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Cami Branson is insanely gorgeous and if she can really dance, she would be a DCC media darling with all those followers. I clicked through a few photos on her IG page, and have to say though, I found some of the hair and makeup for those cheer performances kinda strange, like a Minnie Mouse sized bow with equally large, helmet hair and such intense makeup I kept thinking Stepford wife. Oh, the world of Texas cheer, pageants, and big hair--it's a whole other aesthetic. I wish the show included some explanation about the candidates they recruit during the year, who get "passes" into semi-finals. I wonder how many there are each year, and think that would bump up the number of candidates a little beyond the total of preliminary auditions candidates. Maybe 20? Does anybody know more about how this works? I recall reading that Katie Marie, for instance, was recruited and got a pass into semis, and I think Sydney did too. It's interesting to me that Cami, who certainly would have been seen by DCC scouts, is starting at prelims.

Wow, I hope she's dating him! Not to be shallow, but he's ridiculously fine and they make a gorgeous pair. I had to LOL at one of the comments on their picture. It just said: "Have babies." Seriously! On the less shallow side, I will miss Nicole as a DCC! She's been one of my favorites from her first year. She worked so hard to make the team, and has always seemed so sweet. I think the way she is so admired by her teammates says a lot about her character, and proves she's not only pretty on the outside. I wish her the best!

True dat. Kim has such an altered sense of reality, and her refusal to deal with major, painful issues seems one likely root of her substance abuse problem. Addictionologists often talk about the ways people self-medicate so as to avoid dealing with what really hurts them. This whole dog thing is totally crazy. Including that Kim insists her dog is like her child, and therefore off limits (never mind that he's had his own freaking story arc previously, including dealing with his aggressive behaviors), when the fact is--whatever the background deets are that Kim wouldn't reveal--her dog bit her sister's child. Not "like a child," but Kyle's actual flesh and blood, and Kim's own niece. And this human being got an infected bone and long medical ordeal out of it, not to mention what I'm sure is a pretty serious dose of trauma for all involved. I also find it unreasonable for Kim to expect Kyle to trust in her sobriety when (1) Kim has relapsed multiple times, and lied right to her sister's face about using, and (2) she actually showed up acting crazy from taking someone else's prescription drug and showed her ass. The rules of addiction medicine and recovery insist upon no controlled substances without doctor supervision, and this means the doctor must write a prescription for Kim, not Monty. After however many times in rehab, Kim knows that, but won't own up to what it means. If that wasn't a relapse, it definitely counts as a "slip," no matter what Kim says. Kim wants trust from her sister, but she has not earned it. It's like the boy who cried wolf--you lie to people's faces too many times, and they'll find it hard to trust you. Kim also is so unpredictable, and so apt to fly off the handle (and then insist the subject be dropped), no wonder Kyle seems edgy and uncertain around her. I'm not saying Kyle is perfect, as she does irk me plenty of times, but I'm way more on her side in this one. I think that Kim, like Brandi, subconsciously wants to hurt others when they can't deal with their own pain. And I think they're bosom buddies, for now, because they both are skilled at altering their realities to suit themselves. Kim is an angry, hurt, and at times mean person, and so obviously deflects to steer away from her own misdeeds and cruelties that I can't believe she thinks people buy into it. As in, Lisa R: I'm talking about my traumatic connection to family addiction. Kim: Well, I'm (not) talking about your husband (but I will insinuate shit and call more famous actresses beasts).

Lauren, I would expect the fan vote to take place again, as it's been a pretty big hit the last two years. It is pretty fun, but I forget which year, the song was so bad that I struggled to get through the videos. Not sure why I didn't think to turn the sound off! The past couple of years they also posted pictures of the semi-finalists (I think the DCC Facebook page), and then the videos and brief resumes for the rookie candidates going into finals. I'm so impressed with how much Amy Simone has improved in a year! Her dancing is looking cleaner, which is a big part of what she needed with the DCC choreography. I'd love to see her as a TCC. I don't really care to see Emily back, as I don't think she's a good dancer and I was as bugged by her frozen face as Kelli was. Christina seems really sweet and has nice technique, but her kicks/injury obviously is a big issue and I didn't see much "pop" or power in her dancing. I predict she will not make TC, if she tries out. ITA with others that this will be a very interesting audition year, with so many talented vets leaving the squad. But I recall that folks were skeptical season 6 that the team would be great with so many rookies gone, and on this site at least, it seems that group of rookies is one of the favorite rookie classes of MTT. So, my season 10 hopes are high for team quality, great dancing (that I hope we actually see on the show), and a good dose of drama.

