0:00:02 > 0:00:04- Previously on The Next Step: - You messed up at the qualifier.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06I can't let Riley know that I've been hiding my back pain
0:00:06 > 0:00:08the whole time.
0:00:08 > 0:00:09- Woo!- London town!
0:00:09 > 0:00:13This is the most elite hip-hop competition in the entire world.
0:00:13 > 0:00:14I like you.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16As a friend?
0:00:16 > 0:00:17More than a friend.
0:00:17 > 0:00:18Alfie, isn't it?
0:00:18 > 0:00:20You'd be the perfect fit for our team.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22The Next Step will not be dancing at the qualifier.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39Things have been a little tense since I pulled the team
0:00:39 > 0:00:41from the last qualifier,
0:00:41 > 0:00:43but today is a brand-new start.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45Listen up, A Troupe.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49Now, I know that not all of you agreed with my decision
0:00:49 > 0:00:51to pull us from the last qualifier.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Did the Geminis even end up going to the second qualifier?
0:00:54 > 0:00:55They did.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57And they won.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00So you were right, Riley.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02Yes.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05The Geminis said they would poach Alfie if they beat us.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Pulling out of the qualifier was a hard decision,
0:01:07 > 0:01:09but at least we didn't lose anyone.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12But that's in the past, and we need to focus on the future -
0:01:12 > 0:01:14which is the third qualifier.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17So what kind of competition are they having next qualifier?
0:01:17 > 0:01:18Duets.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20How are you going to decide who gets to compete?
0:01:20 > 0:01:24Well, I know all of you are tired of auditioning for the qualifier spots,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27so I've decided to simplify things.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29You've all voted for the top five dancers
0:01:29 > 0:01:30from the last set of auditions,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33so we're going to go with the number one and two dancers,
0:01:33 > 0:01:36which means Alfie and Noah will be performing the duet.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40I'm flattered that Riley chose me for the qualifier team again,
0:01:40 > 0:01:42but it's a lot of pressure,
0:01:42 > 0:01:44and my back is not in good shape today.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46Now remember, only one team from this qualifier
0:01:46 > 0:01:48will make it to regionals,
0:01:48 > 0:01:50so you absolutely have to win.
0:01:50 > 0:01:51Good luck.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55- All right!- Yes.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57- You good to rehearse?- Yeah.
0:01:57 > 0:01:58Erm, you know what? I just need to do one thing,
0:01:58 > 0:02:00and then I'll be right back.
0:02:00 > 0:02:01- Right.- Cool?
0:02:01 > 0:02:04- Can't wait to work on this duet with you.- Yeah, man!- All right, see you.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08Noah's back already cost us the first qualifier.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11And I know it's still bugging him.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14I hope he knows what he's doing.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59Here we are at the Bangers & Mashups hip-hop competition in London.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01There are 40 teams competing in this first challenge of
0:03:01 > 0:03:04one v one battles, and if you lose you go home -
0:03:04 > 0:03:06and we did not come this far to go straight back home.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08We've never seen a competition like this.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11And I am psyched.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13Welcome, ladies and gentlemen,
0:03:13 > 0:03:16to the Bangers & Mashups International Hip-Hop Extravaganza!
0:03:16 > 0:03:18- Are you excited? - CHEERING
0:03:18 > 0:03:21- All right, you are ready for this? - This is intense, man.- Yup.
0:03:21 > 0:03:22This is intense!
0:03:22 > 0:03:25Some of the best hip-hop dancers in the world. Are you ready for that?
0:03:25 > 0:03:28I'm representing our team in this first challenge, and it's intense.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30It is all head-to-head.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33And all the way from Barcelona, Spain,
0:03:33 > 0:03:38it's the scorching hot Fuego Fuego Hip-Hop Academy!
0:03:38 > 0:03:40Before each one v one battle,
0:03:40 > 0:03:43there's always some smack talk between the two dancers.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46It's for fun, but it is important to get into the other guy's head.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48Let the smack talk begin!
