by Kylene Hamulak

 

The theme of Tonight's Dancing With the Stars revisits our Stars' favorite defining moments in the best years of their lives.

 

THE BEST:

 

Jacoby and Karina, Fox Trot

2012 was a big year for Jacoby. Sure, he won the Super Bowl, but more importantly, he became a dad. Despite his nerves about the dance during rehearsal, he does a great job with the routine. His solo is terrific - I mean, I'm no Fox Trot expert, but he's really committed to it, and dancing for his adorable son...I can't lie, it made me a little teary. Carrie Ann calls the dance phenomenal, even if it wasn't typical Fox Trot. She warns him to keep his booty in because he's got a great chance to win if he corrects that. Len was a fan of his Fox Trot, and Bruno says he was "trotting at full throttle." All the judges are happy with the routine.

Total Score: 24 (8-8-8)

 

Aly and Mark, Contemporary

As a young Olympian, it's not a surprise that Aly's biggest year was 2012. "The Summer of 2012," according to her, to be more precise. Her physical strength from training all those years benefits her for Contemporary as well, and I imagine it was hard for them not to include more gymnastics moves than they did in the dance. Len liked the balance between athleticism and emotion. Bruno loved it - he calls it "deeply felt." Carrie Ann says, "You were completely in the moment and I was mesmerized by you."

Total Score: 27 (9-9-9)

 

Zendaya and Val, Samba

Zendaya chooses 2009 for her best year. Let me put that into perspective for you: SHE WAS 13. She saw Beyonce that year, and she channels her in her Samba tonight. The girl knows how to move and, for better or worse, she brings a lot of sassy attitude to the floor in her faces and gestures. Carrie Ann calls her "Baby Beyonce" and "Samba Fierce" and tells Beyonce to watch her back. Len would've liked a little more Samba in the solo, but says she's a fantastic dancer and it was great choreography. Bruno tells her "every kid that watches you wants to go out and dance like you."

Total Score: 26 (9-8 (Len)-9)

 

Ingo and Kym, Viennese Waltz

Ingo says his life really started when he met his wife and they had a family - that began in 2009. It's a gorgeous waltz - they're beautiful in white, I love Kym's dress, the pretty lanterns on the stairs - it's all just lovely, including the routine. Len commends him on his footwork, but he notes a couple of incidents with his arms. Overall, he enjoyed it very much. Bruno calls it "elegant, dashing, and deeply romantic." He's happy Ingo is working on his control. Carrie Ann says, "It's so nice that when you add love to these dances, they blossom. It was just really beautiful."

Total Score: 23 (8-7 (Len)-8)

 

Kellie and Derek, Rhumba

Kellie calls her husband Kyle her "sanctuary" and credits him with giving her the best year of her life, pinpointing her wedding in 2011. She's dancing to a song performed by her husband - "Say I Do." Kellie and Derek don't use much of the dance floor, but they don't need to. Their lines are clean and interesting, and Kellie's solo ends with her joining her husband. Carrie Ann says Kellie creates "works of art" with her body, but she clipped some of the movements. Len agrees that the movements needed a little more fluidity. Bruno calls it "a sequence of magical images underscored by the soundtrack of love."

Total Score: 26 (9-8 (Len)-9)

 

THE REST:

 

"This Round to the Paso"

Victor and Lindsay, Paso Doble

Victor's defining moment was winning his first WBC in 2011. In case you forgot, he had no money and his cupboards were bare...or something. They're dancing to "We Will Rock You" and it wasn't as good as I expected it to be. With his boxing mentality, I thought the Paso would be great for sharp and aggressive movements, but it seems disconnected from one step to another. Bruno says he "definitely punched the living daylights out of the Paso Doble" but notes that you're "supposed to dance it, not destroy it." Carrie Ann loves the powerful commitment but wants him to work on his arms. Len admires his spirit too, but thinks his Paso needs more refinement.

Total Score: 18 (6-6-6)

 

First She Gets A Rose, Now She Gets A Dance

Sean and Peta, Viennese Waltz

Is anyone surprised that Sean picked 2012 as the best year of his life? I thought maybe it was cause he got to ride an elephant after dating a bunch of beautiful women on tv, but apparently he's just really glad he found someone to change his bachelor status. If you say so, Sean. There's so much fog on the dance floor I didn't even see Peta until Sean pulled her up from the cloud. It's an ok dance, but it's kind of cheezy when his solo leads over to Catherine. Len calls it "a pretty good effort" but points out that he can get a little to excited at times. Bruno thinks that at time he had pretty good fluidity, but he doesn't always sustain the good moments. Carrie Ann calls them out on two major lifts and agrees that it was nice but could've been better.

Total Score: 20 (6 (Carrie Ann)-7-7)

 

Sweetest Dance of the Night

Andy and Sharna, Viennese Waltz

Say what you want about Andy, but I like him. His best year is this one - live in the moment Andy! - and he's dedicating this dance to his daughter. Is he the most skilled dancer on the floor? Of course not. But the routine is a convincing waltz, and his solo was pretty good - probably his best dance. Bruno calls it simple and straight from the heart and the best he's danced. Carrie Ann is so touched that she's crying. "It was like you made a beautiful poem using three letters." Len gives him a "well done."

Total Score: 21 (7-7-7)

 

DL's Revenge

DL and Cheryl, Fox Trot

DL throws it back old school, going back to 8^th or 9^th grade for the best years of his life. The steps in hold don't look half bad, but his solo? I'm not even sure what it was, but he definitely told the judges what he thinks! Bruno thinks tough love is working for him and that performance was brought up a level. Carrie Ann calls it a break through, and Len commends him for the increased content and elements of fun. 

Total Score: 21 (7-7-7)

 

Will She or Won't She?

Lisa and Gleb, Cha Cha Cha

Lisa spent most of her rehearsal period feeling ill, but wanted to dance to honor the happiest year of her life - when her daughter got married. During rehearsal on Friday, Lisa literally falls to the floor due to exhaustion and a flu and who knows what else. First of all, she looks amazing in her little sequined fringe outfit, so points for that. Secondly, she actually gets more done with the dance than I expected her to. I'm impressed! Len says, "For what you've been through, I think that you've done a very good job." Bruno notes the mistakes that were due to it being underrehearsed, but thinks that what she did, she did well. Carrie Ann agrees - she would've liked to have seen the dance with enough preparation, but she tells Gleb she's docking him points for lifts.

Total Score: 18 (6-6-6)

 

Final Thoughts: Victor and Lindsay and Lisa and Gleb will likely find themselves in the bottom, but as for the third? Tougher call. I want to believe Andy has done enough to earn one more week, and DL had a better performance tonight than previously, but Sean might carry enough fan vote to keep him safe too. Either way? I expect Lisa to exit tomorrow, possibly on her own terms.

 

The Standings:

27: Aly and Mark

26: Zendaya and Val, Kellie and Derek

24: Jacoby and Karina

23: Ingo and Kym

21: Andy and Sharna, DL and Cheryl

20: Sean and Peta

18: Victor and Lindsay, Lisa and Gleb

 

Whose story did you like most tonight? Let us know who you're voting for in the comments below!

 

Dancing With The Stars airs every Monday at 8/7c with Results every Tuesday on ABC!

 

(Images courtesy of ABC)

 

Follow Kylene on Twitter @keepingupwithky!