Go Mary! Somehow I'm not surprised. I suspected she was more awesome than MTT let on, because we didn't get to see her much and we know that often the strongest rookies fly under the MTT radar in favor of strugglers. I realize we've said it before, but I'll repeat: it's kind of lame not to get to see the incredible talents and dancing of the best of the team's world-class dancers. I mean, really, who would want to watch, say, Mary or Kinzie or Lacey dance amazingly when we could watch ladies like Karissa or Breelan struggle week after week? What they did show of Mary at least hinted at a very put together young lady who is a great technical dancer (those kicks!) and hard worker, is very articulate and has a strong backbone. That girl said she swore she wouldn't cry through training camp, and she didn't until they made the team. I mean, I cry just watching the show, and I'm not banging my knees in jump splits and having Kelli or Judy tell me to hit the gym or stop being "clunky." I saw that she was the first or one of the first rookies to get the Abbey bear this year, and that suggested to me that there was much more to her than we'd gotten to see on the show. I'm sad Sydney is retiring, but it seems that every year, certain vets retire and I just can't imagine the team without them, and yet...DCC march on and find new great rookies. It's also interesting to see which vets step up into leadership positions. I could see not getting elected to ProBowl might sting, but I never thought that Sydney kept returning because she wanted to go to PB. She's never been the best dancer on the team, but she is a great dancer and vibrant performer, and I think has been deserving of group leader and the various kinds of face time she has gotten on MTT, Show Group, calendars, appearances, Talking Cowboys, etc. No one makes Show Group who is not an outstanding dancer, and plenty of DCC who are outstanding never make SG. I also think that Kelli & Judy have appreciated her presence and leadership, especially when they've had young teams. I'm glad she's retiring rather than hanging on--it must get tough to do those jump splits for a freaking score of years, and way to go out in style on her own terms. As for this movie, I can't say how relieved I am that it is not a Tyler Perry film. I only know what's been posted here about the actual project, but I imaging that they are filming in Atlanta because, in the last several years, Georgia has made extra incentives for TV and film production in the state (read: they lure film projects to the state and help feed the economy by making it an affordable and accommodating place to film). Among the projects filmed there recently: Vampire Diaries, Walking Dead, Selma, 42, the Single Moms' Club, Anchorman 2... Apparently, there are over 25 film projects being filmed in the state in this month alone.

I agree that Paige appears thinner and more toned. I saw one picture of her in Mexico where several of her ribs showed a bit too prominently to be totally healthy, I thought, but it could be the angle. Her arms definitely are more ripped. I've never been a big fan of hers, not a hater either, and kind of indifferent to her looks (and not just because of her extreme tanning, though that doesn't help). I figure she has to be a great dancer, though I don't feel like I've seen much of her dancing the past two seasons. I liked that they assigned a cheerleader a day to Twitter and Instagram, as it personalizes them (to me anyway), and I always like behind the scenes stuff like that. I don't know why it took a year to release the video they made on the last calendar shoot, but I thought it was cute. It was a little silly, which I found charming, since it shows that they don't take themselves too seriously. I hope they show the video they shot this year at more than just the games.

I don't know what's up with Holbrook--except that I'm disappointed because I'd had hopes he would prove to be one of the few (only?) grown men and officers of the law in Rosewood who did not turn out to be a total creeper about teenage girls. There goes that pipe dream. Hanna was, hands down, the best part of this episode, and her scene with Holbrook just proved to me why I think she just might be my favorite liar (Spence is a very close second). THANK YOU for somebody actually saying out loud on the show that grown men should know better than to be sexually involved with--or be manipulated by--a teenage girl. And I'm so very glad that character got to be Hanna, and that she delivered her message with a tire iron! Kick ass, Hanna M, kick ass.

