While Kristi Yamaguchi and partner Mark Ballas restored their spot atop the leader board, a shiny, metallically dressed dancer and the Underestimated Foxy Officer from Chile’s Air Force reserve are poised to have a close encounter of the first place kind with the DWTS trophy.
     This week the competitors had to rereun two dances they’ve already performed with different choreography. For Kristi, the challenge was topping the perfect 30 she scored with her jive the first time around and bringing more emotion and sensuality to her tango. For Cristian de la Fuente, the challenge was returning to the dance that nearly did him in — the samba — and refining his Viennese waltz.
     First up was Jason Taylor. Along with partner Edyta Sliwinska, he danced a great foxtrot that played well to the lyrics of their song, “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off.” Jason even tapped into some Fred Astaire flava with kicks and an elegant, light touch across the floor that seems impossible from his big, athletic build. Len said Jason’s footwork was done “like a dolphin glides across the sea.” Their paso doble won praise from the judges, but to this viewer lacked the smooth flow of the first dance.
     Marissa Jaret Winokur and partner Tony Dovolani drew the quick step and rumba. Right out of the gate, their quick step had a wonderful energy and the pair seemed as if their limbs were connected with invisible ties because they were so in unison. While Bruno noted a missed jetté, the other two judges praised the technical difficulty of the choreography and Len said they showed a “great classic spring in their step.” Their second dance allowed Marissa’s acting skills to shine; she embraced completely her role as seductress and seductee. The sway of the dance was gentle as an ocean breeze. Loved it. Carrie Ann, however, “wasn’t excited.” Len argued that the rumba by nature doesn’t have the wow factor of other dances. Bruno called it “sexy.”
     At the end of the next dance, Cristian de la Fuente and partner Cheryl Burke’s Viennese waltz, host Tom Bergeron commented on her shiny dress. “Anyone missing a weather balloon?” he quipped. Cheryl punched him playfully but have to agree with Tom about the hideous couture. That said, they did a decent job again, minding Cristian’s injured arm and relied on a lot of one-armed turns (a bit dizzying to watch). The next dance? ¡Ay caramba! Their samba was “hotter than a chili pepper,” as Len said. Fun. Sassy. Engaging. Carrie Ann was so moved, she called him “Twinkle Toes,” a term of endearment for the last lust of her judging life, DWTS champion Emmit Smith (who was in the audience).   
     Kristi and Mark knew they needed a score card boost this week after losing their top ranking the past two weeks. They started off with the tango, for which they solicited criticism from professional tangomeisters. It helped. Kristi captured not just the mechanics but the emotion of this powerful dance. I have to agree with Len that it was a bit hectic at times, especially at the beginning with the repeated head snappings, but they did a great job and won round one. They finished the show with a lively Tina Turner-driven jive. Bruno called it the “icing on the cake.” Carrie liked it, but noted they were a tad out of sync.
Bottom two: Marissa (hey, it’s been a great ride) and Jason