DWTS - Season 33 - Episode Discussion - *Sleuthing Spoilers*

I am out of town and was out for dinner so only caught the last bit of the show when I got back to the hotel. I will do a bit of a recap when I get back home tomorrow. Thankfully, Dwight got eliminated and Alan didn't drop Ilona during his lifts. There were several close calls!

I wonder if CA got a talking to about her crazy scores because her scoring was way better last night and the right person went home.

I thought Joey did great again and I agree that he has good musicality. Much as I like Ilona, I think they may be the next to go. Alan was so wobbly lifting her that it was scary while her lift of him was a piece of cake.

Chandler is excellent and the best dancer but she seems to be a professional and I just like those who have worked hard to improve more. Stephen is very good but sometimes they use his strength instead of dance moves. He's so popular that he very well could outlast Joey, unfortunately. This show is sometimes more about who's popular than who's the best dancer.

@Sprite Missed your commentary last night Sprite!

@albean99 I noticed several times that Carrie Ann couched her comments in "my job is to give feedback" but not in an overly defensive way. Maybe she was asked to tone it down.

I felt there was some pre-show hype that so many former pros would be in the opening dance yet I only saw Sharna, Derek and Julianne. So to me, it seemed like Sharna was the only 'outsider' asked to dance. I wonder if whatever happened between the show and her is over and she may rejoin the pro group?

I thought I saw Artem in the audience - just a quick glimpse so I'm not sure. I also thought I saw Melissa Rycroft sitting next to Kaitlyn (and behind Ginger Zee. Probably other former contestants there but I didn't focus on them!

How does everyone feel about the reprisal dances and the instant dance? I was disappointed in them as I felt as Derek did, that it is hard to recreate a dance that is so iconic. I think the instant dances were the same choreography as a previous dance the couple did but was set to different music. That would be hard!

I felt that the iconic dance reprisal was fine but not really different from any other week since they changed them up. The one I remembered was the one with Helio & Juliet. I just watched it again and still liked it. I miss Len even though I like Derek and it's funny to see Bruno in a normal suit.

The instant dance was also okay but I didn't love it. They had to memorize 4 types of dances and then got a surprise song so it had to have been difficult.

Get rid of team dances and bring back trio dances (another pro joins them) those were fun! Seems some couples wanted another instant dance then the one they picked (since they were blindfolded )

I agree I think Ilona will be next to go.

Norcalgal wrote: @Sprite Missed your commentary last night Sprite!

@albean99 I noticed several times that Carrie Ann couched her comments in "my job is to give feedback" but not in an overly defensive way. Maybe she was asked to tone it down.

I felt there was some pre-show hype that so many former pros would be in the opening dance yet I only saw Sharna, Derek and Julianne. So to me, it seemed like Sharna was the only 'outsider' asked to dance. I wonder if whatever happened between the show and her is over and she may rejoin the pro group?

I thought I saw Artem in the audience - just a quick glimpse so I'm not sure. I also thought I saw Melissa Rycroft sitting next to Kaitlyn (and behind Ginger Zee. Probably other former contestants there but I didn't focus on them!

How does everyone feel about the reprisal dances and the instant dance? I was disappointed in them as I felt as Derek did, that it is hard to recreate a dance that is so iconic. I think the instant dances were the same choreography as a previous dance the couple did but was set to different music. That would be hard!

Kaitlyn had a picture of Melissa Rycroft and herself on Instagram so she was definitely there.

I've just been watching bits and pieces here and there of this season.

I'm glad Joey is still in the hunt. I'd love for Sharna to return -- she was always one of my favorites. And IMO Alan needs to quit lifting Ilona. I don't think it's safe for either one of them.

ITA about Alan not lifting Ilona, @Amethyst! I was very nervous for her last time and think it's only going to hurt their scores. It took away from their dance. I still feel it's their turn to go next week but it depends on her viewer votes.

Semi-finals and everyone is doing two full dances that they haven't done before.

Starting with Chandler/Brandon with a salsa. That was excellent. Always loved "Sway". Much easier when you have an appropriate song for the dance. 10, 9, 10. Derek said it didn't have as much salsa as it should have, hence the ding.