If I recall correctly, last year swimsuit fittings took place over 2 days, so hopefully some of the DCC mentioned above will still be auditioning next year. I took Brittney's post to indicate that she's not going to fittings at all, and is therefore retiring. Argh!! She's one of my favorites. I kind of expect Veronica might retire, after a year or more of weight struggles, but I really hope she doesn't--another of my faves. Katy Marie recently posted that she's currently got her dream job of cheering for the Cowboys, so I hope that's a sign that, even though she's getting married in the near future, that she's not ready to retire. She's such a great performer, and just radiates a charming sweetness that I think is really from her and not just how pretty she is. I'm with others who are hoping that Sydney comes back for one more year. I rooted for her her rookie season, and have been a fan since. I also hope that Jacie, Samantha, Erica, and Jessica re-audition. Happy to see Kinzie, Holly, Jenna, Melissa, Jinelle, and Kelsey returning! As for Breelan, I definitely do not think she's had a boob job. I noticed last year that the girl was pretty stacked at age 18, and they appear natural--there's not that cleavage separation that often comes from implants. I think she's just "blessed," and has some good push-up bikini tops on.

I think that the NFL's general treatment and sexualization of its cheerleaders is related to the league's frequent and problematic dealings with players and coaches around issues of sexual assault and domestic violence. It all signals various ways in which the NFL and society at large does and does not value women. I believe that Kelly would not stand for DCC being harassed by fans or the league in ways that other pro cheer squads might deal with, though I do imagine that, as a general practice, DCC and other cheerleaders have to develop politely evasive strategies for creepy fans with wandering hands and eyeballs. I agree that the presence of security guards suggests that Kelly and the organization take protecting the girls, their safety, and their dignity seriously. Kelly's concern about men trying to grab Danielle if she took a job as a bar tender back in season 7--and her response when Danielle assured her she would not let that behavior fly--also makes me think she would and has attempted to thwart the culture of sexual harassment and general male creepiness when it comes to younger women and girls under her charge.

I thought the episode was worth it just for the Hitchcock nods and the gorgeous gowns the liars and their nemeses wore. Emily was smoking beyond belief; Hanna was super fly in her formfitting white lace, sassy hair, and statement crystal necklace; Spencer was sophisticated as always in that sleek art deco beaded sheath. While the top of Aria's dress was lovely in its sparkly simplicity, I was not feeling the tulle pouf that was her skirt, and I thought it creepy that Ezra bought it for her. Maybe that's because I think everything Ezra does is creepy--like stripping down with teenagers to impress his high school girlfriend. I thought Ali also looked gorgeous and tres femme noir in her dress, and for once, I thought her hourglass shape was flattered by the retro cut of her dress. The liars are lucky that nothing terrible happened to them this Christmas, given that they courted disaster rather carelessly (if rather stylishly). First, real friends don't let friends on parole break into houses, especially if said friend is looking to break into the house of someone they'd previously been suspected of killing. I mean, really, this is a plot problem, and if Spencer is going to be that dumb, then she deserves to go to jail. While some might think her shank was badass, I found it crazy that she would break glass when trying to hide from a predator in a dark house and protect her friend. How about silently running to the kitchen to grab a knife or two instead of shattering glass? Also, much as I adore Hannah (pretty sure she's my favorite liar, with Spencer as a close contender), I hate it when she gets so stupid as to leave her phone somewhere unattended when breaking into a house. (I can admit, however, that this carelessness led to some truly heart pounding moments in this episode for me.) On top of this, Aria did an absolutely terrible job keeping an eye on Ali, running off to tell Emily what she saw (and of course, neither she nor we really know what she saw--was that really Holbrook kissing Ali, or is he in costume undercover trying to suss out Rosewood's various murderers and creepers?). As for the various ships this episode, I was a little sad for Emily and Paige, but at the same time, I'm relieved that (1) Paige's parents prove that some adults in Rosewood do have good sense and take action to ensure the safety of their children (not that Paige's dad is awesome, mind you), and (2) there's an end in sight for this couple. They've had their sweet moments, but I've never been a big fan of Paige, and I'm over the various push and pull factors in their relationship. Of course, at the rate that time passes on this show, next semester and Paige's departure could be fifty episodes away.

