Season 4 of Dance Moms continues to bring the drama, tears, and triumphs that fans have come to expect, and Episode 4, aptly titled, sets the stage for intense competition and personal battles. This week, the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) heads to Roanoke, Virginia, for Dance Troupe International, where they’re set to face their rivals, the Candy Apples Dance Center (CADC), led by the ever-competitive Cathy Nesbitt-Stein. But before the teams even hit the stage, Abby Lee Miller stirs the pot with her infamous pyramid, setting the tone for a turbulent week filled with accusations, hurt feelings, and high stakes performances.
The episode kicks off with the aftermath of Payton Ackerman’s injury. Abby wastes no time addressing the situation, placing Payton firmly at the bottom of the pyramid. The accusation? Payton’s injury wasn’t due to an accident, but rather a result of her goofing off and disrespecting the ballet routine. Abby claims to have heard from “everyone” that Payton was mocking the choreography onstage before her fall. Payton’s mother, Leslie, vehemently defends her daughter, arguing that it was a simple accident and accusing Abby of using it as an excuse to remove Payton from the team. The confrontation escalates quickly, culminating in Abby dismissing Payton from the ALDC, leaving Leslie to declare that Abby will eventually come crawling back.
Despite the dramatic exit of Payton and Leslie, Abby pivots swiftly to the rest of the pyramid, and Kendall Vertes is next to face Abby’s wrath. Placed above Payton, Kendall is called out for being “out of control.” Jill, Kendall’s mother, is immediately defensive, acknowledging their lateness to the previous competition but hoping it won’t jeopardize Kendall’s standing as “Girl No. 2.” Kendall, visibly upset but composed, attempts to give Abby a card, which is promptly dismissed. The tension between Abby and Kendall, fueled by Jill’s ever-present ambition, is palpable.
Moving up the pyramid, Nia Frazier is placed next. Abby’s assessment of Nia is simply that she “blends,” which she strangely presents as a compliment. Nia, ever polite, accepts the ambiguous praise with a “thank you,” much to the disbelief of her mother, Holly, who struggles to find the positive in Abby’s backhanded compliment.
Brooke Hyland occupies the next spot on the bottom row. Abby criticizes Brooke for messing up the choreography again, questioning why she continues to make mistakes. This leads to a perplexing moment, as Abby places Brooke above Nia on the pyramid, despite claiming Brooke has lost her drive. The logic, or lack thereof, in Abby’s pyramid placements continues to bewilder and frustrate the mothers.
Chloe Lukasiak is positioned last in the second row. Abby brings up the issue of Chloe’s request to reverse the dance order with Kendall at the previous competition. Chloe admits to asking about it, wanting to watch her own competition, but denies explicitly asking for a switch. Abby drops the subject as quickly as she raised it, leaving the conflict unresolved and slightly confusing.
Paige Hyland takes the middle spot in the second row, receiving rare praise from Abby for her excellent facial expressions and for out-dancing Brooke and Chloe. This fleeting moment of positive feedback for Paige is almost jarring in its unexpectedness, highlighting the typically critical environment of the ALDC.
Mackenzie Ziegler rounds out the second row. Abby deems her “cute, but not memorable,” a lukewarm assessment that neither praises nor overtly criticizes, placing Mackenzie in a neutral zone within the pyramid hierarchy.
Unsurprisingly, Maddie Ziegler claims the top spot of the pyramid. Maddie’s position at the apex is almost a given at this point, solidifying her status as Abby’s undeniable favorite and the standard against which all other dancers are measured.
With the pyramid drama settled (for now), Abby reveals the competition for the week: Dance Troupe International in Roanoke, Virginia. Adding fuel to the fire, Abby announces that the Candy Apples will also be competing. In a theatrical flourish, Abby unveils the group dance theme: “The Witches of East Canton.” Maddie, naturally, will portray the “good witch,” a thinly veiled self-portrait of Abby, while the other girls are designated as “evil witches,” meant to represent Cathy and the dance moms.
Adding more pressure, Abby announces that both Kendall and Chloe will perform solos, setting up yet another head-to-head battle to determine who deserves the coveted “Girl No. 2” title. The constant pitting of Kendall and Chloe against each other continues to create tension and anxiety, especially for their mothers, Jill and Christi.
Meanwhile, in Canton, Ohio, Cathy is preparing her Candy Apples for the showdown. In a surprising twist, Cathy is shown conducting a ballet class with an all-boys group. Determined to defeat the ALDC after a previous loss to the Pitt Crew, Cathy has revamped her team, bringing back familiar faces like Lucas and Zack, alongside Nick. Cathy also reveals her “secret weapons”: the Morales Kids, a duo gaining YouTube fame, although unknown to Cathy herself until her mother pointed them out. Cathy’s mother’s YouTube savvy becomes a humorous aside, underscoring Cathy’s relentless pursuit of talent, even if it means taking advice from unexpected sources.
Cathy unveils the Candy Apples’ group dance: “Wild Party,” promising a high-energy, show-stopping routine. Adding a layer of petty rivalry, Cathy plans to deliver balloons to Abby if they win, a childish yet characteristic jab at her nemesis.
