Last week, Aaron almost went home and my heart skipped a beat. This week, there aren't any new injuries, but some of the dancers have been struck down by the flu. How will that affect the competition? Once again, Tom doesn't say LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE and I find it really bothers me. I'm a creature of routine. Ooh, I just got my first glimpse of Samantha's hair and I had to pause the DVR for a second and really take it all in. It is some BIG hair, and it looks like she got a perm for the occasion. It reminds me of my brother's high school girlfriend; she had such big hair that we used to make fun of her because, in her school picture, all of her hair wouldn't fit in the frame. And we didn't even live in Texas. But I think Samantha's hair might be bigger.
The couples enter the ballroom and we see that Maks is subbing in for Derek this week, so Derek's obviously the one that was struck down by the flu. I'm interested to see how Maks and Joanna dance together. Louis Van Amstel has on as much makeup as he did last week, and it's kind of freaking me out. He looks like a zombie. Tom and Samantha announce that the couples will be doing either the Argentine tango or the paso doble tonight, as well as the group Hustle. And Maks is subbing for "flu-ridden Derek Hough." The sound is all off and you can barely hear Tom over the audience shrieking. Get on that, technicians.
Natalie and Alec are the first couple to dance tonight. Natalie is happy to hear that her dance this week, paso doble, is more about power than romance. In rehearsals, Natalie has a lot of questions about why she has to do the steps the way that Alec tells her, and he finally has to tell her to just do the steps. Then he works with her on the intimidating attitude she needs for the routine, which he explains can't involve showing her dimples. So did their hard work pay off? I don't think so. There's something really awkward about their routine. First, I think the song ("American Woman") is too funkified for the paso, which doesn't help. And I really don't sense any connection between them; while the paso isn't romantic, it is kind of sexual and aggressive. There's no sense of the bullfight between them. And then beyond that, I don't think there's enough content.
Len tells Natalie that her moves are clean and precise, but she has to work more on the character of the dance and her chemistry with Alec. Bruno agrees with Len, and tells Natalie that she needs conviction and to play out the battle of wills. Carrie Ann points out a lift, which Alec tries to argue, and then gives Natalie some advice on fully extending her arms. Scores: Carrie Ann 7, Len 8, and Bruno 7. Natalie says she's happy and this was her favorite dance so far.
They really caked the makeup on Aaron this week, and he looks halfway decent. He doesn't look so pale and gaunt. Last week, Carrie Ann told Aaron he was too needy and hopeless and desperate for love, and he needed to chill out. So this week, he and Karina have the Argentine Tango. Karina tries to get him to turn her on and explains that it's hard because she's "a cold-blooded bitch." Oh, that I could have seen Maks's face when she said that. Karina brings some friends in to show Aaron how to do the tango and Aaron totally gets a boner while he's practicing with the pro woman. I'm sorry, but that's what happened. Like he bent in half and fell on the ground and got all flustered. And then he wonders why Carrie Ann thinks he's desperate. Aaron and Karina begin their tango. He's definitely got the character down, and they definitely have the chemistry. His footwork is good but not great, and he needs to work on being more specific about his foot placement, but it looks really great overall.
Bruno thinks Aaron nailed the charisma and the character. Carrie Ann gives Aaron a look and he stalks over to her, and then they kiss on the cheeks. Carrie Ann says that it was fantastic and the attitude was just right. Len tells Aaron that he's no longer a little boy lost. A giant vein is sticking out on Aaron's forehead and it's freaking me out. Scores: Carrie Ann 8, Len 8, and Bruno 8. Aaron doesn't look thrilled; I think he was hoping for 10s. But maybe I'm projecting because I still don't like him.
Michael Irvin has yet to win over the judges for a variety of reasons, and as a result, Michael was shocked that he didn't end up in the bottom two last week. He vows to use this opportunity to improve with his paso doble this week. Anna tells Michael in rehearsal that he has to walk like he has a coin in between his butt cheeks, which is what my chorus teacher used to tell us to keep us from going flat. So Michael actually goes and gets a coin and sticks it in there, which is kind of hilarious, but now I'm all distracted wondering what's going to happen to the coin. Will they just throw it out? Bleach it? I hope it was just a nickel. I'm really cheap. Usually non-dancing dudes do well with this dance, because it's more about attitude than the steps, but Michael seems weirdly subdued in the beginning. He turns it on a bit in the middle, and he does some nice cape work near the end, but he still kind of looks to me like he's strolling around instead of walking with purpose and attitude. He also makes weird faces.
