Okay, Dance Moms fans, let’s talk about the latest episode. I know, I know, admitting this feels like a betrayal, but there’s a certain chaotic energy that only Abby Lee Miller and her rival moms can bring to the screen. And while usually, their antics are…a lot, this episode focusing on Cathy Nesbitt-Stein and her Candy Apples provided a different kind of drama, especially with Abby taking a backseat. Were we missing the ALDC chaos? Absolutely. But was Cathy’s crew snooze-worthy? Definitely not. Let’s dive into the episode and see what “Dance Moms Cathy Dance” really means in this new landscape.
Cathy, still feeling the sting of Abby’s recent victory, is on a mission to bring Candy Apples back to the forefront of the dance competition world. Enter choreographer Anthony, now seemingly Cathy’s biggest supporter. Their partnership is…interesting, with Anthony claiming they “complete each other.” Cathy’s strategy? Assemble a fresh team. She’s brought in three new dancers and their moms, described with a touch of reality TV flair as having “Botoxed and bleached” appearances, alongside her returning male dancers. One of the new moms is particularly eager to prove her daughter’s talent to Abby, hinting at past encounters on “Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition.” Cathy rallies her new dance moms and dad with a pep talk, emphasizing the need for their unwavering support as one dancer will ultimately be cut from the final team. The pressure is on for these “dance moms cathy dance” to deliver.
Anthony gets to work with the new Candy Apples troupe, and the group dance theme is, predictably, “first love.” While the theme itself might feel a bit cliché, the interactions within Cathy’s studio are anything but boring. The episode cuts to Cathy’s parents in what’s framed as a viewing room, but even their commentary feels less engaging than the usual Dance Moms drama. A break dancer’s dad briefly storms out, prompting another mom to make a rather tone-deaf comment about his behavior stemming from “the streets.” These new moms are definitely bringing a different dynamic to the “dance moms cathy dance” world.
Meanwhile, Abby is in Los Angeles, scouting locations for a potential West Coast studio. Her vision includes silks for lyrical dancers, aiming to give her future team a competitive edge. Abby seems serious about a permanent move, even speculating that Melissa would ensure Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler follow her. As for her current dancers? They barely get a mention, as Abby is already envisioning “Dance Moms: L.A.” Back in Philadelphia, Jill, Kelly, and Christi are enjoying the Abby-free peace. Kristie 2.0, ever the West Coast expert, informs the other moms that L.A. will embrace Abby because of her…drag queen-esque persona. Jill, however, worries that even a cross-country move won’t stop Cathy and her Candy Apples from being a thorn in their side. The shadow of “dance moms cathy dance” looms even in Abby’s absence.
In Ohio, Cathy is dealing with a dancer’s absence and the pressure of an upcoming competition practically in her backyard. She expresses concern about her new team’s cohesion after just a day and a half of rehearsals. To amp up the drama, Cathy calls in “Black Patsy” and Nikia as reinforcements. The nickname “Black Patsy” itself is cringeworthy, highlighting the show’s problematic elements. Abby’s friend John, while getting ready for “Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition,” advises Abby to keep a close watch on Cathy. And who better to spy than Jill? Of course, it’s Jill who becomes Abby’s eyes and ears in the “dance moms cathy dance” saga.
The missing dancer returns to Cathy’s group the next day, and Cathy quickly distributes solos. The recap writer notes a sense of disorientation, realizing the episode lacks the familiar structure of Abby’s ALDC – the pyramid, the mom drama, the Maddie vs. Chloe rivalry. Instead, we’re watching Cathy’s new, largely nameless dancers rehearse Anthony’s solos. “Botox mom” is taken aback by Black Patsy’s arrival, labeling her a “fighter.” The writer’s longing for the ALDC chaos is palpable, underscoring that while Cathy’s Candy Apples are present, the episode feels different, missing the core “dance moms cathy dance” dynamic with Abby.
At the competition, Cathy and her Candy Apples make a grand entrance in a stretch limo. The realization hits that the usual ALDC girls are absent. Jill and Holly arrive to spy, while backstage, Anthony and Cathy clash over some questionable boy puppet shorts for a dance. Jill, Kelly, and Holly then barge into Cathy’s practice room, leading to a verbal sparring match between Jill and Black Patsy. Kelly observes that Patsy is trying to emulate Holly.
The competition performances begin. Botoxed daughter performs her solo and is undeniably talented, but it doesn’t quite fill the void of the missing ALDC dancers. Puppet boy is next, also impressive, though the choreography is described as awkward. Jill, ever the instigator, compliments Cathy’s team while pointedly mentioning that Cathy didn’t cultivate their talent. Abby calls Jill for intel on Cathy, unsurprised to hear about Botox and Black Patsy’s involvement. Botox mom makes the faux pas of expressing support for Anthony, causing an uproar among the other Candy Apple parents, who question her loyalty to Cathy.
The Candy Apples group number is performed, the late ’90s country club costumes are noted, and the questionable pairing of Nikia with a shorter male dancer is highlighted. Puppet boy places third in solos, Botox’s daughter takes second. The group dance wins first place. Cathy plans to speak with Vivi before deciding who to cut. In the hallway, Kelly, Jill, and Holly confront the Candy Apple parents, and break dancer dad becomes verbally aggressive. Black Patsy physically pushes Jill with a finger to the nose – a truly “priceless” Dance Moms moment.
Next week promises more of Cathy’s dancers and a Maddie performance from “Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition.”
TELL US: What did you think of this episode? Did you miss Abby’s dancers as much as I did?
