Monday Night….

Six couples are left and they dance two routines tonight; one ballroom, one latin. Given last week’s surprising elimination, it will be interesting to see the remaining teams go for it this week in an effort to stay in the game.

Having watched all the routines now, I would have to say that most teams saved their best for their second dance. The judges were pretty nitpicky and grouchy Uncle Lenny was back in fine form, but they also tried to give good criticism to help the couples get that edge they need over the very tight competition and did also allude to how hard it was to prepare for two dances. Overall, although it was a tad uneven, I was okay with the judging. The critiques were sharper than the scores, and almost everybody was left in the middle of the pack. Leaving it up to us to figure out. Oh, thanks!

Dance recap:

Jonathan and Marie - First dance was a quick step which they dedicated to her parents, who danced early on in their relationship during wartime as a way to earn money. It was fun and cute and I loved the kiss on Len’s cheek at the end. He was so cute about that! Second dance was a cha cha. Harder for Marie, but also cute. Not as sharp, but the judges were kind. She’s always funny and self deprecating and it feels like it’s your soccermompal up there, trying to pull this off. I heart her.

Julianne and Helio - they did the tango first and I really liked it. The judges were hard on them, but I thought the choreo was good, loved her dress, and just really liked it. Second dance was a samba, which was really good and fun. All in all, for me, a solid night for these two.

Maks and Mel - first dance was a foxtrot, which was good, if not specatular. I did agree with Len that they seemed a bit off step, or off beat, but it was still a good routine. However, their second dance, the paso? My god. That? Was insane. Loved her outfit, loved the song, loved all of it. My fave of the night and worthy of that 30 on sheer entertainment value alone. I agree with Bruno. Top that!

Tony and Jane - lovely tribute to her friend Johnny Cash with their quick step, and the most elegant cha cha I’ve ever seen. She’s such a lovely and very proficient dancer, but down n dirty she will never be. And I’m okay with that, it would be weird seeing that from her even if she was capable of it, which I don’t think she is. But again, I agree with Len that she needs to find some kind of “pow” if she wants to stay in the running. Elegant is lovely, but it lacks that passion and sizzle that keeps us interested. Comparitively speaking only. Otherwise, I do enjoy her.

Edyta and Cameron - high high caffienated energy, but these two are a good match, and I will say, based on previous seasons, I wasn’t sure how great an instructor Edtya would be if given an actual viable partner, but she’s really proven herself with Cam, as he is a far, far improved dancer from the beginning of the season. And despite his less than perfect form, I just think they’re entertaining as all hell. It doesn’t hurt that they’re both gorgeous together. I hope he stays. Yes, yes, I’m shallow like that. But I actually like him and his absolute sincerity in wanting to do well for the sake of the competition.

Derek and Jenny - I thought their Viennese Waltz was okay, lovely, if not breathtaking. But yowza, that second one, the rumba, was all kinds of sensual hotness. Who knew? I really enjoyed that. Second fave of the night for me.

Final scores after two dances? Of a possible 60:
Mel - 54
Jennie - 53
Helio and Marie - 52
Cam - 51
Jane - 50

So….who goes?

I honestly have no idea who will go home. It is truly anybody’s game now. If I had to pick, I’d say Jane is the one leaving. And for a finalist pick, Mel is a frontrunner as a performer, and her charisma with Maks only adds to that. I think that is where Sabrina lost a bit of steam, despite her fan base. She was a very good dancer, but I don’t think she connected charismatically with the audience. Or….maybe that’s just me. But truly any of them could make it to the end, for a variety of reasons, and I’d understand it. I enjoy watching all of them perform, so, in that way, it’s really my favorite season yet.

Aaaaaaaaand……..

Onto the results show.

Right off the bat, we learn Marie’s father has passed away. This has certainly been about as tumultuous a season as you can have. So she is not in attendance, but they let them off the hook immediately by telling Jonathan up front that he and Marie are through to the next round. To the surprise of no one, Mel n Maks get the smmmmmokin hot encore. I am all for that!

Leann Rimes sing accompanied by Julianne and Tony dancing. Lovely. Then we learn that Cam and Edyta are safe. Which makes my shallow little heart very happy. Also making me happy? The return of Kenny and Jerry and DanceCenter! Ha! Loved it. Rock Steady Crew? Okay, but I’m spoiled by So You Think You Can Dance. Good, but, maybe it was the music choice because they were good, but it didn’t engage me like I thought it would. Until it got to the pop n lock dude. Liked that.

Also safe? Mel n Maks. And then they drop a mini twist - there are three couples left, but rather than announce a bottom two, they will just tell you who is going home. Perhaps it’s a response to Sabrina going home, so no gets the sympathy rally votes next week. Aaaaaaanyway……so, safe is Helio and Julianne (muc to their obvious relief - I tell ya, after last week, everyone is worried. It definitely amps up the suspense.) Derek and Jenny are also safe, which means going home tonight are Jane and Tony. So…no surprises tonight! And, now that I think about it, I wonder if Marie wasn’t the other one in the bottom two, so they did it this way so poor Jonathan didn’t have to stand there alone, and out of respect for Marie and her family during a difficult time. So, if that’s the case, well done. Good decision.

Wow, so it’s not going to get any easier! Two more dances next week. Can’t wait! Who’s next?

Tags: Writing //