Strictly Come Dancing Recap: Photo Finish for Second Place
For the second consecutive week, the right stuff happened. The correct couples found themselves in the dance-off, and the right couple was sent packing.
As I predicted last week, Pearl Modiade and Grant was in deep danger this week, and they were, ultimately losing the dance-off to Nkuli Tshirumbula and Nombulelo in a pretty solid quality affair. That said, Pearl went out on a high. This was the week she peaked. She delivered what was expected from her right from the start. Pity about the bad timing. Now the question is: Will Nkuli and Nombulelo be the couple eliminated during this week’s live semi-finals? They probably should be, but I’m not going out on a limb just yet.
All the couples seem to be stepping up, but you can’t help but feel that they’re fighting for second place. Leigh-Anne Williams and Johannes delivered the best performance of the season thus far, a beautiful Viennese waltz that had the audience feeling all the feels. This season would have been terribly average without Leigh-Anne. Based on audience reception alone, Leigh-Anne and, surprisingly Stanton Fredericks, feel like the potential top two. I’m still rooting for my Leigh-Anne and Karlien van Jaarsveld final two, however, and I think deservedly so.
All five couples danced twice, but only Leigh-Anne and Johannes really delivered top quality twice.
Nkuli and Nombulelo were first up. They received the lowest total score of the night, a combined 43/60. Their waltz lacked the technique, but they completely made up for that with their sexy rumba. Nkuli was strong and in control, and the lifts were great. The rumba got them 23/30 and, ultimately, was the dance that knocked out Pearl.
Saved by the ballroom could be Karlien and Devon’s motto. Karlien faltered again during their samba, the natural Latin rhythm completely lost on her. Her body is tight, and isn’t quite capable of achieving the looseness it needs to get into the Latin rhythm. Then came the foxtrot, where, of course, Karlien thrived. This is her wheelhouse. It was controlled and graceful, and quite powerful. The samba only got them a 21/30, which was the second lowest score of the night, but the foxtrot brought them 26/30, for a combined total of 47/60. Thanks to ballroom, they finished second on this week’s leader board.
Pearl and Grant had a pretty solid night. By far Pearl’s best showing, but solid wasn’t enough at this stage. Both dancers scored a 22/30 for a combined total of 44/60. Her body had more finesse and femininity than ever before, during both dances. Their samba was sexy and her body and hips were flowing, and foxtrot was equally graceful. It was her best ballroom and Latin performances, and both in one night. Pearl bowed out with her head up high. She worked on the critique she has been given throughout the season and finally delivered.
Stanton and Erin are almost the complete opposite of Karlien and Devon. Latin is where he is strongest at, and it showed yet again. He needs to be pushed more with his ballroom, though, where his lack of technique is evident. He’s a natural showman, and the crowd loved him. He probably received the most love from the audience. Their salsa was great. Like Sam said, he has become a dancer. It got a 24/30, whereas their foxtrot received 22/30, for a combined total of 46/60, ranking third on the night’s standings.
Queen. Queen. Queen. Leigh-Anne and Johannes’s Viennese waltz brought them the first ten of the season, and twice, for a total of 29/30 (Damn you, Tebogo). The angelic dream-like performance flowed across the floor effortlessly, Leigh-Anne’s class and grace just radiating throughout. It was beautiful. They danced to Beyonce. So yes, queen-like performance all round. Their jive did not disappoint either – it was fun and energetic, but it was still so classy. No small feat. Great night for them. Great quality dancing. Combined score: 55/60
Results in no particular order:
SAFE – Leigh-Anne and Johannes
SAFE – Karlien and Devon
First couple into the DANCE-OFF – Pearl and Grant
Which leaves Stanton and Erin, and Nkuli and Nombulelo.
Stanton and Erin are SAFE which means that Nkuli and Nombulelo are going into the DANCE-OFF against Pearl and Grant.
Nkuli did show more capability throughout the season, so it was pretty clear, to me at least, that Nkuli should be saved. His best has been better than Pearl’s best. Pearl wasn’t surviving a third dance-off.
Judges decisions:
Sam saves Nkuli and Nombulelo.
Tebogo saves Nkuli and Nombulelo.
Pearl Modiade and Grant are eliminated from the competition.
Not one judges decision has gone to a third judge this season. Come on, people! We need more suspense. We might be getting that next week. Nkuli will surely find himself in his third dance-off. Will he make it three wins and go through to the finale? Not so sure. At this point, I think Karlien and Devon could find themselves next to Nkuli and Nombulelo this week, and Karlien will survive. Surely.
