You'd have thought there was a Stanley Cup at stake.
But the prospect of cash for their favourite charities and, of course, bragging rights were really the only carrots CBC's Battle of the Blades had to dangle in front of its hockey player-turned-figure skater contestants to get them to go hard - or go home.
And the three men still standing (on toe picks, to boot), Valerie Bure, Todd Warriner and Patrice Brisebois, truly gave it their all on Sunday's final performance episode of the reality TV skate-off.
With Mr. Greatness himself, British ice-dancing legend Christopher Dean, in the guest judge's seat, the players and their pro partners took two final whirls before leaving the entire fate of the competition in the hands of Canadian voters watching at home.
Here's how they did - and who I think is going to take home that "Cup" on Monday's finale.
Round 1: Skater's choice
Ekaterina Gordeeva and Valerie Bure took the ice first with a routine set to an interesting Russian dance song. Head judge Sandra Bezic loved the speed and the tune, guest Dean called Bure a true "pairs skater" and judge Jeremy Roenick says they were "unbelievable." The judges know best, but IMHO, these two could have attempted a few new lifts, instead of doing the same ones they've been doing all along.
Up next, Isabelle Brasseur and Todd Warriner deliver a routine that's everything a finale routine should be — punchy, set to a clappable tune (Ram Jam's Black Betty) and ultra-risky in terms of lifts (or in this case, a series of spins where Warriner dangled Brasseur by one leg). Roenick said they pushed the limits farther than anyone, Dean was shaking his head in disbelief at how much Brasseur dares to trust Warriner with the lifts, and Bezic called their moves "fantastically difficult." And we wouldn't expect anything less from the couple who cross-dressed a couple weeks ago. Popular song + risky lifts = votes, votes and more votes!
After that hard act to follow, Shae-Lynn Bourne and Patrice Brisebois pull off a number that's almost as entertaining set to a song that's equally catchy (Black Eyed Peas' Let's Get it Started). Bezic said it was "electric," Dean praised Brisebois' ice-dancing skills, and Roenick was impressed at how well Brisebois can act. Yes, but how well can he skate?
Round 2: Favourite routines, revisited
As expected, Gordeeva and Bure repeated their James Bond performance from Hollywood Week, and it went down far smoother than the average martini. Roenick said they are the best in the world (or at least his world), Dean said""shaken, stirred and still standing ... you now have your license to thrill," and Bezic said their throw - the routine's standout move - was pro. Agreed.
Brasseur and Warriner again parade each daring move they've got with a replay of last week's high-speed routine to Taio Cruz's Dynamite. Bezic said "I think that pretty much says it all, when Christopher Dean is blown away," Dean said it was "so fast it rearranged my hair," and Roenick thanked Brasseur for bringing out the best in Warriner.
Bourne and Brisebois took a risk, going all the way back to Week 3 for their second number - and the night's last. The foxtrot to Michael Buble's L.O.V.E. was silky smooth. Roenick said it was one of his favourite routines of the competition, Dean compared them to Fred and Ginger, and Bezic praised Bourne for her fab choreography skills. Who needs tricks?
So, who's it gonna be - the Russians (Bure and Gordeeva), the Tricksters (Warriner and Brasseur) or the Actors (Brisebois and Bourne)?
This is a tough call, but I'm going with my gut: Brisebois and Bourne.
Bure and Gordeeva can have their feathery grace, and Warriner and Brasseur can have their fancy moves — but neither of these pairs have glided their way into Canada's hearts like the Actors.
Bourne's passion for skating is contagious, and Brisebois has caught the bug. The tall, seemingly clumsy puckster moves effortlessly and dances like someone who's, well, not a hockey player. Plus, they're the underdogs - they won their spot back with that unforgettable Halloween zombie routine during Second Chances Week - and everyone loves an underdog story. We'll see if theirs has a happy ending on Monday night.
Along with the big reveal, Monday's hour-long finale will include a performance by all eight of this season's couples — Jamie Sale and Theo Fleury, Anabelle Langlois and Georges Laraque, Kyoko Ina and Kelly Chase, Violetta Afanasieva and PJ Stock and Christine Hough-Sweeney and Russ Courtnall are all set to return. Hosts Ron MacLean and Kurt Browning will also show off their skating skills, as will Moscow Circus act Afanasieva and her husband Pete Dack.
Oh yeah, and eventually, the winning pair will receive the coveted Crystal Trophy, a right to brag and a $100,000 donation for their chosen charities.
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