Episode Report Card Kim: A- | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Do The Hustle
By Kim | Season 9 | Episode 10 | Aired on 10.19.2009
Carrie Ann was happy to see Michael's game face for once, and it was her favorite dance so far. Len liked his posture and expression. Bruno thinks the nickel in his butt is working for him and his stock is rising again. Michael gives him the nickel, which I really hope is a different coin. I am so grossed out thinking about butt sweat. Scores: Carrie Ann 7, Len 7, and Bruno 7. It's Michael's highest score this season, but the audience boos anyway.
Mya won the judges over last week when Bruno practically called her a whore. So this week, they have to learn the Argentine tango. After Dmitry nearly hurts himself numerous times because of all the kicks and lifts putting her feet in precarious places, they go build a house with Habitat for Humanity instead. I don't know. I guess they didn't have a dramatic storyline this week, so the producers went for feel-good instead. Their tango is technically awesome, but I'm still not feeling the chemistry between these two. I hate to say it, but I think Aaron and Karina have them beat on chemistry, even as Mya is clearly the superior dancer. I find myself getting a little bored.
Len says that he normally doesn't like a ton of business at the beginning, which this had, but he can forgive it because the routine was so good. Bruno agrees that her foot placement was great, but she needs to work on the chemistry. Carrie Ann tells her that her movement was great, but she needs to work on the character. She was distant, but it came off as uncaring instead of distant because she's trying not to give in to her attraction. That's not what Carrie Ann said, but it's what I think she meant. Scores: Carrie Ann 9, Len 9, and Bruno 9. I agree that Mya is the best pure dancer in the competition right now, but why don't I look forward to her routines more?
Mark and Lacey improved last week with their two step, but they're still in the middle of the pack. Lacey hopes that Mark's aggression will work well for them in the paso doble this week. Lacey has to really work with him to bring that attitude, and then she goes and gives him a solo. It's like she wants him to fail. I'm kind of nervous for him. Let's see how it turns out. Mark's "solo" is really just him standing at the top of the stairs and walking back and forth for a few measures until Lacey bursts out of some smoke and onto the floor. It feels like from that moment, she pulls focus from Mark. I mean, she has to know she's got more aptitude for the dance, so she needs to tone it down a bit to match him instead of forcing him to try to match her, which he can't. The dance itself has some nice moments: Mark does a spinning move and there are times when he looks aggressive. But between Lacey's crazy hair this week and the way she keeps gritting her teeth, I keep watching her instead of him. The audience goes crazy, though. [Side note here about the band tonight, their music just seems off, for some reason. This song music "Diablo Rojo" by Rodrigo y Gabriela is really fast and intense, but it here it is slow and kind of tinkly instead of passionate. They aren't doing the dancers any favors, is all I'm saying. -- Angel]