Vancouver 2010 - Exhibition

It is so sad to think that the exhibition really does signify The End! Apparently the skaters all felt the same since they mostly all skated to slow, sad, angst-y songs, which was kind of a let down since I always think it should be more about having fun. I don't really have all that much to say about it, actually, but in-keeping with tradition, my thoughts:

- Takahashi was just gorgeous, he is so soft and smooth and gorgeous. By the way, what was up with the random skate order? Since when does Men's bronze medallist open the exhibition?!

- Pang/Tong were nice but kind of boring. I didn't like the wailing over the music. I did like her dress, though.

- I thought pretty much the same about Faiella/Scali; nice enough, but not exciting and definitely not fun.

- When I'm not worried that he'll steal a medal or a placing from my favourites, Patrick Chan is very lovely to watch. I still would have preferred to see Johnny, though.

- I love Sav/Szol so much. I wasn't sure about Aliona's outfit, but I liked her hair, and I loved Robin's outfit. Their song choice also made me smile - presumably they wouldn't have skated that if they'd won? Either way, loved the program. I really hope these two don't retire. They are the only pair team that I really love and get behind in the same way that I love Stéphane, Jeremy et al.

- Joannie's program was just gorgeous. I think it is impossible to to put into words just how incredible she has been this week. She will be carrying the flag in tonight's closing ceremonies which I think is a great honor for her. What an amazing lady.

- I have loved Sasha Smirnov ever since seeing his little face on the Euro podium and everytime I see him I love him more. I am also convinced that Yuko is superhuman; how does she get herself into those positions? Anyway, fun program that I liked a lot. I love that these two look so mis-matched, they remind me a little of Meryl and Charlie like that.

- I loved Mao's little fan. She had really cute footwork too. Mao is so cute and dynamic, I don't know why her programs are so heavy and ominous when she has such a light presence on the ice. It was nice to see her smiling, too, since she looked so disappointed in herself on Thursday.

- I much prefer Plush doing hilariously arrogant than 'passionate', which is just kind of nauseating. His jumps are absolutely looking less sure than before; I will die of joy if he goes to Worlds and doesn't win that, either. Anyway, as much as I kind of hate to say it, I did also kind of enjoy his steps.

- I like how DomShabs' exhibition now consists mostly of Maxim lying on the floor. I like their Matrix program, though, and I stand by my support of them for pushing through a rough, rough season and coming out with Olympic bronze at the end. Hopefully they (especially Maxim) feel it was all worth it.

- Eurosport called Stephane's an 'exhibition to die for' and I could not agree more. He is exquisite. Thinking about it, he never really got his jumps back this season, which is such a shame because if he had been able to, he almost certainly would have at least medalled. But whatever, he didn't, and it's all done now. Artisically, he is absolutely in a class of his own and whatever his results are, I would watch him a million times over Plush or Evan.

- I love, love, love Meryl and Charlie's 'Billie Jean'. Her dress is gorgeous and really, I just love them in general.

- I was hoping that Yu-Na would do something a little more fun but I figure she's the champion, she can do whatever she wants and it's always lovely.

- I didn't write anything at all for what I thought about Shen/Zhao. They were really cute at the end, but honestly, I can hardly remember their actual skating. I assume it was perfect as ever, though.

- I seriously do not understand why Evan does not have a real exhibition program. Is it really that difficult for him to have one? Sure, we get that he won the World title last year. That does not mean we want to see his program again at every event he skates at. It does make me laugh how you never hear anything from the commentators about Evan's talent or his artistry, like you do with Stéphane, Johnny, even Plush - with Evan, it's all about how hard he works. Which, you know, good on the guy for putting in that effort, and God knows it's gotten him exactly where he wants to be. I just do not enjoy him. And anyway, it's not like the others don't try hard, too.

- I think I am in love with Tessa and Scott. I love that program and I was so glad that they brought it out here! Physically, they are seriously the most beautiful team around; that girl is way too pretty. And obviously, their skating more than matches up to that. I love their 'goose' lift. I just loved the whole program.

The Eurosport broadcast I watched cut Tanith & Ben and the Zhangs, who I wasn't too upset to miss, but then they also cut Mirai, who I really wanted to see, and I also wanted to see that little Canadian kid, Nam Nguyen, but they didn't show him, either. I also think that they absolutely should have invited Johnny to skate, just because if there was one thing that gala needed, it was a little dose of Johnny Weir.

I'm debating whether to watch the closing ceremonies live tonight. I kind of feel like I've watched everything so religiously for the last two weeks, what is one more night gonna do? But I also think I might not manage to stay awake through the whole thing. I don't know. I'm really hoping there'll be some sort of epic montage of winning moments at some point, because I am an absolute sucker for those things.

xxx