02x04 - Legends

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Previously on Dance Academy...

Come and work as my assistant.

It says he's withdrawing
his financial support.

Do you remember in the interview
when you promised coordination?

Samuel! I do hope those outside work
commitments

aren't continuing
now that term has resumed.

Who's got time in the
Academy schedule?

Um, excuse me,
are you Saskia Duncan?

I hope so.

I saw you in The Firebird.
You were amazing.

You should come tonight as well...
watch side stage.

Take some deep breaths. Come on.
It'll be alright.

I used to have posters
of my favourite dancers

all over my bedroom walls.
I'd study them for hours.

I thought I knew them...

like they were my friends,
only more perfect.

Then I came to the Academy and met
some of my idols in real life.

It's only up close that you realise
they're just people.

Which isn't so bad, either.

Because if they're human,

there's the slightest chance that you
might grow up to be on a poster too.

Second year.

I'd like you to welcome
Saskia Duncan.

I'm sure most of you know her
by reputation

as being the Company's youngest ever
principal dancer.

Hi, guys.

Saskia's recovering from an injury,
but over the next few months

has agreed to take you
for repertoire class.

Calm down, training bra.

I'll leave you in her
very capable hands.

Thank you.

OK, guys.

You should know,
for your own safety,

I haven't done this before so...
yeah.

Flying by the seat of my pants.

Did you get that subtext?

'I'm not just your teacher.
I'm also your friend.'

I don't care who she is,
as long as she prefers me to Tara.

Would you like to be called Saskia
or Miss Duncan, Miss?

Saskia's fine.

Oh, thank you.

Sycophant.
Hypocrite.

And stop there, please.

Well, I reckon that was much better.

But you know, I was thinking,

that lift would be much more dynamic

if we segued into the floor
sequence.

When you have choreographed
more of your own work,

you can interrupt rehearsals.

I was about to say...

There is a type of applause
that I particularly dislike...

the applause that,
when for just a moment,

the audience realises that the
dancers are doing something

they actually understand.

Like, 'Oh look...

He's riding a bicycle. Bravo.'

I resent that applause

because it means that the rest of
the work lacks clarity and intent.

My choreography
has clarity and intent,

but as yet, the execution does not.

So think about what
we're trying to convey

and then, please, commit to it.

Once again, from the lift.

If you feel you have
something to contribute,

I'd prefer it if you could approach
me privately first.

Why? You're not interested in
anything I have to say anyway.

OK! Five, six, seven, eight.

$ ? How is it even possible
to just have $ ?

And like, even if I want
to withdraw it,

it's too small an amount
for the ATM to process, so...

Katrina.

I didn't realise
you were still enrolled.

Oh no, no, it's the superior cuisine
here, Miss Raine.

It's just such a hard habit
to break.

Mr Lieberman?

I was speaking to the bursar about
the status of your tuition fees.

They're conspicuously absent.

No, I know, I know.
I rang Bubbeh Lieberman last night.

My gran, you know...

'Bubbeh, the money.
They're waiting!'

And yep, it's definitely happening.

Tomorrow, then.

It's like a web of lies.

I know.

Saskia, hi.

Can I get you a coffee?

Yeah, sure.
OK.

Ah, Saskia, hi.
Do you need anything?

I already got her a latte.
Why don't you both sit down?

So, um, how are you?

What happened was so awful.

Saskia doesn't want to talk about
that, Tara.

How about you talk to me about
repertoire class?

Any tips?
Things you want to see improved?

I was chatting over lunch
with Tara and Andrea...

Abigail.

Abigail, about the
Prix de Fonteyn selection process,

and I've decided to let you out of
class for the rest of the day

so you can start thinking about
your solos.

Take it from me, this competition
can be career defining.

Now go to the DVD library,
and be original.

I will throw these crutches at you

if I have to sit through
ten Auroras.

And tomorrow morning,
I want to see what you come up with.

Just choose one, Abs, and then
we're going to the beach.

Huh!

Do you reckon
you could bag me something?

Just for once I can
make it to work on time.

Yeah, definitely.
Hey, I'm giving it one more minute,

and then I'm going to get this...

Like a lioness protecting her cubs.

Bypassing any research?

I already have an idea.
Been in my head for ages.

Victoria. The Red Shoes.

Also known as the solo Saskia danced

when she represented Australia
at the Prix de Fonteyn.

Take these.

And stop there, please.

