Posted on December 19, 2021
Effectively, serves me proper for taking such pleasure in our good Strictly closing. I ought to have identified that 2021 would have one closing intestine punch in retailer: poor AJ and Kai having to drop out by way of harm. It made the end result much more of a foregone conclusion – by way of public help, nobody stood an opportunity in a head-to-head battle with Rose – and added a tragic be aware to a different in any other case celebratory end.
This has been a season of extremes. As soon as once more Strictly pleasure wrestled with coronavirus angst, and we had remarkably high-standard dancing versus medical dropouts, trailblazing and progressive contestants versus… nicely, Dan Walker. New professionals triumphed, the judges often misplaced their minds, or their seats, and Couple’s Selection virtually ate the present totally.
HOWEVER. Total this season was an exhilarating watch and our closing three (even when solely two danced) have been a fab-u-lous trio – not only a plea for inclusion, however emphatic proof that it makes the whole lot higher. We had extra ingenious routines, extra of a spread of tales, and contestants who have been extra themselves and thus extra unbelievable performers as a result of Strictly supported them. Who doesn’t need to reside in a world like that?
So, as ever: be extra Strictly – and hurrah for our vastly deserving champions, Rose and Giovanni! Good winners of a superb collection.
Different hits and misses:
- Montages, montages, get yer montages right here. Additionally recaps, and montages of recaps, and recaps of montages, and slowly, inexorably, we slid into the previous – which, given the whole lot, might be a candy reduction. MISS
- Hiya, outdated mates! The category of 2021 pitched up for a gloriously chaotic group quantity, minus Robert, nonetheless benched for well being causes, and Tilly, who has COVID-19. Additionally Karen was injured so did her visitor spot sitting down like a boss. Different highlights: Gorka the dalmatian and… sorry, I misplaced my practice of thought. HIT
- I don’t know the way they might have handled the AJ state of affairs nicely. After all she deserved to be honoured within the closing, however the highlights reel simply added to the pre-packaged materials, and the reside interview was virtually too uncooked. Nonetheless, we cherished her on the present, and I can’t wait to see heaps extra from Kai. HIT/MISS
- Ed Sheeran – sigh – however candy to have a visitor look from Janette, as soon as once more teaming up with Aljaž. HIT/MISS
Finest in Present
- Finest efficiency: Rose’s Couple’s Selection Although John’s showdance and paso have been each shut contenders.
- Finest costume: John’s pirate wig This actually was Yr of the Wig.
- Finest transfer: Nikita randomly banging his chair within the background No less than he saved his shirt on.
- Finest line: Each one in all Claud’s makes an attempt to jazz up the leaderboard Not a lot you are able to do with two contestants and matching scores.
Saturday
Tess’s gown: impressed or depressed?
Actually simply wrapped in a bedsheet. The pandemic is hitting us all in several methods. Claud: sparkly silver with a slit.
Judges’ Selection
Rose and Giovanni – A-door-able
I wouldn’t have picked their Musicals Week quickstep out of all of Rose’s superb dances, however this did have an apparent error to right, which lent itself nicely to the ultimate’s redemptive narrative. It was additionally one which Craig missed, so a minimum of we obtained a contemporary critique. As soon as once more a really endearing riff on their Frozen characters – and in equity, that is most likely the closest to Rose’s personal character – together with majestic ballroom that includes the 2 glued collectively all through. This duo actually are the epitome of associate dancing and the way it elevates you each: they’ve achieved issues collectively that they by no means might have managed aside. Totally joyful.
Tune: “Love Is an Open Door” from Frozen
Judges’ feedback: Shirley mentioned it was Strictly magic. Anton praised her immaculate strains and mentioned that we might choose future ballroom dances on the present towards Rose. Craig loved watching it reside and praised Rose’s body and storytelling. Motsi cherished their characterisation.
Judges’ scores: 9, 10, 10, 10 – 39 (up from 10, 9, 9, 9 – 37)
John and Johannes – Feeling free
A fantastic selection right here: the Week 7 rumba, which was a memorable second for these two but in addition left plenty of room to mirror John’s progress as a dancer and performer. I undoubtedly felt he was extra fluid and liberated this time round – extra comfy with being expressive. Once more, great consideration to the method, from the velvety footwork to the superbly positioned arms and wonderful little particulars within the exchanges between them. It struck an ideal stability between a slick, competition-worthy routine and natural, reactive connection. A rumba within the closing would possibly look like a non-starter, nevertheless it confirmed {that a} whisper can have as a lot influence as a shout, and that vulnerability is energy.
Tune: “Form of My Coronary heart”, Sting
Judges’ feedback: Anton mentioned it was the very best rumba ever on Strictly. Craig cherished the category and understatement. Motsi was moved by it. Shirley handled us to an extract from her upcoming romance novel and invited John to rumba along with her.
