The Last Dance
Synopsis
Synopsis
When Nicole and Jesse are asked to perform at Chris' cousins wedding they start to have doubts about their own relationship and decide to break up.
When Nicole and Jesse are asked to perform at Chris' cousins wedding they start to have doubts about their own relationship and decide to break up.
Meanwhile Danny starts dating new student Jillian but he hadn't bargained on how protective her Police Officer Father and Brothers are.
Meanwhile Danny starts dating new student Jillian but he hadn't bargained on how protective her Police Officer Father and Brothers are.
Review
Review
I think this is a very different and unique episode. This is only one of two episodes in the whole series run where there are no actual songs. I have to say that I feel that the musical numbers in season 6 took much more of a back seat than in previous seasons and there were certainly less of them. It's as though the writers were trying to concentrate more on story and characters. This could be one of the reasons that adds to my dislike of this season over all. I would have liked to see a nice adult ballad somewhere expressing the confusion that both characters are feeling.
I think this is a very different and unique episode. This is only one of two episodes in the whole series run where there are no actual songs. I have to say that I feel that the musical numbers in season 6 took much more of a back seat than in previous seasons and there were certainly less of them. It's as though the writers were trying to concentrate more on story and characters. This could be one of the reasons that adds to my dislike of this season over all. I would have liked to see a nice adult ballad somewhere expressing the confusion that both characters are feeling.
Anyway the lack of songs in this episode gives it a very different feel. I also think this episode is much more mature in it's writing style than a lot of other episodes. I like it and dislike the episode at the same time but more about my dislikes later.
Anyway the lack of songs in this episode gives it a very different feel. I also think this episode is much more mature in it's writing style than a lot of other episodes. I like it and dislike the episode at the same time but more about my dislikes later.
What I like is that the storyline feels so real and they play down the drama to make it more real. Rather than give Jesse and Nicole a dramatic break up where they are fighting or hurting reach other, which in some ways makes it more dramatic. I have personally been in the same situation as Nicole, where a relationship has naturally changed, you're still good friends and don't want to hurt each other but the romance has ended. It really is as difficult and as confusing as we see on screen and I went though a similar break up, reconciliation and then ultimate final breakup, so I totally identify with how she is feeling.
What I like is that the storyline feels so real and they play down the drama to make it more real. Rather than give Jesse and Nicole a dramatic break up where they are fighting or hurting reach other, which in some ways makes it more dramatic. I have personally been in the same situation as Nicole, where a relationship has naturally changed, you're still good friends and don't want to hurt each other but the romance has ended. It really is as difficult and as confusing as we see on screen and I went though a similar break up, reconciliation and then ultimate final breakup, so I totally identify with how she is feeling.
As both Jesse and Nicole are both such nice and popular characters I was pleased that the show didn't try to make one of them the bad guy and cheat on the other or something like that. However it's interesting how the other characters react to Jesse and Nicole's split and the rumours that suddenly sprung up making their break up more dramatic than it was. Then when Jesse gets angry it's interesting how the characters instantly side with either Jesse or Nicole. Pretty much the girls side with Nicole and the boys side with Jesse. Personally I was surprised by Danny's reaction, supporting Jesse as I always thought he was closer to Nicole, particularly after the events of "Danny De Bergerac" in season 4.
As both Jesse and Nicole are both such nice and popular characters I was pleased that the show didn't try to make one of them the bad guy and cheat on the other or something like that. However it's interesting how the other characters react to Jesse and Nicole's split and the rumours that suddenly sprung up making their break up more dramatic than it was. Then when Jesse gets angry it's interesting how the characters instantly side with either Jesse or Nicole. Pretty much the girls side with Nicole and the boys side with Jesse. Personally I was surprised by Danny's reaction, supporting Jesse as I always thought he was closer to Nicole, particularly after the events of "Danny De Bergerac" in season 4.
I read that the producers thought that the relationship should end as they were struggling to come up with ideas for the couple. I also read that and both Nia and Jesse were on board with braking the characters up that too. This is where my dislike comes in. I really didn't want the two characters to split up. Everyone else only had doomed relationships that pretty much lasted one episode and I loved that for the last two seasons we had a real couple, with an on going relationship that was tested by numerous problems, but they stayed together. It made the show more realistic in my opinion. Also as the audience hadn't previously seen any indication that there were any cracks in their relationship, this all comes pretty much as a surprise.
