TVSquad

(S09E15) Last night on Dancing with the Stars many of the dancers grew stronger than ever. With Mark & Anna T. on the bottom, it guaranteed that they were either going home or dancing for their lives. Instead of having one performer singing two different songs, we have three performances thanks to DWTS pimping the Ballas Hough Band.

Encore Performance - Team Tango - The second time around, the performance still had the sizzle and the strongest timing. Kelly had this dazed look this time, possibly because she was nervous for the dance-off. Joanna still was the strongest of the night, possibly because Derek's choreography that he gave her was the strongest.

After last night's recap we started the elimination process. Kelly & Louis were safe; the first couple in the bottom three was Mark & Lacey. Mark tells Lacey, "We're dancing" when the red light goes on them.

Musical Performance - Colbie Caillat - "Falling For You" - It's interesting to see the juxtaposition of Taylor Swift last week to Colbie. Colbie is better live, but she gets the B stage. She's the only one to get the B stage this whole episode. We also get the mesmerizing dancing of Edyta and Alec. Her almost horizontal walking was sexy and the lifts were daring.

The eliminations continue; Donny & Kym are safe, but Michael & Anna are in the bottom three. Unfortunately, Michael & Anna have the same outfit as last week, meaning that they would have performed the same knock-out if they made it there.

Musical Performance - Ballas Hough Band - "Move" - I was convinced that the two were actually a pop-rock band playing something more guitar driven. Instead I watched a really boy band-esque performance. At least it's covering up the fact that their singing skills are already being masked up by computer digitizing.

Fight Club - These fluff pieces are getting more and more silly. The contestants display poor prompter reading skills. Surprisingly, Mya and Aaron Carter are the worst. The contestants all explain rules of Dance Club with things like risk/reward and how winning is everything.

The final three contestants are up and while Mya & Dmitry and Joanna & Derek are safe, Aaron & Karina are in the bottom three.

Musical Performance - Rod Stewart - "It's the Same Old Song" - I'm upset that Rod Stewart can't make an album of original music, but he's doing a great job considering his age and voice issues he's had. I liked that he performed in the middle of the stage with the dancers around him. I laughed hysterically when he ended the song with "cha cha cha."

After more dance-off fears (it's pathetic seeing Aaron begging) we return to the bottom three: Mark & Lacey, Aaron & Karina, and Michael & Anna. The couple eliminated without even getting to the dance-off is Michael & Anna. Mark & Lacey and Aaron & Karina are going to the dance-off. Michael & Anna are both gracious for their time and thank the voters.

The Dance-Off

Mark & Lacey - Cha-Cha - The knock-out dance began two weeks ago. This week Mark feels more confident that Lacey is back. Mark starts on the judges table and leaps off. I'm not surprised that the two dance really good, they had the time to get the dance sharp. The tricks were well-balanced with actual cha-cha steps and his hips were strong.

Len thought that he was at his best and it was a top notch performance. Bruno thought that he used a lot of tricks, but the cha-cha elements are strong. Carrie Ann is happy to see Mark with Lacey, and he returned to his peak.

Aaron & Karina - Jive - It's totally unfair that Aaron & Karina had the jive because the dance-off was supposed to improve on a dance that the couple performed between week's one and five. How Aaron & Karina had the jive to begin with is beyond me (they should have the Quickstep). Nevertheless, the performance was strong, non-stop movement. The kicks were strong and had force.

Bruno thought that it was as good as last night's performance. Carrie Ann thought that the performance is better. Len thinks that he was the comeback kid.

After the judges deliberated and had their final say, the votes are in. The judges have a unanimous decision: Aaron & Karina are safe. Mark & Lacey went home. Mark is very gracious and Lacey is happy to have had one last performance with Mark. The couples finish with a large ring around the rosy.

While I knew that Mark and Michael were going home, there was a glimmer of hope that Aaron would go home. Sure he may dance well, but he still whines his way, though. Next week there are two individual dances for the semi-finals. Were the eliminations right? Leave comments below.

[Catch full episodes of DWTS on SlashControl]