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"Summer Lovin'" is the 5th episode in Season 6 of The Next Step and the 159th episode overall. It aired on October 6, 2018.

Synopsis[]

Piper returns to TNS as Michelle and Emily are reinstated and face their first challenge as co-studio heads.[1]

Plot[]

As A-Troupe warms up in Studio AEmily and Michelle talk to Miss Kate in the office, hoping to persuade her to rehire them as studio heads. Noah is optimistic about their chances, but Richelle is more sceptical, confessing that she doubts Kate has forgotten how bad things got last time they were in charge. Finn asks Kenzie why the co-managers of Shakes & Ladders are being considered as their new studio heads, and Kenzie assures him she has heard good things about them. In the office, Michelle and Emily apologise profusely to Kate for letting Richelle dance while injured, and pitch various ideas for helping the studio. Kate confesses that enrolment at The Next Step Dance Studio has declined since their loss at Regionals last year, and the studio is in trouble financially. Having been sent to eavesdrop, Ozzy only confuses the others when he recounts the few misheard sentences he picked up on. As Emily makes a final plea, Kate confesses that she hired Angela to guarantee a Regionals win, because the studio needs the prize money to stay open - so no matter who takes over, it is essential that they win Regionals.

Emily and Michelle exit the office, and Henry and Kingston express their hope that they were rehired, so things can go back to how they were. After a tenuous pause, Emily announces that they are co-studio heads again, and Michelle confesses that it is "good to be home".

Most of the team has left, but Finn, Kenzie and Summer are kept back. Michelle and Emily confess that since these are the only dancers they don’t know, they need to see them dance to determine their line placements for the group routine. Each of them performs a solo; Emily and Michelle are impressed with all three, but are particularly dazzled by Summer. They thank them and leave to work out the placements, and Summer confesses that although she is new, she still hopes she will make the front row.

Piper is pacing the locker room nervously. She confesses that this is her first day back at the studio, and she thought she would feel alright now Michelle and Emily are back, but she is worried about having to catch up. Richelle enters and greets her, and asks if she is coming to rehearsal; Piper confirms that she will be there soon. She confesses that Miss Angela brought down her confidence, and even though she is gone, she is struggling to get over her anxiety.

A-Troupe stretches in Studio A, most of them mulling over line placements. Amy confesses that she is determined to be in the front row this year. Summer asks her if Emily and Michelle can get them a Regionals victory, and Amy assures her of it; Summer confesses that she is glad they are friends, as talking to her helps her to not dwell on the placements. Kingston confesses that he hopes he has worked hard enough to be in the middle row, while Jacquie confesses that she will have to out-dance Richelle to get in the front row. Meanwhile, Piper has worked up the courage to leave the locker room, and tentatively enters Studio A. Everyone is delighted to see her, and her anxiety is briefly dispelled. Michelle then announces that the line placements are ready, and everyone falls back in preparation; Kenzie confesses that nobody will want to be called out first, as if you are in the back row, you may as well be an alternate. However, when Piper is called first, she completely subverts Kenzie's verdict by being relieved, as no one will rely on her if she is at the back. Finn is called next, much to his disappointment; he is bewildered that Piper is smiling as he joins her, as he didn’t think anyone at the back would be happy about it. The final back row dancers are Ozzy and Kingston; while Ozzy seems unbothered, Kingston is upset, and decides he has to work even harder. The middle-row dancers are Amy, Kenzie, Richelle and Jacquie; Richelle is furious that she is not at the front, and Amy is equally devastated, as she assumed that Michelle and Emily being back would mean things would get better for her. Michelle announces that Henry and Noah are at the front - and directs a delighted Summer to stand between them, making her front and centre. Noah is happy with his placement, but is certain not everyone will feel the same; sure enough, Jacquie is outraged that a new dancer is already front and centre, Amy is in disbelief that Summer didn't have to earn her place, and Richelle simply states that Summer is in her spot.

