Trav's Thoughts

It's the performance finale, live from Hollywood!

Yup yup yup!  Our final three pairs dance for scores and votes to see who will win that Glittering Globe of Glory!

Barring any glaring mistakes, look for the scoring to be jammed really close together.  Lots to do in just an hour, so let's get to the dancing.

First round is the judges' pick in a style they would like to see the couples improve upon.  Plus, each judge stops by rehearsal to provide some master class instruction.

William and Cheryl dance Cha Cha Cha.  Bruno stopped by rehearsal to emphasize strength in posture and detail.  The difference in William now as opposed to when he first performed this dance is in the sophistication and confidence.  He understands how to dance now, rather than just relying on natural rhythm.  The thing I have always appreciated about his dancing is the way he makes the frame for Cheryl.  He has also become an excellent lead.  He looks like he is directing the movement and controlling the dance.  That's never easy for the male celebrities, and some never get it.  Now when he dances, it's with a purpose.  Judges say 10s across for a total of 30.

Katherine and Mark dance Paso Doble.  Len stopped by rehearsal to emphasize strength in posture and extension.  I like that she gets a chance to Paso to real Paso music.  I like her form and attitude right from the beginning.  It doesn't look like her back is bothering her at all.  She's got control of every movement.  I see the right amount of drama.  She danced with aggression.  The performance was absolutely complete.  She looked fantastic.  Mark's choreography played to the lyrical quality in her posture and the artistry with which she can tell a story.  Excellent work!  Judges say 10s across for a total of 30.

Donald and Peta dance Argentine Tango.  Carrie Ann stopped by rehearsal to emphasize strength of content and dynamic movement.  I love the mix of power and gentleness in this choreography.  Donald looks in complete control of every motion in the dance.  I loved the sensual quality in the movement.  There was power, but also softness.  I disagree with Len...he said the dance was careful, but I thought it was intimate and focused on telling a story (FYI - I wrote that before Bruno said it).  Donald's gaze never left Peta's, and I found that wonderfully compelling.  And I thought his footwork, posture, and frame were all excellent.  Plus, the lifts were tremendous.  Judges say 10,9,10 for a total of 29. 

Here's our leader board after the first round:

30 Katherine and Mark
30 William and Cheryl
29 Donald and Peta

Second round...it's freestyle!  I've found that sometimes the pros get too far away from the strengths of their celebrities, which can be disappointing.  Let's hope that doesn't happen here.

William and Cheryl:  I'm guessing Cheryl is going to focus on Latin movement.  That is William's strength.  Yup.  A Tango start, followed by a little bit of the entire Latin playbook...essentially Salsa with a bit from Mambo and Samba and Cha Cha Cha.  I like it, but as with a lot of freestyle dancing I felt that it was rushed and a little bit sloppy.  Don't get me wrong...it was enjoyable to watch.  But I thought that the basic routine was lift-hip shake-lift-hip grind-lift-hip roll-lift.  Now there's nothing wrong with that and I certainly appreciate that the movement was rooted in ballroom/Latin.  The performance will certainly get votes.  Judges say 10,9,10 for a total of 29.  I agree with Len on this one.  I didn't think it was perfect, but I did enjoy it.

Katherine and Mark:   Mark is going to focus on versatility, and I think that's a good move.  Sing Sing Sing..oh yeah.  Now see, this is how you go for it but maintain control so your dance is on the edge but doesn't look sloppy.  It was so fast, and they managed to transition seamlessly from move to move.  There was no break or loss of continuity at all, which can be tough to do when you go from dancing in hold to dancing side by side to a lift, and back to dancing in hold.  Wow that was good.  Jive and Swing and Quickstep and Lindy Hop.  And all of the lifts and tricks and spins.  Wow I say again.  Through the whole thing, she looked like she was dancing on a cloud.  It was all so smooth.  I haven't always been a fan of Mark's choreography through the seasons, but that routine was inspired and a perfect choice for Katherine.  Well done!  Judges say 10s across for a total of 30.  Yup.

Donald and Peta:  Based on rehearsal, this could be great or a disaster.  I liked the lifts and the tricks.  But my problem with it is that this isn't the kind of dancing I like.  Not just because it's country influenced, but because of the way the choreography was put together.  It was some side by side kicks and hip rolls, then a bunch of really big lifts and tricks, then some more side by side stuff, and then some more really big lifts and tricks.  All of that was really nicely done, and it hyped up the crowd.  But it just wasn't a lot of dancing.  When Drew and Cheryl did the country freestyle, it was dancing and lifts and tricks.  This freestyle was really noisy, and the lifts were outstanding, but the dancing felt like a rest between those lifts.  Difference of preference for me I guess.  Judges say 10s across for a total of 30.  Again, I don't think it was poorly danced.  It just wasn't a style I liked.

Here's our combined leader board heading, pending tonight's third and final dance for scores:

60 Katherine and Mark
59 William and Cheryl
59 Donald and Peta

Last vote of the season.  Any guesses as to what we did?  Anyone?

Wait...I just heard it...Gladys Knight performs tonight on the results final!

Woooooooooooooo!!!!

That's what I wanted!

OK...where was I?  Oh...I'm supposed to tell you how Pam and I voted.  Right.


We didn't vote.  That's right, gang.  We couldn't choose!  So we'll let others vote and decide, and we'll be happy with the result.  Honestly, we're OK with any of the three couples.

So you know the drill for the last time.  Tune in tonight to see the live results show, and check back here tomorrow for my final encores and results recap.

Later gang!