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]
Bruno tells Mark he's turning into a devil and nearly sprouted horns, because he was on it. Carrie Ann thought this was so powerful and exciting. Len thought Mark has posture, passion, and performance. The judges are only giving out positive comments tonight, apparently. Scores: Carrie Ann 9, Len 9, and Bruno 8.
Last week, Donny got to be the showman with the Charleston, and he realized that things were only going to get harder from there. Donny had a crazy schedule this week between learning the Argentine tango, learning the group dance, and going to Vegas to do his show. Kym harasses him about getting his footwork sharp, since that's what Bruno harped on him about. Did it work? Donny works really hard on being passionate, like the dance calls for, but I'm not buying it. He's so Donny Osmond. He just looks confused. His footwork is much better than it has been, though, and his posture is great. I don't love the choreography, but he does a good job with it.
Carrie Ann starts out by saying that all of the women watching just fell in love with him. Um, not me. I didn't think it was sexy. Oh well. Len liked the intensity and thought it was Donny's best dance. Bruno calls him "Donnie Darko" and loves how dangerous he is. Donny pretends like he's being drawn to Bruno, and Bruno refuses. I weirdly enjoy the dynamic between these two, even though I don't love Donny. Scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 9, and Bruno 10. Donny is astounded.
Little Louie and Chelsie are looking for a comeback after their boring two-step last week. Louie starts out the week of rehearsal by telling Chelsie that he is glad that they got to stay and he vows to work harder now and get into the sexy, macho character required by the tango. Chelsie appeals to his competitive side to get him to work harder, and it seems to work. The actual routine starts out with Chelsie in a chair and Louie stalking around her. Len's going to hate the business. The chemistry and attitude are definitely there. His footwork is not great; he's crazy pigeon-toed, but at least he seems to be taking the routine seriously.
Len says that he had low expectations going in, but Louie really set the mood and he didn't even mind the chair as a prop. Bruno loved the story telling, but he encourages Louie to start dancing instead of just walking through it. Carrie Ann wants Louie to stay in dancer mode throughout, but she loved how well Louie did as a partner to Chelsie, whatever that means. Scores: Carrie Ann 7, Len 8, and Bruno 7. It's their best score yet.
Melissa got (overly) praised last week, and then Mark got the flu. Karma? So Mark got the flu and had to miss rehearsals, so Anna T. came in and helped her out, which was probably more helpful to Melissa than Mark usually is. She's already started working on posture; now she just needs to work on her feet. Mark recovers enough for a final rehearsal, and they'll be dancing together tonight in their Argentine tango. Melissa's posture and footwork are way better this week, but she still seems to be dragging her feet at times, and Mark seems to kind of push her into place. I don't know if she's unsure of the steps or what. She covers well, because she's an actress, but she does drop character at times. At the end, Melissa's dress gets stuck on Mark's suit, which kind of cracked me up.
Bruno tells Melissa that she lost her steps quite a few times and then lost the character as a result. Carrie Ann disagrees, and thought Melissa nailed the character even if she did stumble. Len thought it lacked seduction, but he liked the music and how they coped with the difficult choreography. Scores: Carrie Ann 8, Len 8, and Bruno 7. The audience boos, but Melissa and Mark are pleased; it's clearly been a rough week for them and they're happy to have it behind them.
Kelly and Louis have the paso doble this week, and Louis explains to her that she is the cape in this dance. Kelly is disappointed; she thought she would get to be either the bull or the matador, at least. Also, Kelly can't stop getting the giggles, but the audience loves her wisecracks -- there's a big laugh every time she makes one. Plus, they are dancing to "Crazy Train" this week, and Kelly is worried about dancing to her dad's song. It's awesome, but they've really slowed the song down for this dance. Like A LOT. And the guy singing it is no Ozzy, but then again, Ozzy is no Ozzy any more. Kelly's face is a little too aloof during their routine. Her footwork is great, but she looks regal instead of aggressive or assertive. I really think I was just thrown off by the tempo.
