Gilles/Poirier: Risk of falling outside the top 10?

[muffinplus]

He isn't. But you can't honestly watch their step sequences and think she is comparable to others in the top. They are also 3 competitions in and she is yet to hit that first key point in the pattern.

I'm just surprised that "shallow edges" is of the main things you listed that you see in this FD.

 

[Dobre]

I'm fine with the concept behind Gilles & Poirier's FD. I didn't think the program had any standout moments when I first saw it; but I think it does now. Both lifts, actually. But I do think the narrative of the story should be stronger. And I don't see why they shouldn't be able to do that. They're going for the character, and they like to be over-the-top. I would say both their disco & their waltz were clearly over the top, and those scored well for them when skated well.

So by all means, go for the detective & the femme fatale. Paul has a lot of work to do, IMO, to make that role come alive. Piper did much better with it at S.A., but she can push it forward. I'm not sure what the plot of the dance is either (I only watched the SA version twice), but I liked the character roles when the commentator shared them during S.A. Now--by all means--make the story come alive and clear for the audience. It's on the way there. Just hasn't arrived yet.

As for the scores, that's going to take some technical work.

I would start with the rhumba. They haven't cracked higher than a level two on it this season.

 

[marbri]

I think how well anyone understands or "gets" a dance is based on their on experiences. For instance, someone used V/M as an example of a FD that was 'easy" to understand. But I never saw the movie and didn't know the storyline. When I first saw that dance at SC, I thought it was kind of a confused mess and couldn't believe this was the best they could come up with in an Olympic year. It seemed like 2 very different styles just stuck together and didn't mesh.

Then Tak explained the movie to me and I could understand what they were doing. Then it all made sense - but only because I knew what the movie was about. [Although artistically I still wish that transition was not quite so abrupt.] But that dance is only easy to understand if you saw the movie/know the story. This applies to every dance, not just this one.

If this is in response to what I wrote allow me to give some context. My first post was discussing the chosen theme of G/P´s FD and how I didn't think they were putting their concept across well, that it fell flat, whatever. Someone responded that they didn't think something had to be spelled out literally in terms of a story. I AGREED with that using V/M´s and P/C´s FDs as examples of not telling the literal story (V/M) or not telling s story (P/C) but felt both worked. Specifically with V/M´s FD, because this is the one you mention, I think you can still see the emotions and tensions in the two parts without knowing the story. Then once you do it adds. Another example is Bobrova / Solovievs FD. I don't think it was obvious what they were doing, you make your own story or try to figure it out, then they explain it and you say "okay, I see what you are doing now". What I feel with G/P´s program is that even after an explanation I don't think they show it well.

Btw...who is this Tak who explained the movie to you?

@muffinplus I am confused you think "shallow unsure edges" was a main issue I had with their program? It came at the end of the list of what I thought were there issues. I thought the biggest problem with them this season is that the theme/interpretation is so weak that with their technical problems there isn't much to latch onto. I really liked her first dress though

 

[barbarafan]

He isn't. But you can't honestly watch their step sequences and think she is comparable to others in the top. They are also 3 competitions in and she is yet to hit that first key point in the pattern.

re:short dance the gimicky moves with the sleeves right before they start the pattern seems to throw them off. move or remove it & concentrate on Pipers edges.Her costume is beautiful and so is she but the so called Latin screwing up of her face with the opening ad closing of her mouth as if she is saying ooh aah ooh aah just looks weird..a half seductive smile and stare would look better and not so distracting. I liked lots of the other moves...so they need to go simple and think edge edge on pattern and sequences...not the right place for goofiness.

 

[muffinplus]

If this is in response to what I wrote allow me to give some context. My first post was discussing the chosen theme of G/P´s FD and how I didn't think they were putting their concept across well, that it fell flat, whatever. Someone responded that they didn't think something had to be spelled out literally in terms of a story. I AGREED with that using V/M´s and P/C´s FDs as examples of not telling the literal story (V/M) or not telling s story (P/C) but felt both worked. Specifically with V/M´s FD, because this is the one you mention, I think you can still see the emotions and tensions in the two parts without knowing the story. Then once you do it adds. Another example is Bobrova / Solovievs FD. I don't think it was obvious what they were doing, you make your own story or try to figure it out, then they explain it and you say "okay, I see what you are doing now". What I feel with G/P´s program is that even after an explanation I don't think they show it well.

