IrishJig

Just watched it (East coast time). Just wanted to share my (final!) thoughts: - I think overall, I am happiest with May's arch, not just this season, but this series. I was a bit concerned that her new empathy powers would negate her history as the the strong fighter she has always been. Her new path as an instructor at the Academy builds on everything she was and became. As a teacher and mentor she will be the cornerstone of the future of SHIELD. - FitzSimmons family - even though I saw it coming, I teared up. My only wish is that we saw had more Fitz this season. Also, Deke could be old but alive- felt there should have been a moment there. For a season that ruminated on finding a path, and the value of family, the absence of Deke was a flaw to me. - Deke - he found a place for himself, a "family" so to speak. I knew he would be left behind the second it was discussed. If there was a character I was rooting for this season above all others, it was Deke- our orphan desperate to belong, our misfit desperate to be valued. His ending wasn't perfect for me, but it was as good as I could hope. - Daisy: I'm grateful she wasn't set up as the only 'savior' of everything, but a member of the team as a whole with a part to play. I've been up and down over the years with how the writers have written this character, but this season was solid for me. Even the Cora story line, though extremely rushed, fit a larger theme of finding one's place in the world, and setting up Daisy as the Coulson to Cora. I felt we saw a maturity to the character necessary to the plot. - Mack & YoYo: I think their ending made sense. Overall, to me, their ending felt a bit flat- yes they are enjoying great professional success, as they should, but I was always hoping for something more for Mack in particular (the story of his daughter always pierced my heart). I don't know what exactly I wanted, but it was something more. - Coulson: I actually liked the ambiguity of his ending, because I have (likely unrealistic) hope that he may still have a future MCU appearance. Overall, I liked the ending more than I wanted to, though the best parts of this season wasn't the final 3 episodes.

Enoch's death was very touching. The Tin Man gave his 'heart' to save everyone without a moment of hesitation. No I don't think Fitz is dead. My theory: And I need a happy ending for Deke as much as I need one for everyone else. His story has always been his need to be loved and accepted. I don't need him to get a romance (women are not prizes), but I need his story to end with him finding that he belongs and is loved.

If she did become a US citizen, she would have to pay US income tax for the rest of her life, even if she leaves the US. A lot of companies counsel younger workers (if visa renewals are not a problem) to wait until they know for sure they plan to reside in the US forever. Most other countries don't tax your outside income. It's why my husband waited so long to apply for US citizenship - we joked about how I knew he was 'really serious' when he was taking on lifelong income tax if we ever end up moving again.

As someone who worked outside of the US, I don't think Yuko could do much before actually getting 'hired' by the DCC, so she was stuck flying back and forth during training camp. Typically you need your employer to do some of the paperwork for your visa.

(Hair is a very personal decision, and I'm uncomfortable that Kat's hair always appears to be so heavily debated as though Kat's opinion and needs are not what is solely important. All of the cheerleaders should have the freedom to style their hair as they please, and it's extremely suspect of management that we don't see natural hair representation on the squad. But I don't think Kat should bear the burden as the poster child of this issue, and I can't imagine how she feels about people constantly saying that one style is better than the other on her- it's her (beautiful) head!. The issue is management, not Kat.) If there is a new lock-down that prevents training camp, I wonder if Charlotte is going to reduce the squad number this year to a limited number veterans and just move on. I'll be sad if we don't get a new MTT season, but I just think management will be at a point to 'fish or cut bait' on squad size and members if training camp can't go forward. In general I can't see the cheerleaders being hired for personal appearances this next year or running clinics, and I wonder if this isn't already be discussed by the higher-ups.

I wonder if KaShara has PTSD flashbacks of wearing the wrong rehearsal outfit to the first day of Training Camp. I do, and I wasn't there. 🤣 (Seriously. I don't recall most of the details anymore of past seasons, but I remember vividly watching that for the first time. When I was a dancer I used to have nightmares of showing up at a performance without my costume or shoes, and that episode brought those fears back all over again.)

There a few careers that accept an MLS as advanced degree, such as court administration and legal compliance officers. To my knowledge a MLS is not required for those jobs but can be helpful. You don't need it for a JD. It was trendy to market MLS degrees to people who wanted to apply for a JD and had poor undergraduate grades. (Normally I would say just pay for a good LSAT prep, but with LSAT possibly not being administered the next year grades may be more important.) It may also qualify for part of a paralegal training certificate in some states. (A paralegal does limited legal work supervised by an attorney). (sorry to go off topic, rarely is there a question pertaining to my career field).

FWIW, back in the late 90's/early 2000's, learning choreography by video, and submitting auditions via VHS was normal in many dance communities. I remember learning choreo that way several times, a lot of cruise lines did preliminary auditions via video submissions, and I think you had to submit a tape for certain Rockette auditions. I feel like this is very retro!

