Last night’s episode of Dance Moms delivered the usual dose of drama, but this time, the spotlight intensified on a perceived injustice in the dance world, specifically during the showdown between Chloe and Justice. As the young dancers strived for perfection, the ever-present maternal tensions and Abby Lee Miller’s demanding nature reached new heights. For fans dissecting every plié and pirouette, the question of fairness, or rather the lack thereof, became a central theme, especially when the Candy Apples entered the scene, bringing their own brand of competition and controversy. Let’s delve into the episode’s key moments and explore the unfolding drama that has everyone talking about Justice Dance Moms.
The pyramid commenced, setting the stage for the week’s hierarchy and Abby’s pronouncements. While Abby acknowledged the team’s high scores, the pyramid itself was riddled with Abby’s typical brand of logic. Kendall, despite being on the bottom, was told she should be grateful just to be there. Brooke, sidelined by back spasms, was placed on the bottom not for her injury, but for lacking “cajones” – Abby’s word choice, not ours – to communicate her pain earlier. Paige, with a broken foot, also found herself at the pyramid’s base for missing rehearsal, a decision that, while logically sound given the circumstances, still felt like a reprimand rather than understanding.
Alt text: Abby Lee Miller points to the Dance Moms pyramid, highlighting Kendall, Brooke, and Paige at the bottom, implying their need for improvement and sparking discussions around justice for dance moms and their daughters.
McKenzie landed in the middle for shedding tears after being called a brat – a harsh lesson, Abby believed, for a six-year-old. Maddie joined her in the middle, and Chloe followed, both cited for lacking confidence. In a rare moment of positivity, Nia claimed the top spot, celebrated for earning a standing ovation. However, this honor came with the daunting task of team captain, forcing her to critique her own friends – a bittersweet victory that highlighted the pressures these young dancers faced. The destination for the week: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, promising a new competitive battleground.
The group dance centered around Maddie, a concept laden with potential for internal conflict. The dance’s narrative depicted the other dancers’ aspirations to reach Maddie’s level, and their subsequent attempts to “pull her down” when they couldn’t. While Abby may not have intended to create rifts, the dance itself seemed to mirror the very competitive and sometimes envious dynamics within the group, further fueling the justice dance moms narrative as fans questioned the fairness of constantly centering dances around one dancer. Jill, still the studio outsider, witnessed Abby’s sharp reprimands directed at Kendall, reminding her that she was still a “guest” and hadn’t “earned her spot.” Meanwhile, Maddie visibly struggled with being the focal point, adding another layer to the emotional complexities of the Abby Lee Dance Company.
During this rehearsal, the simmering tensions between the mothers erupted spectacularly. Melissa endured criticisms of Maddie’s dancing in silence until Christi unleashed a tirade audible to all the children. The irony of the mothers’ behavior, juxtaposed with their daughters’ supportive relationships, was stark. The conflict escalated when Christi accused Melissa of an affair, prompting Melissa to storm out, McKenzie in tow, leaving Kelly, Holly, and Jill in stunned silence. This dramatic exit further underscored the volatile atmosphere surrounding these young dancers.
The subsequent rehearsal saw Jill seizing Melissa’s absence as an opportunity for Kendall. Meanwhile, Candy Apple Cathy’s return to the competition circuit in Myrtle Beach injected further antagonism into the mix. Cathy, with returning private choreographers, aimed to dethrone Abby’s team. Her dancers’ aggressive table slamming, a symbolic jab at Jill, showcased Cathy’s theatrical approach to rivalry. While Cathy’s group rehearsed their “hot” routine, Abby fumed over Maddie and McKenzie’s absence. Kelly speculated that Melissa was avoiding confrontation, highlighting the palpable tension. Nia, as dance captain, was tasked with contacting Maddie, who revealed her mother’s refusal to return to the studio, eventually leading to a reluctant compromise: Melissa would drop off her daughters but avoid the other mothers.
