The second episode of Dance Moms Season 1 brought even more drama, dance, and definitely questionable costume choices. In this recap, we’ll dive into all the key moments, focusing particularly on the introduction of a fresh face to the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) world: Vivi-Anne Stein, and her dynamic with the original team, especially Mackenzie Ziegler. Get ready to relive the “Electricity” of it all, and the reactions it sparked!
The episode opens with the moms’ immediate and hilarious reactions to the costumes for the group dance, “Electricity.” Holly’s disbelief, Kelly’s resigned acceptance, Melissa’s forced positivity, and Christi’s outright disgust perfectly encapsulate the range of emotions. Christi’s now-iconic lines about “skin to win” and the costumes looking like “prosti-tots” set the tone for the episode’s early conflict. While Chloe loved the costumes and the dance concept, the moms, particularly Christi, were concerned about the maturity level and perceived sleaziness of the outfits. Abby, as usual, remained unfazed by their opinions, highlighting the recurring theme of parental concerns clashing with Abby’s vision.
Alt text: Dance Moms original cast members Holly, Kelly, Melissa, and Christi reacting with shock and disapproval, likely to the “Electricity” dance costumes, showcasing parental concern over Abby Lee Miller’s choreography and costume choices on the reality TV show.
A significant turning point in this episode was Abby’s private session with Vivi-Anne, Cathy Nesbitt-Stein’s daughter. This marked Vivi’s formal introduction to the ALDC team and audiences. Abby, in a surprising move, awarded Vivi a duet with Mackenzie Ziegler. This was particularly noteworthy as it was the first time viewers saw Mackenzie, the youngest member of the team and already a fan favorite, perform a duet. The pairing of Vivi and Mackenzie immediately set up a comparison and a potential rivalry, fueled further by Cathy’s subsequent interactions with the moms.
Cathy’s arrival in the viewing room to meet the Dance Moms was far from smooth. While the moms were busy adding rhinestones to the controversial “Electricity” costumes, Cathy’s entrance was marked by a condescending comment about needing someone to sew for her because she has a personal seamstress at her own studio, Candy Apples Dance Center. This immediately rubbed the other mothers the wrong way, leading to eye-rolls and establishing Cathy as an immediate antagonist. Her first impression cemented her role as a source of conflict and drama throughout the season, particularly in her interactions with Abby and the other dance moms.
Alt text: Cathy Nesbitt-Stein, owner of Candy Apples Dance Center and mother of Vivi-Anne, meets the Dance Moms cast for the first time in the viewing room, creating initial tension and setting the stage for rivalry on the Dance Moms reality show.
Adding to the episode’s tension, Christi experienced a mini-meltdown. While the show portrayed it as an overreaction, it seemed to stem from the stress of adjusting to the demanding schedule and constant filming that came with being on Dance Moms. Christi, overwhelmed by the new routine and lack of personal time management, felt the pressure of the intense environment. Her decision to leave the studio, while ensuring Chloe stayed for practice, showcased her struggle to balance the demands of the show with her personal well-being. This moment highlighted the immense pressure the moms were under behind the scenes.
The episode then shifted to Competition Day, with a four-hour bus ride from Pittsburgh to Lancaster. The bus journey was depicted in stark contrast to the underlying tensions. Despite Cathy’s presence and the looming competition, the bus ride appeared lighthearted, with the girls seemingly enjoying themselves. This offered a brief glimpse into the camaraderie among the dancers amidst the surrounding drama.
At the competition, Maddie and Chloe performed their solos. Chloe’s “Baby Mine” solo, despite initial underestimation by the narrator, was highlighted as truly amazing upon re-watching. An interesting fact revealed was the use of copyrighted music in the original performance, later replaced for the show’s broadcast. Maddie’s solo also showcased her talent, although it wasn’t a personal favorite of the narrator. The show attempted to create drama by suggesting Abby favored Maddie after the solos, but the recap argues that Abby’s responses to both girls were similar. It was also clarified that despite Maddie winning Petite Miss Starquest, Chloe won first place in the Junior division, highlighting that both girls achieved significant success.
Following the solo awards, Vivi and Mackenzie performed their duet. Cathy’s comment that Mackenzie wasn’t “heads and shoulders above Vivi” sparked debate. While acknowledging Mackenzie’s current advanced skill level, the narrator pointed out that at that time, Mackenzie, though talented, was still very young. The duet, despite not placing in the competition, served to introduce Vivi’s dance ability and stage presence to the audience, setting her up as a dancer to watch, even alongside seasoned performers like Mackenzie.
Alt text: Mackenzie Ziegler and Vivi-Anne Stein performing their duet on Dance Moms season 1, highlighting Vivi’s introduction to the ALDC competition scene alongside Mackenzie’s established talent.
The infamous “Electricity” group dance followed. The episode humorously juxtaposed ALDC’s mature-themed routine with other studios performing age-appropriate dances. A key observation was Chloe’s central positioning in the dance, contradicting Abby’s earlier announcement that Maddie would be the lead. This led to speculation about editing and potential re-staging for the cameras to emphasize Maddie’s role. Regardless, the “Electricity” dance did not place, with Abby’s simplistic explanation being that “maybe the judges didn’t like you.”
The episode concluded with the obligatory Dance Moms screaming match, this time featuring Holly and Christi confronting Abby about the inappropriate maturity of the “Electricity” dance. Abby dismissed their concerns, claiming “verbal abuse,” ending the episode on a note of unresolved conflict and parental frustration.
Overall, this episode receives a 2 out of 5 stars from the original blogger, citing behind-the-scenes shadiness, particularly regarding the downplaying of Chloe’s achievements and the group dance results. The episode, while filled with drama and introducing Vivi to the Dance Moms world, was marked by questionable decisions and manipulations for reality TV drama.
What are your thoughts on the “Electricity” number? Were you Team Holly or Team Melissa in your reaction to the costumes? And do you think Abby showed favoritism? Let us know in the comments below!
