02x01 - In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated

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Previously on Dance Academy...

I want you to both be prepared
for the fact

that I may be switching the roles.

You should stay with us
over the break.

You and I can hang out.
Just think about it. I'm in.

Christmas Day. Are your family
seafood people or turkey?

What? I'd love to come down
to the farm with you.

You're going to have to go on,
because I'm not.

You're better at this than me.

I think I like you.

I know I like you.

He's withdrawing
his financial support.

If I have to get six jobs,
I'm staying at the Academy.

You didn't make it into second year.

And finally I'm flying.

There's this dream I've been
having, where I'm a competitor.

As soon as I start dancing, I know
it's one of those rare performances

where everything works perfectly.

There's not an arabesque
I can't control.

For the first time,
fouettes don't scare me.

But then a knot grows in my stomach.

This sense that I could
keep turning forever

or just as easily fall.

And when I wake up,

I can't figure out if it's a dream
or a premonition.

Couldn't sleep either?
He got me up.

You are such a pushover.
I know.

Come on.

Where are you two off to? I thought
city boy was going to help me!

It's our last day, Dad!

It's like the whole world
could have disappeared

and we're the only ones left.

Alright, Webster.

You realise at some point this year,

we're going to want to
k*ll each other.

Let's make a deal.

Nothing's getting in between us.

Deal.

But the classes don't officially
start until next Monday,

but they called us back early,
and there's this rumour going round

They're on every four years.
Where have you been?

Er, the real world.

Oh!

Do you remember in the interview
when you promised coordination?

I'm a dancer, not a dish pig.

Make me proud.

My actions are mine
and mine alone.

I am a nice person.
I am a kind person.

I am worthy. I am lovable.

I am free!

Yes!

Well, come and collect
your graduation plants.

Make sure you nurture them,
like you will your own happiness.

For the record, playing your own
music is egotistical, not ironic.

Darling, look at you!

Tash, hi. Um, got to dash.

But you just got back.

Yep, but he's Myles Kelly, Kat.

Who gets sick of those dulcet tones?

Even you, Samuel,

the th time he complains about
no-one taking him seriously.

Even you.
Sammy!

I made you some biscuits
to settle your tummy.

Thanks!

You've been well occupied, then.

Well, Kat, I'm the boarding
house adviser,

so it's my duty to
welcome the first year students.

Is that what you call it?
Oh!

Hey, man!

Hello!
Hey!

So how long, exactly,
did the 'just friends' rule last?

Yeah, who caved first?

She did.
He did.

She did.

Second year. Wow.

Did anyone ever think
we'd make it this far?

Sorry. I'm sorry.
No, no, it's fine.

My new holding cell's
just around the corner.

It'll be like old times.
Good.

Alright, we'd better go.
Alright, well, have fun at school.

So your dad's still holding out
on paying your tuition, then?

Yeah, it's all about clever use
of holiday savings.

Don't know anything about
the stock market, do you? Sammy!

Check it out. You're going to be
the poster girl of second year.

Somehow I don't see Abigail
letting that happen.

Tara!

Oh!

I put us down for our old room.
I hope that's not over-stepping.

Christian.

Sammy. Wow.

Today we grow in strength with every
forward step we take together.

Oh, this is Phil.
I'll see you guys in there.

Mr Lieberman, I believe
the vernacular is 'get a room'.

See you.

You've all heard the rumours,

so I'm going to get through this
quickly.

For the first time in years,

the world's most prestigious
ballet competition,

the Prix de Fonteyn,
will be held in Sydney.

Preliminaries are at the end
of the semester,

followed by the nationals,

where it will be decided who goes on
to represent Australia.

The Academy and the company

have been asked to be part of
the launch tomorrow.

Sebastian is choreographing.

The least I can do for the new
principal of the Academy.

And the international judges
will be in the audience.

I cannot stress enough

that we will be representing
the entire dance community.

This is your chance to make
a lasting impression.

Mate, all of them?

You're going to get yourself
in trouble.

It's pheromones, Christian.

Raw masculine pheromones.

Tara, I want you to do the solo.

I told you.
Thank you so much!

I won't let you down.

Ethan will take you through it.
Christian, over here, please.

Hi. How are you?
Never better.

Um, meet back here at two?

Sure. That should give me enough
time to have some lunch

and unpack my stuff and...

You're really not interested
in my schedule.

See you then.

Mum, hi, what's going on? Some of
this stuff is actually edible.

I thought we'd have a family dinner.

Oh, no can do!

