Saturday Suppositions: Week 6

I was away last weekend, so I was a little late to the Halloween party. So better late than pregnant (IYKYK), here are my thoughts on last week's special.

Chris & Dianne kicked off the show with their disco samba. There is a certain amount of artistic licence that has to be tolerated on a theme week. The samba had zombie elements which weren't quite in keeping with the dance. But I enjoyed it nonetheless. As the judges noted, it was too jumpy instead of bouncy, but Chris continues to bring fun to the floor.

I really enjoyed Pete & Jowita's Viennese waltz. Some of Pete's moves weren't finished completely, he doesn't always close his feet properly. There was at attempt at a fleckerl in there, and they covered the floor well. And he totally nailed the character. He embodied Joker, and that took it from an OK routine into a good performance.

I thought that Montell & Johannes' cha cha was good, but I didn't love it. I felt that Montell's body got lost in a mass of hair, tassels and sleeves. I felt like I couldn't see her, she was hidden. It was good, but it just didn't stand out for me. I love this pairing, and I want to see them fly.

Punam didn't look steady on her feet during the tango, and Gorka was keeping her up and getting her where she needed to be. She needed more sharpness, and she needed her bodyweight be on her own feet. But I enjoyed the routine - it had plenty of content.

Katya is fearless. She always gets her partners to lift her in ridiculous ways, even when perhaps it might be beyond them. The first and last lifts were fine, but that shoulder plank lift in the middle was not comfortable to watch. It was a bit too ambitious for Wynne. The dancing in between was fine, although a bit 'picked-up' and not into the ground enough.

JB & Amy's foxtrot was very sweet. The footwork was good, his frame continues to improve. It was a charming routine. Not a showstopper, but competent and nice to watch. 

Tasha & Aljaž's samba was so much fun. I loved the characterisation, but there was also a recognisable dance in there. I very rarely say this, but they actually look like a professional couple. The only thing that wasn't professional level were the batucadas, which didn't have the level of hips that the pros have. But that is being super picky.

I'm afraid I have to agree with the judges about Shayne & Nancy's paso - the theme meant that there wasn't enough paso content, and the dance didn't showcase Shayne enough. What he did get to do was reasonable. His shaping looked a bit off in places, although I think he was hindered by the costume, which cut his body and made him look short. Great storytelling, but death by theming.

I liked Jamie & Michelle's American smooth. A nice mix of content in hold and out of it. The characterisation was there, more so out of hold than in hold. It was a fun routine. He doesn't seem to be that comfortable with lifts, which will be a hindrance if they come to do Argentine tango.

Apart from the opening lift off the bed, which was frankly awkward, Sarah & Vito's lifts were stunning. But the parts of the Argentine tango in hold seemed to lack connection in the body. It was very good, but I almost wish I could've seen an AT from them without the theme.

The Bucks Fizz reveal was definitely the thing which sent Sam & Nikita though to next week. I spent the first half of the routine wondering why they were on last. It was unexpected. But otherwise, Sam's jive lacked sharpness. She was out of time in a very noticeable way. She is starting to fall behind the pack. I liked this number because it was fun, but Sam has a lot of work to do.

Tasha was my favourite of the night. Sam and Punam were the weakest, and I think it was right for Punam to go home. Now on to Icons Week.