0:03:48 > 0:03:49CHEERING
0:03:52 > 0:03:55This dude came here knowing he was going to lose.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58A dude like Santana?
0:03:58 > 0:03:59He ain't got no moves!
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Yo, do you even know how to smack talk?
0:04:04 > 0:04:06I can smack talk all day.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08I knew how to smack talk
0:04:08 > 0:04:09before I could talk.
0:04:09 > 0:04:10- OK, man...- Or smack.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12It's not a game. It's psychological warfare.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- Practise on me now.- Practise now? - Yo, what is this?
0:04:15 > 0:04:19- What is that? - Check it. Skeeby skeeby dooby wat,
0:04:19 > 0:04:21West is about to stir up the pot.
0:04:21 > 0:04:22Pot.
0:04:24 > 0:04:25What was that?
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Why did I think West could smack talk?
0:04:28 > 0:04:30He can barely TALK talk.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34Hey, it's Mr Santana, king of the buggy.
0:04:34 > 0:04:35Dance moves like chess moves,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38you move like a rookie.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Let's let the hip-hop begin!
0:04:41 > 0:04:44You know what? It's fine, it's fine. I know exactly what I'm going to do.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47I'm here for one reason, and that's to dance.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49I know exactly what I'm going to do.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58Alfie, could I talk to you?
0:04:58 > 0:05:02I feel a little awkward around Alfie now, but I'm the head of the studio.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05I have to get over it.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07You, erm,
0:05:07 > 0:05:09haven't really said much since I pulled the studio out of the
0:05:09 > 0:05:11qualifier to make sure we didn't lose you.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13Right, as I told you, as the studio head,
0:05:13 > 0:05:15I don't think you made the right decision.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18So you still feel that way?
0:05:20 > 0:05:21But as a friend,
0:05:21 > 0:05:23it's nice to know that you care about me.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30Erm, so why do you think, as studio head, I make the wrong choice?
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Well, because only one team from the final qualifier
0:05:33 > 0:05:35makes it into regionals.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Yeah. But I believe that we can do it.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40Especially with such a strong team as you and Noah.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45I'm trying to focus right now on the studio and our future,
0:05:45 > 0:05:49and not how Alfie's eyes are so...
0:05:50 > 0:05:52'Stop it, Riley!'
0:05:52 > 0:05:56Speaking of which, shouldn't Noah be here right now?
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Maybe I should go look for Noah.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04No. No, no, no. You stay. I'll go look.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06- For Noah.- We could go together.
0:06:06 > 0:06:07No. You stay, me go.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09I'LL go! I mean.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11You know, English, it's just...
0:06:11 > 0:06:12Yeah. OK, bye!
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Oh, it's this way!
0:06:17 > 0:06:18Well, that was awkward.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22This energy between Alfie and I is really throwing me off.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32The vibe at Bangers & Mashups is insane.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Super street, super cool.
0:06:34 > 0:06:35These guys look unreal.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53The competition is off to a roaring start, but of course, Masked Man,
0:06:53 > 0:06:55it's up to you.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57Who...is the winner?
0:06:57 > 0:06:59Fuego Fuego!
0:07:01 > 0:07:02- ELDON: Smack, dude. - Rip them up.- I'm ready.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06All that's left to do is to go on stage, and bring it.
0:07:06 > 0:07:07And smack it.
0:07:07 > 0:07:08Fresh from their victory
0:07:08 > 0:07:11at the Absolute Dance International Championships,
0:07:11 > 0:07:13it's The Next Step dance studio.
0:07:13 > 0:07:14CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:07:17 > 0:07:19And all the way from Colombia,
0:07:19 > 0:07:23the Rough And Tumble Razor Backs!
0:07:23 > 0:07:24CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:07:28 > 0:07:31I'm not worried about West's dance skills.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34I AM a little worried about his smack-talking skills.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Let the smack talk begin!
