I had some of the same thoughts as Catspaw while watching the dance competition. Most of the pairs had complex athletic moves but too often flow, fluidity was absent and transitions were jerky and the performance looked more like work than fun. Dance should look enjoyable.
Both the American and Canadian pairs excelled in keeping the transitions fluid; the athleticism was there but did not break the flow. I thought the Canadians were slightly better, but, not being knowledgeable about the minutiae, would not have objected if the 1-2 finish had been reversed.

I also think Cranston was a genius on ice, but he was certainly in advance of the judges of the time.