| “ | Nationals here we come, baby! | ” |
— James | ||
"Winner Takes All" (also known as "Winner Takes It All" on iTunes and CBBC) is the 30th episode in Season 1 of The Next Step and the 30th episode overall. It premiered on January 3, 2014. This episode is the Season 1 finale.
Synopsis[]
The Next Step Studio battles the Elite Dance Academy as the final two groups at Regionals.
Plot[]
Eldon tells Michelle that he wants to be with her.
The Next Step is practicing their routine for the final round of Regionals. While rehearsing their duet, Eldon admits to Michelle that he wants to be with her and that he lied when he said he was over her. Despite their mutual feelings, the two decide that it would be best if Eldon waits until after Regionals to break up with Emily. Meanwhile, James and West joke about how romantic Eldon and Michelle's duet is, which brings Emily's attention to the duo. Emily pulls Eldon aside and asks to speak to him, but he lies that he cannot talk because he is having trouble with the choreography. Emily begrudgingly complies and decides to speak to him later.
Chuck Anderson and Stacey Tookey announce the beginning of the final round. They comment on how The Next Step are the underdogs compared to Elite Dance Academy, and speculate that they used their best routine as their main one; Kate confirms this in Talking Heads, and confesses that their new routine is not as polished as their first. Elite performs their finals routine; it is practically flawless, and Eldon claims that they have surpassed their previous routine. After they finish their routine, they are awarded a standing ovation, which Emily reveals is rare in the dance community.
Beth tells James that she still loves him.
The Next Step takes the stage, ready to perform. While waiting in the wings, Riley suddenly notices that Beth has appeared backstage, and asks James if he knows why she's there. James goes to speak to Beth, who seems oblivious to the fact that James is not necessarily pleased to see her, revealing that she took two buses to get there after learning he made it to the finals. Riley watches their conversation from afar; she confesses that she is sure James no longer has feelings for Beth, but she isn't sure if Beth knows that. After James attempts to end the conversation, Beth finally reaches her point, and tells him that she still loves him. James confesses that he is shocked, but does not show this outwardly, and brushes it off instead. When James returns, Riley asks him what Beth said; he lies that she merely wished him good luck. Riley is sceptical, but ultimately doesn't question it. James confesses that he didn't tell Riley what really happened because he knows she would be unable to focus on the routine if he did. Meanwhile, Emily witnesses Michelle and Eldon hugging onstage. She confesses that she first noticed something between the two a long time ago, but she never did anything because she didn't want her suspicion to be proved right. Wanting to finally clear the air, Emily pulls Eldon aside; he attempts to brush her off, but she cuts across him, and directly asks him if he has feelings for Michelle. Eldon once again tries to avoid the subject, but Emily begs him to tell the truth; Eldon reluctantly admits that he wants to be with Michelle. He apologizes, but Emily claims it is fine - although she is clearly affected. Kate calls for the dancers to take their positions; in a daze, Emily takes her position below their prop, and steals a final glance at Eldon.
A-Troupe's finals routine commences with Michelle and Eldon's duet. The dance is inspired by Romeo and Juliet; Eldon and Michelle are from rival families and have fallen for one another, while the other dancers are opposing family members who do not want them to be together, but eventually recognize their love. Eldon confesses that he thinks the theme of the dance reflects his and Michelle's relationship, and Michelle confesses that the dance is even better knowing that she is going to be with Eldon; meanwhile, a saddened Emily confesses that the irony of Michelle and Eldon being star-crossed lovers hasn't escaped her. The team's stellar routine concludes to a standing ovation; while everyone else is giddy with adrenaline, Emily fights back tears. She confesses that Michelle has seemingly never worked for anything, and yet everything gets handed to her - including the one thing Emily believed she would always have.
Michelle and Emily hold up the team's trophy.
Elite and The Next Step take the stage to hear who has won Regionals. Before the verdict is revealed, Eldon tells Michelle that he told Emily that he wants to be with her, unnerving Michelle, who thinks he should have waited. It is announced that the judges have made their decision - after a few moments of suspense, it is revealed that The Next Step have won. The team bursts into celebration as the Elite dancers sullenly exit the stage; before they go Emily offers Amanda her hand, and Amanda rejects it. James and Riley share a kiss out of excitement; Beth, who is watching from the wings, becomes visibly downcast when she sees this. As the dancers excitedly hug, the judges bestow the team with their trophy, and Michelle and Emily hold it up for the audience. As they bring the trophy down Michelle asks Emily if they are okay - in response, Emily snatches the trophy, shoots her an angry look, and storms away. After a ceremonial dolphin tail, Michelle steals another look at Emily, only to be met with a cold, unnerving stare.
Trivia[]
- Eldon and Emily are no longer in a relationship.
- Michelle and Eldon are officially a couple.
- The Next Step Dance Studio has defeated Elite Dance Academy in the finals of the 17th Annual Absolute Dance Regionals, thus ending their three year winning streak and replacing them as the reigning Regional champions.
- The Next Step has qualified for the 17th Annual Absolute Dance Nationals.
Behind the Scenes[]
- Elite Dance Academy's finals group routine is a 10-person version of "Pan Am", choreographed by Allain Lupien for the real-life Canadian Dance Company's 2012 competition season.[1]
Production Errors[]
- Brennan Clost is on the cast list, despite not appearing in this episode.
- During The Next Step's "Stand Up" finals routine, due to changing camera angles, Stephanie and Emily perform the same forward kick twice.
- During The Next Step's "Stand Up" finals routine, due to changing camera angles, Riley goes behind Michelle twice and Emily gets off the slide, only to return to the slide and get off again.
Cultural References[]
- The title of this episode refers to a song entitled "The Winner Takes It All" by ABBA.
Cast[]
Main[]
- Alexandra Beaton as Emily
- Bree Wasylenko as Kate
- Brittany Raymond as Riley
- Isaac Lupien as Eldon
- Jennifer Pappas as Chloe
- Jordan Clark as Giselle
- Lamar Johnson as West
- Samantha Grecchi as Stephanie
- Shamier Anderson as Chris
- Tamina Pollack-Paris as Tiffany
- Trevor Tordjman as James
- Victoria Baldesarra as Michelle
Recurring[]
- Allain Lupien as Lucien
- Damian Goddard as Chuck Anderson
- Devon Brown as Max
- Jamie O'Leary as Tess
- Jennifer Taylor as Jen
- Logan Fabbro as Amanda
- Mackenzie Grant as Mackenzie
- Mariah Kirsten Delacruz as an Elite dancer
- Megan Mackenzie as Beth
- Nicholas Maiorano as Nick
- Regan Reynolds as Regan
- Ryan Matthew Harkins as an Elite dancer
- Sarah di Iorio as an Elite dancer
- Tim Roberts as the announcer
Guest[]
Absent[]
Featured music[]
- "Control"
- "Inside Out"
- "Play the Game"
- "Stand Up"
- "Turn Me Around"
- "Wheels Up"
- "Your Smile"
Featured dances[]
Quotes[]
- Main article: Winner Takes All/Quotes
Aftershow[]
- Main article: Winner Takes All/Aftershow
Gallery[]
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"Look at that painting!"
To view the Winner Takes All gallery, click here. |