Season 2 of Dance Moms continues to deliver the drama and fierce competition we’ve come to expect, and episode 9, “Return of the Candy Apples,” is no exception. This episode reignites the fiery rivalry between Abby Lee Miller and Cathy Nesbitt-Stein as the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) heads to Cathy’s territory in Ohio. Get ready for intense rehearsals, motherly squabbles, and a competition filled with unexpected twists.
Pyramid and Team Dynamics
Abby kicks off the week with her infamous Pyramid of Doom, setting the tone for another demanding week at the ALDC studio. Kendall, still finding her footing after joining the team, finds herself at the bottom. Abby makes it clear that Kendall isn’t yet meeting her high standards. Interestingly, the commentary hints at a strategic reason for Kendall’s placement, perhaps to fuel drama and spotlight her “Real Housewife” mother, Jill.
Also on the bottom are MacKenzie, criticized for not being as impactful in a prop-based routine as Maddie supposedly would have been, and Brooke, penalized for showing emotion – a big no-no in Abby’s world. Paige joins them for the simple act of needing multiple reminders to sit down on the bus. Kelly’s reaction to Paige’s placement is heightened with comedic sound effects, emphasizing the ever-present tension.
Moving up the pyramid, Nia lands in the second row, not due to her dancing, but because of her mother Holly’s continued commitment to her career outside of the dance world. Chloe joins Nia in the second row, a consequence of Abby’s rigid hierarchy where only one dancer can reign supreme.
Unsurprisingly, Maddie takes the top spot, although even she isn’t immune to Abby’s critiques, with her dancing deemed “slightly problematic by Maddie standards.” This sets the stage for another week of intense pressure on the young dancers.
“Bad Apples” Group Dance
With the competition taking place at Candy Apples Dance Studio territory in Ohio, Abby announces the group dance theme: “Bad Apples.” This routine is described as a blend of ’40s style, Andrews Sisters vibes, and a touch of Katy Perry, suggesting Abby is aiming for a performance that’s both classic and contemporary, but primarily designed to provoke Cathy Nesbitt-Stein. The message is clear: they are going to turn Candy Apples into applesauce.
Upstairs, the drama shifts to the moms, who continue to “haze” newcomer Jill into their established dynamic. Christi, ever the instigator, cleverly targets Jill’s sensitivity about Kendall’s pyramid placement. Recognizing Jill’s need for validation, Christi subtly encourages her to confront Abby, knowing it will lead to conflict. “Does anybody have any popcorn?” Christi quips, as Jill walks right into Abby’s studio.
The confrontation unfolds predictably. Abby, in a memorable analogy, compares the Abby Lee Dance Company to Harvard – a prestigious institution where many aspire but only one can be valedictorian. It’s a sharp and telling remark, perfectly encapsulating Abby’s competitive philosophy.
Candy Apples Studio Confrontation
The ALDC arrives in Ohio, and the visuals paint a picture of Candy Apples Dance Studio located in a rural setting, juxtaposed with footage of cows and rustic buildings. This immediately sets a contrasting tone to the ALDC’s Pittsburgh studio.
Cathy, in her signature dramatic fashion, declares that last season’s Hollywood showdown was humiliating, but this time, things will be different. Abby Lee is now firmly placed in her “repertoire of enemies.” The rivalry is officially reignited, and the tension is palpable.
During lunch, Christi continues to stir the pot, labeling Jill a “studio hopper” and revealing her extensive “evidence” that Maddie and Chloe have consistently outperformed Kendall in competitions. This reinforces the existing hierarchy and fuels further friction among the mothers.
Solo Prep and Hotel “Soiree”
Abby’s focus shifts to Brooke’s solo, “Garden of Eden,” which, fittingly, also incorporates a “bad apple” element. The pressure is on Brooke to deliver a flawless performance, especially since word has reached Abby that Cathy has entered a dancer, Erika, to directly compete against Brooke.
Cathy claims her motivation is simply to gain Abby’s acknowledgment of Candy Apples as a legitimate dance studio. She also mentions Vivi-Anne’s role, hinting at some kind of deal or expectation.
