Oh all the feels!
This was a week of great routines backed by better stories. The Most Memorable Year episode is so effective because it puts a personal human story behind each celebrity. As viewers, it's easy to dismiss what can seem to be a life of privilege with each person cast, but this episode reminds us that they have problems just like everyone else.
The fact that they can now use dancing as a vehicle to help cope with those challenges will make even the most skeptical person melt a little, and cheer a little more.
Week 4 Dance: Rumba
Result: Memorable
So if Mr. T can start the season using the A-Team van, or a Rocky-inspired boxing ring, one would guess that there's nothing unfair about using the singing talents of Kordei and 5th Harmony in her Rumba performance, right?
While the live vocals were a nice touch, Normani and Val's dancing far exceeded the music. True, there weren't many basic actions, but now is not the time for this tandem to play the conservative card.
Next Week
Normani and Val are creating some legitimate separation, and are clearly poised for a run at the trophy.
"While the public may have been up in arms to see another Olympic gymnast with unlimited strength and flexibility, Kordei is, without a doubt, the most dangerous competitor in the show."
Week 4 Dance: Rumba
Result: Memorable-ish
All shirt removal aside, it may not be sexy, but Peta is building a solid foundation for Mr. Viall. The proof is in the skillful balance of basic actions, clear, role-specific, shapes, and just enough technique for Nick to handle. He danced a solid Rumba, which is more than we can say for his awkward make out session with his true love afterwards.
Moving Forward
Sure, he still is struggling a bit with his posture, but technique for male dancers has a tendency to work from the floor upwards, and we are seeing the positive results of his training from week to week. This is the week that could determine where he goes next in the competition. There is no more low hanging fruit, and he's got to show even more growth going into week 5.
"While confidence doesn't seem to be lacking off of the dance floor for the former Bachelor, his greatest burden at the moment is his confidence on it. Peta is taking care of the details, and now he's just got to believe he's got them."
Week 4 Dance: Foxtrot
Result: Memorable
Nancy Kerrigan is the surprise performer of the season. Just when it seemed like she'd blend in with the rest of the field, or succumb to younger and more athletic celebrities, she's stepped up.
Kerrigan had the look of someone that was dancing with joy in their heart. The Foxtrot was a perfect dance for her considering how heart wrenching her story was, it lightened the mood, and that showed in her performance.
Moving Forward
There are still some wobbly moments, which may seem weird considering how wobbly most of us would be on ice, but her balance is improving. While this routine didn't have the jaw dropping pizzazz of her Samba from last week, it was a well executed routine that showcased her steady improvement and legitimate consideration as a contender.
"Kerrigan has just (politely) elbowed her way past two or three others in the middle of the pack. It's only a matter of time where her dance body begins to catch up with her performer brain, and that may vault her into the top 4."
Mr T & Kym
Week 4 Dance: Waltz
Result: Eliminated, but Memorable
You may not be a human if Mr. T's story didn't tug at your heartstrings. He's holding a masterclass on mindset and determination, and as a 22 year cancer survivor, his Waltz communicated his story in a special way.
There were moments where Mr. T's progress was evident. The Waltz was the perfect dance to streamline his movement and create more seamless transitions.
Moving Forward
Ultimately, Mr. T's story was more powerful than his dancing, and he was eliminated. While he may never have the flexibility and dexterity of a Mirrorball winner, Mr. T showed us, quite clearly, that in the Life department, he's an undisputed champion.
"It's painful to even think about it, but Mr. T's time on the show will run out soon - but his time in our hearts will be eternal."
Week 4 Dance: Cha-Cha
Result: Memorable
For a split second, it looked like Alan made a really horrible judgment call - and then the groom turned around and it was Heather Morris and her actual husband, Taylor. That was a close call. Alan then stepped in, and he and Morris continued to demonstrate just how interchangeable the teachers can be - even if they aren't the fan favorites.
Speaking of favorites, Morris should be considered neck and neck with the best of the other ladies in this talented class of female celebs.
Moving Forward
Whether it was an actual technical difficulty, technique difficulty, or just boatloads of adrenaline - their Cha Cha was ahead of the music. Then again, it's a great example of how something as clear cut as a timing issue can get glossed over with enough effort and enthusiasm.
"While continuing in the competition without Maks could have had a negative affect on her, you'd never know it based on how she carries herself."
David Ross & Lindsay
Week 4 Dance: Viennese Waltz
Result: Memorable
This wasn't a let down for David Ross, it was just a new mood - sort of like the funny guy in your class running for Senior Class President. While this Viennese Waltz was a definite switch from the Magic Mike number from last week, Ross danced it with heart - even if the song wasn't an actual Viennese Waltz.
