(Cue the griping here.)

In more recent years, it seems to me that CF has taken to putting up longer scenes, on average, than they did during their golden era (approx. 2009 – 2014). Their editing choices really helped "up" the energy for the scenes overall and presented the performers at their best. Over the years I think they've succumbed to the belief that if they've got lots of "footage" to use, they SHOULD use it and that THAT will make the scenes better. Giving the viewer more "bang for buck" (literally ;)), as it were.

I think this is wrong.

Knowing when and how to choose NOT to use utilizable footage is as much a part of the craft as strong camerawork and coaching of performers through a scene. Many times, these longer cuts don't show the performers off in the greatest light as they once did – focusing on their strengths and burying their relative fatigue or lack of connection. It's really hard to (show) "sizzle" for over 30 minutes. There was a lot of really good and effective editing going on during those golden years. Perhaps they needed to do so because they had a higher number of self proclaimed "straight" boys coming through and that conceit drove the ethos within the house, but the skill largely served them and the lads well.

Sometimes, just – less is more.