Week 4 featured a somewhat surprising double elimination. So with a "Best Year of your Life" theme which revealed some heartfelt stories, and plenty of tears, Dancing with the Stars opted out of eliminations in Week 5.
Which was probably better than a surprise than a double elimination.
More surprising was the continued improvement of the dancers and their commitment to their movements. Here's the full recap.
Jana's tribute to her daughter was touching, in a real and unforced way. While contemporary isn't the usual fare for a ballroom and latin dance show, this performance made that a non-issue and gave the viewers something that was beautiful to watch.
What we've said...
Marilu's story of her mother, her love of dancing, and the way, and timing, of when she passed made this performance a special one. The delivery of her performance, and the construction of the choreography, made for a heartwarming moment for Derek and Marilu. The Viennese Waltz can be a dance that looks frantic, stuffy, or some combination of the two. This performance was crisp, easy, and Marilu's dancing took another leap forward.
What we've said...
"At some point, every celebrity has a physical or mental wall they must climb. We don't think the physical aspect will be her undoing, so let's hope she stays focused, and enjoys the process."
The story behind Ryan's training, his World Record Breaking moment, and the dedication to his mother made Ryan Lochte less headline, and more human. Unfortunately, that wasn't conveyed in his contemporary performance as the thread of the dancing seemed disconnected. However, that wasn't for a lack of effort, and it looks like Lochte is finding his confidence.
What we've said...
"The song they are dancing to is from Cirque Du Soleil's "O", which is a water-themed show. As long as they aren't wearing goggles or holding their breath, expect Lochte to make his move in week 4. "
Terra and Sasha performed a wonderful tribute to Terra's late father dancing to "Stand By Me". But utilizing a poignant moment as the emotional centerpiece in their routine's construction is nothing new for this pair. They've approached every week in this way. But this contemporary performance had some honest, emotional moments that seemed to differentiate this routine from the others so far.
What we've said...
"Sasha Faber has done a great job with Terra Jole. Not only with choreography to flatter her body type, but in his inside-out approach to the theme each week. "
Maks may consider "re-retiring" after this season. Granted, Amber looks like she enjoyed this performance a little more. But in a "grooving by myself in the living room on a quiet Saturday" sort of way, and not in the "I'm perfroming in front of a nationwide audience" sort of way. Technically speaking, she's lacking tone in her legs, and clarity in her foot placement. So, just for the sake of clarity, Amber will be eliminated soon and Maks should stay on the show.
What we've said...
"Amber and Maks played their twerking trump card, and there isn't much ammunition left."
If you weren't already rooting for James Hinchcliffe, hearing that only 18 months ago he survived a near fatal injury only adds to his incredible season thus far. Anyone that's ever had a touch of the Mondays, or oversold a twisted ankle should watch the pre-performance package on James Hinchcliffe and rethink their definition of the word "setback". In fact, we should all start rethinking how often we use the term "death defying" so casually while we are at it. James and Sharna's Tango continued to push Hinchcliffe further into an elite male contestant category, with or without the incredible (truly) death defying backstory.
What we've said...
"If Randy Jackson were ever a guest judge on the show, he'd say "Yo, this dude is in it to win it!" To which most of the viewing public would probably agree."
It would be easy to crown Laurie and Val as the season champions. Viewers may go so far as to propose that the show is rigged, with pre-determined outcomes. Watching the package prior to their Paso Doble performance should lay any speculation to rest. Laurie's Paso Doble wasn't perfect, but neither was her life leading up to the Olympics, or her journey so far on DWTS. Yet, she's excelling because of her fierce work ethic, positive attitude, and unrelenting spirit.
What we've said...
"... what do you get when you combine a clear cut favorite with some of the most iconic music and dancing the world has ever seen? A possible Emmy nomination, a trending hashtag, and hopefully not a complete forfeit by the other celebrity competitors."
The Dance: Foxtrot
Whatever may have been lacking dance wise from their Foxtrot routine, Maureen and Artem more than made up for with a touching tribute to her marriage to her husband. While many celebrities have struggled in a similar way to Maureen, not many would go on national television to share it in such a raw, unfiltered way.
What we've said...
"Maureen's Salsa showed the viewing public that she's more than just a classy, elegant, woman. She showed that sex appeal can be delivered in a tasteful way (sorry Amber)."
For the record, Lindsay has utilized Calvin's mental and physical abilities as good as any coach has on the football field. The lifts are straight out of a professional cabaret competition, and, as he most likely prefers it, she has taken zero shortcuts with him. Calvin's tribute to his record breaking season in the NFL demonstrated how important his family has been, but his dance performance - complete with a cameo by Jerry Rice - highlighted his emergence as a dancer.
What we've said...
"By standing tall, and finishing all of his lines, he and Lindsay Arnold, have a chance to make a Jerry Rice run at the Mirrorball Trophy."
Read more about our DWTS Season 23 Predictions
Image Links: