Strictly Come Dancing Recap: Better Late Than Never
After nine weeks with little to no controversial decisions, it finally happened, and I must confess, I’m a sucker for some reality show controversy.
After patiently waiting for some controversial incident to spawn some viewer outrage, it finally happened when Nkuli Tshirumbula was pitted against Stanton Fredericks with the third spot in this week’s finale showdown up for grabs. Last week, one would have thought Stanton is safely through, until the realization came that there was no Latin dance to save him. The Paso doble and the tango were quite out of Stanton’s safe place, and Nkuli stepped up, and killed it. He outperformed Stanton easily in the dance-off and, much to the disappointment of fans, the judges ultimately saved Nkuli. He’ll finish third, but at least he made it to the finale, fighting his way through the competition and winning three dance-offs in doing so.
It was a good night for Nkuli, but an even better night for Leigh-Anne Williams and Karlien van Jaarsveld, the two queens of the dance floor made it a semi-final showdown to remember. Leigh-Anne and Johannes’s paso doble received the first 30 of the season, and Karlien and Devon’s tango was fierce and passionate, but their paso doble has to receive an honorouble mention as well. The finale should be interesting to say the least. Leigh-Anne and Karlien have both shown what it takes to win this competition, and it’ll ultimately come down to votes.
Stanton and Erin were first up with a disappointing paso doble. It lacked the power and intensity to me, and the movement seemed too static. The choreography might be to blame. It scored them a 23/30. Their tango was stronger, and my favourite ballroom dance from Stanton. It lacked the effortlessness, but the character was portrayed very well. Tebogo enjoyed the paso doble more, but Sam agreed with me, and preferred his tango. Michael commended the storyline and the interpretation, but felt their technique wasn’t strong enough. Score: 25/30. Total score out of 120: 97.
Leigh-Anne and Johannes’s tango was not my favourite performance from them. It did not connect with me, possibly because Leigh-Anne smiled the whole way through. That said, their movement was effortless and elegant, and her footwork was really strong. Tebogo also mentioned Leigh-Anne looking too happy, and Sam missed the smouldering connection. Their technique brought them a 27/30, though. Then there was their paso doble. The paso doble is my favourite Ballroom dance, and what I love in a paso doble they brought. It was powerful and passionate, and Johannes was dominant, handling her with perfection, but Leigh-Anne held her own, equally as powerful. The crowd loved. Michael called it “supreme”, and the score reflected that – the first 30/30 of the season. Total score out of 120: 109.
Nkuli and Nombulelo brought it. Nkuli was the best he has been all season. In their paso doble, he looked dominant and in control, there was more power and intent in his movement. He looked and portrayed the part. Tebogo said he “looked like the black matador”, and he really did. She also called it his best performance this season. Score: 25/30. In their tango, Nkuli looked the most charming and graceful he has looked all season. It was classy, and he was in it. It wasn’t close to the effortlessness of Karlien’s ballroom, but it was very strong. Sam was “blown away” and Tebogo said he stepped up his game. Yep. Tango score: 26/30. Total score out of 120: 97 – tied with Stanton and Erin.
Overall, Karlien and Devon were probably the strongest of the night. Leigh-Anne’s paso doble was the dance of the night, but Karlien and Devon had two very strong showings. Their tango was passionate and smouldering, and her legs were the best it has been all season. Tebogo called it “intoxicating” while still depriving them of a 10, and Sam said it was “perfection”. Tango score: 29/30. Their paso doble left me with somewhat mixed feelings. Devon’s Irish interpretation was not my favourite, it’s not the way I like my paso doble. That said, it was powerful, and Karlien was very strong. That last assisted run they did was kind of a brilliant move. I have to commend Devon here. He’s the professional dancer on this show who pushes the boundaries of a style more than any other dancer. Their foxtrot to ‘Take Me to Church’ and this paso doble interpretation really aimed to push the boundaries. He’s a real artist. Michael thought it was a great interpretation. Sam loved the choreography but she wanted it to be more grounded in some places, and thus, here she deprived them of their 10. Paso doble score: 29/30. Total score out of 120: 112 – atop the standings.
Results in no particular order:
SAFE – Karlien and Devon are into the finale.
First couple into the DANCE-OFF – Nkuli and Nombulelo
Which leaves Leigh-Anne and Johannes, and Stanton and Erin.
Stanton and Erin are into the DANCE-OFF which means that Leigh-Anne and Johannes are into the finale.
It was clear who received the least amount of votes, but here it was Nkuli who delivered in the dance-off and had the crowd on their feet. Nkuli was the better ballroom dancer, and had it been a Latin dance-off, Stanton would have been saved. If the judges go by what they see in a specific dance-off, it was clear Nkuli had a great shot. Bad luck for Stanton.
Judges decisions:
Sam saves Nkuli and Nombulelo.
Michael saves Nkuli and Nombulelo.
Stanton and Erin are eliminated, and Nkuli and Nombulelo are through to Friday’s finale.
Nkuli will be eliminated in 3rd place on Friday, no doubt about that, but the trophy is still very much up for grabs. In the end, it comes down to votes. Judges scores don’t count a thing, really. Who will win? I still predict Leigh-Anne and Johannes will emerge victors, but never count out Karlien’s strong support base – anything can still happen.
