The energy around Absolute Dance Regionals keeps building, drawing crowds and cameras closer with every routine. Fans lean forward as the music swells and the stage lights pulse in time with the dancers’ heartbeat.
Last week’s episode opened with a bold opening number that set the tone for the competition. The Next Step hit the stage for the first round and delivered a sharp performance, earning 86 points. They edged out The Annex Dance Academy by two points, earning a decisive pass into the next round and signaling that every point would count in this season.
The field looks stacked this year. Elite blasted out of the gate with 91 points in their opening round, a performance that sent a message to every contender. Alongside Seeds, Elite sits at the top of the leaderboard and instantly becomes the team to beat. The pressure climbs for The Next Step and the rest of the pack, as fans and judges alike wonder if the troupe can topple the frontrunners.
In the second round, The Next Step answered back with an 87-point routine, earning another clean pass into the semifinals. Relief washed over the team and their supporters, but the path remains tense. Next up is a head-to-head duel between A Troupe and Dance Inc., a classic clash that would seal one more berth in the semi-finals.
Backstage chatter grows tense as Eldon offers a compliment to Michelle, a moment observed by Emily with growing confusion and a storm of questions about loyalty and motives. The glances become quiet whispers, and the backstage air carries a mix of pride, unease, and the unmistakable sense that romantic entanglements may spill onto the floor at any misstep.
For now the focus shifts squarely to the semi-final round. The threshold tightens to 85 points or more to outpace Dance Inc.—a tall order given the pressure and the precision demanded by the judges. A misstep could derail a dream, while a flawless performance could push a team into the final stretch.
The Offbeat duo Kate and Chris surge through the first moves with electricity, delivering the best version of themselves the judges have seen all season. Then a snag hits mid routine as Riley’s glove tangles with her feather, jolting her and sending a ripple of tension through the team. In a competition this tight, a single wardrobe glitch can be the deciding factor.
The judges reveal their verdict in a crackling hush as the third round unfolds. The Next Step lands at 84 points, a score that edges them toward elimination and out of the current semifinal chase. The room sighs, and the weight of the moment lands on every team member.
The shift is palpable, a mixture of heartbreak and resilience filling the arena. Riley shoulders the moment, convinced the loss is hers, while teammates rally around her with steady, comforting words. The group swears to rise again, reminding one another that a single misstep does not define a season.
But hope isn’t gone. James reminds the troupe about a wild card possibility, a route back into the conversation. A Troupe still has a shot at the semi finals, if luck and performance align.
In another showdown, Art and Soul duel with Elite, each team pushing the limits of timing and technique as they duel for a coveted spot in the semi finals. Elite stands out with sharp choreography and flawless execution, earning their way through. It’s a display of precision that fans have come to expect from the top seed.
Seeds is also granted a place in the next round, joining Elite and Dance Inc on the stage of the semifinals. Yet the field still holds one wild card, a chance for another deserving team to force their way forward.
The judges deliberate, weighing grit against grace, seniority against fresh energy. One of The Next Step, Dance Inc, or Confidance will claim the final seat. The suspense is almost tangible as the names echo in the room, and viewers wait breathlessly for the verdict.
On stage, the moment lingers with silent support. Michelle and Eldon exchange a quiet gesture as the panel continues its careful assessment.
Then the moment breaks into cheers as The Next Step earns a spot in the semi-finals. The crowd erupts and the team basks in a deserved round of applause, their hard work paying off.
Yet the competition keeps moving forward. Viewers can catch the next round of action when The Next Step returns to Family Channel, Fridays at 7 pm Eastern, ready for more twists, tricks, and nerve wracking moments.