Fans are left wondering if Riley and James will still perform the Nationals duet as the season presses on. The tension is clear from the moment the studio lights rise and the calendar seems to shrink around the big show. What happened between Riley, James, and Beth isn’t just a rumor; it’s become the kind of drama that can tilt the entire competition, reshaping loyalties and forcing hard choices. The question lingers, because a duet at Nationals isn’t simply a routine; it’s a statement about trust, teamwork, and what each dancer is willing to risk for a shot at the top.
At Culture Shock, Riley opens up to Emily about the aftermath involving Beth and James. Emily’s calm, practical approach cuts through some of the noise. She tells Riley there’s probably nothing irreparable and suggests she ask James directly what occurred. Riley agrees, hopeful for clarity, just as James walks into the studio, his presence a visible reminder of how quickly things can shift in a place built on trust and discipline.
When Riley asks how rehearsal went, James answers with a dismissive, almost robotic reply: nothing happened. Riley counters with what she witnessed, insisting the truth isn’t private anymore. James looks unsettled, torn between protecting Riley and confessing the kiss that began this whole mess. His attempt to shield her only makes the situation heavier, and the weight of that moment hangs in the air like a held breath.
Back at the studio, the team begins forming groups to audition for Nationals. Amanda, Thalia, and Giselle team up, finding strength in shared rhythms and synchronized timing. Daniel, Chloe, and Hunter form another unit, their camaraderie a quiet counterpoint to the public drama unfolding elsewhere. The room buzzes with the responsibility of representing the studio well, and the pressure to land on the right balance of skill, chemistry, and presentation grows with every minute of rehearsal.
Meanwhile, James seeks guidance from Eldon and West about the Riley situation. He explains that the kiss lasted about nine seconds, a tiny moment with outsized consequences, and that being honest might still leave him in trouble. Eldon cautions him about how fragile trust can be and urges him to consider the long view—whether revealing the truth might mend or further fracture their working relationships with Riley, Beth, and the rest of the team.
To try to fix the broken dynamics, James finds Beth and tells her that the duet can no longer go forward as it was. Beth takes the news with grace, understanding the strain the revelation has placed on everyone involved. Her reaction softens the room, showing a level of maturity that, in turn, adds another layer to the evolving story and hints at possible new paths for the future.
Riley, however, feels distance where there used to be trust. She can no longer envision sharing the duet with James, at least not until the wound has time to heal and the truth is fully processed. Kate reacts with professional steadiness when told the news, reminding Riley that the show must go on and that conduct inside the studio must reflect a high standard of discipline. The message is clear: personal drama must stay outside the rehearsal space when it’s time to perform.
The auditions for group choreography are underway, and Giselle, Thalia, and Amanda deliver standout performances that earn them a coveted spot on the Nationals roster. Daniel watches with visible annoyance, his frustration bubbling up as it becomes clear that the group’s success will hinge on more than musicality and technique. The competitive energy in the room intensifies, underscoring the high stakes for everyone involved and the delicate balance between ambition and teamwork.
Riley seeks a moment of solitude in Studio B, seeking to put distance between herself and the spiraling situation. James steps into the room, inviting her to watch his solo rehearsal and offering a chance to see what he’s been working on. The routine ends with James kneeling to apologize, a gesture loaded with remorse. Riley lingers on the brink of forgiveness, but just then Beth enters, reminding Riley of the original fault line and why the anger existed in the first place. Riley makes a decisive choice and declares that things between her and James are officially over, a decision that sends a shock through the studio and reshapes the emotional map of the story.
Heartbreak weighs heavy on James, yet Beth decides to stay and offer quiet support. In a surprising turn, she chooses to perform the duet with James as a way to help him move past the Riley chapter and regain a sense of focus. The pair begin to rehearse with new energy, not for romance, but to channel the emotional energy into something productive and beautiful for Nationals, a practical remedy that could turn the page for both of them.
Will James and Riley ever find their way back to each other, or has the door closed for good? Viewers will have to tune in to The Next Step to find out, with new episodes continuing Friday at 7:30 p.m. on Family Channel, where every rehearsal becomes a turning point and every decision echoes through the studio.