Moving Forward
His dance improvement has been steady and consistent, and Ross is reaching Steph Curry levels of likability. Yet every step of the way, there is a wonderful teacher in Lindsay that is guiding him on his Dance Journey in a way that allows David to be David, but to improve at the same time.
"David Ross is having a dream season. From dancing to Bust a Move, to the Magic Mike auditions in Week 3, Lindsay is turning something that could be terrifying to most guys into an incredible experience."
Week 4 Dance: Contemporary
Result: Memorable
An NFL Running Back has to be patient. They look for an opening in the defense, they push, get knocked back, and hit the reset button and repeat the process. If all goes well, they find their opening, and break through.
Rashad Jennings has broken through.
In a moving tribute to his father, Jennings displayed more than just a touching story, but movement that was dynamic and told a story. Contemporary can sometimes take a story like Rashad's, make it too literal, and force a feeling upon the audience that the audience wants to find for themselves.
This was not one of those routines.
Moving Forward
There was a great balance in the movement, as well as the purpose behind it. Rashad stepped up to one of his greatest challenges in this competition, and found his opening.
"Rashad and Emma have to continue to push. Any coasting at this stage in the competition could be dangerous. Jennings could easily be in the final 5, or the first shocking elimination on the show. Here's hoping they push the dance technique further and rely less on charisma and confidence."
Erika Jayne & Gleb
Week 4 Dance: Cha Cha
Result: Forgettable
Erika Jayne is a great example of determination, and pushing past the doubters in her music career. She danced to Madonna, the dynamic queen of career and personal brand reinvention, but there was nothing new, or dynamic about Jayne's dancing.
It's important as a dancer to be energy efficient on the floor to find that perfect balance between full effort, but not to the point of noticeable fatigue. This Cha-Cha seemed to be an extension of the physically conservative Jive from last week.
As inspiring as her career journey has been, the performance was lacking.
Moving Forward
Jayne has a great look, and a great music career, but just like a hit single can compensate for a lackluster album, Jayne hasn't shown much more depth beyond her great figure, and daring attitude.
"While Jayne is provocative and confident, Gleb seems to be stuck spinning his wheels with her. If things don't change next week, you can be that those wheels will not be the Lamborghini she promised him in exchange for the Mirrorball Trophy."
Week 4 Dance: Waltz
Result: Memorable
From the moment they began, Simone Biles was visibly showing what many of us were feeling - a connection to a story much bigger than dancing. The song choice was perfect, "Good, Good Father" by Chris Tomlin, and her dancing didn't lack for inventive choreography.
Aside from a touching, and fatherly, kiss on the forehead, this routine could have used a few less leg kicks, and a few more beautifully executed basics to demonstrate more Waltz dance skill than just athleticism.
Nevertheless, Biles paid a wonderful tribute to her father, and she delivered a performance that many would feel too emotionally overwhelmed to complete.
Moving Forward
It's time for Simone and Sasha to level up the dance technique, pure and simple. Otherwise, the pair run the risk of "gymnast voter fatigue" that could be residuals from Laurie Hernandez in Season 23.
"The more that Sasha can make America forget that Simone Biles is a gymnast, the better her chances are going to be. They did that in their Quickstep, and hopefully that trend emerges just like her dance technique."
Week 4 Dance: Foxtrot
Result: Memorable
"Every moment I've got air in my lungs and light in my eyes... I've got all the reason in the world to dance". For every person out there that may have dismissed the cowboy with the modeling contract, this quote by Bonner Bolton puts his character into true perspective.
There are plenty of feelings being tossed around during the Most Memorable year episodes, but it's not often that you're seeing someone in the prime of their life having to permanently say goodbye to something they seemed destined to do for years to come. His Foxtrot told his story in a way that didn't distract from the dance, and he may have just wrangled up some new fans in the process.
Moving Forward
Dance wise, you can see there was an incredible amount of attention on Bonner's posture and picture lines. His dance foundation is getting stronger, and each week seems to reinforce the previous one. At this rate, he'll be receiving votes for more than just his looks or popularity in no time.
"Fortunately, this kid's got spirit, a winner's attitude, and - who are we kidding anyway? - the dude's good looking, girls love him, and they don't care what his timing is as long as he's there every week. So they'll vote, he'll stay, and, hopefully, Sharna can work her magic so guys like Grumpy Goodman don't retire early."
Final Thought
It's easy to create our own heroes and villains on a show like DWTS. We can shine the perfect light on the good looking ones, dim the light on the ones we don't know that well, and, in the process, miss out on some great opportunities to appreciate all that is available.
Fortunately for us, the ABC producers came up with a way to shine the spotlight on each competitor by way of the Most Memorable Year episode.
By sharing problems that we can all feel, or have experienced, we can see that every participant is a human, and that overcoming obstacles is something we all love... sometimes even more than good looking celebrities.
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