I hope both Katy and Veronica return! They are two of my favorites. With her wedding on the horizon, Katy might not return, and how Veronica and Kelly feel about Veronica's weight situation might determine if she comes back. While neither girl has been chosen for Show Group, it has been nice to see Katy get chosen for some higher profile appearances lately (like the Sports Illustrated photo shoot, which was a big deal), and Veronica as one of the poster girls for the show two years in a row. Katy & Veronica seem very close to Holly & Brittany, and I hope that whole little foursome returns. They'd be a great senior group of cheerleaders. I would be surprised, if Brittany does return and is not chosen as a group leader or second. She's got over 20,000 followers on Twitter, she's a fabulous performer, is totally dedicated to hard work and the DCC, is a favorite of K&J, and it appears that the younger DCC look up to her. I'm still surprised she wasn't chosen this year over Jennifer Kathryn, but I wonder if it had to do with TPTB's unhappiness with her weight. Thanks for posting the links for the USO tour, everyone! The ladies (and their DJ hosts) were very charming and funny on the radio show. I very much appreciate the organization's insistence on selecting smart, personable women who are well spoken and engaging, as well as good ambassadors for the Cowboys. I really admire what the DCC does with the USO and charitable organizations, and appreciate these young women's abilities to bring genuine smiles to those who really need it. I also think it's so cool that Jenna first met the DCC on a USO tour, and now gets to be on tour as a DCC herself, with her bestie Sydney, whom she met on that first USO tour. I'm with one of the posters above that I think (hope!) she'll be a 5 year girl, or stay even longer. I would love to see her as a group leader or second. I really like all the girls chosen for the tour, and I bet it's difficult to select which few get to go each year. This is a great group of performers, and I bet they probably also strive for a mix of cheerleaders, some who are experienced and comfortable with the tour and interacting with the military on bases all over the world, and some newbies who can learn the ropes.

Most definitely! This is part of the magic of Charles Boyle--and for me, Boyle is a huge part of the wonderfulness that is Brooklyn 99: he is so quirky and dorky and weird that he must be annoying as hell at times, and yet he remains truly funny and lovable. I think Boyle and Santiago are two of the most endearing characters on TV, and part of what I find so endearing about the show is that the characters really do know and care about each other, goofy quirks and all. Case in point: Charles was definitely over the top with Holt, but he is so emotionally connected to food and so eager to connect with Holt that he just can't help himself. And despite Holt's initial resistance and churlishness, he did learn from Charles in the end, and not just about food, but about expressing love for his partner. I agree with others that Holt behaved somewhat strangely and poorly, and that his total "disinterest" in food contradicts past episodes, like when the 99 arranged Holt and Kevin's last anniversary dinner and Holt told Amy he'd always wanted to eat at the restaurant he picked. I also think that such disinterest in food goes against his and Kevin's party menu and generally bourgeois tastes. I disagree, though, that all of his truculent behavior with Boyle was out of character. Holt is not a character who likes to admit to any shortcoming or weakness, so his discomfort with wanting to do something and worrying that he would fail, and having Boyle see that, made sense to me. On top of this, Boyle was asking Holt to share his emotional self, and that is definitely not his style. People can be a little jerk-ish when they're feeling vulnerable. I really liked that Holt told Boyle about reading his food blog, and why. He had intended to scoff at Boyle's blog, to affirm for himself that Boyle was being nothing but ridiculous. But, he learned something important about showing his love, and not just to Kevin. Holt certainly is not incapable of showing his love or affection to Kevin, but as we have seen, he's not the most demonstrative or expressive guy on the block. But, after reading Charles's blog, he ends up sharing a very sweet and personal account with Boyle after all, plus he makes him a great sandwich. I adore all things Amy Santiago, and she was in all her awkward yet sweet glory this episode. Sophia was great--Jake is lucky to be dating such a cool and together lady, but I wonder if she's going to dump him after realizing that he's not as together as she is and/or because she's just not into wondering where she falls in relation to his feelings for Amy. She might just decide she deserves better, and I wouldn't disagree. They might be able to move forward, but that whole dinner had to have been seriously deflating for her and for their chemistry. That dinner was a monstrous bust, but I also thought it was hilarious all around. Sophia slapping Jake to pull out all the stops, Amy's everything, and Jake's wide-eyed and painfully honest response to the cheery waitress who asks if they're having fun and happy to be there makes me LOL just to think of it: "We are not." The other thing that continues to make me LOL even now: Rosa shattering the glass to break out of the storage room and Gina's terrified response. Way to problem solve, Rosa. And I loved that it was followed by Gina giving over the care package she made for Rosa and Rosa's struggle to resist smiling. I just love the love on this show!

