Welcome back to the dance drama! This week on Dance Moms, the absence of Cathy Nesbitt-Stein and Candy Apples brings a surprising sense of efficiency to Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC). But fear not, drama lovers, because a new face is in town to stir things up: Jade and her mother, Loree.
Episode 25 marks the arrival of Jade, a Select Team crossover dancer. Abby introduces Loree as an elegant woman and successful dance studio owner, immediately setting a tone of high expectations. Let’s dive into how Jade’s presence shakes up the ALDC dynamics and the rollercoaster of events that unfold in this episode.
Pyramid Shuffles and Shocking Decisions
The weekly pyramid reveals a predictable hierarchy. Mackenzie Ziegler holds the middle spot, with Abby promising to challenge her further. Maddie Ziegler secures second place despite missing part of the previous week, acknowledged for her consistent perfection. Kendall Vertes claims the coveted top spot, recognized for her solo win and leadership in the group dance.
However, the calm is short-lived. Abby drops a bombshell: the team is heading back to Woodbridge, VA, to face Studio Bleu, a formidable competitor who has previously defeated the Pitt Crew. Adding fuel to the fire, Abby announces she’s scrapping the planned group number, intending to save it for Nationals. A brand new routine will be created, with everyone included, though Abby admits she has no concrete concept yet. This decision sparks immediate shock and concern among the moms, and even Gia, usually Abby’s steadfast supporter, questions the strategy. Abby, as always, remains firm, even in the face of potentially sabotaging her team’s chances.
Rehearsal Chaos and Phobia-Themed Dance
The girls begin rehearsing “The Number That Doesn’t Exist.” Gia searches for suitable music while Abby haphazardly throws out ideas. She lands on a “phobias” theme, tasking each girl with improvising a fear. The improvisation exercise yields mixed results, particularly challenging for Mackenzie, whose fear of bugs proves difficult to translate into dance, especially given her aversion to improvisation. A frustrated Mackenzie leaves rehearsal in tears, leading to Abby benching her. Abby’s harsh reaction, criticizing Mackenzie’s inability to “pretend there’s a bug,” seems hypocritical considering her own lack of preparation with the group choreography.
Solo Showdown: Chloe vs. Jade and Strategic Maneuvering
With only two days until competition, solo rehearsals commence. The spotlight is on a face-off between Chloe Lukasiak and newcomer Jade. Christi expresses her frustration at Jade’s perceived advantage due to her age and Abby’s preferential attention. During group rehearsal, Abby presents Mackenzie with a questionable choice: participate in the group dance or perform a junior solo. While it appears Mackenzie would naturally choose the group, the moms quickly realize Abby’s strategic manipulation. By removing Mackenzie, the Pitt Crew is forced to compete in the Teen division, the very division where Studio Bleu previously defeated them. The moms suspect Abby is deliberately avoiding a direct rematch with their rivals in the Junior division. Even Loree, initially portrayed as agreeable, begins to question Abby’s motives.
Loree’s Rising Concerns and Team Dynamics
On the final rehearsal day, Loree openly voices her concerns to the moms about Abby’s decisions. She reveals her apprehension about Jade’s acro solo, acknowledging it’s not Jade’s strongest style. Loree also questions Abby’s strategy of placing the girls in the Teen division, facing a larger pool of older, more experienced dancers. The moms, initially wary of Loree, now warm up to her, recognizing her dance expertise and potential influence with Abby. Loree’s genuine niceness and reasonable perspective become apparent, offering a potential ally within the volatile ALDC environment.
Competition Day: Studio Bleu and Uphill Battles
Competition day arrives, and Abby discovers Studio Bleu is indeed competing in the Teen Division. The moms seize the opportunity to point out Abby’s miscalculated gamble. However, Abby, never one to admit fault, deflects blame. Despite Loree’s attempt to persuade Abby to reinstate Mackenzie to the group dance, Abby stubbornly attributes the issue to Mackenzie’s attitude.
Jade takes the stage and delivers a strong solo performance. Christi resigns herself to Chloe consistently being placed in challenging, often unwinnable, situations. Chloe, nonetheless, performs a beautiful contemporary solo, earning praise even from Abby. Despite their efforts, the solo results remain uncertain.
During group warm-ups, an accidental collision occurs: Chloe inadvertently hits Maddie in the face.
Both girls are unharmed, but the incident ignites another argument between Christi and Abby, further escalating tensions before the crucial group performance against Studio Bleu.
Studio Bleu’s routine is polished and mature, showcasing synchronized movements and a clear narrative of conformity. Their older average age is noticeable compared to the Pitt Crew. Despite the last-minute choreography and limited rehearsal time, the ALDC girls perform admirably. However, the routine lacks cohesion and clarity, reflecting the rushed preparation and stylistic inconsistencies.
Disappointing Results and Loree’s Doubts
Awards time brings disappointing solo results. Chloe places sixth, and Jade secures third. Abby’s questionable choices—Jade’s acro solo and increased pressure on Chloe—undoubtedly impact their placements. The hastily assembled group number manages to achieve second place in the Teen Division, but Studio Bleu claims the first-place victory. Abby’s reaction is surprisingly mild, perhaps hinting at an underlying acknowledgment of her own missteps in the week’s outcome.
But is Abby truly self-aware? Unlikely.
Loree, witnessing the mediocre results, expresses doubts about bringing Jade into the ALDC. Abby, taken aback by Loree’s questioning after her previously agreeable demeanor, is reminded that “Everyone is replaceable,” even the seemingly reasonable ones.
With Nationals looming, the lack of Nationals-caliber routines and dwindling preparation time become pressing concerns. Abby’s tendency to alienate both new and veteran moms raises questions about team cohesion for Nationals. Mackenzie, with Sarah Reasons absent, stands out amongst the older girls, suggesting her continued importance to the team. Will next week introduce another young dancer, or is Mackenzie’s time in the spotlight fading? The episode concludes with these uncertainties, leaving viewers to speculate about Abby’s next moves and the future of the ALDC as they head towards Nationals.
Tune in next Tuesday at 9/8CT on Lifetime for new episodes of Dance Moms.
