Brynn is back this week.

Pyramid:
Nia is on the bottom because she didn't place. Abby is generally complimentary to the girls despite placement on the pyramid. Maddie is only 2nd and Kalani gets the top due to her solo win.

Abby points out that Maddie's video with Sia has been nominated for 4 Grammys. 
Mackenzie and Nia both have national titles from the competition - Abby insists that they bring their crowns and banners. Nia apparently doesn't seem happy enough to Abby who tells her not to bother asking to go up for a title if she doesn't bring them. She's 13! This probably seems a little less than exciting to her.

We see a lot of the producers coaxing Maddie to go on about the Holly/Abby drama (essentially saying standing up to Abby doesn't do you any favors). It's irksome to see because obviously as Abby's favorite who can do no wrong, Maddie has a completely skewed perspective of the dynamics of dealing with Abby as a bully. 

Cathy from Candy Apples will be at this week's competition. Erin (whose studio beat the ALDC in LA) is back as a choreographer for Candy Apples. Cathy calls Lucas out for being "squirrelly" and not focusing, and his mom Bridget claims it's because of Cathy's favoritism towards the Moraleses. 

Maddie and Brynn are going up against each other. Maddie is actually pretty sweet about it, praising Brynn's technique. Abby picks on Nia during rehearsals (including Brynn's rehearsals) - Jill tries to egg Holly on to "talk to Abby".  Abby insists she's inspired by Brynn and that God made her to dance and she's really special, but the other moms are quick to point out that this is part of Abby's honeymoon period and it won't last. Brynn's mom Ashlee insists they're just intimidated by Brynn and that Brynn has a chance at beating Maddie with her solo. Abby claims Maddie is too pulled into too many directions, neglecting her training and that she's "resting on her laurels" while praising Brynn excessively, but we all know she won't set Maddie up to lose.

At the competition, Cathy busts out a megaphone when the ALDC arrives and follows them to their dressing rooms. She's so obnoxious, and she gets under Abby's skin. Cathy tries to make out like Abby pushing past Cathy (when Cathy was standing inside the door of the ALDC dressing room) was assaulting her. It's an old trick. 

While the ALDC is prepping solos, Bridget comes by the ALDC to wish them good luck (and soften a path for Lucas, no doubt). Cathy catches her and whines at Bridget while Lucas rolls his eyes in pure pre-teen disgust. Cathy hassles the ALDC about the "original" dancers being stuck in the back - when Bridget calls her out and Cathy kicks Lucas off the team. Lucas is upset because he isn't treated well. Jill steals the megaphone. 

The Dances:

"Vertigo", lyrical solo: Maddie
This is actually an interesting dance and Maddie expresses a lot of turmoil (without resorting to the pained faces she used to make). 

"Diamond in the Rough", lyrical solo: Brynn
Brynn busts out a lot of tricks in a solo that Abby clearly enjoys. But I hate the costume so much. 

"Dance in the Rain", ALDC lyrical group
This is apparently about "not waiting for the storm to pass". The costumes seem a bit disjointed - all the girls seem to have somewhat different headbands. The music, the choreography and the costumes are all pretty and the girls dance well together. Abby calls it poetry and gorgeous. She's actually not wrong.

Candy Apples: 
"Torn", contemporary group with a concept of good vs evil with Erin's choreography.
The girls are good, the boys evil. One of the girls has this absolutely massive dress that they use as a prop (very Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition. It's powerful and edgy, but I think it underutilized the boys who mostly seemed to be used to deal with the dress. 

Judging:
Brynn takes 2nd, while first goes to Maddie (which is handed to her by Mackenzie in her crown and sash). No one is surprised.
In groups, Candy Apples get 2nd and ALDC win first.

Specials

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3

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