I don't know why this is still
feeling so underwhelming.

Once more, please.

Ethan, if you could? Thank you.

Um, I guess we may as well
finish up now.

Look, I'm sorry I can't give you
any more shifts.

We're dishpig rich at the moment.

It is a popular career choice,
isn't it?

But my best waitress is deserting us

to discover her sense of superiority
in Goa,

so if you like waiting tables.

Jess, I dream about waiting tables.

That's what I was put on this earth
to do.

Waiting and then dancing.

The pay is better,
and there are tips.

I don't suppose it's occurred to you
how fawning it looks,

picking the solo that made
Saskia Duncan famous.

That's not why I've chosen it.

Oh right, sorry. Because it speaks
to you on an emotional level.

Hey, Grace,
can I borrow you for a sec?

In private.
Oh, share with the room, Ethan.

You're amongst friends.

OK.

Showcase is coming up.

Agents are in the audience.

Great exposure
for emerging choreographers.

I don't choreograph.

No, I'm trying to do something
myself, actually.

Look, you were great at the launch,
and I need a dancer, so...

Sorry, but yeah, I don't think
I'm right for your piece.

Why not?
Disinterest.

But, um, ask one of these guys.

Abigail.
Thanks.

If it's good,
can I use it in a repertoire?

OK, plates are shaking. Stop that.
Yeah, got it.

Get your thumb out of the chorizo.
It's so hot. Burning me now.

OK.

They'll see you approaching
with their meals.

You will smile and say,
'The paella and the chorizo.'

Can you remember that?

I can't even remember
my own name at this point.

Go. Sammy, go!

I started walking,
but it all went...

everything would have gone
everywhere.

Sammy, I...

I don't think this
is going to work out.

OK, Abigail, um, stop trying
to be so technical.

Maybe show me how you feel.

That's not quite what I meant.

Do you even know what you're doing?

Well, obviously it's still
a work in progress,

but I think that
it's about frustration

and disillusionment and...

Frustration and disillusionment?

Could you show me the steps for that?

Brother dearest!
What are you doing here?

It's inspiring. Can't you tell?

Right! Well look,
I'm famished and Natasha's cooking,

so who votes greasy drive-thru?

We're still working.
Oh, together?

You should have told me you were
hard up for a new muse.

Look, I'm trying to do something new
here, Kat? OK?

OK!

Where are you going?

Kat's right.
You should look for a new dancer.

Someone meek and compliant.

Oh, and FYI, your choice
of 'disillusionment' music

gives new meaning to the word bland.

OK, cool. Let's go eat then.

Oh, my hero.

How long have you been here for?

A while.

I know you want to impress Saskia,
but...

Great. So you think that
I'm sucking up too?

I don't care if you are.

I just want her to think
that I'm good.

You are good.

Well, maybe I was last year,
but you know,

Abigail just keeps getting
better and better

and Grace is just extraordinary.

How about you work on something
a little less full-on?

Something you can get right
by tomorrow?

So you don't think I'm up to it?
No, I... I think it's tomorrow.

Exactly. So either stay and give me
feedback, or go and let me practise.

Look at us all together for dinner.

Aren't we adorable?

What I find especially adorable is
how my assistant

let the dancers go home early.

So you had to make your own
macchiato today, Dad?

Pa, brother, work is not
on the approved list

of polite dining conversation.

Is it OK if I miss rehearsal
in the morning?

I'm working on a solo for Showcase.

Actually, no.
One of the principles of a job

is you get paid for turning up.

It seems a bit like
a waste of the Company's money

when all I do is make suggestions
you ignore.

I keep an open mind.

I only ignore notes that are
inadequately thought out

or incredibly juvenile.

Abigail!

Hold up!

Hi. Whoa...

OK, before you say anything,

I've got a clearer idea of what
I want out of the solo piece,

and I'm rethinking the music
so that last piece is gone.

If you want me to be like Tara,
I can't.

I can't dance like her,
and I don't want to.

I want you... not Tara or Grace.

You. No-one else.

Why?

Because this piece needs to be angry
and messed up,

and more than a little frightening.

Frankly, no-one does that
as good as you.

So, who wants to impress me
by going first?

Abigail?
What have you been working on?

Sorry, I'm afraid I'm just going
to need a little more time

to find the perfect solo.

OK, sure. Next class, then.

Grace?
Ah, Lilac Fairy. Boring, I know.

And extremely difficult.