I've organised a beach catch-up,
but don't worry,

these little guys
will not go to waste.

You can't waltz in and out when
you like. This is not a hotel.

Ha-ha! Where'd you get that one?
Mummies For Dummies?

I don't understand what it is
you want from me, Katrina.

I gave you a lot of freedom
this summer.

I didn't say anything when you threw
away your place at the Academy.

Don't worry, the disappointment
rang loud and clear.

Mum, we both know
the only part of me

you've ever been interested in
is dancing.

That is unfair.

Is it?

Then why are you sending me back to
yet another boarding school?

You can't wait to get away.

Same sides then?
Unless you'd prefer the other.

It's close to the stairs,
so there is the noise factor.

But it does catch the morning light.

Good. You're both here.

This is my goddaughter, Grace.

She's visiting from London. I'd like
one of you to show her around.

I told her I was old enough
to make my own play dates,

but Lucy keeps me on a short leash.

I've been trying to
convince Grace to get
back into ballet.

Perhaps you'll have more luck.

New people.

I've been under house arrest
for the last month.

What did you do?

My dad's getting remarried,
and I upset the stepmothers.

And I grew up here, so...

Well, I'm Abigail. This is Tara.
Hi.

She's the most naturally talented
dancer in our year.

OK, what are you up to?

Mum's moved back to Brisbane
to be with Dad.

They're trying to sort things out.

That's great. I'm really happy
for you.

And it made me re-examine
how important relationships are.

I put undue pressure
on myself last year

by alienating those around me.

So you've decided to be nice?

Today, I don't have to be perfect,
I just have to be me.

If I get a choice of chaperone,
do you mind if I pick you?

Just let me finish unpacking
and I'll come and find you later, OK?

Miss you, Samity-Sam.
Back at you...

Upsy-Daisy.

So that's what you're going
to be doing this year.

I don't want to be tied down
to just one girl.

I mean, I'm in my prime.

And it doesn't have anything to do
with the other stuff?

Do you know it's more common than not

for adolescents to question
their sexuality?

It was a blip.
Just forget it ever happened.

Hey, listen, no offence
to your tour guide abilities,

but if I don't do something
vaguely fun,

my brain is going to melt.

Can you do me a huge favour
and cover for me? How do you mean?

Like if Miss Raine asks where I am,
just make up an excuse.

Like what?
I am the world's worst liar.

Hi. I'm Ethan.
Assistant choreographer.

Hi. I'm... leaving.

You, complete faith.
Developing such a major girl crush.

Are you ready to get started? Do you
want to talk about anything first?

Since we're going to be working
together and all...

I don't think there's much
to talk about, Tara.

You said you'd stay with me over
the break, and got a better offer.

But that wasn't what happened.

You chose Christian. Again.

And I was left looking like an idiot.
Again.

So that sucked for about five
minutes, and then I moved on.

So one more time -
are you ready to get started?

Great. Pose into arabesque.

You should see my new uniform.

I'm seriously thinking about
shaving my head in protest.

Don't. It suits you long.

OK, is it me, or does anyone else
think it's going to be...

A strange year?

Yeah.

Look at this. Oh!

Turn out, Tara.
That's looking sloppy.

Did you do any classes
over the holidays?

Well, there weren't many
available on the farm.

You're out of shape.
What?!

Let's just go into the fouette turn,
shall we?

You totally just said
that I looked fat!

No, I didn't.
Don't be so sensitive.

Fouette turns.

You need to be consistent, Tara.

Get on your leg. You're wandering.

Do it again.

You know that fouette turns
freak me out.

Maybe we could make them
attitude turns or something.

Yeah? How about I decide that, since
I'm the one who's coaching you.

No, you're not, you're punishing me.

And I know the choreography now,

so I'm just going to rehearse
on my own.

I mean, yes, he was sort of
my mentor,

but I'm not new
and clueless anymore.

I danced Clara.
OK.

It's day one, and we're already
talking about Ethan.

You think I was wrong
to walk out of rehearsal?

I think, this year,
you're starting out on top.

Which means any knock
could feel like failure, right?

It's going to be tough to not let
the small stuff get to you.

Aren't you meant to be
uncommunicative?

Oh!

Oh!

There are girls in my year.

I need to do something
to make an impression.

You'll stand out, Kat.

What happened with you and Myles?

Oh, you just get to know someone way
too well when you're stuck in a van.

And?
And... it was incredible!

We did little mini day trips
to Byron

and we swam with dolphins
in Hastings.