I really enjoyed a lot about this episode, including the ridiculousness of Danger that seemed to bother some others. One of the things I love about this show overall is its attention to detail, and the sometimes surprising ways it develops its characters. I thought this episode was strong on both counts. Holt in his short shorts was incredible and hilarious on its own, but was made all the more wonderful because in season one (which episode?), Jake was trying to persuade/pressure Holt about something by saying he wouldn't tell anyone about the time he saw the captain outside of work wearing "short shorts." Of course, at the time, I thought Jake was just making shit up and being a cheeky punk, but lo and behold: Holt wears short shorts! Hell yeah. Also really enjoyed Rosa's totally deadpan (and deadly) "What?" when Jake said that, as her friend, he'd push her up like a bra, and his correction: "I mean, like a brassiere, which is totally different." Rosa: Come on, man. Jake: Not better. For me, the team spirit support of Amy quitting smoking was great because it was heartfelt, and because each character supporting her revealed something vulnerable about themselves to each other. Terry, Gina, and Holt telling Amy about their own addictions was meant to support her endeavor, but it also develops the characters and their relationships. Perhaps more importantly, it allowed us to actually see Terry Titties, and showed old school Holt saying, "Go Razzmatazz. Go Razzmatazz. Go Razzmatazz." I thought Holt's lesson for Amy was on point--you should quit smoking, but ease up, and recognize that you don't have to be perfect. And I just loved that he demonstrated his lesson with a dangling preposition he refused to correct.

I agree that this wasn't the most awesome B99 episode ever, which is my general standard for the show, but there was enough to love. My life will be forever brighter for having seen Charles Boyle do the Single Ladies dance. I also enjoyed Jake telling Holt he looked really good in Amy's purple shirt, and then saying they should dub the lawyers "vegetable medley" because he can't think of anything more gross. I found Hitchcock's reunion with Scully (and his worry that the worm might make him fall off the ledge) very sweet. This last bit I think is important to the quality of the show--none of the characters are one-dimensional, even the two who are supposed to be almost purely doofus comic relief. Hitchcock gets emotional when he hears Scully sing, and Scully rushes to hug his longtime partner when the lockdown ends. Awww. Also, the sweetness of their reunion points to part of what makes this show so charming and enjoyable to me. B99 just makes me feel happy: it makes me LOL every episode, and every episode has at least one moment of genuine kindness or affection that makes me smile. The opener was a little underwhelming, but I suppose it at least reinforced the endless Peralta-Santiago competition and set up Jake's challenge in the episode, which was figuring out how to reconcile his immaturity and commitment to unprofessionalism with his professional responsibilities. But I suppose that, after last week's "Hot damn!" opener, they just gave up and admitted nothing will ever match its charm and brilliance.