Joey/Jenna are doing a foxtrot. That was also excellent. Very along the lines of a Fred Astaire and loved their costume. Man can rock a teal velvet suit. Derek said it was the best foxtrot he has ever seen! 10, 10, 10. He is tearing up a bit. He is so happy!

Ilona/Alan with the paso doble. OMG. This was her best dance. She rocked it. So fierce!!! 9, 10, 9. That should have been all 10s. My favourite thus far.

Danny/Witney are doing the Viennese waltz. It was ok. Not as good or as smooth as the previous dances. He seems awkward and stiff...still. 9, 9, 9.

Stephen/Rylee are last with the cha cha. That was good, but not quite as good as everyone else. He also looks awkward like Danny. That smoothness is missing. 8, 8, 9.

Back to Chandler/Brandon with the foxtrot. Another great dance, but since she is the only one left with previous dance experience...even if it isn't ballroom...I expect more from her. I wish they wouldn't cast people with dance experience. It is so much more fun watching someone like Joey, Ilona, Stephen improve. With Chandler, she was really good right from the start, so I am simply not as invested in her. 9, 10, 10.

Joey/Jenna are doing the paso doble. Joey in black leather. Yum. It was a good dance. I didn't like the music for this paso. It didn't have the same musical impact as Ilona's music and as a result, as much as I like Joey, after Ilona's paso, this simply wasn't as fierce. 9, 10, 9

Ilona/Alan are doing the VW. That was lovely. She is doing a great job tonight. 10, 9, 10.

Stephen/Rylee are doing the tango. I don't like the music for this tango. I usually love tango, but this didn't really feel like a tango to me. Not sharp, not strong. Poor Stephen had an incident with his glasses so it threw him off a bit. 10, 9, 9. Over scored.

Julianne whips off the hideous dress she has on. She reveals her favourite...fringe pants...and off she goes down to the floor to do a dance. She is such a good dancer.

Finally, we end with Danny/Witney doing a salsa. It was ok, but IMO the weakest dance of the night. The music was good for the dance, but he just didn't execute like he should have. Not as much content, lots of lifts, but no hips and they had two other couples on the floor with them to distract from Danny. 9, 9, 9. Those lifts saved them.

Chandler/Brandon and Joey/Jenna 58
Ilona/Alan 57
Danny/Witney 54
Stephen/Rylee 53

Pretty tight, but it should be Danny or Stephen to go. They are clearly the weakest dancers.

Danny/Witney, Joey/Jenna, Chandler/Brandon...Ilona/Alan and Stephen/Rylee...Everyone stays. I wish they didn't, but I guess they have to give the people what they want since voting has been so huge this season.

Ilona's paso was my favourite dance of the night. It really should have been her along with Joey and Chandler next week.

The only dance I caught last night was Joey's Paso Doble. My goodness, he has gotten good! I agreed with the two 9 scores, though -- excellent, but not quite a 10. I didn't care for the music, and I think it stymied him a bit.

They're putting five couples in the finals? Oh, my. That will be packed.

@Sprite @Amethyst Thanks for the summary and comments. One thing I would like to add is Jenna's comment that Joey seems to dance best when he is acting a role or carrying out a theme. Makes me wonder if he has a future in Hollywood doing acting, commentary or whatever. Lord knows we don't need another influencer though!

Sprite, I really enjoy your detailed descriptions of the dances - thank you! 

I agree with your thoughts on this episode, I loved, loved, loved Ilona’s dances and am so happy for her - it can’t be easy going from an extremely physical and more masculine sport like rugby to ballroom dancing!!! She has improved so much. I have also loved Joey’s dances this season - he’s exceeded any expectations I may have had. I adore Stephen and Rylee, so cute together and they’ve been a lot of fun! Sadly he can’t compete with Ilona and Joey, but I’m glad he wasn’t sent home last night. I never expected Danny to perform as well as he has so that’s been a nice surprise. Hats off to him as well. Chandler is a beautiful dancer and I’m very happy for Brandon, but I think it was unfair to cast her in this competition because of her previous dance experience. That is always my opinion when they bring in ringers. I much prefer to watch people who are out of their element and continue to grow each week into great dancers.

One final thought … I don’t think the professional dance partners receive enough praise on their choreography - each week I am amazed how they can not only create such beautiful artistic dances, but also teach their partner! Kudos to them!