Last week, Kristi got the first perfect score of the season, and Mario dropped into the bottom two. And there was a huge controversy over Derek and Shannon's comments in their post-dance confessional that I thought was such a non-event that I didn't even include it in the weecap, and then the people in the forums talked of nothing else but Derek and Shannon all week. I'm happy for a new episode just so we will have something new to analyze! And this week, the couples each have to perform two dances, and they'll do it LIIIIIIIIIIVE!

After the couples are introduced, Samantha reminds us that each couple will perform a Ballroom and Latin dance tonight, and each will be judged and scored. The first couple to perform is Tony and Marissa. Their clip package reminds us that Marissa got good scores for her waltz last week. This week, they are doing the tango and the rumba. Tony says that they are supposed to be sexy dances. Marissa says that she's done fun sexy, but she's never really done straight sexy.

So let's see their tango. There's something really wrong with Marissa's footwork, but I can't pinpoint it. She points her toes and everything, but it doesn't look right. It's too slow or there's not ENOUGH footwork. Her posture is decent and she doesn't break character, so that's something. But what did the judges think? Len points out that they don't get graded on a curve just because they had to learn two routines. He concludes with three words: "Your best dance." At least that was actually three words, instead of fab-u-lous. Bruno thought it was theatrical, in a good way. Carrie Ann thinks Marissa represents pushing your boundaries and loved that she showed a new side of herself. Really? I didn't think it was that great. I mean, it was good FOR MARISSA, but that's...not as good as Kristi, for example. Backstage, Marissa is thrilled with the positive comments from the judges. Scores: Carrie Ann 9, Len 9, and Bruno 9 for a total of 27 for the first dance.

Cristian and Cheryl are up next. Their foxtrot earned good marks last week, and Cristian hopes to continue improving each week. They are doing the Viennese waltz and the samba this week. Cristian seems to enjoy the samba, although his posture still isn't great. Cheryl says that he needs to treat her like a princess during the waltz, and we get to see Cristian's adorable daughter as she tells him to dance like a prince. The waltz is up first. Cheryl's is wearing a dress with the sides cut out, and...she just doesn't have a defined-enough waist for that. She has an awesome body, but her waist is not her best feature, and this dress emphasizes that. They execute a death drop (I think that's what it's called?) which turns into a twirl and Cheryl is very careful to keep one foot on the floor at all times. Overall it was pretty, but it was a lot of Cristian walking around and Cheryl doing the dancing. So, like every routine with Julianne and Helio last season.

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