Another installment of The Next Step shakes up the routine at the Next Step Dance Studio, nudging everyone toward new dynamics and fresh challenges. The episode introduces fresh pressures as A Troupe prepares for a weekend competition, a step designed to sharpen their stage presence before regionals and to reacquaint the dancers with life on stage after a quiet spell. Kate reveals that she and Chris will decide the lineup together, a decision-making approach born from current tensions that aims to keep things fair and transparent. Emily pushes back, arguing that her team would not take her seriously if she lost control of this key responsibility. In the end, Kate grants Emily the authority to set the lineup, a move that shifts trust and power within the troupe.
Daniel takes charge of the J Troupe’s choreography for their weekend contest, while a long-standing rule within the E-Girls cautions anyone from looking too polished. Tiffany recalls her own past work with J Troupe and warns that they can turn chaotic if not handled carefully. This memory casts a shadow over Daniel, heightening his nerves as he plans the routine and wonders how to steer the group toward performance success without triggering the familiar chaos.
During Emily’s auditions for the line placements, Riley falters, forgetting her steps, while Michelle delivers a compelling performance that leaves the others recognizing her as a leading front-row contender. The contrast signals a likely shift in the lineup and foreshadows the power dynamics at play as the auditions progress and opinions diverge.
After the auditions, Emily insists she will speak with Kate and Chris to confirm the lineup, yet her colleagues remain unaware of her real plan. The studio senses unease as the air thickens with questions and competing agendas, and the rest of the troupe watches closely for signs of who really holds sway over the decisions that will shape their rehearsals.
Riley is placed in the front row with Michelle in the back, a choice that mirrors a personal connection—Riley’s sisterly bond with her. In their first run, Riley finds the front position challenging because there is no one ahead for her to follow, a dynamic that fuels her belief that she and Michelle should swap spots to create a more balanced line. The scene captures the awkward tension of leading from the front and the longing for a smoother, more cohesive formation.
Meanwhile, Daniel heads into the J Troupe rehearsals. The nerves from Tiffany’s earlier remarks linger, and the dancers’ resistance adds to the pressure. It becomes clear that Tiffany once advised them to act tough as a strategy to earn a chance with A Troupe, and Daniel’s patience wears thin. When Tiffany returns to the studio, she asserts her influence and ensures the dancers listen to Daniel. With that intervention, the rehearsal gains momentum and direction, and progress follows.
During a break, Riley seeks James’s honest opinion on her front-row placement. The blunt answer is no—an answer that pushes Riley to reexamine her positions. Later, Riley informs Kate that Emily never disclosed her decision. Confronting Emily, Riley argues that the lineup should switch her and Michelle, a move that sparks friction and heightens the tension around who really controls the arrangement.
When rehearsals resume, Riley advocates for Michelle to take the front position, swapping her own spot to the back. She publicly contends that Emily made the lineup without Kate and Chris’s approval, and the troupe rallies around Riley’s stance. Kate later observes Michelle in the front and comments on the adjustment, suggesting that the lineup change reflects the group’s evolving sense of what each dancer brings to the performance.
Even though Riley acts with conviction and honesty, her presence in the E-Girls becomes untenable as her personal goals diverge from the group’s direction. Emily also expresses reservations about Riley’s place in the team. The episode closes with Riley leaving the studio in tears, the weight of the decision lingering as the dancers confront an uncertain future for the team.
What did viewers think of last night’s episode? The conversation continues on Facebook and Twitter, inviting fans to share their reactions to the dramatic lineup debates and the evolving team dynamics.
Don’t miss the next installment of The Next Step on Family Channel, as the studio’s ongoing journey unfolds with new performances and fresh rivalries.