I've done it before.

I'll be dancing the part of
the Ugly Stepsister from Cinderella.

Thanks for that.

I would have chosen you a better
one, but this is just funnier.

Sammy, it was good enough
for Robert Helpmann.

Do your worst.

Who's next?

I'm going to be dancing
Victoria from The Red Shoes.

Well, that's one I'm definitely
familiar with.

I can't wait to see
what you've done with it.

Wow... Tara.

That was kinda...

Well, it was kind of a mess,
wasn't it?

I mean, full marks for attempting
something so demanding, but... wow!

I'm going to need a minute to shake
that one out of my head.

Thank you, Saskia.

Hey.

You were right.
I should have listened.

No. I was wrong. And so was Saskia.

You were incredible.

I really thought The Red Shoes
would suit me,

but I guess I should start working
on another solo. Something simpler.

It did suit you.

And just because she's your idol
doesn't make her right.

I hope you realise how lucky you are
to have me.

I don't mind it.
Yeah, it's good.

It just needs to be fuller.

Maybe we can push that jete
a little further?

OK.

Ethan.

I thought I made it clear

that I expected you
at rehearsals this morning.

And I told you I needed to work on my
solo for Showcase with Abigail.

Abigail, could you give us a moment?

Do you have such a sense
of entitlement

that you think you don't even
need to turn up?

Do you know how badly this reflects
on me?

How many strings I had to pull
for you to get this job?

How's Saskia, Dad?
What?

You know, I get it.
She's your soulmate, right?

Just like my mum was
until Natasha came along.

Interesting how your soulmates
keep getting years younger.

Ethan, I don't know what you have
assumed, but you're wrong.

There is nothing going on there
or anywhere.

For Kat's sake,
I want to believe you.

This family thing
means a lot to her.

I know that.
If you mess it up...

You don't think very much of me,
do you, Ethan?

That's what this is all about.

It's not about your sister,
or Saskia.

You think I'm the monster
that's keeping you down.

You want to be a hot-sh*t
choreographer

and you want to be it right
this second.

But you're not good enough.
You're not ready yet

and I'm not going to let you
go out there in public

and fall flat on your face.
You're a Karamakov.

Do you understand?
People will be watching you.

How are you so convinced
that I'm going to fail? Huh?

Maybe I'll be good.
Maybe I'll even be as good as you.

Last chance, Sammy.

Our budget can't cover
any more breakages.

I got it. Um, can you turn that up?

I'm a dancer.

I work better with music.

There you go. Enjoy.

Dad got to Gran first, and he talked
her out of paying my fees.

How many hours
have you been working?

A lot.

But don't worry,
I can work more,

because I've arranged
for some extra shifts here.

Look, that's not what I meant.

Sammy, you can't support yourself,

pay your fees and keep up
with your Academy schedule.

I'm fine. It's just if you give me
a bit more time,

I'll have enough money
to pay for this semester.

And after that?

If I really push myself,
I thought there might be a chance

I could try for a scholarship
next semester.

I know I'm not top of the year, OK?

And obviously I have to really
ace my exams.

But it's not much of a plan,
but it's all I've got, so...

Well then, you'll probably
need some extra coaching.

So you're ditching me
for a boy house in Bondi?

Where nobody ever cleans the toilet?

You know, everything I have
comes from him.

My job, my car, this house.

He's not going to respect me
if I don't do something on my own.

And I won't respect myself.

You know, for a while I thought
things were looking up around here.

I guess our family isn't
meant to be adorable.

Come here.

You and me?

Always.

You're still here.

Just thinking about my solo.

Sweetie, I'm sorry you're upset.

Come here.

You said what you felt.
You're the teacher. You should know.

I understand why you'd want
to take on something

as artistically demanding
as Red Shoes.

Of course I do.

But you don't have the depth,

or the life experiences yet
to take on the big emotional ones.

There is potential in there,
Tara Webster.

Just...

Don't let anyone see you
attempt that piece again.

OK.

Saskia Duncan
became a soloist at ,

and a legend in the ballet world.

I'd give anything to be her.

The thing is, I'm not. I'm me.

And if I try too hard to copy
her path, I might miss my own.

Now, stop.

See if you can segue that lift down
onto the floor.

Be more dynamic. Anything to add?

Not yet.

You can be inspired by
the people in the posters.

But you count on the people
around you who know you,

who are there when you need them,

to help you through.