I remember discovering this show when I was 14 years old and had randomly turned on the TV. I was immediately hooked to this show with its themes of family relationships and dance in Season 1 and I found the characters and their storylines generally relatable. Sure Tiffany barely got a plot and Chris could have had more development but everything else was great.
Season 2 was great but a slight step-down from Season 1. I liked the espionage plot of Amanda that played throughout the season and the wide variety of plots and locations that it had. However, I didn't really like that some storylines were closed and never brought up again (e.g. Hunter and Emily's relationship). In addition, Chris left and the character of Phoebe was brought in and felt almost entirely unnecessary with little to no character development.
Season 3 was a little better than Season 2 and I really liked that the characters' plots that were built up over the previous seasons appeared to come to a grand conclusion. I also liked Eldon and Thalia's relationship and how we FINALLY had Eldon find someone he could stay with forever. However, the character of Max barely did much during this season. The show started to become slightly absurd in this season with the Margie disappearance scene that hinted she was not even human. Phoebe literally served no purpose again.
Season 4 was the low-point of the show for me. I remember watching this less than a year after being introduced to the show (aged 15) and, despite being in the show's teen demographic, I started skipping through scenes in certain episodes. While there was a lot of dancing in this season, it was completely held back by its deep dive into absurdity with Alfie being a Swiss prince and a supposedly 16-year-old Riley becoming studio head. Also, the show seemed to be running out of ideas already, with a rehashed love triangle plot line from Season 2. Also Season 4 was way too long. Despite telling the same story as Season 1, Season 4 had 40 episodes in comparison to Season 1's 30 episodes. Some of them felt like filler.
Season 5 was a slight improvement, but it felt too short. Also, this season rehashed one of the show's first storylines (the rivalry between Emily and Michelle). However, I grew to like Lola and Zara (but not Josh) in contrast to Cassie, LaTroy and Sloane from Season 4 who were underused and their plots in that season was boring. I also liked that Amy had more relevance and that we were introduced to Jacquie.
Season 6 was the best season since Season 3 in my opinion. It felt like its own uniquely good version of Season 1 and A-Troupe started to feel more like a family again. I really liked the new characters of Summer, Finn and Kenzie. Unfortunately, on the topic of characters, I didn't like Lola, Josh, Zara, Daniel and West were exited with no reason as to why. I understand that the actors probably moved on but no explanation has ever been given as to why these characters left. That being said, I still enjoyed the Regionals scenes and the rivalry The Next Step Dance Studio had with AcroNation.
Unfortunately, Season 7 made the show go downhill again. While this season was filmed in a short period of time and several of the cast members were busy doing other projects, the scenes and storylines they had on-screen were mostly either boring or pointless. Also, we barely saw any on-screen rehearsals and I have mixed feelings about the final scene. I did like the concept of DanceMania and the main characters leaving the show as professional dancers (although they did not leave the show as such)
Overall, I think the show is good but not without its flaws. I feel like there should definitely be an eighth season which should end it on a high note. I think this show should not continue indefinitely because if it does, it may result in more rehashes of plotlines from previous seasons and a seasonal rot.
Season 2 was great but a slight step-down from Season 1. I liked the espionage plot of Amanda that played throughout the season and the wide variety of plots and locations that it had. However, I didn't really like that some storylines were closed and never brought up again (e.g. Hunter and Emily's relationship). In addition, Chris left and the character of Phoebe was brought in and felt almost entirely unnecessary with little to no character development.
Season 3 was a little better than Season 2 and I really liked that the characters' plots that were built up over the previous seasons appeared to come to a grand conclusion. I also liked Eldon and Thalia's relationship and how we FINALLY had Eldon find someone he could stay with forever. However, the character of Max barely did much during this season. The show started to become slightly absurd in this season with the Margie disappearance scene that hinted she was not even human. Phoebe literally served no purpose again.
Season 4 was the low-point of the show for me. I remember watching this less than a year after being introduced to the show (aged 15) and, despite being in the show's teen demographic, I started skipping through scenes in certain episodes. While there was a lot of dancing in this season, it was completely held back by its deep dive into absurdity with Alfie being a Swiss prince and a supposedly 16-year-old Riley becoming studio head. Also, the show seemed to be running out of ideas already, with a rehashed love triangle plot line from Season 2. Also Season 4 was way too long. Despite telling the same story as Season 1, Season 4 had 40 episodes in comparison to Season 1's 30 episodes. Some of them felt like filler.
Season 5 was a slight improvement, but it felt too short. Also, this season rehashed one of the show's first storylines (the rivalry between Emily and Michelle). However, I grew to like Lola and Zara (but not Josh) in contrast to Cassie, LaTroy and Sloane from Season 4 who were underused and their plots in that season was boring. I also liked that Amy had more relevance and that we were introduced to Jacquie.
Season 6 was the best season since Season 3 in my opinion. It felt like its own uniquely good version of Season 1 and A-Troupe started to feel more like a family again. I really liked the new characters of Summer, Finn and Kenzie. Unfortunately, on the topic of characters, I didn't like Lola, Josh, Zara, Daniel and West were exited with no reason as to why. I understand that the actors probably moved on but no explanation has ever been given as to why these characters left. That being said, I still enjoyed the Regionals scenes and the rivalry The Next Step Dance Studio had with AcroNation.
Unfortunately, Season 7 made the show go downhill again. While this season was filmed in a short period of time and several of the cast members were busy doing other projects, the scenes and storylines they had on-screen were mostly either boring or pointless. Also, we barely saw any on-screen rehearsals and I have mixed feelings about the final scene. I did like the concept of DanceMania and the main characters leaving the show as professional dancers (although they did not leave the show as such)
Overall, I think the show is good but not without its flaws. I feel like there should definitely be an eighth season which should end it on a high note. I think this show should not continue indefinitely because if it does, it may result in more rehashes of plotlines from previous seasons and a seasonal rot.