In the locker room, Amy, Jacquie and Richelle rage about how Summer beat them to the front row, and complain that Emily and Michelle are favouring her because she won the Stacy Carpenter Scholarship. Amy confesses that she does think Summer is good, but she believes she works much harder. Exasperated that there is already new drama just as they have got rid of Miss Angela, Noah claims that Summer’s talent deserves to be recognised - but Jacquie interprets this as her boyfriend thinking Summer is better than her. Suddenly, Summer herself enters and asks if anyone wants to hang out; one by one, the girls bluntly decline and leave. Summer realizes they must have been talking about the line placements, and is saddened that they are targeting her just because she is in the front row.

In Shakes and Ladders, Finn spots Piper playing darts by herself, and tries to discover why she was pleased to be in the back row. Piper is instantly annoyed, as she doesn’t want to explain herself; she tells Finn to mind his own business and walks away. Finn confesses that Piper intrigues him; she left and came back with no explanation, and is now happy with a line placement most people would hate. He decides that although she isn't willing to talk right now, he is sure he will learn the truth at some point.

Emily and Michelle call Amy, Jacquie and Richelle into their office, and reveal they know they are complaining about their line placements. They all instantly deny it, but Emily is unconvinced and shuts them down. She and Michelle reveal they promised Kate there would be no drama in the lead-up to Regionals, and inform them that the placements weren’t based on popularity, they don't care whether they are happy are not, and they are prepared to move them to the back if they make a fuss. Michelle confesses that she knows they are being harsh, but they are trying to prevent more serious disagreements later on. All three girls are convinced Summer told on them, and are annoyed that she didn't come directly to them if she had a problem.

Amy, Jacquie and Richelle confront Summer and condemn her for telling tales. Summer is insulted that they think she did this, and leaves in disgust. Jacquie and Richelle denounce her as a diva, but Noah cuts in and reveals he told on them, not Summer. He attempts to lecture them on the importance of supporting each other as a team, but Richelle is angry that he took their venting seriously, Amy now feels terrible for assuming Summer told on them, and Jacquie, once again jumping to conclusions, confesses her disbelief that her boyfriend didn't have her back. Noah confesses that he tried to do the right thing, but he seems to have made everything worse.

In Studio 1, Piper performs a solo, hoping to release some of her pent-up feelings. Finn comes in and watches her, appearing to be enthralled. As Piper finishes, Finn applauds; she flinches, having not realized he was there, and swiftly prepares to leave. Finn tells her she is an amazing dancer, and expresses confusion about why she wants to be in the back row - but says he’ll let it go if she really doesn't want to discuss it. He confesses that he now sees there is something bigger going on, and if Piper isn't willing to open up, he is fine with that. Piper is still unsure why he cares, but tells him she will let that go too. She confesses that although her problems haven't gone away, she somehow feels much better.

Wanting to check on Jacquie, Noah finds her in Studio A. Jacquie asks him if he thinks Summer is better than her, and when he attempts to avoid the question, Jacquie presumes this means he does. She walks out, confessing that if Noah doesn't think she's the best dancer, it’s as though he doesn't believe in her at all.

Amy approaches Summer in Shakes and Ladders and apologises for talking about her behind her back. Summer confesses that she understands Amy's frustration, but she wishes she had dealt with it differently. Amy says she was hoping to have a good year, and Summer responds that she gets it, but in competitive dancing, everyone wants to believe they are the best. Amy sadly replies that she thought she was at least better than the middle row, and Summer tells her that if she wants a spot at the front, she should "come and get it"; now smiling, Amy accepts the challenge. Amy confesses that she feels they could be good friends, but she is not going to stop trying to make the front row, while Summer confesses that she won’t give up her spot without a fight.

Trivia[]

Continuity[]

Cultural References[]

  • The title of this episode alludes to the opening lyrics of the song "Summer Nights" from the musical Grease.

Cast[]

Main[]

Recurring[]

Featured music[]

Riley season 3 wtm i'll "I'll get to you when I get to you!" - The missing information in this section of the article is to be added.

Featured dances[]

Quotes[]

Main article: Summer Lovin'/Quotes

Aftershow[]

Main article: Summer Lovin'/Aftershow

Gallery[]

Kathy Riley season 3 episode 13 "Look at that painting!"

To view the Summer Lovin' gallery, click here.


References[]

  1. [1]. BBC iPlayer (July 20, 2018). Retrieved on August 8, 2018.
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