Dots And Stripes

I wanted Javi to get the silver, but thank you Shoma for making the podium so at least Nathan didn’t miss it by so little.

So figure skating experts, does Shoma medal?

I need Shoma to get it together and stay on the podium.

Please let Javi medal.

NBC showed Vincent getting kicked off the couches. It’s an awkward set up.

Johnny and Tara were appalled that Terry asked if Patrick would finish higher than Nathan.

I’m hoping the last 3 skate clean enough for the podium. Nathan missing by less than .5 would be brutal.

See I thought he was going through the motions. He would make a big arm gesture that didn’t seem to match the music. It was like he was either ahead or behind and going through his preplanned expressive movements even though they were out of time. IMO, Virtue and Moir are selling Moulin Rogue.

I assume “Terrance” is teasing “John.”

Nathan bombed the short program so he could skate early in the long program and be the first to land 6 quads. Yes, I am kidding. I am happy for him though!

There are some interviews they are obligated to do. NBC mentioned Nathan left to train someone a few hours away but they knew he would be back for a mandatory press conference. There was another one that was optional and he skipped it.

I'm wondering how the international press has been treating Nathan. I remember after nationals, a lot of the big figure skating fans on this board were saying it was too soon to call Nathan the Olympic favorite, even though that became a popular refrain on NBC. My sense is that Nathan has the talent, but his ability to perform consistently was still a question mark for people who have watched him closely for a while.

I hope Nahan does what Mao Asada did four years ago. It won't get him near the podium, but I'm still rooting for him to show what he's capable of.

I want to give Nathan a hug. Andrea did a reasonably nice interview there.

I'm not saying NBC should avoid placing any pressure on athletes, but they should be a little more self aware. There are some athletes they hype when their event comes up. Nathan gets hyped constantly. They made him one of the faces of the games. If they want to talk about Nathan under pressure, fine, but it would be nice if their analysts realized that NBC is a big part of that pressure.

I don't blame NBC for Nathan's performance, I just think it's strange how they act like they aren't the biggest driving force of the media hype. I heard a lot of skepticism about whether Nathan would be able to handle the Olympic pressure, but not on NBC. He was their expected champion and that was it. I don't think this Olympics determines the outcome of the next. The prior year's worlds is a factor.

Vincent is ahead of him too.

Heartbreaking for Nathan. Also, NBC should stop pretending they have nothing to do with pressure he is under.

I am still rooting for Nathan and his boring costumes.

Aside from the amazing skating, I also give Hanyu points for having a non-boring costume.

Someone give Andrea a raise.

NBCSN said they are showing every skater tonight.

Being cross eyed is not something people can control. I find that out of bounds to criticize.

NBC talked about Chan reinventing men's figure skating. He perfected the art of completing four rotations before falling.

It all feels very Russian. I'm into it.