Abby's annual recital for the Abby Lee Dance Company shakes up the studio and the dance moms when she assigns a style of dance they have never done before. Potential disaster then arrives when Cathy and her Candy Apples crash the recital.

With Nationals next week, Abby must decide who will be dancing. To help make her decision, Abby assigns each girl, except Maddie, a solo and warns that she will be watching their performance like a hawk. After several weeks of not being in the spotlight, Maddie must prove to Abby that she still has the ambition to take on a solo. Also Paige s injured foot could cost her a spot at Nationals. Meanwhile, the dance moms take advantage of being in California this week. Melissa tries to sign her daughters with an agency and Kelly helps Brooke with her singing career.