Last week’s shocking elimination raised the stakes for all of the remaining contestants. With such a tight pack of talented stars left in the show, it is very literally anyone’s game at this point. Which, given the added element of immunity, made the ballroom an even more tense environment on Monday night.
Before getting to my conspiracy theory, it’s important to understand the terms of the immunity this week. The couple with the highest score after the individual dance round this week is immune from elimination and isn’t subject to the stressful dance-off. So now for the conspiracy theory…
Backstreet Boy Nick Carter wowed his way to the top on Monday and earned immunity. His perfectly scored contemporary routine was a thing of beauty. But after he earned a 30, host Tom Bergeron reminded viewers how a tie would be decided. Following his performance, Bindi Irwin delivered a show stopping foxtrot that begged the judges to find something wrong with it — and they did. But here’s the thing, this viewer thinks that the judges wanted to award Carter the immunity and knew that giving Irwin a perfect score would mean immunity because her scores are higher throughout the season. Irwin earned high marks with her vampire-themed Argentine tango last week rendering her a pretty safe bet to make it through this week’s elimination. On the other hand, Carter landed toward the bottom of the leaderboard last week with his “booty out” Argentine tango. I think that the judges kept Irwin’s scores this week down to really reward Carter’s strong contemporary performance and save him from (potential) elimination this week.
Do you agree with this assessment of the night’s dances? Keep reading about each performance and share your thoughts in the comments!
Individual Dances
Carlos PenaVega and Witney Carson: 27
First up performing for immunity on Monday night was Carlos, whose salsa routine paid tribute to his icon: Marc Anthony. Despite his roots, the singer had never tried to salsa before, but you wouldn’t know it based on this routine. And you could have fooled the judges too! Julianne Hough told Carlos salsa is “definitely in your blood” and Bruno Tonioli thought he was “tossing Witney into positions you cannot even find in the Kama Sutra!” Carrie Ann Inaba thought she might have seen a mistake somewhere in the routine, but the pair hid it so well she couldn’t really tell. “You had such an incredible connection, it was really enjoyable to watch,” she said.
Alek Skarlatos and Lindsay Arnold: 25
After a week reflecting on negativity, Skarlatos took this week to pay tribute to American Sniper Chris Kyle with his contemporary routine to “I Need a Hero.” The young hero performed a “beautiful” routine according to all of the judges. Tonioli thought that the performance was “very moving” but noticed that something went wrong during one lift. However rather than blame Skarlatos or Arnold, Inaba noticed that it was more of a costume malfunction than anything else and said he “rose to the occasion.” Hough thought the routine was “phenomenal,” but wanted more from the choreography this far into the competition.
Andy Grammer and Allison Holker: 22 (24 with dance off) Eliminated
Grammer redeemed himself during Halloween week and is looking to solidify his status on the leaderboard with a tribute to his icon: Stevie Wonder. In his package, the singer tearfully admitted he was dedicating his Viennese waltz to “Isn’t She Lovely” to his late mother, who loved dance. The routine and emotion behind it really struck a chord with the audience. The judges were equally moved by the story behind the performance, but found some issues with the technical aspects of it. Inaba said she “felt so much emotion” in the dance, but thought he “needs to go back to basics” and thought his “posture was way off.” Hough and Tonioli agreed with Inaba on the technical critique, and reflected that in their scores.
Alexa PenaVega and Mark Ballas: 25 (27 with dance off)
Giving the Argentine tango a Biblical spin, Alexa paid tribute to a personal icon—David from the story of David and Goliath. Facing the mighty task of trying to earn a perfect score, she proved stronger than the giants, but faltered slightly throughout the performance. The judges noticed the small mistakes too, and felt her pain and frustration with them. Hough said “there was such an intensity” to Alexa’s performance this week and noted that she “kept going” despite the “two little slip-ups.” Tonioli called it a “revisionist” take on the Biblical tale and called it “gutsy.” Inaba said she saw the mistakes but added, “I didn’t see you skip a beat, it was epic.”
Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess: 30
Not letting his dip in the leaderboard last week get the better of him, Carter used his contemporary routine to pay tribute to his wife and their growing family. Just after announcing to the crowd in his rehearsal package that his wife is pregnant, he gave one of the most special performances of the night. Tonioli put it best when he said “that was a love poem perfectly visualized through dance” and called it “extraordinary.” Inaba said Carter “took [her] breath away” and added that it was his “best dance ever.”
Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough: 28 (30 with dance off)
Working through a slew of injuries this week, Irwin chose to honor Grace Kelly with her foxtrot. She was perfectly graceful and made a difficult routine look downright simple. At this point, the judges admitted that they’re looking at Irwin’s performances with such scrutiny because she’s been unstoppable for a few weeks now. Inaba said the routine was “incredible,” but Hough and Tonioli found the tiniest thing to gripe about. Hough had one small critique about Irwin’s frame, but added that she is “in a class of [her] own.”
Tamar Braxton and Val Chmerkovskiy: 28
Rehearsal footage showed Braxton struggling with some of the choreography while trying to learn a Paso doble to honor her sister, Toni Braxton. All of her fretting was for nothing—the talk show host performed one of the sharpest routines of the night. A couple judges found a tiny error to point out during the routine, but Tonioli thought it was “Paso doble down to the core.” Hough was thrilled with the choreography, which she said showcased Braxton’s strengths. Inaba, ever a stickler for lifts in styles that prohibit them, noticed a tiny lift but thought the talk show host “hammered” the routine.
Dance-Off
Bindi and Derek vs. Carlos and Witney: Jive
The judges agreed that this vote would be close. Both pairs displayed masterful jive routines that were high energy, but they were indicative of each pair’s dancing style. Hough said “this is the closest [dance off] I’ve ever seen” and Tonioli thought the routines were “thrilling” and “unexpected.”
Judges: Carlos and Witney
America’s Choice: Bindi and Derek (+2)
Tamar and Val vs. Alexa and Mark: Cha cha
Competing cha chas ruled the dance floor and again left the judges split in their decision. Tonioli called both stars “sexy mamas!” but said “somebody had an edge…” Inaba said “one of you had more flavor and one of you was more traditional,” but didn’t give away her vote in her review. Hough loved the energy and said she “definitely preferred one over the other.”
Judge’s Choice: Tamar and Val
America’s Choice: Alexa and Mark (+2)
Andy and Allison vs. Alek and Lindsay: Samba
Even though neither pair had previously danced the Samba in competition, they both put on impressive performances. The judges found faults with both routines—in fact Inaba said “both of y’all need to go work on your sambas.” Tonioli took the time to commend each couple for tackling such a technically tough dance style.
Judge’s Choice: Andy and Allison
America’s Choice: Andy and Allison (+2)