0:07:37 > 0:07:38CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Yo, I just got one thing to say to you, man.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45I can't wait to sweep this floor with an internationals winner.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49I saw you dance last year,
0:07:49 > 0:07:51the whole puppet-master thing.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53But I'm pulling these strings now, man.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56You're just a ratty old sock puppet.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Two little buttons for eyes, and a heel that's all worn out.
0:08:00 > 0:08:01Heels worn out?
0:08:01 > 0:08:03Button eyes?
0:08:03 > 0:08:06Not bad, sir, but you didn't get into my head.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Now let's get the smack talk out of the way.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11All right.
0:08:11 > 0:08:12I've got one thing to say to you, man.
0:08:14 > 0:08:15I love you.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20I have no idea what West is doing.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23This is the worst smack talk I've ever heard!
0:08:24 > 0:08:25But before we start off,
0:08:25 > 0:08:27I got one thing to say.
0:08:27 > 0:08:28Here it comes.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30Now I'm going to play HIM like a puppet.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34GASPING
0:08:34 > 0:08:35'What?!'
0:08:35 > 0:08:36What just happened?
0:08:36 > 0:08:40Did West just kiss a guy on the cheek? What is he doing?
0:08:40 > 0:08:42I did not see THAT coming.
0:08:42 > 0:08:43No, that was different.
0:08:43 > 0:08:44I'm not a negative person.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46For me, it's all love.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48And I'm pretty sure my love got into his head.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50And that, my friends,
0:08:50 > 0:08:52is how you smack talk.
0:09:02 > 0:09:03How can you eat that?
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- What?- Egg sandwich. I hate that.
0:09:07 > 0:09:08Whatever.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Noah.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12Aren't you supposed to be somewhere?
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Oh, should I?
0:09:14 > 0:09:15With Alfie?
0:09:15 > 0:09:16For the duet.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19Right, that. Right.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21To be honest, my back wasn't up for rehearsal,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24so I was just kind of hiding out instead.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26Give me one good reason why you're missing rehearsals.
0:09:27 > 0:09:28Erm...
0:09:28 > 0:09:30I forgot to eat this morning.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32That's why, you know.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34See, I get this low blood sugar
0:09:34 > 0:09:37and I don't want to take a chance with this body.
0:09:38 > 0:09:39Get to studio A.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43Mm-hm. Right away.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Egg salad sandwich. My favourite.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53Why are you lying to Riley?
0:09:53 > 0:09:54And why are you skipping rehearsal?
0:09:55 > 0:09:57It's your back, isn't it, Noah?
0:09:57 > 0:09:59- Listen, the pain in my... - No, no, I'm not done yet.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02You could seriously be hurt.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05And I don't want you dancing at the next qualifier.
0:10:05 > 0:10:06You need to see a doctor.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09It really is getting better, and you need to stop worrying.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11You're lying to yourself.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14Listen, I was right about the egg salad sandwich.
0:10:14 > 0:10:15It's disgusting.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17And you're wrong about me.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22If Noah's back is as bad as I think it is,
0:10:22 > 0:10:24he could be in a lot of trouble.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27He's got to think about his future.
0:10:29 > 0:10:30The first round is going to be house,
0:10:30 > 0:10:32the second round is moves and grooves,
0:10:32 > 0:10:34he third round is water flow.
0:10:34 > 0:10:35Are you guys ready?
0:10:35 > 0:10:36WHOOPING AND CHEERING
0:10:36 > 0:10:38Take it away!
0:10:38 > 0:10:39CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:10:42 > 0:10:44The way it works is each of the three hip-hop rounds
0:10:44 > 0:10:47has to incorporate a different style.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50In this house battle, the movement is very bouncy.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53The music is very repetitive and it's a lot of footwork.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56You're just trying to figure out the musicality.
0:10:56 > 0:10:57Just...be creative.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20N'Sane's good, he is. Really good.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24But, erm, I think the crowd's with me.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41This guy's impressive, but, honestly?