Abbie's an all-star for calling Katrina out on her condescending, manipulative, and fantasy bullshit! At last. K had it coming, but then she goes and runs off to be a demon baby mama and tells Abbs she has to be the one to break Ichy's heart because the wimpy witch of the west is a coward, on top of being a liar and the mother of a horseman of war and now baby Moloch (who turned out to be so cute!). Hate Katrina. Really hoping she's doing a double agent thing, and not her weak and needing to be rescued (again) thing. Forget her dumbness in still wearing the necklace, why is she still wearing a corset she snatched off a drunk girl at the hospital? I don't care so much that Hawley did the nasty with Jenny--mostly by not thinking about it. Because he's hot, and because I want Abbie to get some. Girl's got to blow off steam some kind of way, and if I knew I was facing the possible end of days, I'd be looking to have a little fun. I don't think Abbie is clueless with him, I think she's uncomfortable with his interest (and likely her own), and isn't ready to encourage it for a few reasons (and she doesn't even know he got naked with her sis yet--that will be some dramatic reveal, I'm sure). One, she's not about to get distracted from being a steadfast Witness, and I think what she sees in Crane's dumbass behavior regarding his wife and kid gives her pause in thinking about a romantic relationship for herself. And, two, he's a bit of a dog, in part because he doesn't really know how to act besides a player. This showed in the bar when he went after the two women in front of Abbie. Dick move, but clearly it was to try to make her jealous (which it did) and was a rather immature if fairly human response to being rejected by someone you've exposed some vulnerability to. So, I'm willing to sit back and see how/if Hawley matures from his player/privateering ways, especially if he will go shirtless again. I also agree that he has good chemistry with Crane, and I think they were cast to be both mirrors and foils of each other. They both want to be the smartest guy in the room, they compete for Abbie's attention, and there are strong physical resemblances. Not only are they both tall with rangy frames, they have beards and shaggy hair, and even dress similarly, with their collarless jackets and open neck shirts--despite the stylistic differences in era. Hawley is a more modern Ichabod. I am enjoying their slowly budding bromance, complete with its rivalries.

Another fantastic episode! I already had to rewatch it. It was just as funny as the first time, and seemed even smarter. The storytelling is so sharp, it's impossible to catch and appreciate everything the first time around. My favorite moment in what I think was a great episode: Boyle battling it out with Gina, pointing at the ceiling and saying in his Meryl Streep Mama Mia falsetto, "I can take it higher!" Oh, Boyle, how can you be getting a backbone and be so ridiculous at the same time? Comedic perfection. A random note from my rewatch: Jake's jacket that he wore to court has a big stain on the back of it. So subtle and so Jake. I disagree with some posters that the sexual chemistry hostility between Jake and Sophia was overdone. Jake is so immature that he would pull pigtails if Sophia or Amy wore them, plus he is actively in conflict professionally with a woman he has the hots for. I can't see Jake reacting any way but with some jabs, albeit hilarious and awkward ones. What I did find impressive was Jake's ability to again be direct about his interest with a woman he's into (and that he then swept off a stranger's desk). If Jake were totally immature he'd be unlikeable and unfunny, and it's episodes like this one that show his character growth. If Eva Longoria sticks around, I suspect that Jake's immaturity will be a factor in their relationship's downfall. But I prefer to watch him tank a relationship with her than with Amy. I'd like to see Jake and Amy as the final, final end game (they're just too sweet together), but I think Jake has a lot of growing up to do before he and Amy could risk their friendship and professional relationship for sexy times. Yes, he does! His character is so endearing, and Terry Crews plays it to perfection. I just loved his face in the cold opening when Holt was insisting that Amy tell them where she'd been. It was totally Sgt. Scary Terry.

Can an episode be epic if it's only 22 minutes long? ITA, this episode was comedic perfection, and so brilliant with its character pairings and interactions. This is why I heart this show. So much! I have to say, Gina is a tough nut, but even last season, I found she always exhibited enough humanity and concern for others that I've always liked her. When Charles was on his pain pills last season and was dropping his truth bombs, he totally nailed her diagnosis: she's mean to cover up her own pain. Plus, I really love the way she loves dance, and just doesn't give a shit that she's terrible at it. We should all embrace our passions so fearlessly! I agree she's better and more likable when she's toned down a bit, but I must admit, I really find her remarkably funny at times, and I think she can be as heartwarming as the rest of the characters. More so, at times, because it's less expected of her.