Abby’s ire intensified upon learning of Cathy’s Myrtle Beach presence and her “ringer” dancer, but Abby remained confident in Maddie’s ability to triumph. The confrontation with Melissa regarding her absence led to a pivotal moment: Abby offered Maddie a solo the night before the competition. Melissa, citing the undue pressure, declined. Christi, predictably, voiced outrage at Maddie being offered a solo while Chloe, consistently present, was overlooked. However, when Melissa refused Maddie’s solo, Chloe was given a solo to compete against Cathy’s star dancer, Justice. The pressure on Chloe to perform was immense, with Abby’s hopes pinned on her confidence overcoming any technical shortcomings. The mothers’ incessant bickering continued, a constant backdrop to their daughters’ demanding lives.
McKenzie and Kendall’s acrobatic duet became a source of concern for Abby, who aimed for a clean sweep at the competition. Approaching Maddie again, sans Melissa, Abby reiterated the solo offer, but Maddie remained loyal to her mother. Abby’s frustration peaked, declaring that any loss to the Candy Apples would rest squarely on Maddie and Melissa’s shoulders – a heavy burden to place on a young dancer and her mother, and another example of questionable justice dance moms style.
Arriving in Myrtle Beach, Abby immediately sought intel from Jill about the Candy Apples, leveraging Jill’s recent defection. Cathy’s “guest star” dancer, performing with Justice, was deemed “dirty” by Abby. Chloe was first to face Justice. Despite being recognized for her talent, the episode’s narrative emphasized the immense pressure on her. Justice’s performance, described as unconventional and even bizarre (“like an extra from Lord of the Flies”), left the commentator and potentially viewers confused, questioning its alignment with the music and overall dance aesthetic. Backstage, Chloe received support from her friends. Abby, however, while acknowledging Chloe’s potential, lamented that Maddie’s solo would have provided two opportunities to defeat Justice, showcasing her relentless competitive drive.
Maddie shone in the group dance, described as “phenomenal.” The Candy Apples’ group performance, however, was marred by a costume controversy (“anything but age appropriate”) and a prop mishap, forcing a restart, an embarrassing moment for Cathy.
The junior solo awards revealed Chloe’s loss to Justice by a mere tenth of a point. Abby attributed it to judges favoring male dancers, a deflection of responsibility that Christi recognized would lead to criticism of Chloe. In the group category, the Candy Apples’ “burlesque number” placed third, while Abby Lee Dance Company took first. Abby’s clean sweep aspiration was dashed by Chloe’s second place finish, a point she immediately emphasized to her dancers. Instead of congratulating Chloe, Abby questioned Maddie about her solo refusal, further highlighting the intense pressure and strained dynamics. Melissa recognized the undue pressure placed on Maddie, while both Maddie and Chloe, friends despite the competitive environment, were left tearful for different reasons. Abby’s closing remark about being beaten by boys was deemed “sexist,” reflecting the ongoing controversies surrounding her behavior.
McKenzie and Kendall’s duet, initially dismissed by Abby, was pitted against Justice and a “Mystery Guest Dancer.” The boys’ routine was described unfavorably (“like a bad excerpt from Mad Men, if the advertising execs were eight”). McKenzie and Kendall, however, excelled, surpassing expectations and defeating Justice and his partner. Despite Abby’s initial doubts, credit for their victory was surely to follow. Kendall (and Jill) seemed poised for reintegration into Abby’s good graces. While the clean sweep eluded Abby (blamed on Chloe), the team still secured a win. The episode concluded with a confrontation between Abby and Cathy, joined by Melissa, leaving the maternal drama unresolved.
Next week’s preview hinted at hip-hop challenges for the dancers and escalating drama among the mothers, promising more justice dance moms moments and further exploration of the competitive dance world’s intense pressures and interpersonal conflicts.
TELL US-WHAT DID YOU THINK OF LAST NIGHT’S EPISODE? DOES ABBY NEED TO GET OVER HER BEEF WITH THE CANDY APPLES?
