Season 28, Week 10, Semifinals Bring Redemption and Lots of Tears

 

They call it “Redemptiom,” which is annoying and wrong, but basically it’s people redoing a dance they did earlier in the season, with some help from one of the judges. Lauren and Gleb are up first, with some help from Len. They are redoing their paso doble to “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger.”

Lauren and Gleb, paso doble

Keo, Lauren, Brandon

I loved that paso. Such great shaping and nice choreography.

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30)

Witney and Kel, tango

Those pants though…

Witney and Kel’s Redemption Dance was the tango, with Bruno advising them. They also had some nice shapes and movements. Dancing to “Get Back” from The Temptations was also a wonderful choice.

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30)

Sasha and Ally, Viennese waltz

I just get transported to such a place of joy, watching Sasha and Ally (and specifically Sasha’s choreography). I do think the Viennese waltz is my favorite dance on the show. So beautiful.

They were assisted in this dance by Len.

JUDGES: 29 (out of 30)

Alan and Hannah, rumba

Hannah and Alan get Carrie Ann as their guest judge. (Maybe not the best idea.) Carrie Ann tries to be constructive, but Hannah takes it as a personal attack. Carrie Ann tells her that she chose the rumba so that Hannah can win. But later says that Hannah’s mental battles are what hold her back.

And, to be fair, the rumba is probably the dance where you have to get the most vulnerable. So it was a good choice from Carrie Ann, but a real cross to bear for Hannah.

She executed it well, though, and did seem present, at least in the beginning.

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30)

Emma and James, cha cha

James and Emma get Len as their judge, which James likes because he thinks he can learn something from Len. Len chooses the cha cha as their Redemption dance.

The dance was wonderful, but James seemed a bit off throughout. It’s always fun to see a disco-ish number performed. And the costumes!!!

JUDGES: 24 (out of 30)

(L-R): Keo, Peta, Lindsay, (Brandon behind), Jenna, Emma, Val and James in front.

MICHE’s Redemption Favorites

1. Sasha and Ally, Viennese waltz 

2. Gleb and Lauren, paso doble

3. Emma and James, cha cha

4. Witney and Kel, tango

5. Alan and Hannah, rumba

Gleb and Lauren, Viennese waltz

Lauren and Gleb dance a Viennese waltz to Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind.”

It’s a great dance, and Lauren looks stunning. Not sure what happened to Gleb’s tux.

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30)

Witney and Kel, contemporary

For a contemporary dance, it’s really beautiful. They dance to Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” and Kel dedicates it to a friend who died. Tears abound.

JUDGES: 30 (out of 30)

Sasha and Ally, Charleston

Sasha Farber is one of the few people who seems to choose the Charleston as one of his go-to dances. And I love him for that, cause it’s such a fun, entertaining dance (My fave previous Charleston was the one he did with Terra Jolé.) 

But this was fun. Starting at the top of a staircase and consisting mostly of just Ally and Sasha, the end of the dance had the whole troupe coming out (see above). Awesomeness and truly sublime.

JUDGES: 30 (out of 30)

Emma and James, foxtrot

Emma and James dance the foxtrot to “Take Me to Church.” In the package, it was announced that his wife had suffered a miscarriage over the weekend. 

It was so beautiful, and Emma’s choreography, again just stunning. Gorgeous to watch. Costumes on point, too.

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30)

Alan and Hannah, contemporary

There were some pretty cool lifts in this dance, but still, it was contemporary. Ugh.

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30)

MICHE’s Favorites of the Semifinals

1. Sasha and Ally, Charleston

2. Emma and James, foxtrot

3. Gleb and Lauren, Viennese waltz

4. Witney and Kel, contemporary

5. Alan and Hannah, contemporary

So, who goes home? Who are in the Bottom Two?

Oh, my goodness. Somehow, top scorers Ally and Sasha AGAIN end up in the Bottom Two (totally unfairly) and so do Emma and James.

Both Carrie Ann and Bruno chose to save Ally and Sasha, though for both the choice looks gut-wrenching.

Ally offers to give her spot to James. Tom kindly tells her she can’t do that (though it’s very nice). Many tears all around.

(DISCLAIMER: The incompleteness of this column is due to forces beyond my control. I apologize.)

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