^^ Well, there's a bit of politics involved always in the sport of figure skating. Della Monica/Guarise are a well-respected and accomplished team. And according to all I've heard, Guarise is a kind, sweet person. He's obviously been a very accomplished champion/ artist in men's and pairs roller skating too. I wish that sport was more widely popular. Italy certainly has a lot of champions in roller skating.
As far as how D-M/G have fared recently, I believe they've experienced setbacks due to injuries. And also in some recent, big competition moments, they somewhat faltered, which again ends up being a setback in terms of perceptions and in terms of being able to take that step to the next level. The judges will often give them the benefit of the doubt in scoring due to their veteran status. And their fed has a bit of clout due to Cinquanta's long tenure as ISU President. Carolina Kostner often received benefits from that factor, early in her career. I'm not saying Kostner and D-M/G didn't/ don't deserve breaks or good scores. The point is that they have the talent to be recognized, and the fed clout factor helps/ has helped sometimes in the scoring.
There are so many examples of teams hovering on the cusp of making it to the top level of 'team-to-beat' status. Duhamel/Radford's career is a good example of a team with talent hovering in the second tier, and then achieving success, and then having to make adjustments to continue being top competitors in the deep and talented pairs field. James/ Cipres are yet another example of a talented team around for a long time, steadily improving, but remaining in the second tier, trying mightily to make that big leap. I think part of that was due to a bit of J/C being under-rated. This is a tough sport in general for all athletes, but especially for non-white athletes. Asian athletes made the leap to top respectability and recognition over a period of time. There's always room for continued advances, but generally Asian athletes are accepted and rewarded in the sport of figure skating. There are not many athletes of color in figure skating. And those who rise to mid-tier recognition do so through a huge amount of courage, fight, self-belief and talent. The few who break past mid-tier are few indeed.
That's why it has been great to witness James/Cipres' breakthrough circa 2016 - 2019. Everything finally came together for them, but not without years of hard work and many coaches, mentors, and fans giving support and cheering them on. I admire and appreciate Vanessa's talent, grace, and staying power through many challenges. No matter what may happen going forward, what J/C achieved as a team should not be forgotten. In fact, they are far from forgotten, because IMO, despite views of detractors and naysayers, J/C's breakthrough, and their signature style (incorporating dance moves, stand-out costumes, unique choreo and modern music suitable to their raw, edgy, charismatic vibe) has greatly influenced and impacted the pairs discipline.
Savchenko/Szolkowy were immediately a striking team with obvious talent. They were good from the get-go, even at their first Worlds in 2005. But they had to pay their dues for a bit and wait for some retirements post-2006 Olympics. And then, they could not be stopped from shooting to the top because their talent was so creative, magnetic and palpable. S/S and S changed and greatly influenced pairs skating. Their approach and style inspired teams like Duhamel/Radford, Stolbova/ Klimov, Ashtakova/Roganov, et al. And then D/R and S/K went on to influence and impact the discipline. In recent years, of course, both Savchenko/Massot and James/Cipres with the help of ice dance choreographers, injected pairs skating with even more excitement and new ideas, often based on moves that are not new, but are simply put together in new ways.
Roll over Beethoven and prepare to be Disturbed.
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Or they need to rack up so many points that her doubles don't really matter. Intentional doubles for the win!
I wasn't liking it either, ANL. 
I had made a comment in one of the gymnastics thread about rep scoring being exasperating, but that it was par for the course. DM&G have been gifted more than can be reasonably explained. It gets to be a bit embarrassing. Also, I agree w/ you that they've become very predictable. It could be they are playing it safe, as in ’if it ain't broke, don't fix it.’ Too comfortable to risk shaking it up?
Nothing worse than being stuck in a fashion rut! 
