Well, I've had a lovely afternoon catching up. I really enjoyed the show last night.
It's fun also to read all of your comments and snarking first so I can comment on them as well as the dancing <peers over glasses in schoolma'am fashion>
I'll begin by saying that Will didn't say he'd let his family down, he said he'd let Nancy down because of the Paso.
He didn't look to me like he couldn't take criticism, just that he was gutted because he thought he'd done well. I thought the Paso was great, but I'm a sucker for a traditional music only Paso. I did think the cape looked daft when it was just wrapped across his shoulders, but for most of the cape work it was fab.
I think Shirley's criticism was harsh, not just with Will, but with others too, as she can't (or shouldn't) start to give proper constructive criticism in the semi-final and dress it up as "we're here to learn" talking to the audience like they're 6 year olds. Had her criticism (which was, in itself, fine) been consistent all the way through, then last night wouldn't have got the boos. She'd instead have been considered like most people consider Craig, the only one not talking hogwash. But after only using 9 and 10 for the last month, starting to be fair seems a bit weird.
I didn't mind his CC any more than I mind any other. It wasn't what I want to see in Strictly. I didn't even like it that much at the Hacienda in 1991. I did it because I was there, but at heart I'm an 80s rock chick. If you take away the "wtf is this doing on Strictly" element then it reminded me a bit of Rhys last year, Tyler this year. It was danced very well.
EVERY SINGLE SLEB has wheeled out the Family when it suits them/when the producers make them. And last night they were all shown those cheesy videos with their mams, dads, great aunt Jessie, the woman next door's poodle and a bloke they once sat next to on a bus. Every single one mentioned family and how important family is. Will talks about his, we've had Fleur's dead dad several times, Helen's mum and dad (more than once) kids, siblings and nieces and nephews, Molly's mum and dad are always there and pointed out to us, we've been to Hamza's parents' house, we went to Kym's house for some dinner. Etc etc. They ALL go on about their families. And last night more so than usual.
Likewise the sad stories if they've got them. Kudos to Kym for not milking her dead son, or Matt for his sister, but none of the others are averse. Helen, to be honest, hasn't needed to as every time she appears everyone bangs on about her husband. (and I do wonder if she'd want that-and I have the feeling she might not tbf.) Shirley's comment struck me "nervous and shy" at the beginning- Shirl, this is a woman who walks a fucking tightrope across a canyon- I don't think she does nervous or shy. She looks like she's probably more fragile than say, Fleur or Molly, but looking like is nothing to do with being.
The only northerner dissed last night was Tess, by that twat in the bath with the T&C taking the piss out of her pronunciation. Lots of people on here don't like Will, but I've not heard anyone not liking him because he's a white northern man.
For me, the weakest dancer of them all last night was Fleur. For me, she is now way below the others by a country mile. The Charleston outfit was horrific on her, the shoes shortened her leg length and emphasised the stompiness. (or "power" as I believe it's called in semi-final week (or "power of strength" if you're Motsi (no me neither) Jowita had similar shoes on a couple of weeks ago (for the Jive possibly?) and even she couldn't pull them off. Obviously, the costume wasn't Fleur's fault, or, I imagine, choice, but it didn't help her and actually made her leg movements look even more heavy. There were a few moments when Vito lifted her and put her back down that she seemed really unsure like she didn't know where her feet were going and she just went thunk onto the floor. Her Paso looked like a Paso Pantomime Parody and the music was bizarre. (It's useful to watch on catch up- you can keep pausing and looking again) She never changed facial expression - it was just "very very angry" all the way through. I don't think she's very good at the nuances of characterisation that some of the others can do. Molly can usually do it, Will can usually do it. Helen can do it most of the time. The Vito-cape grabbing was just as odd if not more so than Will's having his hair washed with his. And Fleur stood still (angrily) during all of the cape faffing abaht while Vito performed around her.
I thought Helen's waltz was beautiful. Simple, elegant. She looked amazing. Enjoyed Molly's AS but not as much as the two waltzes. I do get what Shirley was saying in the judges' journey bit about Molly. I have no doubt that that AS was just as technically perfect if not more so than Helen or Hamza's waltz, but it comes over as a bit too technically perfect. That's where there wasn't as much nuance from Molly. The AT from Helen was weaker than her waltz and I disagree with whichever judge said she's better at this sort of dance- these are the dances where she does look like she's not comfortable. There was some sort of hiccup right at the beginning about 10 seconds in which seemed to throw her, she was turning and something happened and she never seemed to be "sharp" to me after that. (Maybe catching the heel in the fabulous dress - definite Helen outfit envy last night) Molly's Paso was spectacular. It's one I'll rewatch. Carlos seems to have toned himself down to let his sleb shine in a way that I'm not sure Vito has yet, which doesn't help Fleur.
Hamza- agree with Craig's comments, the music flows through him and he looks light in whatever he does. And let's not ignore the elephant in the room. Hamza is many things, but light he isn't. Yet his movements are. I love @IReallyLikeCrows comments about Hamza, and agree. His waltz (wee turny in toes and all) almost brought me to tears in its simplicity and elegance. The Charleston was one of the best I've seen because the lifts etc added a bit more oomph to the usual (tedious IMO) "what am I like, goofy old me" aspect of the dance.
Rofling at Neil edging closer to the camera and ending up on the sofa in somebody's lounge. He's basically a Weeping Angel isn't he? Blink and he's got you.
I'd lob my votes at Will and Molly.
"Based on last night's performances alone" Fleur and Helen would be in my dance off with Fleur to go. Helen doesn't deserve it but technically they seem to me to be the weakest now. I still think it will be a Fleur-Molly DO and the judges may well save Fleur which would be a travesty.
My leaderboard would be:
Molly-paso
Hamza- waltz
Helen-waltz
Will-CC
Hamza- Charleston
Will-Paso
Molly-AS
Helen -AT
Fleur-Paso
Fleur- Charleston