0:11:41 > 0:11:44I think West's "smack talk" rattled him a little bit.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46The winner of the first round is...
0:11:46 > 0:11:48The Next Step!
0:11:48 > 0:11:49CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:11:49 > 0:11:52We just need to win two out of three rounds in this one v one challenge.
0:11:52 > 0:11:53One more win, and we move on.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Second round, here we come, baby!
0:12:08 > 0:12:10You're late!
0:12:10 > 0:12:13I'm sorry. I was just having some girl trouble.
0:12:13 > 0:12:14Girl trouble?
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Yeah.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- Look, you like this girl, she likes you back.- Yeah.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22And you're in a relationship with this girl.
0:12:23 > 0:12:24You don't have girl trouble.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- What did you have in mind for the duet?- Right.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- So, I was thinking like a step-step 540.- OK.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34One, two...
0:12:34 > 0:12:36- Like that.- OK, cool. OK.
0:12:36 > 0:12:37Pah, pah!
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- Yeah.- OK.
0:12:40 > 0:12:41That wasn't good.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43I'm just not ready to do this.
0:12:43 > 0:12:44Good to go again?
0:12:44 > 0:12:46Yeah, you know what? I left mid-conversation,
0:12:46 > 0:12:48and I need to go work out my girl trouble.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Unfinished conversation deserves to be finished.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52Exactly.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54All right.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57Riley and I keep starting an important conversation too.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59And, it isn't finished either.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01- At least,- I- feel like there's more to say.
0:13:04 > 0:13:05OK, guys!
0:13:05 > 0:13:07Next up, it's moves and grooves.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09Good luck.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Right now, we're in three direct-battle rounds.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13We only have to win one more to get through this challenge.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15This one...is moves and grooves.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26With moves and grooves,
0:13:26 > 0:13:29you want to take down how full-out you're dancing and
0:13:29 > 0:13:31sit in the pocket of the groove.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Really feeling the music and grooving.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54West CRUSHED it out there.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58But, unfortunately, the other guy's pretty good, too.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00The winner of the second round is...
0:14:00 > 0:14:02the Razorbacks!
0:14:03 > 0:14:05- OK.- I'm trying to stay cool right now, but it's a tie.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07Which means we have to win the next round,
0:14:07 > 0:14:09or else we might be getting kicked out of the
0:14:09 > 0:14:11biggest hip-hop competition in the world.
0:14:13 > 0:14:14We might be going home.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22I started rehearsing with Alfie, but whatever's going on with my back,
0:14:22 > 0:14:24it's not going away.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26I've got a big, big problem.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32You were right about my back.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36I tried rehearsing, and it's much worse than I thought.
0:14:37 > 0:14:38Noah, I'm so sorry.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42What do you think I should do next?
0:14:44 > 0:14:45You need to tell Riley.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Well, if I tell Riley, she might take me off the qualifier duo.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51So what? It's just a qualifier.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53What if she takes me off A Troupe?
0:14:53 > 0:14:54I get it -
0:14:54 > 0:14:57I almost didn't get a chance to dance on A Troupe this year,
0:14:57 > 0:14:59but Noah has to choose his health first.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02Noah, you could injure yourself permanently.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06Promise me you'll do the right thing.
0:15:08 > 0:15:09Amanda's right.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12I have to stop running away from this problem.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15I have to get it dealt with before it risks my whole dance career.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:15:26 > 0:15:29OK. So, for the third round,
0:15:29 > 0:15:30it's going to be water flow.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Water flow is like waving,
0:15:34 > 0:15:36where you're always isolating through your body,
0:15:36 > 0:15:38making your body look like water.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48N'Sane is SO good.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50I mean, West is an amazing dancer,
0:15:50 > 0:15:52but how is he going to come back at them?
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Yeah, N'Sane is amazing, but we have to win this round.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05I have to win this round.
0:16:05 > 0:16:06Or we go home.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08It all comes down to this.
