So, was anyone going to tell me that this season isn’t actually being extended and last week’s epic tie meant we’d have a double elimination this week? Was anyone going to tell me that, or was I going to have to find that out at the beginning of this episode?
I was emotionally prepared for one elimination. I had accepted it. I sat down to watch this episode knowing that one team was going home but that the season had been extended and we were getting more time with these pairs. Everything was looking up.
And then they had to drop this double elimination news
Like, you couldn’t give me time to emotionally prepare?
I also really enjoyed the sentence “In the eleven-year history of our show, there has only ever been one tie.” Ron, your show was on hiatus for five of those eleven years, and for the first three seasons you didn’t give scores in the skate-off. You’re technically right, but you said that in the weirdest way.
Every week, I tune in to this show all excited for the figure skating, and every week I am sucker punched by Ron MacLean’s words before I can properly prepare for what I’m about to watch.
Pair #1: Jessica Campbell and Asher Hill
Alright, we’re four weeks in and I think I’ve waited long enough. I’m officially declaring this pair my favourite. I know I’m always biased toward the fun teams with personality, but these two are just so much fun. The fact that Jessica threw and lifted Asher? We have no choice but to stan.
They’re just so comfortable on the ice and such good skaters. I can’t believe I didn’t know about Asher Hill before this season. I love both of them so much.
Pair #2: Kaitlyn Weaver and Bryan Bickell
Those hips!
This wasn’t my favourite Weaver and Bickell number, but I am absolutely in awe of this man’s skating ability. The footwork in this one was incredible. He really looked like a figure skater out there. I continue to be incredibly impressed with this two.
Pair #3: Carlotta Edwards and Kris Versteeg
I think Scott Moir said it best here: “Welcome to the competition!”
I won’t lie: I was starting to get tired of these two. I’m sorry, but good soundbites and funny Instagram stories will only get you so far if you’re skating isn’t on the same level as everyone else’s. Mans isn’t going to beat Bryan Bickell without stepping up his game.
This number, though. It’s like they took all the personality they’ve been showing throughout the competition, and channelled it into this skate. Does that make sense? Probably not, but I’m running with it. I just love how much fun they were clearly having. Kris seems to be getting better at skating, too. I still can’t see them making it to the finals (my guess is it’ll be Bickell, Campbell and Wolski), but I’m rooting for them to stick around for a few more weeks.
Pair #4: Meagan Duhamel and Wojtek Wolski
Alright, first of all, these two announcing that they plan on taking even more risks sent my heart rate skyrocketing.
Please. Please, no more risks. Winning is great, but I want you to survive!
Anyways, if I’m being honest, Canadian week is never my favourite week and I don’t love country numbers on this show, but I loved this. The skating? The tricks? The fact that they were both clearly having so much fun? This pair didn’t wow me from the start, but I’m starting to think they might be a dark horse candidate to win the whole thing.
Pair #5: Meghan Agosta and Andrew Poje
Well, well, well, the cop is finally out of the competition.
In all seriousness, I’ve enjoyed watching these two skate, and I’m especially sad to see Poje leave because he’s one of my favourite figure skaters, but if someone had to leave, I’m not too sad about it being these two.
The lift was incredible, but other than that this skate didn’t totally wow me. Meghan still looks a bit awkward. And you can bet I won’t miss the cop jokes.
Pair #6: Jennifer Botterill and Eric Radford
My favourite part of this skate? Eric just throwing in a jump on his own. Like, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen another figure skater on this show do something like that. Usually they’re trying to show off the hockey player’s skills? It was great, though.
I’m going to miss these two. I thought they looked really graceful in this one – as Scott Moir said, they looked like an ice dance team. They weren’t my favourite pair, but I liked them.
Pair #7: Vanessa James and Akim Aliu
I am. So happy that these two are staying.
First of all, they beat the cop, which is objectively hilarious. But man, the way they improved this week! This is the first time Akim hasn’t looked nervous. And the fact that all his YouTube recommendations are figure skating videos now? SO precious.
I think Scott’s comment on Carlotta and Kris’s skate applies here too: “welcome to the competition!”
I would have been really devastated to see them leave after this, because it feels like they’ve finally figured it out. I can’t wait to see more.
Battle of the Blades airs Thursdays at 8pm ET on CBC.