Yes, this is something that makes me both sad for the cheerleaders, and a little frustrated. I completely understand the DCC wanting to guard its brand and image, and social media today makes that a massive uphill battle. And I think that some (not all) of the cultist behavior stems from the fact that the squad members now really do represent the DCC 24/7 because their personal life now can be easily shared. But, no matter how long squad members want to stay, they can't to do this for their entire lives. They can't even do this as their only job unless they have personal wealth (which I don't think is the situation for most). And like athletes, they are one injury away from retirement at any moment. So when persons complain that someone is using DCC as a stepping stone, or is only a 'one and done'- I'm personally thinking "Good! Have a 10 year plan! Use this and grow!". Because the squad won't hesitate to cut a vet if they aren't up to it's standard. So the vets should also put their futures first too.

Yes, though I don't think Kelli or Kitty know the other definition of "facials" 😱😲 (my mom wouldn't). Also, it's still a common term in cheerleading- seen it on score sheets. (I've watched since Season 1, and for many seasons did not know what Kelli meant by "she's a locker room favorite." On my college and high school squads, that meant something . . . not so good. I thought she was saying they were super sexy(?) since they have a non fraternization clause + Kelli meant it as a positive attribute. Then I finally was watching one day, realized that couldn't even mean "super sexy" with who she was talking about, 💡 that she means "loved by all the cheerleaders." I'm an idiot.)

If I was still dancing, I would 100% want Kitty to coach me and critique me . . . but I would really prefer not go though it in a group setting. (I'm a wimp, I don't know how there hasn't been more tears on camera during some seasons). I think that 99% of the time she is completely right factually, but how she delivers it is terrifying. Combining that with the pressure of training camp- I don't blame the candidates for looking faint when she walks in the door.

Whose to say she hasn't always been openly bisexual with her friends and family? It's not like the DCC posts each squad members' sexual orientation in their online bio. It was her job, and I only talk about my love life with co-workers that I'm actually friends with outside of the office. Same sex marriage is legal in Australia. my guess- they fell in love in Dallas, and both lived in Dallas for many years. Perhaps it's sentimental. Jinelle is going to be a stunning bride!

@ShellyB is the new uniform (shorts and midriff we saw on MTT) intended for regular game use? (I’m just old enough to remember the “star” outfits!) (loved your all star pic with young Dayton)

(One past season they showed Kelli and Judy immediately pick the swimsuit calendar photos the day after they sent the vets back to Texas. Though that may have been dramatized a bit for TV, I’m sure it has to go to print relatively quickly. Anyway I personally find it insightful as I think it matters to Kelli). Since I always look up the final roster before the end of MTT, I always know the final cuts in advance. I’m not usually too surprised or emotionally attached (let’s be honest, it’s typically not a big surprise but someone who has been struggling, or just can’t get the kicks in time). I don’t know why this year, but I’m dreading Shaina’s cut. If I didn’t know, I would think Lily is to be cut because facial expressions are a big deal (understandably) to Kelli.

Thank you!!!

Before this season of MTT, I would have thought that Heather would be more prominent, bc of seniority (which I do think is somewhat important to Kelli and Judy) and bc I thought TPTB viewed her as the more attractive among the older vets. (They are all pretty, but I think Kelli and Judy tend to favor the girl next door blondes). Amber takes good sideline photos when we see her and is one of the best dancers, so I was surprised she wasn’t an outside edge of the triangle. IMO, the outside women get just as much camera attention as the diamond, so those are prime spots. For example,as last year’s calendar cover, Alexis is pegged as one of the most beautiful women in the squad, so I assume that’s why she’s on an outside position as I think she’s one of the weaker dancers. Had I not seen this seasons sideline photos I would have been surprised by Rachel W’s spot, as I thought she was stiff and awkward last year. She’s a much better dancer from last year, but I think her rise in position is more based on how photogenic she is. I predict that is she stays, she’ll likely get point eventually. i was really surprised by Lexi’s prime spot behind point because I never saw he get much attention before. I really do think all the woman are pretty, but I didn’t think she was Kelli’s “type”. My personal dancer crush is Hannah and even just based on the ‘Queen’ videos I thought she would get an outside edge. Her height may have been a factor, but personally I would have still put her in a camera-likely spot. No matter whose side you are on in the “Gina was robbed of point” war, I’m shocked she’s where she is this year. Did she make it into the calendar this year? I say this as the member of my college squad who was *not* the prettiest, and was never put on the 50 yard line : looks and ability are both a big part of how you are placed, and everyone on the team knows it. Although I can also say from experience- being on the front sides gets a lot camera attention, bc the camera guys can shoot you without getting in the way. I think I actually was filmed more than the center dancers.

Sorry if this is too off topic, but does anyone know which vets were chosen for the regular swimsuit calendar? (I’ve only seen the cover of Rachel W, and Alexis as January). I have been a bit surprised by some of the triangle placements this year. Was just curious to see who got the calendar, as I believe Kelli gets final say.

OMG it seems that they finally figured out how beautiful Hannah is and how to style her makeup. We’ve come a long way from her first rookie cameo.

