The finals have begun! So why not have Carrie Ann yawning on the live feeds before the show starts…the energy is at an all-time high in the ballroom! The couples danced a re-do of a previous dance (chosen by judges to hopefully improve on) and then the world famous freestyle round. Let’s get to recapping…shall we?! BA BA DA BA BA BA BA BA BA DA BA BA!
Bethany and Derek: Their REDO was their Week 1 jive to “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift. Bruno chose it hoping to see smoother transitions and constant movement from the duo for this very active dance. After entering the world of YouTube incredibly awkwardly, he tried to help the couple create a perfect dance from a decent one. Well, it was better than decent, but not perfect. After a set change screwed up their timing, the entire dance seemed eh. It wasn’t Week 11 quality, more like Week 6. Straight 9s from the judges. Erin showed off an AMAZING Bruno spin while in the skybox, and I would like it to be on my tombstone somehow, some way. FREESTYLE took an interesting turn for the duo. A dystopian feel was given to the routine, with many sharp arm movements being used and subtle hip-hop undertones presented throughout. It was one of those dances where it ends and you go “Did I like that? Yeah, I liked that.” The best part came from rehearsal, however, when Derek pulled a Baymax when doing a fist bump with Bethany. Anyway, perfect 10s from the panel.
Sadie and Mark: The Duck Dynasty routine returned for their REDO, which was chosen by Len as he wanted to see it live. Wow. Great reasoning. After puking during the live show and calling Len hunky, Liam Payne from One Direction made an appearance during rehearsals to surprise Sadie, and it made no sense whatsoever (Still doesn’t hours later). Even worse, she admitted to not having purchased the new album from them! I’VE LISTENED TO IT NUMEROUS TIMES AND I’M NOT EVEN A FAN! When it was originally performed, the dance was decent in my eyes, and that description held up again. The way it was choreographed, and no offense to Mark, as I find him a genius, it is very broken up and odd, so I don’t like it as much as others. Bruno saw a timing issue (same here) and Carrie Ann loved her confidence. Tom sent them to get scores before Len gave his say, which led to the pair getting their critiques on the other side of the ballroom floor, which was awkward and hilarious. Two 10s from Carrie Ann and Julianne, and two 9s from the judges. Their FREESTYLE was rather amazing (and included the best set dressing in the show’s history) as it was Super Mario Brothers themed. Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad all made appearances in this fantastically fun and unforgettable number. Julianne gave them all her gold coins and Carrie Ann said this dance will now be in the hall of fame. AGREED! A perfect 40 from the panel.
Janel and Val: They had the opportunity to REDO their samba from Pitbull week, as chosen by Julianne. Julianne got all up in that (that being their personal space, as she pinched their butts to show her presence). The dance went from forgettable to memorable for me, with a sharpness added to the dance that I hadn’t previously seen in this dance. Bruno said she ticked all the boxes (on some imaginary checklist he imagines when he dreams about sambas at night, I assume), but she got off balance at one point, which was also seen by Carrie Ann. Three 9s and a 10 from Len. She did it all with a rib injury she occurred during rehearsals, and she apparently tweaked it during this dance. That injury was not noticed during her FREESTYLE, which was a gorgeous and flawless lyrical number. Erin previewed it, simply by rolling her “r” sound, and it was a great description! The dance included real kissing (WHOOPEE!), an amazing song choice, and crying from Val, Janel, Erin and Michael Waltrip. 10s across the board.
Alfonso and Witney: They did a REDO of their first dance as well, that infectious jive, and I don’t know how they did it, but they made it even more perfect. It solidified the routine as one of DWTS’ all-time best, and the genius that has been Witney’s choreography. Nothing else to say. It was brilliant. Perfect score from the judges. Their FREESTYLE held up their amazingness, becoming a medley of all their dances on the show, a wedding line dance, and a tap solo. I MEAN! Effortless transitions, perfect synchronization, and, once again, Witney shows herself as a pro that should NOT be messed with. Perfect 10s…duh.
It was then announced that Bethany and Derek just missed the final 3, and I sort of agree, but this has been such a strong top 4, that I had NO clue who was going home, or who will win.
Do you agree with the judges’ scores, who went home and the Top 3? Let me know! I’ll be back tomorrow with my recap of the 2-hour finale! Until tomorrow…happy dancing!