#DanceMoms Recap: “Showdown in Pittsburgh, Part 1” [Episode 17]

The team returns to Pittsburgh, as Dance Moms begins this week.  The weather is bleak but the moms are happy to be home, even if it’s just for a brief period.  Abby tells us that this week is bringing a competition, and a Jump convention, where the girls have a chance to win scholarships. Cathy is making an appearance this week, and along  with troublemaker dance coach Jeanette, the week is sure to be dramatically challenging. Abby’s angel student Maddie recently performed at the Grammys, and it was amazing because of the applause, and Maddie being recognized in her crazy blonde wig. Holly interrupts the blissful fame memories to invite the crowd to celebrate Nia’s video, at a party planned in the midst of the already packed weekend.

The pyramid is revealed, and Kendall is on the bottom for illegal crying, and Maddie is on the top for the impressive Grammy gig. Kendall and Kalani are given solos, and the group routine ‘No Sign of Life’ needs to be sharp enough to go up against those blood thirsty candy apples. The group routine begins, and Holly hears that Nia’s video is moments away from it’s release. Jill thinks that Holly is an obnoxious bragger for not putting the team first, and shutting it about her little superstar. Melissa reminds them that this is a big week and the Grammys are over anyway, so the moms need to shut up and focus.

We check in with Cathy and the Apples, who have danced over to Pittsburgh to stomp on Abby. Cathy’s daughter Vivie is an official US citizen, and Cathy decides to celebrate the moment with a dance, a number named ‘Patriot.’ They begin rehearsal, and Jeanette and her crew bust in to claim the rehearsal space. The two dance teachers cackle about their mutual Abby horror, foreshadowing a possible allegiance.

Back at Abby’s, the moms banter about all that Abby has on her plate, commenting that Abby constructing an empire may be a bit much this week. Holly is busy inviting all of the ALDC enemies to support Nia, as all of the moms stare ahead with blank expressions on their faces. Jill expresses hatred for Cathy and barely there tolerance for Jeanette, and asserts that Holly will call anyone to fill up her boastful party space.

Kalani’s solo practice begins, a number called ‘Bleeding Out,’ and Abby is super excited for the glass shard themed routine. Mikey, Nia’s video director calls and instructs Holly to view the video in private, which makes her nervous that the end product won’t match the sheer joy of the filming experience. Kira carefully comments that the look of the video does not match Holly’s conservative aesthetic, and Jill adds that Kendall’s video will be more humble, but great.

Holly wants to shout her joy for Nia from the rooftops, but decides to tone down the bragging, to please the mothers of the less dazzling girls. Kendall’s solo ‘Rise and Fall’ practice begins, and Abby threatens to not release the humble video if she doesn’t pull off a great performance.

We jump over to Jeanette’s dancers, and hear that Ava is going to perform a solo called ‘Hurtful Words,’ to reflect the hurt that Abby hurls wherever she goes. We watch Ava practice, and the piece looks interesting.

Back at the ALDC, the dancers herd into one studio where Abby announces that she is peacing out and heading to LA, but the building and the company will remain in Pittsburgh. Abby drags in and comments that the pictures from the video don’t seem like sweet, innocent Nia, and Jill points out that underwear based inappropriateness needs to have a big name like Sia behind it. Kendall is going up against Kalani and Ava, and Jill hopes that she can get through the number without weeping. Holly tells Nia that her video looks amazing, so amazing that it is upsetting some of the jealous little people.

Friends file into the premiere party, where Holly gushingly praises Nia for never complaining that life isn’t fair, probably because Holly herself had the ‘poor me’ angle covered all season. The moms show up, but the girls had to stay back for class, and no one is sure about Abby. Cathy is on hand, wearing a coat that looks like it is made of yak hair, and the vibe is joyous and supportive.

Abby arrives at the last minute, and we watch the video, which is a jerky, flashy ride through a skimpy, booty shaking industrial semi-bad dream. Abby is called up to speak, and offers a few sincerely kind words to Nia, basking in her mentor moment. Holly immediately finds something else to complain about, namely that the girls didn’t run over during their break to be present for this epic event. Poor Holly.

The last hurrah in Pittsburgh wraps next week…be here as we wave goodbye!

 

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