I hate two things about this Julia situation. 1. Every other pro cheerleading team sells the experience as a stepping stone to bigger opportunities. Heck, they are *proud* when their women achieve great things afterwards. I know for a fact that a few even out right say ‘this can lead to many opportunities down the road’ at their auditions. Unfortunately Julia was in training camp with the one team that doesn’t want to invest in its members. 2. It is sooooooooo misogynistic to think women shouldn’t be ambitious. It just drips with misogyny. This has nothing to do with building the DCC brand, and everything to do with misogyny.

The big mysteries for me is how Shaina and Julia didn’t make it. I am completely biased, but at the end of the day, I would take someone with collegiate on field dance experience over someone without, everything else being equal. I’ve looked up videos of Shaina as a Golden Girl, and she was a strong teammate. Anyone with that type of experience is going to be highly coach able as well. I agree that there have been many successful DCCs who didn’t do collegiate Pom/dance, but I feel I can usually spot the ladies who did. They don’t drop their smiles or look scared. Their action shots are typically high quality. Football games are crazy environments - if two candidates are on the fence, I’d choose the one that’s at least been on a college football field. As for Julia - we haven’t seen any reason to cut her so far. Also - unpopular opinion here, but I’m sure the ladies read these boards, and I just want to say to any rookie who isn’t getting much love from the comments : your coaches saw something in you to give you that uniform. I’ve seen less popular dancers rise up and become fan favorites and team captains. Everyone roots for a good under dog story.

By complete coincidence Pluto just showed Season 4 jump split clinic with veteran Meredith Ogden. Clarification that her feet hit the ground first, then legs, then pelvis. (I really don’t think that was how I was taught but it’s been 15 years since I performed a jump split, so I defer to Meredith O., former Rangerette) Regardless, you don’t hit the ground in a full split.

I have to defend Jalyn here (and other jump split photos). It’s really hard to get a perfect jump split photo. You only hit the full split in the air for a second, then your legs slowly drop out of the full split. The photo was likely a mili-second or two after Jalyn hit a full split. She was dropping her back leg a little early, but in practice, it goes so quick that it’s hard to have perfect sync on this. At least the way I was taught - your outside knees and thighs hit the turf first, not your pelvis. You don’t hit the ground in a full out split. That’s why pointing your toes in a turned out position is crucial, so your heel doesn’t catch the turf. My college team was the same. my high school coach would yell and scream if your pinky was at the wrong angle in a photo (true story) but rarely complained over a wonky jump split photo as long as toes were pointed. The Rangerettes have the best jump split photos I’ve ever seen, but even they get an out of sync photo on occasion. Meredith is going to hurt herself.

I agree that the prior stylist was MUCH better. Now that old episodes are available you can really see a difference. I feel that Kelli really pushes a makeover regardless of whether the candidate needs it. And Marshall seems to always be removing extensions just to do so. I also personally hate when a stylists insults your current look - you can say that you have an idea that will make you look fresh or whatever, but no need to put down what the client currently looks like. Marshall has done this a few times on camera.

It’s Shaina with the ripped tights. She also had a huge run in the last episode. (I was a Shaina when I was a dancer- my teachers even called me out in class for ripped tights. No clue how I kept ripping them and I carried clear nail polish in my dance bag to constantly to minimize the damage.) Her kick is beautiful- notice how she kicks with a pointed toe, straight back- she is lifting her toes to her head rather than getting her knees/thighs as high as possible (which results in less controlled kick, and bending at the knees and waist). She obviously wasn’t cut for kicks. You can always spot the dancers who had real Pom kickline training.

Re Kat’s Hair: I was pleasantly surprised that the MTT didn’t force her to remove her wig on camera against her wishes. Too often reality tv makeovers force a woman to be filmed, in obvious stress and embarrassment, having her weave/extensions/etc. removed, simply because her distress is entertaining. It’s rude and unnecessary. It often implies that the women should be embarrassed about their hair style choices. I had cancer in my 20’s, lost my hair, and decided that I wanted to wear a wig in professional and social situations during treatment and for year and a half after. Everyone felt they had a right to ask me to show them my head without the wigs. Everyone felt they should share opinions on whether I should wear a wig and what their opinion was of the wig. I never requested any of these opinions. Even close friends who saw me without my wig felt the need to tell me that my baldness or chemo curls were “fine” and that I didn’t need the wig. But it was not about whether my natural scalp was “okay” for public viewing. It was about what I simply preferred. I’m positive Kat wears wigs because it’s what she wants to do and it works for her. And there is absolutely nothing odd, weird, wrong, or mysterious about that. It’s truly no different than adding highlights to your hair or adding extensions. As far as how wigs are styled (assuming natural hair): they can color without her wearing them if it’s a single process color, though when I added highlights I had to put my wig on to place the foils (then I took it off and it was put on a head form and I came back in an hour or two for pick up. I miss those days.) For a cut I did have to wear it. I’m sure that Kat went through something similar, and it just wasn’t shown.