Ep 11. Camouflaged Maneuvers

In Dance Moms season 3 episode 11, titled "Camouflaged Maneuvers," tensions are high as the Abby Lee Dance Company heads to Fresno, California to compete in the Believe National Dance Competition. The competition is a big deal since it's the first one without former ALDC member Chloe, who has recently left the team.

The episode begins with Abby assigning solos to Maddie and Kendall, but not to the other girls. As always, this leads to drama among the moms, who feel that their daughters aren't being given equal opportunities. Meanwhile, Abby is frustrated with Brooke, who seems to be more focused on her outside activities than the upcoming competition.

The group routine is entitled "Camouflaged Maneuvers" and is a military-inspired number that features the ALDC dancers as soldiers. Abby hopes that this routine will be a hit with the judges, who are known to favor edgier, more mature routines. The moms, however, are worried that the routine may be too controversial for the competition.

Things come to a head when Abby tells the moms that she has hired a new dancer named Ally to take Chloe's place. The other dancers are not pleased with this development, and neither are the moms, who fear that Abby is trying to replace Chloe.

As the competition draws closer, tensions continue to rise. Maddie and Kendall's solos are both strong, but the other dancers continue to feel left out. During rehearsals, Abby is extremely hard on the girls, criticizing their technique and telling them that they are not working hard enough.

When it comes time for the group routine, the girls perform admirably, but the moms are still worried about the controversy surrounding the routine. They feel that the judges may not appreciate the militaristic theme, and they worry that the routine will be too divisive to do well in the competition.

In the end, the competition is a mixed bag for the ALDC. While Kendall and Maddie both perform well in their solos and the group routine is received positively by the judges, the team ultimately fails to win first place. The moms are disappointed, but Abby remains upbeat, telling the girls that they'll just have to work harder next time.

Overall, "Camouflaged Maneuvers" is an episode that highlights the intense pressure that the ALDC dancers and their moms face when competing at the highest levels of dance. While there is plenty of drama and conflict, the episode also showcases the girls' talent and dedication, as well as Abby's unflagging commitment to helping them succeed.