Btw...who is this Tak who explained the movie to you?

@muffinplus I am confused you think "shallow unsure edges" was a main issue I had with their program? It came at the end of the list of what I thought were there issues. I thought the biggest problem with them this season is that the theme/interpretation is so weak that with their technical problems there isn't much to latch onto. I really liked her first dress though

Again, I don't see G/P program as needing an explanation. It's a film noir mood/atmosphere piece. They are playing characters, but there is no real "story" to show. If you don't relate to what they are showing, that's fine.

While the first lift at SA performance was rough, there were no real or major technical issues with the rest of the lifts therefore I don't understand why your post mentioned technical deficiencies as something you focus on, as the program was otherwise performed reasonably well. To each their own I guess though?

 

[chapis]

I don´t understand the new dress, he goes very literal with a police badge and then she with that random dress . I think Piper does not realize how pretty she is and that she can take advantage of that.

 

[Bigbird]

I don´t understand the new dress, he goes very literal with a police badge and then she with that random dress . I think Piper does not realize how pretty she is and that she can take advantage of that.

I'm beginning to think that myself. She needs something sophisticated and elegant similar to last years Tango. They should be thinking more a Kim Bassinger vibe for that FD and it's like they're scared to take it to the next level. Better yet they should just bring back Hitchcock. If C. Lane wasn't so busy meddling with Russian ice dance she'd see what needs to be done in her own house.

 

[MarieM]

Brilliant choreography? Sorry but no, it's a load of crap.
And I usually LOVE what Lane brings to the sport.
But she is no femme fatale, and Paul is not portraying a detective. IF that's what they wanted to show me, it doesn't work. Maybe they should go the "stupid blonde secretary of a detective" and IMO they should use that disco program of theirs to fit into these new characters. Because that's more who they are and can portray.
That they think they can outsex H&Donohue is crazy. They are worth more than this crap.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Overall I think their SD is amazing. Unique and innovative (yes, even the music) as per usual..

The free dance.. the most Innovative and breathtaking lifts Ive ever seen... Compare that with the lift that Hawayek & Baker do.. a bit BORING... even Ben said in their SD that their lift wasnt exciting. G&P's free music and program as a whole I don't think is special enough for THEM. Im used to something more unique... not the theme song to Perry Mason was it? I can't remember.....

My rating:

SD: A-
FD: B-

 

[muffinplus]

I enjoy the program more as I watch it over. Frankly, it's nice to see someone using this music and not skating to Coldplay (I like Adam's Bird program, but that Paradise song...) or some other generic muzak.

I don't like Piper's dress though. Change it.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

I have the feeling this couple are being sacrificed.

Less to do with the actual quality of their skating routines, and more to do with a politically - motivated Russian push for Sinitsina & Katsalapov, and Stepanova and Bukin, the two teams who beat Piper and Paul to the podium at both of their Grand Prix assignments this year.

The Grand Prix Series is tough for the skaters. Particularly when there are so few slots for the final, and the top teams go head to head with each other. Choosing which event to participate in sometimes comes down to strategy.

 

[MarieM]

S&Katsa have some of the best SS in the circuit when he dares not to fall.
S&Bukin are getting better every year.

When have Piper&Paul really worked on their basics? Not this season. And with shitty programs? IT shows.

 

[muffinplus]

Why have I not heard a commentary note this year from the US commentators ( I.e Charlie or Ben) about supposedly the worst skating skills this team has?

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

S&Katsa have some of the best SS in the circuit when he dares not to fall.
S&Bukin are getting better every year.

When have Piper&Paul really worked on their basics? Not this season. And with shitty programs? IT shows.

LOL.. I don't think we could ever say G&P have shitty programs.

Thats the equivalent of saying Michelle Kwan has shitty programs.

If it weren't mostly for G&P I still wouldnt even be tuning in to dance.

They have the most UNshitty, interesting and "whooooaaa factor" programs of anyone.

 

[muffinplus]

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