CoC silver :)

It makes a world of difference that she now genuinely looks the part-- enjoying his company, likes looking into his eyes, etc.
 
After the rather uncomfortable miss-fit for Evan last season in the SD ("Bad to the Bone" and "Uptown Funk" were just the opposite of his wheelhouse, and his "intense" look wasn't helpful), I'm enjoying his passion in this season's SD. He's never going to convincingly be a Latin heartthrob on ice, but he's doing *everything* he possibly can to get into the music. It's nice to see the commitment, and as they get more comfortable with the program, he's going to be in that "all-in" mode through more of the program.

I actually think he should take a page from Bukin and always just approach skating for the joy of it, and not try to play somebody else even when the rhythm would tend to be portrayed in a different way. It's so nice to see his true smile- he beamed at points- during the SD.
 
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