"DWTS" Week 3: Most Memorable Year

April 4, 2016

Is anything more emotionally exhausting than the Most Memorable Year episode on “Dancing with the Stars”? It’s like being asked to run a marathon while someone reminds you of every breakup and totally unfair grade on a group assignment that you’ve ever had.

The problem with this episode is also its saving grace. It’s not really about ballroom technique as an end-all, be-all. It’s about using technique to get real on the dance floor, which is what makes a routine about your life story interesting. However, the stars aren’t exactly competent technicians…yet. So we’re left with a tsunami of unbridled emotion from the stars (which is great), and the pros pulling more than their own weight to keep everyone standing (which isn’t so great).

Regardless, we’re totally obsessed with Keo Motsepe, and it was great to see his Foxtrot with partner Jodie Sweetin nail both the technical aspects and the tear-jerker narrative of Sweetin’s struggle with addiction. Their routine was my favorite of the night.

Mark Ballas is back from the injury that forced him to sit out last episode, and thank goodness because he is my favorite “DWTS” pro. His Paso Doble with Paige VanZant was fierce. I agree with Bruno—they might be the couple to beat.

At the end of the night, former “O.C.” star Mischa Barton and pro Artem Chigvintsev were eliminated. Check back next week for our recap of Week 4!


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