by Kylene Hamulak

 

For the first time on Dancing With the Stars this season, the couples will be performing two full routines - the individual round will be followed by the trio round, where an eliminated pro or member of the troupe joins each couple. Know what that means? Tristan's coming back!

 

Round 1: Individuals

 

Zendaya and Val, Fox Trot

Val is trying to make Zendaya more competitive and aggressive, but there's just one big problem - Zendaya is a kid. So mostly she's goofy and perky instead. What Val realizes in rehearsal is that perky Zendaya is a force to be reckoned with. Their routine - to "Don't Worry Be Happy" - is sweet and looks both smooth and crisp. Len calls it "a pretty dance" and thinks Zendaya is getting stronger as the competition goes on. Bruno says she brings individual style to musicality. Carrie Ann compliments the beauty of the couple in hold, telling them it took her breath away.

Total Score: 28 (9-10 (Len)-9)

 

Sean and Peta, Tango

Sean thinks he's getting better every week, so he wants to stick around. The theme behind their Tango is the groom running from the altar, which I'm sure wasn't awkward AT ALL for The Bachelor. Still, it's a decent dance, but still not up to the caliber of what some of the front-runners will be bringing. Bruno thinks he started well, but lost his footwork somewhere along the way. Carrie Ann calls him inconsistent again, and Len says he lost some fluidity and quality of movement in his aggressiveness.

Total Score: 21 (7-7-7)

 

Jacoby and Karina, Viennese Waltz

The focus for Jacoby this week is on technique - if he gets a 10 from Len, the judge may be getting a kiss from his mom! Their routine is very smooth and sexy, but is it enough to impress the panel? Carrie Ann calls it stunning and notes Jacoby's posture, elegance, and grace. Len LOVED it. "I was lookin' and you were cookin!" says Len. Bruno says Jacoby was in control of the dance - he loved it too.

Total Score: 27 (9-9-9)

 

Ingo and Kym, Fox Trot

Ingo has reached his "physical limit" and just wants to take a nap. There's (at least) one every season who thinks he's working harder than everyone else - tonight? That's Ingo. There's some good footwork, but he's a little too serious in it tonight as I'm watching him. Len says "All that moaning and groaning, and then you come out...I loved it, well done!" Bruno thinks he did a great job too, even though he was a little bit "Fred Flinstone" in places. Carrie Ann likes his casual quality when he dances.

Total Score: 24 (8-8-8)

 

Kellie and Derek, Viennese Waltz

For tonight's waltz, Kellie is thinking about having a last dance with her grandmother, and it really seems to bring out the emotion in her. It's a beautiful dance, and we've come to expect nothing less from this couple. The mirror prop is actually a great tool for the routine. Bruno calls it "a thing of beauty" and he loved it. Carrie Ann saw that Kellie went beyond the steps of dance, and calls it incredible. Len has a long list of things he loved -"lovely dancing, well done."

Total Score: 28 (9-9-10 (Bruno)

 

Aly and Mark, Argentine Tango

Mark is still wearing that stupid hat. WHY is he wearing that stupid hat? It's just perched on his head all crooked, and I want to slap it off. Anyway, Aly is playing the role of a harlot in this routine, and the tricks and steps make up for Mark's stupid hats. They're entertaining to watch, and she's got a great attitude throughout it. Carrie Ann calls her a "focused, fiery, passionate dancer." She criticizes her lifts, but is interrupted by the other judges. Len says, "It was smooth, it was seductive, it was terrific." Bruno agrees - he thought it was sensational and commends Aly for her acting ability.

Total Score: 29 (9 (Carrie Ann)-10-10)

 

 

Round 2: The Trios

 

Zandaya and Val, Salsa with Gleb

Zendaya and Val chose Gleb because...well, Gleb's Russian too. Zendaya plays the role of a princess, with the guys acting as her security team. It's an adorable routine, and a great kick off to the trios. The story is cute, the footwork is quick, and the performance is great. Len thought the three of them worked together great and that Gleb and Val gave up their talent to make Zendaya a star. Bruno agrees - "It was a star turn - sizzling and dazzling and amazing." Carrie Ann calls her the "Queen of the salsa" and loved the whole thing.

