I don’t think there’s any question Wandance is improving, in both major ways. The story itself continues to get more compelling, and it’s been really good right from the start. And the dance sequences are getting better (and they haven’t). As I noted last week, the dancers themselves actually look decent – it’s the transitions and the reaction shots that really stand out as subpar. Part of this is the CGI, part of it is the choreography. To what extent the improvement is the latter being more effectively used to hide the former is hard to say. But as long as the end product improves, it doesn’t really matter.

This was the second seriously dance-heavy episode in a row, though it was a very different sort of dance this time. And I think for the most part Wandance passed the test again, because this was one of the best eps of the series (the music was especially great this week, I thought). We’re getting pretty far into the weeds on the dance side for a neophyte like me, it must be said. Uprock, downrock, B-boys – a lot of it is indecipherable code for me. Even I know break, though, and it was interesting to see how that intersects with house (which I think of more as a musical style than a dance one) and how it doesn’t.

The relationship between Iori and Kabo is totally adorable, and is fast becoming one of the best things in the series. And Iori one of the best characters. You vibe from the OP/ED – and the way he was written – that he’s going to become really important. But the way he’s mentoring Kabo now is really great, and it means a lot to Kabo too. Iori is a total bro with a very winning offbeat personality, and for my money the most interesting dancer in the show so far. Kabo is probably his biggest rival there, but it’ll be interesting to see how the new guy stacks up.

Kabo and Kabe, yep, that is going to be be a thing. Kabe is brash but with the talent to back it up. He and Iori have a history – getting thrashed in a break battle was what pushed Iori into house. Kabe is always cordial but snarky behind people’s backs (including Iori’s), which is not a winning quality. But he’s get amazing moves, especially when it comes to break. Iori sets up for Kabo and Wanda to join him in a street session with Kabe and his crew, knowing that since Kabo has decided he wants to pursue house getting this sort of experience is vital for him.

Kabo is getting a ton of input here, but so far he doesn’t seem to be overloading. Iori encourages him to think of house like shiritori – thinking of the move that logically extends from the finish of the last one. At the street session – which Iori is late to, possibly on purpose though I’m not sure – Kabo ends up under Kabe’s wing while Iori coaches Wanda. They each get an hour to teach the newbies break, and – to what extent it comes down to the teacher and what the student is debatable – Kabo takes to it much more easily than Wanda. But he’s doing a “set” – a routine Kabe taught him start to finish. And Iori will later tell Kabo that’s the opposite of real street dancing.

Wanda certainly notices that Kabo picks up break faster than she. And she generally has a higher esteem for his work than he does. He’s worried about her moving ahead of him but of course she’s worried about exactly the same thing. That’s perfectly natural at their age. Kabo generally is is being pulled in different directions now – Kabo sees the potential and wants to take him under his wing, but Kabo no doubt feels that would be a betrayal of Iori. I’m not sure how true that is, and the best thing for him is probably to spend time with as many great dancers as possible (especially ones with diverse styles).

Kabe awaits at the inter-high dance battle, which all four of the main cast have decided to enter in the solo category. That’s something a little more weighty than a dance battle in the clubroom with the arbiters predisposed to choose On – they’re going to be challenging each other in front of truly neutral (one would hope) judges. How serious each of them are about winning is going to be fascinating to watch, as they all have very different motivations driving their dance at the moment.