Carrie Ann compliments Kelly and Louis for how much they look like Ozzy and Sharon, and advises Kelly to stay in character. Len thought it was an improvement in terms of getting into character, but she needs to keep working on it. Bruno noticed that she was nervous, but when she overcomes her nerves, it's really great. Scores: Carrie Ann 8, Len 8, and Bruno 8. It's their best score yet, which seems to be a theme tonight.
The final couple is Joanna and Maks (subbing for Derek). So Wednesday, Derek was off in rehearsal on, and Joanna noticed. So on Thursday, Derek stayed home and Maks came in to help out. He didn't know at the time if Derek would be back for the performance or not, but by Friday they kind of figured out that Maks would be dancing on Monday. They look good together, though. And I bet the judges will take it easy on them. They start their tango with some business with a lamp post and a jacket, which whatever. Just as I was about to say that things look very smooth, although they're missing some of the flicks and kicks, someone screws up and Maks nearly falls. They both recover nicely and continue, and they look great together, but the choreography seems a bit too easy. It's understandable, though.
Bruno says that it was fantastic up until the stumble. Len thinks they did a great job under the circumstances. Carrie Ann thought they found the chemistry in a week, but Joanna needs to work on her flexibility. Derek is backstage, and he compliments on how well things went. Isn't he still contagious? Joanna admits that she missed her step and caused the stumble. Scores: Carrie Ann 8, Len 8, and Bruno 8.
Group dance! Group dance! Group dance! They're doing the Hustle this week, and as they all arrive, they discover that Corky Ballas is going to be the choreographer, and he's all dressed up in '70s garb. Donny is super excited. I notice that there's no mention in the clip package of the part where Aaron was an hour late and everyone had to wait for him. Just saying. Kelly feels more confidence because when she's dancing with everyone else, she realizes that she's not THAT bad. Louie has the opposite reaction; he can't figure out how everyone else seems to know the dance already. Maybe everyone knows the line dance part because it's very similar to every other line dance -- the Electric Slide most notably? Guess Louie hasn't attended any wedding receptions lately. Then they practice their individual moves, most of which include a lift or a trick.
Time for the routine! The music is REALLY fast. It's like the inverse of "Crazy Train." The dancers come out and quickly get into two lines, like Soul Train. Louie and Chelsie do a move that my dad used to do with me when I was a kid, where he'd grab one leg and one arm and spin me. Mark puts Melissa on his shoulders and then she hangs by her legs. It looks dumb. Kelly apparently hurt her foot so she's barefoot, and since she's about the same size as Louis, they don't do any tricks, but they are cute anyway. Mark D. looks way more into this dance than any other he's done so far, and he does a standing back flip, but then he beats on Lacey's buns like bongos and I didn't like that part as much. Aaron has that looking feminine problem again. Donny has his old '70s wig on, but there's so much smoke being blown in that I can't really see his trick. Maks basically just throws Joanna around and her dress nearly falls off. Maks should star in a remake of Saturday Night Fever. He looks good in those '70s clothes. I don't know what Natalie and Alec are doing and I don't know what Alec has on his head, but neither are good. Mya looks great and totally '70s, and she and Dmitry work it. Michael Irvin is totally into it too, and he practically tosses Anna up over his head. They finish with a group routine and everyone looks like they are having a lot of fun. I think this was my favorite group dance so far, and I bet it will be the encore tomorrow night. I don't know that it will change anyone's ideas about voting, but it was fun to watch.
Bruno says it was "sublime and ridiculous" and tells Michael he looks like a Solid Gold dancer. Carrie Ann says that Michael was in front of her and she couldn't see around him. Len mumbles something that I can't understand and Tom reminds us that they don't score the group dance anyway, so who cares? You guys, I'm worried about Kelly. She looks like she's in a lot of pain. She's usually so smiley and she seems really worried. I hope her foot is okay. If she has to drop out, I'll be really pissed. So who's going home? I'm worried about Natalie and Alec. I don't think she's the worst dancer but she doesn't seem happy, and people don't like that. See you tomorrow night and here are the final scores:
Donny and Kym: 29
Mya and Dmitri: 27
Mark and Lacey: 26
Aaron and Karina: 24
Kelly and Louis: 24
Joanna and Maks/Derek: 24
Melissa and Mark: 23
Natalie and Alec: 22
Louie and Chelsie: 22
Michael and Anna: 21