My review - Be Good Johnny Weir Episode #3

The show started from the scene, 5 days before US Nationals competition in 2009.

Johnny’s struggle in the practice, especially his 3A, even spin, fight with his illness which he caught in NY and got worse in Korea.

Seeing the practice scene, his condition at that time looked worse than I thought. It must have been really frustrating for him because triple axel is one of his favorite jumps, usually it’s easy for him to do it especially in practice.

It’s obvious he was not ready, looked really sick. He could have withdrawn from the competition. But he knows USFSA would not give him the free pass to worlds if he withdraw from it, unlike Tanith& Ben who withdrew from it because of Ben’s injury.

But somehow I thought his performances in it were beautiful even with some mistakes, he landed three combination jumps in his Free skate.

Maybe I can enjoy his skating even he thinks it’s his worst performance ever. Johnny’s movements and lines are always spectacular.

I loved the scene when he was cooking at the kitchen, and telling Paris how not to cut the cheese into strange shape, and avoiding the paper parts, after he came back to his apartment from the training. lol.

His apartment where he used to live with Paris looked nice. Looked like there is a stairs to go to loft ? I love that kind of apartment. He keeps the place tidy.

I also noticed that there are many scenes which were filmed in past years, and Johnny looked so natural in the camera, as if no one is filming.

I can’t act like that if I know there is a camera. I think he must be a great actor.

And also I love his interior decorating taste, Victorian style, which really fit him. I also love Spanish style though.

They showed Johnny’s depressing time from Nationals to world in 2009.
He was treating himself by drinking two bottles of Champagne, which is unusual for him during world championship trip for the NBC guest at ladies event.

He said he usually drinks only one glass of champagne.

There were many opinions and criticisms about it during the time before worlds 2009, about the decision of USFSA for the worlds team USA from figure skating fans.

Johnny’s mother Patti was crushed, Galina and Victor Petrenko and Nina Petrenko also were very upset for the decision of USFSA.

Johnny’s ranking was highest in the US skaters at that time, winning silver at Skate America, and NHK trophy, bronze at GPF. besides he mainly and also Stephane Carrier made the three US men’s spot for worlds 2009 in 2008 worlds.

Some said if he could place top 3 at Nationals 2009, he could make it but he didn’t. I don’t know why USFSA made that decision while Tanith & Ben got the free pass without attending the event.

I think whether he withdrew from the event or not, they would not send him, unless he placed top 3 in the event.

And since the location of the World championship was in LA,USA, it’s possible that they might have already planned for the scores which can easy to arrange from GOE & PCS.

Anyway, I think Evan Lysacek is a lucky person. And from considering law of nature, he made it happen by himself.

As Johnny mentioned a few times at interviews, his depression was more than I expected seeing this episode. Some people might take it lightly for it, and might have move on fast.

But I think in figure skating, reputation is very important to earn high points, and one performance at Nationals event influences skater’s future.

But I’m glad he came back stronger again this season. In 2004, when he won his first Nationals title, he had no reputation behind him, and came back from the disaster of 2003.

For Galina team, I think what he really needed after he left his previous coach Priscilla Hills was someone who can push him, mostly for mentally.

I think Galina is a great mentor and helping him a lot for it, but for his programs, I wish she didn’t control much especially for artistry.

I guess everyone noticed that Johnny’s programs became less artistic now, compared with while he was with Priscilla Hills.

Less choreography, plus this season not so memorable choreography.
His movements and lines are always beautifully perfect though.

I usually remembered all his movements for his The Swan, Otonal, Rondo, Maxim Mrvica , Child of Nazareth, Dr. Zhivago, Valse.

Under Galina, Love is war, Yunona I Avos were great, but less choreography, but there was some impressive movements. Even last season’s Free program.

This season, I don’t remember much. Loved his expression , pointing to audience before the Straight line step sequence, and his powerful sharp movements with perfect line though.

For his Free program this season, “Fallen angel“, after watching his Nationals performance, I noticed that it was not so impressive. Except for touching the ice scene and expression in the middle of the program , not memorable and there weren’t impressive choreography.

My guess is Galina arranged the program which were created by David Wilson and Johnny.

Johnny was saying that his Free program is drop dead gorgeous just after they made it, and sounded like he really love it.

But since Galina changed it, in the beginning, there is no impressive choreography, except for jumps, transition was easy for him while he was with Priscilla Hills.

But it’s already Olympics, I guess, Galina won’t let him to do the original choreography.

My impression of David Wilson’s choreography is that it always busy or constantly doing something.

Sometimes it looked too busy , so I didn’t like some of his choreographies, but I liked Jeffrey Buttle’s Olympics Free program for the choreography and also Nobunari Oda is programs during 2006-2007 season. Also Yu Na Kim’s
both programs at 2008-2009 season.

I don’t believe David Wilson made the choreography the way that it‘s been done in competitions this year. It is too simple unlike Wilson’s other choreography.

Also in the preview of Episode #4, they showed Johnny doing major bum shaking which he never did in the competitions.

Must watch Episode #4 next Monday !

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