In Studio B, the air hums with practice as the J-Troupe runs through their routine under bright lights and the sharp rhythm of worn dance floors. The big question on everyone’s mind isn’t only about flawless footwork; it’s whether Hunter and Emily have finally pulled off their plan to pull Michelle and Eldon apart. The tension sits in the space between every clap and every breath, a quiet possibility that their scheme might be succeeding even as the room stays focused on the steps. The energy is a mix of anticipation and caution, as if the team knows the smallest shift could ripple through the entire group.
Then Kate strides in with Beth’s little sister in tow, and the room shifts again. The news that more kids want to join The Next Step after their Regionals win has everyone talking. Auditions for J-Troupe could become a regular thing, a steady stream of hopeful dancers stepping into the studio to prove they’ve got what it takes. The current J-Troupers aren’t thrilled about the prospect of added competition, and a palpable unease gnaws at their camaraderie as they watch the line of potential new members lengthen with every fresh arrival.
Meanwhile at Culture Shock, Emily confirms what Hunter has hoped to hear: Michelle and Eldon are officially over. The revelation is a spark for Hunter, who exudes a bright, almost buoyant relief. Phase one seems complete, and the plan shifts from breaking them apart to guiding them toward what comes next. Now the real test begins, as Hunter and Emily calibrate their moves to coax Michelle and Eldon back into a dynamic that benefits their broader goals—without tipping off the others that the strategy is still very much in play.
The J-Troupe members gather to discuss the new auditions, and Richelle volunteers herself to talk to Kate in an attempt to secure safety for the former J-Troupe members. It’s a calculated move, and Kate listens with a cool reserve that hints at skepticism. Yet no one wants to reveal what’s going on behind the smiles and rehearsed confidence. The conversation feels like thin ice—every word measured, every gesture watched by those who understand the stakes of keeping the group intact while expanding it for the future.
As the choreography for the J-Troupe auditions unfolds, it becomes clear there’s more than professional competition at play. There’s a current running beneath the surface that hints at more than friendship between Hunter and Emily. The tension fuels creative energy as they map out new sequences, their collaboration filled with a charged atmosphere that catches the eye of anyone paying attention to the room’s mood.
The auditions begin in earnest, and the room quiets as the potential J-Troupers perform. Michelle and Eldon sit as silent observers, soaking in the talent around them. A shift of attention pulls Michelle toward Eldon, and she realizes, with a closing ache, that she still harbors feelings for Hunter. The moment feels personal, even as the event is framed by the larger goal of reshaping the troupe’s future. Hunter’s presence nudges Emily into a dip, a playful but telling moment, and Michelle’s reaction is one of overload—she rises and leaves, overwhelmed by what she’s witnessing and what it could mean for her own relationships.
Backstage, Michelle seeks out Eldon to propose friendship, hoping to preserve something of what they shared. Eldon, honest but tentative, explains that he needs time to think. He already feels something for Michelle, and he doesn’t want those feelings to intensify into something that would complicate their futures further. It’s a delicate pivot in a sensitive situation, one that leaves both of them in a limbo where care and carelessness might intersect in unexpected ways.
The batch of potential J-Troupers proves to be remarkable. Every original J-Troupe member has earned a place, and Beth’s little sister shines among the new faces. The auditions are a showcase of talent, dedication, and the kind of chemistry that makes a dance company click. It’s a moment that amplifies the sense that this group is entering a vibrant, perhaps transformative era, with new voices joining the familiar energy that fans have come to expect.
When the studio finally empties and Hunter remains to tidy the space, Michelle steps back in with a quiet offer to help. They revisit an old routine from their Madison days, a memory that glitters with both nostalgia and tension. Hunter pushes Michelle to test herself, suggesting she remembers the routine exactly as it happened. After the duet, he speaks plainly about his feelings for her, but Michelle is overwhelmed by Eldon and her own tangled emotions, and she darts away again, leaving a trail of unsaid words in her wake.
Michelle now stands at a crossroads wrapped in a complicated love triangle. The choice between Eldon and Hunter hangs in the air, unresolved, as the next chapter looms. Who will she choose, and what will it mean for the dynamics of both the J-Troupe and The Next Step’s broader cast? Viewers will have to wait for the next episode to see how this evolving triangle resolves itself, as fans in the United States and Canada tune in to Family Channel and streaming platforms to follow every step and every sway of this high-stakes dance story.