The extended synopsis (from the link posted above) for episode 9 says that Henry dupes Katrina into helping rear baby Moloch, because she thinks it's just a human baby. So, I just added incredible stupidity to the list of reasons I dislike Katrina. Really? Her son just impregnated her with the demon of all demons, and now she thinks he's just raising some normal human baby? Where does she think this baby came from? This is maddeningly dumb to me.

Yes. I'm not ready to give up on this show or season, but ITA with others that absenting Jenny is a huge mistake, and I'm bored with Orlando Jones rotting in the insane asylum in his drab "PATIENT" T-shirts. Obviously, they're building up to something with him, but do they have to be so boring about it while they're getting around to the question of whether or not he will fight for evil? But to repeat: I really miss Jenny. I mean, who else can they send to the med school to steal fresh organs to feed to a beast who used to be a childhood friend, and then will joke that they should donate blood for good karma? I agree, too, that it's odd the writers do not address her absences. She's such an interesting character that I think we need more of her--I mean, obviously this lady has an interesting and badass life, so why can't we see more of it? I also agree with folks that Katrina and her storyline are LAME. I was a little surprised at myself when I was hoping she was dying at the end of the episode and thinking, nice way to get her out of the way! But alas, Crane was too observant when Hawley saved Abbie, so he was able to save his lying love. I'm hopeful that she continues to reveal her fuck ups and lies, and that that is what drives the final wedge between herself and Ichabod. I mean, she's not coming across to me as a good person, so I'm struggling to think of her as a good witch--which also is hard because her magic sucks. I do find Ichabod's desire to redeem his son more admirable and compelling than Katrina's, though. She's known their child existed and suffered for two centuries, and Ichabod is just finding out. Dude has a lot to process, and he's an idealist. So far, I like Hawley. I'm not sure he's a totally moral character, which makes him interesting, but I think if we have to deal with this stupid Katrina-Ichabod thing, Abbie should get some kind of romantic interest (or at least sexy distraction) too. I agree it was kind of sleazy and soapy to have given him a past with Jenny, who clearly still wants to get him naked, but I do give him some character props for feeling awkward about his developing attraction to Abbie. I'm not yet convinced he's worthy of our awesome Abbie Grace, but he's hot enough that I'm content to watch and see what happens. Plus, he saved her life and uses the public library, which I see as positives. It will be interesting to see if Henry really did pull one over on Moloch. I agree with an earlier poster who said that if a guy manages to impregnate his own mother with a demon, he's probably not redeemable. His deep childhood pains and fears aren't the best excuses for helping to usher in the apocalypse.

I have to say, I like reading this thread! It's nice to get to "know" some of you, makes it feel more like a little community of DCC fans. I'm 36, and grew up dancing, and I started watching the show because I will watch almost anything with dancing in it--except Dancing with the Stars, which annoys me so much because it's hours of everything but dancing. But I got hooked on MTT because, like so many others, I started to admire the hard work, talent, and determination of these young ladies and their fearless leaders. I expected NFL cheerleaders to be vapid and shallow, and was surprised to find myself genuinely liking and admiring so many of the DCCs and TCCs on the show. It seems silly, but I have learned a lot about the power of positive thinking and believing in yourself from these cheerleaders. I tend to doubt myself a lot, and it's nice to be reminded that sometimes, you just have to try your hardest and go for it...and just see what happens. Failure is in giving up on yourself, not in falling short of your goals or dreams if you really tried for them. Oh, the unexpected ways we learn life lessons!

