I'm fairly new to this board. I hope I'm not bringing up a subject that some will feel has already been "done to death." If so, and if someone wants to point me in the direction of previous conversations, I'd appreciate it.
These thoughts began with TAHbKA's translation of Volosozhar's interview with Fedor Klimov, but my ideas developed in a direction that I would like to hear other people's views on. I thought the best way was to start a new thread.
Tatiana asked, "Is it worth adding the quads - should the pairs progress in that direction?"
Klimov said he is more in favor of "clean, beautiful, injuries-free pairs skating" ... but then how will pairs skating progress? I think it's normal for the top athletes to think this way; after all, they're used to doing the most difficult elements because that's how you win or medal.
But I think that Savchenko & Massot progressed pairs skating by deciding not to keep trying to do the throw 3Axel in their programs, and also not trying in the Olympics a quad throw or even a quad twist. What they created with their Olympic FS was entirely new and thrilling. I'd almost say that they went deep instead of in a linear, more-of-the-same way. Massot said in an interview that what they worked hard on in the weeks leading up to the Olympics was making their connection to the music more visible to the audience, and for the enjoyment of the audience. They did this through micro-adjustments, with fingers, how they looked at each other, small moves throughout, more attention to each musical nuance. To me, that is progressing pairs in a much happier and more thrilling direction. The current elements that all the top level pairs do are difficult enough that it's pretty rare to see them all done as well as Savchenko/Massot did. I'd like to see pairs commit to the emotion of the music more and have that as how they distinguish themselves from other pairs. Sui/Han do that to excellent effect, although they do have a quad twist as well.
These thoughts began with TAHbKA's translation of Volosozhar's interview with Fedor Klimov, but my ideas developed in a direction that I would like to hear other people's views on. I thought the best way was to start a new thread.
Tatiana asked, "Is it worth adding the quads - should the pairs progress in that direction?"
Klimov said he is more in favor of "clean, beautiful, injuries-free pairs skating" ... but then how will pairs skating progress? I think it's normal for the top athletes to think this way; after all, they're used to doing the most difficult elements because that's how you win or medal.
But I think that Savchenko & Massot progressed pairs skating by deciding not to keep trying to do the throw 3Axel in their programs, and also not trying in the Olympics a quad throw or even a quad twist. What they created with their Olympic FS was entirely new and thrilling. I'd almost say that they went deep instead of in a linear, more-of-the-same way. Massot said in an interview that what they worked hard on in the weeks leading up to the Olympics was making their connection to the music more visible to the audience, and for the enjoyment of the audience. They did this through micro-adjustments, with fingers, how they looked at each other, small moves throughout, more attention to each musical nuance. To me, that is progressing pairs in a much happier and more thrilling direction. The current elements that all the top level pairs do are difficult enough that it's pretty rare to see them all done as well as Savchenko/Massot did. I'd like to see pairs commit to the emotion of the music more and have that as how they distinguish themselves from other pairs. Sui/Han do that to excellent effect, although they do have a quad twist as well.
The reason is because picking the right music is difficult which tends to lend itself to settling for the usual rather than taking risks.
P/R are a wonderful young team, but the standard is sbs triples. Sure, they should continue working on slam-dunking what they do best, but also spend some time trying to master at least one reliable triple they both can become more consistent at landing. Or else strategize with interesting new moves inspired by old pairs moves. And for jumps, work on interesting transitions into jumps, or combos like double axel, double toe, double loop. 
Historically, the presentation mark in 6.0 system counted more and was the tie-breaker in the free skates. Creativity, variety, and original execution were historically part of that presentation mark, so those values were better rewarded. Such concepts are much more difficult to relegate to hard numbers. It's still a question of "you know it when you see it" -- which is one reason Sui & Han consistently rise above the field. I don't believe that their components scores are just about reputation. Their commitment to the emotion of the program and music is just unparalleled, except, IMO, by Savchenko/Massot. One thing that I think many people have already forgotten is that S/M won the Olympics despite having no quad elements, when their top competitors did.
