'Dance Moms': 'Guess Who's Back?' Recap

At the beginning of tonight's Dance Moms, Abby attempts to begin her rehearsal with the pyramid but is interrupted when Jill charges in to ask that Kendall be put back on the team. Jill nearly demands that Abby talk with her but Abby refuses. Later however, Abby lets Kendall stay at rehearsal and then asks her to leave. During a private rehearsal with another student, Jill asks to meet with Abby again. Abby tells Jill she is hesitant about taking Kendall back and doesn't give her a definite answer.

The Pyramid/The Upcoming Competition

This week, Mackenzie, Nia and Paige are all on the bottom of the pyramid because of the errors they made in the trio performance. In the middle of the pyramid is Chloe followed by Brooke, and at the top, Maddie, who won in the 9-12 age group at the last competition.

For the upcoming competition, Maddie, Nia and Paige have all been given solos. There will also be a group routine about a vampire which seems to excite all the girls. Nick, a male dancer from Abby Lee Studios will be added to the group number. His main job will be to lift the girls and play the role of the vampire.

Abby is determined to win at Star Power. While group rehearsal is going on, Jill barges in again and pushes Kendall in the room for rehearsal. Abby then talks to Kendall about Jill's behavior but lets her practice for the group routine anyway. After watching the group perform, Abby considers cutting some of the girls and making the group smaller. First, she eliminates Nia, and then considers replacing Paige with Kendall.

Casting for Drop Dead Diva

In the midst of rehearsal, Abby gets a telephone call from the Casting Director of Drop Dead Diva. She tells Abby that she has decided to choose Maddie for the role. When the moms hear of it, they question whether Maddie was already slated for the role. They also wonder why she was selected when the role was said to have been for a blonde. The next day, Abby accuses the Dance Moms of not being completely happy for Maddie. She also confronts them about their saying the tryouts were rigged. When Holly (Nia's mom) speaks up, Abby criticizes Nia's hair which is in an ethnic style of micro braids. To help Maddie feel better about winning the role, Abby does something very questionable. She asks Maddie to bring her many crowns to rehearsals to show the other girls. The moms then ask Melissa (Maddie's mom) why she brought them in and when Melissa tells the girls Maddie did not do this to hurt them, Abby yells that she is tired of Maddie's accomplishments being squashed or downplayed to protect the feelings of others. She further says, if they want a crown, they should win a competition.

At the Competition in Lancaster, PA

Early on at competition, Kendall begins to cry saying her stomach hurts. While rehearsing her solo, Nia also cries saying she has forgotten the number. Abby is really pleased with Holly when she gets tough with Nia. Still at this point, Abby admits she has not decided who will be in the group number.

First up to perform from Abby Lee Studios is Nia who receives a standing ovation. Next is Maddie who also does a very good job. The last soloist from the troupe to perform is Paige who really pleases Abby. When solo awards are given, Nia makes ninth place and receives a special award, Paige places sixth and Maddie in first. Abby is ecstatic as her goal was to have all of her solos place in the top ten.

Trouble ensues when Abby notices Kendall has a bow in her hair which has been chosen for the group performance. Abby is angry being none of the other girls have on a bow. Later, when showing a move to Abby, Paige hurts herself and is thus removed from the group number along with Nia and Kendall. Kendall then begins to cry and Jill asks Abby if that is what she wanted. Left in the group number is Brooke, Chloe, Maddie and Nick. Abby is really boastful about her decision when the group places first in their division.