Last night’s episode of The Next Step opens with the studio cloaked in a hush of secrecy as the dancers run through a mystery rehearsal. Choreographer Chris drops the news that the troupe will be dancing in a music video for the band Brighter, Brightest, and the room erupts with excitement. The thrill feels strongest for Riley, who is widely considered the biggest fan in the group, wearing a smile that stays even as nerves flutter in her chest.
When the band enters to meet the dancers, Riley is so nervous she can barely form a sentence. When she does speak, the words tumble out as garbled noise. The jitters cling to her as she is put on the spot to dance in front of the band, and instead of delivering bold, polished moves, she stumbles through a clumsy cartwheel. Yet there is a stubborn spark in her eyes that hints she wont quit easily.
Despite the tension, the band seems to see something in her. They notice Riley and James chatting in the background and decide to test their on screen chemistry, inviting them to be the stars of the video. The prospect of sharing the spotlight with the band adds a new layer of intrigue and promise, turning a shaky moment into a potential breakout moment for Riley and James.
Meanwhile, Chloe finds herself in a bind when she realizes she has a work shift on the same day as the shoot. Most of A-Troupe members focus solely on dance, with few juggling jobs. Chloe explains to Kate that she cannot attend the shoot because of a personal commitment. When Kate’s anger flares, Chloe agrees to do the shoot and hopes a coworker will cover her shift, keeping both responsibilities intact for now.
Emily takes the reins to choreograph the team’s routine. While some teammates find her approach a touch rigid, Emily leverages her role as captain to push through her plan. Then James lets out a loud moo, and soon the rest of the guys join in with a chorus of farm animal noises. Emily’s irritation grows and she boots the boys out, insisting the space be used more productively.
The group moves to Studio B where the guys let loose, mimicking the other dancers with carefree humor. They even parody Chris’s dolphin tail, a running joke that lands with laughs—until Chris walks in and catches them in the act. He calmly ushers them back to Studio A to rehearse with the girls. As soon as they regroup, voices rise and tensions flare—Kate’s patience wears thin and she ultimately halts the video shoot. Everyone is upset, except Chloe, who feels a small measure of relief that she might still keep her job by avoiding a shift conflict.
With the mood still tense, Kate, Emily, and James sit down to talk it through. James admits he mooed out loud, though he did so to push for his ideas. Emily’s reluctance to incorporate others’ input is called out, and Kate sets a straightforward condition: the shoot can continue, but Emily must include everyone’s contributions, moo moves and all. A shift toward cooperation follows as the group reorients toward a shared goal.
Relief arrives as the dancers feel the momentum returning. Riley’s nerves about performing in front of Brighter, Brightest linger, but the team’s support bolsters her. Meanwhile, Chloe faces a stern warning that missing another shift could cost her job, heightening the stakes around her personal commitments and the decisions she makes about the shoot.
In the closing sequence, the Brighter, Brightest video comes together with a punchy, confident energy. The dancers deliver their best moves, and Riley and James share a duet that crackles on camera. Riley still harbors a twinge of regret for not speaking with the band members directly, but the moment feels right in a different way. The episode ends with James arranging for a member of Brighter, Brightest to autograph a photo for Emily and even share a kiss, a small gesture that signals something quietly blossoming between the two dancers.
That sweet gesture clearly lifts Riley’s spirits, and the tension between Riley and James hints at something more than professional admiration. The episode leaves Mag fans buzzing with possibility, wondering whether Riley and James could become a real couple in the story’s unfolding romance.
Mag fans, what do you think? Would James and Riley make a cute couple?