ITA about Breelan, which is something of a turnaround for me. I was rooting for her while watching the show, but if she's this far into the season and still can't perform, she will be a one-timer. Which I think would be a shame. In that brief close up, and when I caught glimpses of her in the group shots, she hardly looked like she knew the routine, and pretty much like she was marking it rather than performing. Get it together, girl! As EricaShadows said, that looks like way too much fun to even need to concentrate on smiling. I bet she got blasted by Kelli and Judy for that, as I know they watch the screen carefully and give each DCC written feedback after every game. As for the halftime show itself, I actually liked the opening dance, and I agree that Jacie killed it. I love Holly as point girl, and as the most senior DCC in the Holly-Jacie-Emma triangle, I wanted her to get it this season, but I hope Jacie stays on the squad long enough to be point girl, too. But I don't want Holly to retire just yet, either. Speaking of, congrats to Holly for being the Sports Illustrated cheerleader of the week! (I find it surprising, though, that they've done that for so long and never had chosen a single DCC before her.) She and the other cheerleaders looked great in their photos, and I'm glad to see Katie getting to do more high profile appearances recently. She's another of my favorites, and I hope she doesn't retire this season, since she just got engaged. She seems so sweet and a little shy, which I think adds to her beauty, and is such a great performer. I was happy to see Jenna be selected for the shoot, too, as I've been a big fan of hers since she first auditioned. I agree with others that she is really growing up before our eyes and is turning into such a stunning beauty. Every year she seems to become an even better performer, too. Breelan should be watching and working with Jenna every chance she gets! Seriously.

I'm most definitely not endorsing MyFitFoods here, but they don't prepare heavily processed foods, and most meals are not that high in sodium. They prepare fresh, mostly whole foods that you either pre-order or just grab from the store. That said, I have no idea how it all tastes.

Many cheerleaders want to be a part of Show Group, but some choose not to audition. All of these ladies are excellent at time management, but some choose not to commit the significant extra time because they are trying to balance DCC with college, career, marriage, or motherhood. I think Brittney is very much appreciated by the DCC and powers that be. As others point out, she's regularly featured in calendars, ads for DCC and for sponsors, is in Show Group, gets a good bit of air time on the show, has been on the MTT show poster for two years running, does a lot of appearances, and is a clear team, crowd, and camera favorite. Also, I agree with Oranaiche about Carissa. Just because she wanted to talk in an interview or two about her dance training and other dance passions doesn't mean that she's putting down the DCC. She's trained and performed her whole life, and I don't see anything wrong with DCC not consuming her entire dance identity. I don't think she's tried to distance herself from the DCC at all, as suggested by the fact that she is an All Star, and that she still has her DCC profile picture on her Twitter page. I doubt she'd do either if she thought she were too good for the organization, and both suggest to me that she's very proud of her time as a DCC and still very attached to the team.

I hope so, pink317! I agree about the level of awkward.

I agree with others that Ashley likely wasn't responding to posts on this site, and that people really do write cruel things about the DCC elsewhere--not that everything here is nice, or intended as constructive critique. But the general considerate conduct and content of discussion on this site is what I like so much about it! People who really want to talk trash go elsewhere. I've read some of the DCC FB posts, and they can be horridly mean, especially about the swimsuit photos. I don't read much about the DCC elsewhere, but obviously there were a number of brutal comments or she wouldn't have made the Instagram post. I also agree that Morgan and Jasmine were a bit immature and aggressive in their efforts to commiserate with Ashley, but whatevs. Morgan isn't a DCC anymore, and Jasmine is probably on thin ice with the powers that be. This post probably doesn't help. But both ladies are right that haters gonna hate. Ashley has a right to speak out if she really feels that rumors are flying about her. Just because they're not flying here doesn't mean they don't exist. As for the Pink halftime performance, I thought it was pretty good! Those things must be a nightmare to produce, but while it had some old elements to it, it was refreshed nicely with some new music and choreography. I think the costumes dance great, and probably look great on the field, but agree with others that the high waist is not the most flattering. But far better than the Minnie Mouse polka dot pink! And better higher waists than itty bitty minis with butt cheeks or pelvic bones hanging out, to my mind. I was happy to see Samantha, Melissa, Lacey, and Erica so centrally placed in the triangle, and I agree that Emma, Jenna, and the Jennifers looked great. I think next year will be a serious struggle to decide on point girl. Holly may return, but I think Jacie and Emma would be even more competition after a season as the front triangle anchors, and I think Samantha might become a strong contender by next year, too. Crystal was point girl as a third year vet, so it's not all about seniority. Honestly, I don't know how I'd decide among those four, and I bet Kelli & Judy would also consider both Jennifers. That's a strong team when you have so many potential point girls. I like all of them a lot and enjoy watching each of them dance. Thanks for posting all the videos and pics, folks!