Back at the ALDC studio, Abby reveals Chloe’s solo style will be inspired by Miley Cyrus, a questionable choice given the family-friendly nature of the show. Kendall’s solo is titled “M.I.A.,” referencing her perceived misbehavior. Upstairs, Jill and Christi clash once again, with Jill expressing her frustration over the constant competition between Kendall and Chloe, while Holly remains pessimistic about any chance of a peaceful week.
Cathy, in Canton, is pleased with her team’s progress but annoyed that the kids have been posting photos on Instagram, potentially spoiling her planned “ambush” on Abby. She enforces a no-photo policy, lamenting her “kaputzy plansies,” a phrase that amuses and might even be adopted by the narrator.
Back in Pennsylvania, Jill continues to press Abby about Kendall’s ignored card, while Abby is preoccupied with Cathy’s new team. Christi, in a moment of comedic relief, compares Abby’s self-proclaimed “good witch” persona to Hannibal Lecter claiming to be Santa Claus, highlighting the absurdity of Abby’s self-image. The tension between Jill and Christi flares up again over the Kendall-versus-Chloe rivalry, only to be interrupted by Abby’s yelling, demanding more effort from her dancers.
The ALDC moms express concern about the group dance, fearing it’s not strong enough to compete with West Coast teams, foreshadowing potential doom. Christi, however, is pleased with Chloe’s solo and decides to record it for Chloe to review her performance. Abby’s dissatisfaction with Chloe is evident, and she makes sure Christi is aware of it. Kendall’s solos, in Jill’s opinion, are becoming repetitive, although she insists Kendall’s “same old” is still harder than Chloe’s. Another argument erupts between Jill and Christi, this time over costumes and recording.
Kendall, overwhelmed and emotional, excuses herself to the dressing room and breaks down in tears, highlighting the immense pressure these young dancers face.
The scene shifts to Roanoke, Virginia. Cathy and her team are waiting outside to greet the ALDC, a plan that seems to be solely Cathy’s idea, much to the chagrin of the Candy Apples’ mothers, particularly Zack’s mom, Gina.
Jill’s envy extends to dance order and costumes. Chloe’s costume is described as ethereal and flesh-toned, while Kendall’s is compared to Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical” video, suggesting a more overtly sexualized aesthetic.
Kendall performs her solo first, with Cathy and Bridgette providing a running commentary of smack talk throughout. Despite acknowledging Kendall’s sometimes “dippy” solos, the narrator praises Kendall’s graceful leg movements and showgirl-like presence.
Chloe takes the stage next. Her solo is described as genuinely beautiful and elegant, and even Cathy remains uncharacteristically silent during Chloe’s performance. Afterwards, Cathy dismisses Chloe’s dance, confidently declaring that the ALDC is running scared, a statement that, in typical Dance Moms fashion, foreshadows a Candy Apples’ loss.
The Candy Apples perform their group dance, “Wild Party,” featuring the Morales Kids and Nick and Lucas, who are noted for their small stature. The Morales Kids’ mother’s gum-chewing and the group’s unique and fabulous dance are highlighted. Abby, observing the Candy Apples, tells her dancers that even their best might not be enough, a discouraging pep talk that leaves Maddie looking miserable.
Kelly, in a rare moment of agreement with Abby’s assessment, points out the need for a proper pep talk. However, only Maddie receives one, with Abby promising to find dancers worthy of Maddie’s talent, further isolating Maddie and alienating the rest of the team. The narrator aptly points out that choreography plays a significant role in a dancer’s performance, not just individual talent.
Despite the negative pre-performance atmosphere, the ALDC’s group dance, “Witches of East Canton,” is described as creepy, cool, powerful, and beautifully danced, suggesting a deliberate use of reverse psychology by Abby. Abby’s enthusiastic chair dancing during the performance is also noted, emphasizing her investment in the routine.
The results are announced: Kendall places second in the solo competition, and Chloe wins first place. Jill expresses her usual frustration, claiming Kendall will never be good enough for Abby. Holly provides the rationale behind the need to win, and the ALDC, indeed, wins the group dance competition. Blake, a Candy Apple dancer, apologizes, and Cathy leads her team out before the official announcement, showcasing her poor sportsmanship.
Backstage, Cathy and her moms discuss their frustrations, with Cathy attributing their loss to Abby’s persona and biased judges. The episode concludes with a brief shot of the moms’ dance from the previous week, a lighthearted moment amidst the drama.
Abby barely acknowledges the group dance victory, immediately focusing on Kendall’s second-place solo. Holly questions if the group win provides any security for the girls’ positions on the team, but Abby dismisses the idea, stating it’s too much work to keep them motivated, implying a shift away from the “dancing-school world.”
The episode ends with questions posed to the “Dance Moms nation,” prompting viewers to consider if “Witches of East Canton” deserved to win, whether Kendall was set up to fail, Payton’s future on the team, and if Abby truly believes only Maddie is good enough. The preview for the next episode teases auditions in Atlanta and more drama surrounding private lessons.
Tune in next week for more drama on Dance Moms, airing Tuesday nights on Lifetime.