That'd be so spiritually
transcendent.

Yeah, but we weren't like that.

Who is?

Well, come on.

This is meant to be a reunion.

Hi, I'm Tara Webster.
I don't think we've met.

You have every right
to be angry with me.

I forgot yesterday to say sorry.

So... sorry.

Soloists,
join the company in the centre.

I want to run through the bows.
Tara.

We don't need you here.

Sorry, I thought you asked for
the soloists.

We've found a replacement.

I'm sorry. I'd hoped you'd make this
more of a priority. Sorry.

Tell me you mind.
I'm looking for excuses.

Not a chance. Miss Raine
would be too disappointed.

Principals first!

Camilla, come downstage.
Moving forward.

You know you gave me no choice.
You walked out of rehearsal.

You'll have to slot into the corps.

The Prix de Fonteyn judges
will be in that audience.

This was my chance
to make an impression.

I can't believe
that you would just...

Just what?

Ditch you for a better option?

Great!

I, er,
I was contemplating a head shave,

'cause these golden locks never have
to be shackled into a bun again.

But Britney ruined that for everyone.
Oh!

Pardon me?
Cat got your tongue, Kat?

Get it? 'Cause I'm Kat
and... meow!

We seem to have misplaced
some of the first years.

Lulu and Daisy,
both sick with gastro.

Keep up, girls, keep up!

Wonderful!

The corps de ballet
is dropping like flies.

Ethan! Get a mop.

Those pheromones are toxic.

You've been kissing all of us.

I thought it was food poisoning, OK?
But I didn't know I was contagious.

The point is that you've been
leading us on,

pretending that we're special.

No, you are special.

You're all so...

special.

Let me get that for you.

Thanks.

I have no idea what I'm doing.

I do. You want me to be jealous.

Really?

It all got so complicated
between us at the end.

But I've been doing some work
on myself over the holidays.

I know it was my fault
we ended.

Don't blame yourself.

I was closed off to love.

But today, I release that fear
and open my heart.

I'd kiss you
if you weren't contagious.

I'll kiss you anyway. Abigail,
you didn't do anything wrong.

I must have. I always do.

The reason that we broke up
is because...

I had feelings for someone else.

Then afterwards we can go
stationery shopping.

Do you need a pencil case?

What, you're giving me
the silent treatment?

How long is this going to last?

School starts on Monday,
so not long at all.

Actually, I'm cancelling
my tour commitments.

You're going to go to school
as a day girl.

So I'll be staying at home,
with you?

Someone has to keep an eye on you.

We'll just have to learn to be
a normal family.

What is that... in your...

Is that a piercing?

Oh, it hurts, Mum!

How could you disfigure yourself
like that?

And what sort of place would let a
-year-old girl, without permission...

I'm calling the family lawyer.

So just to clarify,

you broke up with me because
you've got feelings for Christian.

And now you're hooking up with every
girl in the school except for me

because you care about me
and not them.

Right.
So essentially I turned you gay.

And he turned you straight.
No, it sounds worse than it is.

It's...

You people with your feelings
are messed up!

Move!

Tara.

How many fouettes is it again?

You did mind. You should have said.

No, I loved it when you stole
my solo.

When was the last time you danced,
Grace?

A year. Ish.

Right.

Well, you should know that Ethan's
sending you out there

to embarrass yourself
so that he can prove a point to me.

Ouch.

Got it.

Don't.

I didn't say anything.

So when she danced in London,
it was...

The Royal Ballet School.

I'm glad she's not staying.
Does that make me a bad person?

Nice is overrated.

Grace! You were extraordinary.
Please don't quit permanently.

I was rusty.

Um, hey, can you say goodbye
to Lucy for me?

Sure. Where should I say
you're going?

The airport.

Yesterday when I got there, there
were no available flights to London.

But they've got me
on business class tonight.

You want me to tell Miss Raine
that you're flying to London?

I guess I'm homesick.

I think I've figured out
that dream I've been having.

Last year I started out
with no friends, no boyfriend,

the worst in the class.

The only place to go was up.

Welcome to second year.

You are no longer new and the same
allowances will no longer be made.

In second year,
there are no second chances.

Girls, you're staying here with me
this morning.

Gentlemen, I'm Zach Andrews.
You're next door with me.

This year I have everything
to lose.

I can try to hang on,

but I don't know what's around
the next corner.

Come and stand at the front
of the barre.

They cancelled my credit cards.

Dad's always one step ahead.

So you're staying?

For now.

I just have to trust that I'm
exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Home.