The Next Step (seasons 1-3, 6-present)
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The Next Step is a Canadian teen drama series. Created by Frank Van Keeken, the series follows the members of a troupe from the titular dance studio, as they train for and compete in various championships, and deal with rivalries with other dance schools and drama among the team itself. The series is presented in a style influenced by reality television.
The series originally premiered on Family Channel on March 8, 2013, and has spawned digital content, as well as live touring shows featuring its cast members, and a spinoff series, Lost & Found Music Studios. The series moved to CBC Television's streaming platform CBC Gem in 2020 for its seventh season. The series has also been sold internationally, with broadcasters such as CBBC in the United Kingdom, and Universal Kids in the United States—which became a production partner for its sixth season. In April 2022, an eighth series was announced by British broadcaster CBBC.
Why It Can Stand Up in These Seasons
- The show's unique format, blending reality TV-style interviews with scripted drama, made it engaging and different from other dance shows. This style allowed the characters to directly share their thoughts with the audience, building a strong connection.
- Seasons 1-3 introduced a diverse and charismatic cast, including fan favorites like James, Riley, Emily, Michelle, Eldon, and others.
- The dance sequences were not only technically impressive but also integrated seamlessly into the storylines. The choreography was fresh and exciting, making the dance battles and performances a visual highlight of the show.
- During the first three seasons the competition-driven plotlines from Regionals to Nationals and then to Internationals were well-paced, keeping the drama alive without dragging out the story. Each season had clear goals and stakes, which kept viewers invested, although it gets drag out from seasons 4-5, and season 7.
- As the series progresses, the characters grow up and experience character development:
- Michelle starts off as the naïve new girl, but yet becomes more assertive and confident as time progresses.
- Eldon becomes less awkward and delusional about being with Emily. Eventually, Eldon enters a serious relationship with Thalia.
- There's also Emily, who Took a Level in Kindness towards Eldon, Riley, and even Michelle, and improves her own mindset based on advice given to her from Eldon so she can improve on her dancing as well as grow confident in herself.
- Stephanie starts off as a bossy, rude, and snarky girl who isn't very accepting of change, yet becomes nicer and friendlier towards the other dancers as the series goes on, while still retaining her snarkiness.
- Amanda starts off as a genuinely mean dance captain, only to later become a mole with her sole intention to be to ensure that her rival team fails. Amanda eventually becomes aware of her vindictive nature and attempts to become a better individual, of which she ultimately does become. Amanda even references that she used to be very mean but is now a "big old softie."
- Iconic pairings like James and Riley, and Hunter and Emily, were beloved by fans. Their relationships had genuine chemistry, development, and tension, adding a compelling romantic element to the series.
- The show touched on themes like friendship, loyalty, perseverance, and the pressure of competition. These universal themes resonated deeply with its audience, particularly teens and young adults.
- The power struggles between Emily and Michelle as team captains were a key part of the early seasons drama. Their rivalry and eventual reconciliation added layers to their characters and the overall story.
- Rivalries between dance studios, particularly with Elite Dance Academy, were portrayed with depth and intensity, which added a competitive edge and fueled much of the conflict in the series.
- After a dip in quality around Seasons 4 and 5, the series redeemed itself in Season 6 and beyond by revisiting its roots and bringing back beloved characters while introducing new dancers and revitalizing its storylines.
- Seasons 6 onward saw the return of characters like Emily, Thalia, Mrs. Kate and others, which brought a nostalgic element for long-time viewers and reconnected the series to its roots.
- Newer seasons reintroduced compelling story arcs, and while the mockumentary style was less prominent, the series maintained its focus on the dance world with fresh stakes and new challenges.
Bad Qualities
- It went downhill in seasons 4 and 5.
- Season 4 was criticized for introducing increasingly unrealistic and over-the-top storylines. The show drifted away from the grounded and relatable plots of earlier seasons, which led many fans to feel disconnected from the narrative.
- One of the most panned storylines in Season 4 was the love triangle between James, Riley, and Alfie. Fans criticized this as a rehash of the love triangle from Season 2 between James, Riley, and Beth. The lack of originality frustrated viewers who had already seen a similar plot play out.
- While Season 5 was considered an improvement over Season 4, fans were disappointed by its short length of only 20 episodes. This abrupt shift in pacing made the season feel rushed, with less time to develop key storylines and characters.
- The rivalry between TNS East and TNS West also drew criticism. This conflict lacked the intensity and emotional stakes of earlier rivalries like those with Elite Dance Academy. Fans felt that the show was trying to create drama where there was none, and the rivalry ultimately felt forced.
- Season 4 was criticized for introducing increasingly unrealistic and over-the-top storylines. The show drifted away from the grounded and relatable plots of earlier seasons, which led many fans to feel disconnected from the narrative.
- Quantity over quality: Much like The Loud House, Family Guy, and The Fairly OddParents, The Next Step has also gone on for too long. Spanning 9 seasons and 10 years, from 2013 onwards, the show has released over 200 episodes, making it feel stretched beyond its initial charm. While it started strong as a dynamic dance-driven drama, the longevity has led to a more formulaic approach over time.
- While season 7-present is good, the writing quality is weak and inconstant compared to the seasons before it.
- The first three seasons were sometimes criticized for having predictable plotlines, especially when it came to conflicts between characters like Emily and Michelle. Some viewers felt that the drama could be anticipated and lacked unexpected twists.
- Some characters were written based on familiar stereotypes, such as the mean girl (Emily) or the shy girl with potential (Michelle). While these tropes were later fleshed out, some fans noted that they felt somewhat clichéd at the beginning.
- Despite the strong choreography, there were moments when the dance battles and competitions felt repetitive, with similar styles and routines being showcased multiple times, leading to a slight sense of monotony for some viewers.
- One of the biggest criticisms of Seasons 6 and beyond is the absence of many of the original cast members. Despite the show introducing new characters, fans often felt that the magic of the original dynamic was missing, as key characters like Riley, James, and Emily were no longer central to the story.
- The sense of urgency and high-stakes competition that defined earlier seasons was less pronounced in the newer seasons. Fans often noted that the drama felt less compelling without the intense focus on Regionals, Nationals, and Internationals.
- Although the mockumentary style was one of the unique features of the show in earlier seasons, it has been used less effectively in the newer seasons. Fans have pointed out that this has reduced the personal connection with the characters and the show's overall charm.
Reception
The first three seasons of The Next Step are considered the show's peak, praised for their mockumentary style, engaging characters, and strong continuity, especially in the progression from Regionals to Internationals. Fans loved the focus on competitive dance and iconic ships like James and Riley, despite some predictable drama. Seasons 4 and 5 saw a decline in quality, but the show redeemed itself in later seasons by returning to stronger storytelling and dance focus. However, the absence of original characters like James and Riley left a void, and the show couldn't fully recapture the early magic. The series received a 6.1/10 on IMDB.