0:17:00 > 0:17:01CHEERING INTENSIFIES
0:17:09 > 0:17:11Masked Man...
0:17:12 > 0:17:15Come on over. I don't know how you're going to make a decision,
0:17:15 > 0:17:16but we do need one.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18Who is the winner?
0:17:19 > 0:17:22This is it. Moment of truth.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25The final round winner is...
0:17:26 > 0:17:27The Next Step!
0:17:27 > 0:17:29CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:17:30 > 0:17:33I'm so stoked when West wins the first challenge of the competition.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37I was doubting him a bit at the beginning, but, come on - it's West.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39The winners of this challenge will advance to compete
0:17:39 > 0:17:41in the two v two challenge.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44I think I just proved my theory that hip-hop is love.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46All you need is love, baby!
0:17:53 > 0:17:54Hey, Riley.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57Er, do you have a second to talk?
0:17:57 > 0:17:59- Erm, yeah. Of course.- OK.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02This is not going to be easy, but Riley deserves to know
0:18:02 > 0:18:04what's really going on.
0:18:06 > 0:18:07Here goes.
0:18:07 > 0:18:12So, the real reason I fumbled at the first qualifier
0:18:12 > 0:18:15was because my back was seizing up.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20I thought it could get better with rest, but it hasn't.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24I had no idea.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26I can't believe I couldn't see
0:18:26 > 0:18:28what was right under my nose.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Now it all makes sense.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34I'm going to see a doctor to figure out what's wrong.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36But please, don't take me out of the duet.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39I know I can get better in time for the qualifier.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41Well, Noah, that's not up to me.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43It's up to the doctors.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45If they say that you can dance,
0:18:45 > 0:18:49then great, of course you can do the duet, but if the doctors say that...
0:18:49 > 0:18:52I don't even want to think about that.
0:18:52 > 0:18:53But, thanks.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59'I'm worried about my back. But part of me feels relieved
0:18:59 > 0:19:01'that I finally told Riley.'
0:19:01 > 0:19:04At least, now I can focus on getting better for the qualifier.
0:19:05 > 0:19:06MESSAGE ALERT
0:19:10 > 0:19:12- Hey!- Hey.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14Sorry I haven't been able to keep in touch,
0:19:14 > 0:19:15but this competition is crazy!
0:19:15 > 0:19:17West just got us through the one v one challenge.
0:19:17 > 0:19:18That's amazing.
0:19:20 > 0:19:21How are you doing, though? Are you all right?
0:19:21 > 0:19:22Um...
0:19:22 > 0:19:23I'm OK.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26You just feel so far away.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30Yeah.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33It's funny, I never really feel like that, though.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36I just feel like, you know, all those things like time, distance,
0:19:36 > 0:19:38it doesn't really apply to us.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41I wish I felt that way.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43I've actually never felt more alone.
0:19:45 > 0:19:46You OK, though?
0:19:47 > 0:19:49Um, I'm not,
0:19:49 > 0:19:51but it's nothing I can't handle.
0:19:52 > 0:19:53You'll be back in a few weeks, right?
0:19:53 > 0:19:55Yeah, yeah. Looking forward to it.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59Listen - I've got to go, but...I love you.
0:20:00 > 0:20:01Love you too.
0:20:01 > 0:20:02- Bye.- Bye.
0:20:04 > 0:20:05I'll be OK.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08I know James is there for me -
0:20:08 > 0:20:10I just have to hang in there a little while longer.
0:20:13 > 0:20:14I can handle it.
0:20:16 > 0:20:17Hey.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20I've been looking for you.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22I can't avoid this any longer.
0:20:22 > 0:20:23This thing with Riley is
0:20:23 > 0:20:25making my head spin.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Er... I gotta talk to you.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Look, er...
0:20:31 > 0:20:33I know you're not available right now.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37And I also want you to know that my feelings aren't just
0:20:37 > 0:20:38going to go away.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43So, if anything changes...
0:20:45 > 0:20:47..just let me know.