I read that the producers thought that the relationship should end as they were struggling to come up with ideas for the couple. I also read that and both Nia and Jesse were on board with braking the characters up that too. This is where my dislike comes in. I really didn't want the two characters to split up. Everyone else only had doomed relationships that pretty much lasted one episode and I loved that for the last two seasons we had a real couple, with an on going relationship that was tested by numerous problems, but they stayed together. It made the show more realistic in my opinion. Also as the audience hadn't previously seen any indication that there were any cracks in their relationship, this all comes pretty much as a surprise.
I do love the scene between Nicole and Lydia. It seems so real and there is wonderful chemistry between Nia and Debbie. Also they set up some nice continuity for a later episode "Pros and Cons" where the boyfriend Lydia is talking about suddenly shows up.
I do love the scene between Nicole and Lydia. It seems so real and there is wonderful chemistry between Nia and Debbie. Also they set up some nice continuity for a later episode "Pros and Cons" where the boyfriend Lydia is talking about suddenly shows up.
Jillian makes her first appearance in this episode and we get to know her family pretty quickly. I'm not convinced we get to know Jillian that well though. Danny is straight in asking her out and I think I'd like to see her being more hesitant because of her family. We don't need to actually see them yet, lets just concentrate on Jillian and then introduce her family at a later stage.
Jillian makes her first appearance in this episode and we get to know her family pretty quickly. I'm not convinced we get to know Jillian that well though. Danny is straight in asking her out and I think I'd like to see her being more hesitant because of her family. We don't need to actually see them yet, lets just concentrate on Jillian and then introduce her family at a later stage.
However, Danny and Jillian's relationship is quite confusing because here Danny is saying he thinks Jillian might be the one but then in a few episodes time he has another girlfriend and then Jillian falls for the movie director who makes a film at the school. Then later in the series Danny and Jillian seem to be back together, with no real explanation of what happened in the meantime. With all the pressure from Jillian's family I wouldn't have thought Danny wouldn't have wanted to mess around. I also thought as the writers were separating Nicole and Jesse that they might want Danny and Jillian to replace them as the solid couple on the show but sadly that doesn't happen.
However, Danny and Jillian's relationship is quite confusing because here Danny is saying he thinks Jillian might be the one but then in a few episodes time he has another girlfriend and then Jillian falls for the movie director who makes a film at the school. Then later in the series Danny and Jillian seem to be back together, with no real explanation of what happened in the meantime. With all the pressure from Jillian's family I wouldn't have thought Danny wouldn't have wanted to mess around. I also thought as the writers were separating Nicole and Jesse that they might want Danny and Jillian to replace them as the solid couple on the show but sadly that doesn't happen.
Episode Pictures
Episode Pictures
Production Number & Filming Schedule
Production Number & Filming Schedule
Production Number 2941
Production Number 2941
Executive Producers Renee & Harry Longstreet .
Air Dates
Air Dates
Original air date in U.S.A. 13th October 1986
Original air date in U.K. The Children's Channel Broadcast Early 1993
Original air date in Italy 02rd January 1989
Original air date in France 10th March 1996
Watch Episode
Watch Episode
Production Credits
Production Credits
Written by Susan Goldberg
Directed by Oz Scott
Assistant Director Ray Greenfield
Guest Stars & Dancers
Guest Stars & Dancers
Dick Miller as Lou Mackie
Carolyn J Silas as Laura Mackie
Denny Dillon as Corky The Cashier
Ernie Lively as Gramps
Trevor Henley as Patrick Becket
Sandy McPeak as Officer Becket
Todd Jeffries as Sean Becket
Vince Applebaum as Vince Donlon
Paul Comi as The Minister
Gillian Schreiber as Audrey
Randy Allaire as Student Singing Scales
Songs & MP3 Downloads
Songs & MP3 Downloads
U.S. TV Promo
U.S. TV Promo
Italian TV Listings
Italian TV Listings
International Dubbed Episode Versions
International Dubbed Episode Versions
Italian
Italian
LINKS
LINKS
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