Judges’ scores: 9, 10, 10, 10 – 39 (up from 8, 8, 10, 9 – 35)
Favorite Dance
Rose and Giovanni – Making historical past
This Couple’s Selection was the unparalleled second of the season, so it truly felt a bit dangerous to repeat it. Fortunately, it was simply as highly effective the second time spherical, though I wasn’t totally satisfied by Craig’s reasoning for upping his rating (in the event you truly nitpick Rose’s modern dance method, it’s not actually good – however that’s actually inappropriate for this specific quantity, sacrilegious although that sounds on this weblog…). An exquisite instance of how dance can convey some issues extra clearly and viscerally than some other artwork kind, and the way Rose each represented a group whereas additionally sharing herself on this present. One for the Strictly historical past books.
Tune: “Symphony”, Clear Bandit ft Zara Larsson
Judges’ feedback: Craig praised how Rose used the ground. Motsi adored Rose’s reference to Gio and with us. Shirley mentioned she wore her coronary heart on her sleeve. Anton thought it was simply good.
Judges’ scores: 10, 10, 10, 10 – 40 (up from 9, 10, 10, 10 – 39)
John and Johannes – Treasure island
Ooh I cherished this paso in Week 3 and I cherished it much more within the closing. John gave it EVERYTHING: it was sharper, stronger, had extra resistance, the leaps have been sky-high, and he actually fought for it. As soon as once more it felt like a very defining quantity for this partnership, proving that not solely ought to two males dance on Strictly, however that it will make the entire present come alive in new methods. It’s evident, too, that the expertise has opened up a lot for each John and Johannes, and this was a dance worthy of them. Sidenote: actually that wig is the third particular person on this marriage, what a personality.
Tune: “He’s A Pirate” from Pirates of the Caribbean (COPYCAT KLAXON: Peter Andre and Janette)
Judges’ feedback: Motsi mentioned he’d smashed it. Shirley agreed, and John actually felt it. Anton…waffled for therefore lengthy that Shirley almost handed him the maple syrup. Craig did a comedy fake-out, the wag.
Judges’ scores: 10, 10, 10, 10 – 40 (up from 9, 10, 10, 10 – 39)
Showdance
Rose and Giovanni – Down with love
Effectively, sigh. I puzzled why we had this silly gloopy romantic theme… after which Jason Gilkison appeared and all of it turned clear. After all the person who refuses to place any ballroom right into a ballroom present would assume that these two have been Romeo and Juliet – and that that will be a crowd-pleaser within the closing. Plus: ROSES as a result of ROSE, get it? So, it was properly executed, for the reason that balletic high quality was much like their Couple’s Selection, and the lifts have been severely spectacular, plus these two are all the time heartfelt and mesmerising collectively. I simply don’t assume they wanted the flowers and the smoke monster and schmaltz – they’re too good for that. I wished to see them: no distractions.
Tune: “The Rose”, Bette Midler
Judges’ feedback: Shirley mentioned that Rose had melted her coronary heart. Anton was blessed to look at them. Craig discovered it large. Motsi thought it confirmed we might do something we put our minds to and signed “I like you”.
Judges’ scores: 10, 10, 10, 10 – 40
John and Johannes – Our story
Ah, that’s extra prefer it. This routine felt like a greater reflection of the couple: it had their tenderness by way of to the exuberance and celebration of their accomplished J phrase. I cherished seeing all of the highlights from their previous dances, just like the Charleston and Argentine tango – a decide ’n’ combine method that may look messy however was easily executed. The gospel choir additionally labored significantly better right here, although I don’t assume it’s wanted for future finals. Just like the over-theming in Rose’s showdance, it took away consideration from our {couples}, and once they’re as incredible as this, that’s a frustration – simply give them the well-earned highlight, however I DID love the black-and-white ballroom footage: honouring heritage, whereas additionally marking an vital second of progress.
Tune: “You Bought the Love”, Florence and the Machine (COPYCAT KLAXON: Abbey Clancy and Aljaž)
Judges’ feedback: Anton pulled out the J phrase. Craig mentioned John got here out and went “Bam”. Motsi praised Strictly for altering lives. Shirley known as them a groundbreaking pair.
Judges’ scores: 10, 10, 10, 10 – 40
Leaderboard
Rose and Giovanni – 39, 40, 40 = 119
John and Johannes – 39, 40, 40 = 119
Effectively, you’ll be able to’t get nearer than that. Undecided our judges actually supplied a lot steering, however then this was an exhilarating duel.
Ultimate end result
Our new champions are… Rose and Gio, hurrah!! It couldn’t have gone some other means actually, nevertheless it was nonetheless an thrilling closing and a very great second. As soon as once more, our ballroom present has been a beacon of hope in a darkish time, and our successful couple actually epitomise that.
What did you make of the ultimate? Did the appropriate couple win? How did you discover the entire season? Get in contact on Twitter to share your ideas: @mkmswain
See you subsequent yr for extra Strictly magic. Within the meantime… preserve dancing!
{Photograph}: Man Levy, courtesy of the BBC.
Marianka Swain
Marianka Swain is a contract author and social dancer at a number of London venues. You will discover extra of her work at mkmswain.com.
Marianka Swain
Marianka Swain is a contract author and social dancer at a number of London venues. You will discover extra of her work at mkmswain.com.