So, I finally got to writing about Maia and Alex's programs.
First the SD - I was not quite so impressed and/or ready to form an opinion after watching the not so good quality (mainly quite far away) practice video, but seeing the competition video for the first time I liked it instantly - and liked it a lot. Even if they can still go more out, this SD is so wonderfully choreographed, vibrant (no doubt also helped by Maia's incredibly beautififul dress), lightly fun, sophisticated and, yes, classy (even though I don't like using that word now as I feel that some people on these forums have been using it to sort of make an opposition to the the two top teams and their programs, especially V/M - and some have said it directly). No to mention that their rhumba pattern is/was great. As for the choreograohy, I especially like the not touching step sequence - already noted by others along with the partial sequence. In short, it's a simply wonderful SD. Definitely one of my favorites along with V/M's, P/C's and Fournier-Beaudry/Sorensen's (there are some other SDs that I like quite a lot, but it would be too off-topic to mention all of them here). I even like it more than their last season's 'That's Life' SD - it's more elaborate indeed. All in all, they have had four splendid SDs in a row now (not to say that the previous ones were bad).
Now on to the FD. It's an entirely different story. I was not all that impressed after seeing it for the first time although I felt that it was a grower. I definitely saw some great things about it - the new lifts (especially the straight line lift - just hope they won't get any overheld lift deductions for it at crucial competitions), the holds, some choreographic details. It just lacked the instant appeal and excitement of the 'Fix You' FD or the almost quietly hypnotic quality of their last season FD. But then I got to watch it on the big (TV) screen in HD quality (my TV provider finally included HD Eurosport in their package just recently), and the impression was already so much better. Often it's the other way round - what looks good in a video on computer looses some of it's impact on the TV screen (partially because of the different perception of speed, partially because one is not able to concentrate on all the nuances anymore as the viewing experience is less "intimate"). So this is a really good sign, although I think the HD quality helped too. I must note their costumes as well, especially the colour - it draws your eye so strongly on the HD screen, looking, once again, so vibrant and lively. I have no doubt that it will be the same for those watching the competitions live. And the designs of the costumes are great too - modern, yet sophisticated.
At the same time, I must mention that, watching the FD on the computer screen in lesser quality after that, the impression was less once again. But I am sure that will change in the course of the season as the dance itself and Maia and Alex's performance of it grow.
I am definitely looking forward to seeing also the SD on TV in this HD quality (Eurosport International didn't show the Rostelecom Cup SD, nor did they show a recap of it as they did of the FD). I can imagine that it will also look even better that way.
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, she will have to train him in the twizzles 
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). But I love the Nationals one too because the little alterations to the choreo made that program complete and of course that KnC reaction may never be topped 
. For Evolution 4CC for sure.