On the bus to the competition, Melissa and Jill attempt to smooth things over with Abby by presenting her with a lavish, gaudy ring. Christi’s sarcastic aside, “Cause that’s what I think when I’m shopping — what can I bring Abby?” highlights the absurdity of their gesture. Abby’s unenthusiastic response and demand for a husband as a “next time” gift further underscores her demanding personality.
Later, at the hotel in Columbus, the moms receive a mysterious invitation to a “soiree” in the Presidential Suite, complete with a tiny apple charm. Intrigued, and perhaps a little mischievous, they attend, finding Cathy hosting a gathering to showcase her “first-class” operation. Cathy attempts to lure the moms to her studio, emphasizing her leadership and studio quality, despite Candy Apples’ dancers often losing to ALDC. The moms, however, seem more entertained than tempted by Cathy’s overtures.
Competition Day Chaos
Competition day arrives, and the girls undergo hair and makeup transformations to fit the ’40s theme of their group routine. Chloe’s reaction to her retro hairstyle is humorously compared to Nellie Oleson from Little House on the Prairie, adding a touch of levity. To distract Abby from a snood-related meltdown, the moms decide to reveal their attendance at Cathy’s “soiree.”
Predictably, Abby’s reaction is explosive. Her anger is multifaceted, ranging from feeling excluded from the “soiree” to Cathy’s attempts to poach her dancers and her negative comments about Abby herself.
Group Dance Results and Solo Showdown
Adding insult to injury, Cathy interprets the “Bad Apples” routine as an homage, rather than an insult. Furthermore, Candy Apples’ flamenco-inspired group dance appears technically superior to the “Bad Apples” routine. Abby acknowledges the possibility of being outdone, suspecting Cathy’s dancers might be older than their age group. She then turns her frustration on her own dancers for what she deems a lackluster “baby dance,” conveniently overlooking her own choreography.
In a surprising turn, “Bad Apples” unexpectedly wins against the seemingly superior Candy Apples routine. The apple-themed puns fly as the ALDC celebrates. Cathy, however, is far from pleased. She investigates the scores, discovering Candy Apples lost by a mere 12 points, fueling her determination for her soloist, Erika, to defeat Brooke.
Brooke vs. Erika and the DQ Drama
Brooke’s “Garden of Eden” solo is described as ethereal and acrobatic, with a stunning costume. She delivers a strong performance, earning even Abby’s praise. Erika’s performance follows, and Abby expresses concern that Erika might be more mature than Brooke. The moms, echoing this sentiment, suspect Erika is older than Brooke and possibly too old for her age division. Kelly even remarks that Erika “doesn’t look like she’s from Cathy’s studio at all,” hinting at a different style or maturity.
Their suspicions prove correct. Competition officials approach Cathy and Erika’s mother, prompted by reports that Erika has competed in the 14-year-old division previously. Cathy’s claim of not having birth certificates on hand is quickly challenged. The official directly asks Erika’s mother about her age, who confirms she is fourteen. Whoopsie… wrong age division indeed. Cathy attempts to deflect by questioning Brooke’s age, but the odd “dance-math” ensues, resulting in Erika’s disqualification and Brooke being awarded first place in her division.
In a display of poor sportsmanship, Cathy and Erika’s mother console Erika by blaming jealousy and external factors for the disqualification, rather than acknowledging their own misrepresentation. Erika’s tears likely stem from understanding the situation far more clearly than they give her credit for.
Aftermath and Cathy’s Exit
The episode concludes with Cathy and Abby engaged in a petty argument over the ownership of the red and black color scheme. Cathy resorts to name-calling, referring to Christi as “Nose.”
Christi’s dramatic retort, “Be gone, witch,” accompanied by a dismissive hand gesture, perfectly encapsulates the theatrical nature of their rivalry. Despite Cathy’s defeat in this episode, the preview for next week hints that the Candy Apples drama is far from over as the competition moves to New Jersey.
“Return of the Candy Apples” delivers classic Dance Moms entertainment – fierce competition, intense mother-daughter dynamics, and the ever-entertaining Abby vs. Cathy feud. Brooke’s unexpected solo win and Erika’s disqualification add a dramatic climax to this Ohio showdown, leaving viewers eager for the next episode.