Total Score: 30 (10-10-10)

 

Sean and Peta, Jazz with Sharna

The story of this jazz trio has Sean acting as a magician with his two assistants. It's a valiant effort, and the jazz hands make me giggle, but it's not as rich in content - his expressions are much more impression than his footwork. Bruno agrees with me - he liked the performance, but says Sean's feet were a mess. Carrie Ann loved the exuberance of the ambitious routine, but notes that they were out of sync in several spots. Len says it was like his first dance - "Attack came in and style went out."

Total Score: 21 (7-7-7)

 

Jacoby and Karina, Paso Doble with Cheryl

Jacoby had some nerves during rehearsal, but they burned off by the time he took the floor for his super fierce Paso. Not only did it have great tricks, but also crisp movements. Carrie Ann notes that his presence is impressive on the floor, but then calls him out for not "taking care of his women on the dancefloor." Len loved the spins and twist turns and declares Jacoby a contender. Bruno describes it as a Quentin Tarantino Paso, but he does warn Jacoby to make sure his hips are aligned correctly. And then he calls Len "Mr. Picky Nitty."

Total Score: 25 (8-9 (Len)-8)

 

Ingo and Kym, Jive with Lindsay

This Jive really suits Ingo - it's really cute and he does a good job with the steps. Zendaya set the bar really high with the trios, though, so "cute" isn't quite as impressive as it used to be. Len says Jive is about effervescence, and Ingo's was "full out, it was fun" and he liked it. Bruno thought his energy was great, but does suggest that he clean up his kicks and flicks. Carrie Ann commends him for bringing heart and fun to the dance floor. PS - I think Ingo is deliberately trying to make up for his bad attitude in the previous rehearsal package.

Total Score: 24 (8-8-8)

 

Kellie and Derek, Paso Doble with Tristan

Give props to Derek - he has developed yet another cool storyline. This one picks up where their first dance left off - literally. It's a very dramatic Paso, and the theatrics are terrific. True, I love Tristan so it was already going to be a good routine no matter what, but they also do a great job with the dance. Bruno calls it "Masterpiece Theater" and says it was "so engrossing, so entertaining." Carrie Ann comes out to hug Kellie and uses one of the American Idol favorite phrases, saying Kellie is "In it to win it!" Len, however, isn't that impressed. He calls it a "hodge podge of moves" and thinks the flashing lights were just a distraction from the lack of Paso.

Total Score: 27 (10-7 (Len)-10)

 

Aly and Mark, Jive with Henry

Mark spends most of the rehearsal time frustrated with Aly's apparent inability to count to eight and be aware of what's going on around her. The routine is very well done (and of course features more silly hats!) - Aly's having a great night. Carrie Ann commends her for the direction she's heading in, despite losing the music a little. Len thinks it was a terrific number, but tells her to get more bounce in the balls of her feet. Bruno says she's able to play characters now and has become a fantastic performer.

Total Score: 27 (9-9-9)

 

 

Final Thoughts: It's clear at this point that we've got a couple of pairs sinking to the bottom with other dancers consistently bringing more to the dance floor - it's going to be a tough fight to the finish, but I think we'll be saying goodbye to Ingo or Sean this week. More interesting, however, is the fact that we have six couples left with just a few weeks of eliminations. I'm no math wizard, but something isn't adding up.

 

The Standings:

58 - Zendaya and Val

56 - Aly and Mark

55 - Kellie and Derek

52 - Jacoby and Karina

48 - Ingo and Kym

42 - Sean and Peta

 

Which trio was your favorite of the night? Who do you think is going home? Let us know 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!