Episode Report Card Kim: A | 78 USERS: B YOU GRADE IT Down to the Wire
By Kim | Season 8 | Episode 20 | Aired on 2009.05.18
After the judges' visits, all three couples head to the group rehearsal. Melissa explains that this routine will differ from the other group dances because while they'll be dancing together, and they want the dance to look good overall, they'll also each have a solo and they'll really be judged on that. As each couple rehearses, the other two stare daggers at them, analyzing every move. Wasn't there a couple last season that refused to actually rehearse their solo so as not to give anything away? If only there were a site with recaps of each episode... oh, yeah. So it was Lance and Lacey. I can't believe they were even in the finals. Anyway.
The paso doble begins to "So What" by Pink. Interesting choice. And by interesting, I mean weird. I would expect a more aggressive song for this one. Anyway, the group segment is very short and then Shawn and Mark take the floor for their solo. It's okay. I think Shawn is at a disadvantage here in that aggressive, serious dances are her weak point and Gilles's strength. Man, now I'm hatching the conspiracy theories. Anyway, I see a few stumbles with the footwork and I'm not crazy about the choreography, although I acknowledge that it must be really tough to do a true paso doble but also make it different enough from the others that it really stands out. Melissa and Tony do their solo next. Melissa's costume enhances the drama because her long coat is black with a red lining, so every time she does a high kick (which is often), her coat swirls out dramatically. It helps, because I'm still not getting the intensity from her posture that Carrie Ann was talking about. Some of the transitions in and out of stunts seem a bit stiff. Finally, Gilles and Cheryl come out for their solo. It is the best of the three. Gilles's movements are so sharp and so on target, and you can't beat his intensity. I like the choreography best too; it's dramatic without being showy. It's tough to build the story of a paso in only a few minutes, and I don't think any of them did that successfully. All three couples finish the routine together, and it's very impressive. I do think this is the best final the show has ever had. No doubt. They get a well-deserved standing ovation and take a bow together.