DWTS Season 15 Iconic Dance Week

So, this week was about iconic dances from previous shows/seasons.  Of course, most of the stars and pros insisted it wasn't about doing it better than the original, but hello, it's a competition, people!  The exception to that (that I can remember, anyway) was Val, since he was very obviously going after big bro, Maks.  Oh yeah, the other component to this week was that the stars had total creative control, making for an interesting mix of themes out on the dance floor.

West coast viewers, there IS a spoiler in here, at the bottom, so if you don't want to know yet, you should stop reading before the end or put your hand up to block the spoiler or IDK....do something.

Drew & Anna danced first, to the Cha Cha Cha.  They danced to Beyonce's Crazy in Love and were recreating Joey & Ashley's season 1 dance.  It was cute watching Drew pull out the sexy in Anna.  Normally, I don't care for her, she seems to cold, but this week I really warmed up to her cute, shy side.  The dance wasn't spectacular, mostly b/c they were awesome in a world of SUPER awesome.  They did really well, but scored pretty low, comparatively.

Gilles & Peta recreated season 10's Tango by Maks & Erin, dancing to Eurythmics Sweet Dreams.  I am loving Gilles (though he's no Maks).  He's proud yet humble, he seems sorta dark, but his eyes just dance.  Have I mentioned I like 'em tall, dark and brooding?  Ah, no wonder, right?!  Peta, on the other hand, drives me crazy and I'm unlikely to ever vote for anyone she dances with.  The exception may be Apolo, but that's not happening, so no worries.  But, I digress.  Peta looks frickin bored by everything.  I find myself yawning with her and wondering if we both don't have narcolepsy.  AND, she needs to stop doing the crazy bleach blonde look, it's totally unflattering.  It was a beautiful dance.  The man is, after all, quite beautiful and his lines are stunning and he is a most elegant dancer, but they were no Maks & Erin.

Melissa & Tony, who were completely adorable together last night, recreated JR & Karin's Samba to Conga (Gloria Estefan).  These two were totally in sync, completely ON last night.  Again, they're surrounded by tons of others who are bringing their A++ game, but they did a really fabulous job.  It helps that I LOVE the Samba.

Apolo & Karina recreated Season 8's Foxtrot by Gilles & Cheryl.  They danced to Fever, by Michael Buble.  Now, I have to say (while I chant A.Pol.O A.Pol.O. A.Pol.O) I felt this was sort of an odd choice.  I mean, people are bringing hip shakin, ground moving, crazy, over the top stuff and here they chose subdued.  I know Gilles did a mellow number, too, but it definitely suits him more than, say, a Samba, so it's ok.  I think Apolo should've taken a bit more risk.  Dude has plenty of hip shakin to share, so what up?  OK, still and all, it WAS gorgeous.  Fox Trot is not my favorite dance, so it says a lot for me to have gotten so into their dance, but I still wish it'd been done a little differently. 

Kelly & Val did a Paso Doble, recreated from Maks & Laila's Season 4 number and whooo boy, as much as I love me some Maks, I'm sorry to say that little bro nailed it!!  These two have such chemistry and they're both young, cute and energetic and the mix is just lethal.  The judges were totally blown away.  I'm not surprised, actually, Kelly is a phenomenal dancer, but OMG this dance was just WOWZA!!

Kirstie & Maks did a Cha Cha Cha to Maroon 5's Moves Like Jagger, a routine originally done in Season 4 by Carson & Anna.  Um HELLO, Kirstie, we don't care why you watch DWTS, we want good stuff and we want it now.  I really don't know what dance the judges were watching and I know that Kirstie is always highly lauded for her Cha Cha, but damn, I have to disagree.  She moves too slowly.  I always want to move her feet more to get her up to the beat of the music.  I know she's older and doesn't have that same spring in her step and, yeah, her Cha Cha kicks my Cha Cha's ass, since I can't do it, but I am not on DWTS during all stars week.  COME ON.  Maks looked good, Maks always looks good, he makes Kirstie look good, they have good chemistry, it was a good dance, but do you see the problem there?  It was GOOD, not GREAT!!  Kirstie should be going home soon...please.

Sabrina & Louis recreated Mel B & Maks’ season 5 Paso Doble – Free Your Mind by En Vogue.  Sabrina is such a firecracker!  She came out and danced her excellent dancing hiney right off.  I really think she could do any dance, her dancing skills are so superior, but I'm not entirely sure it leaves her a ton of room for improvement, which the judges like to see?

Emmitt & Cheryl also did a Paso to Cancion Del Mariachi by Desperado Los Lobos, which was a recreation of Season 3's routine by Mario & Karina.  I don't recall it being the best dance ever.  I recall them talking about not being able to bring his donkey's into the studio, but it didn't stand out as the best dance or the worst dance.

Helio & Chelsie recreated Apolo & Julianne’s season 4 Quickstep to Mr. Pinstripe Suit by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.  Oh gosh, Helio is so cute.  So is Chelsie, for that matter.  You'd think they totally wouldn't have chemistry b/c of the age difference and just life experience, I guess, but they are just super cute.  Unfortunately, Helio stepped on Chelsie's dress, so they had a couple of missteps.

Bristol & Mark ALSO did a Paso to Living on Video by Trans X, a recreation of Season 4's dance by Derek & Joanna.  The judges really complimented her on her improvement, but she's still at the bottom of the leader board....where she belongs, I might add.  I seriously have nothing against Bristol, although her frickin tantrum at Mark was totally uncalled for, but she's in the ALL STARS, not at the 'who can improve the most contest'.  I read a board the other night where some ass clown called everyone who didn't vote for Bristol a liberal something or other.  These are the people we have voting like crazy, keeping people on who NEED TO GO, DAMN IT!!  Yeah, she's improved, but she is simply not anywhere near the caliber that the other stars are at, even on their worst day.  Ya know??

Last, we had Shawn & Derek, who broke many a rule doing a Quickstep to Hey Pachucho from The Mask.  This was a nod to Season 5's dance by Helio & Julianne.  I read (before I'd seen it for myself) that it was basically a glorified gymnastics routine and I really have to disagree.  She wanted to make sure there was some dancing in it (she's such a cutie) and there was.  Plenty, in my opinion.  They got a wee talking to about the rules, which they anticipated, but they just went for it and put so much energy, so much movement, so much fun in it, I don't think anyone was immune to the charm.  Rules schmules!!

SOOOOOO.....the booted ones this week are:  Drew & Anna and Helio & Chelsie.  Seriously, while they were not THE best dancers, they weren't near the worst.  Gawd, people, come on, it's a dancing competition...or supposed to be.