Couples Cut Open Veins On “Most Memorable Year” Night On Dancing With The Stars

Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas; Viennese Waltz, 25/30
Lindsay chose 2016 – the year her dad passed away from cancer; she said her dad had given up some of his own dreams so he could pay for her violin lessons. Lindsay recalled her family being around her dad’s bedside towards the end and the whole family, laughing as they told stories.

Mark choreographed a poignant routine in which he dressed as his Lindsay’s dad (in her father’s actual clothes), allowing, in a way, father and daughter to share one final dance.

Tonioli summed it up by saying Lindsay was dancing with her “soul.” Mark brought great artistry to the routine. Let’s hope his return to the ballroom is permanent.

Derek Fisher and Sharna Burgess; Jive, 23/30
Derek told the harrowing and heartwarming story of his daughter, Tatum, being diagnosed with retinoblastoma in 2007 at a mere 10 months old. The couple had to dance to a jive and they made the dance a celebration of the surgery’s successful outcome.

The energetic routine ended on a special moment when Derek went to the audience and gave his daughter a kiss. Len called it Derek’s “best dance.” This time, Carrie Ann held the low-scoring paddle “7” while the guys gave “8’s.”

Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold; Contemporary, 27/30
Jordan chose 2005, the year he was officially adopted, noting that his birth mother wasn’t ready to be a mom and take care of a kid when she had him. “They were always Mom and Dad to me,” Jordan said of his parents.

“It could have been tough for me — and it wasn’t.” The couple danced Contemporary, and Jordan embraced his folks who, fortunately, had prime seating. Lots of tears. “Exquisitely flawless,” said Bruno. And for the first time, we see the “10” paddles — twice. Len (of course!) holds out with a “9”.

Sasha Pieterse and Gleb Savchenko; Foxtrot, 24/30
Sasha chose 2016, the year she learned Pretty Little Liars was going to end. She also had a health scare, and got engaged. A round of positive comments from the judges followed the routine, but they didn’t seem as effusive as they were with other couples. Still, the scores were very respectable.

Vanessa Lachey and Maksim Chmerkovskiy; Rumba, 24/30
Vanessa and Maks were the big story last week as Maks didn’t participate on performance night due to personal issues. There were reports of disharmony between the couple, but Maks is back and it’s on with the show.

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In her pre-dance package, Vanessa recounted that her mom had left the family when she was 8, but she chose 2017 as her most memorable year as it was when she had a difficult premature delivery with her third child, Phoenix.

Nick delivered a lot of emotion in this package, too, lamenting his fears over not being able to protect his wife and child. Maks helds her after the emotionally powerful dance; whatever problems there may have been appear to be gone. Len credited a smiling Maks for choreographing a dance he wanted to see.

Drew Scott and Emma Slater; Jive, 24/30
Drew chose 2007, the year he and his brother had built up a successful business, but he felt his acting career wasn’t happening so he combined his passion for TV with being a realtor. The couple’s Jive became a trio with Drew’s brother Jonathan joining the dance. Len called it Drew’s best dance. Jonathan called it the most stressful thing he’s ever done; we’ll probably see him as a contender in season 27. An arguably less emotional year didn’t hamper the couple’s scores.

Victoria Arlen and Val Chmerkovskiy; Foxtrot, 27/30
Victoria recounted in detail, accompanied by home videos, her ordeal in which she was diagnosed with transverse myelitis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, which left her debilitated for years.

She detailed her remarkable recovery, which has culminated in her participating on DWTS. Dancing to “I Did It All,” Val and Victoria’s routine was packed with emotion and she broke down in tears at the end of the dance. Bruno said she has emerged from her ordeal like a star.

Who Went Home
Nick and Peta were put in jeopardy, as were Derek and Sharna. Despite having one of the more emotionally powerful stories tonight and showing an improved performance, Derek and Sharna were sent home. “I’m so happy and proud to have been a part of this,” Derek said. “I’m forever changed.”

Sharna praised her partner for “sharing the emotion of his life.”

Next week: Disney night!