‘Dancing with the Stars 21’ review: Bindi Irwin, Nick Carter, top 4 have eye on the prize
To say that Monday night’s “Dancing with the Stars” episode is a little odd and/or different would be making a gross understatement. There is really not any other episode out there like it thanks to all of the events of this past week. The show had to adjust its performance roster after Tamar Braxton’s exit, and they are doing so by having each Star perform three times. There’s also an update on Tamar coming during the show.
For now, we’re getting to the routines! There will be live updates throughout the night on this article, so be sure to refresh for more.
Bindi Irwin & Derek Hough, salsa – A very solid routine to start the show! However, this continued “DWTS” tradition of refusing to give the first routine the same credit that you would see one at the end of the show. We wonder in general if there will be fewer 10’s tonight just because of the exhaustion associated with everyone doing three routines. Score: 27.
Alek Skarlatos & Lindsay Arnold, waltz – We didn’t see this coming! Right when we wrote off the train hero as a true threat to win the season, he comes and delivers an emotional dance that had the technique, the performance, and then some. his best work of the season, bar none. Score: 30.
Carlos PenaVega & Witney Carson, contemporary – Is there such a thing as too much emotion? At the end of the routine Carrie Ann Inaba seemed to suggest so, though personally we had few qualms with what Carlos brought to the table here. It was passionate and lyrical, and while it may have tried a little too hard to create magic versus letting it shine on its own, this was a great way for him to prove himself following Alexa’s exit. Score: 28.
Nick Carter & Sharna Burgess, tango – This was a surprisingly off performance for Nick this late in the game. Maybe the emotional package tripped him up, since he was literally tripped up mentally during this. It felt like his head was out of it, and was interrupting his moves. Score: 24.
Dance-Offs – These really aren’t our favorite, and we don’t think that either was particularly impressive. Note still that Carlos and Bindi were the two Stars to get extra points; what we were the most surprised about was Bindi and Nick, the two favorites, being paired with each other.
Bindi, Derek, and Mark Ballas – The first of our trios was great! Bindi is clearly now in the driver’s seat going into the final week, and despite not really being from this realm at all, has mastered the art of performing and entertaining. Score: 30.
Alek, Lindsay, and Emma Slater – We actually thought that this was just as good as his earlier routine, but that he may have been hindered somewhat just by the choice of dance in the tango. That’s really hard to do with three people, which is why maybe the drama at the end felt a little inauthentic. Score: 27.
Carlos, Witney and Karina Smirnoff – This was a whole lot of fun! We don’t know a whole lot about whether or not it was the most technically-perfect routine we’ve seen all season, but what we’re starting to see from Carlos is that more and more, he is proving himself as an entertainer. Score: 29.
Nick, Sharna, and Peta Murgatroyd – First and foremost, it is nice to see Peta back! Also, this was fantastic! For the first time tonight, we think that Nick had the necessarily combination of energy and performance quality that we expected from him. Score: 30.
Results – No one’s going home!
If you want to see where we ranked everyone going into the show Monday, head over to the link here! Also, sign up right now to get some additional TV news on everything we cover, sent right over to you via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: ABC.)