We're finally at the end of the season with the three strongest dancers. After ten weeks, I have no clue how Belinda Carlisle did back in week one. At this point, you could tell me that Nancy O'Dell was eliminated in week two and I would believe you. The mirror ball trophy was placed in front of the judges table and the judges seem excited about the competition. Unfortunately, we got some more disappointing freestyle performances.

The interesting thing about the three competitors is that their strengths are in different categories. Shawn is probably the quickest learner and can technically perform. Gilles is best with Latin, and Melissa is best with Ballroom. Melissa probably has the biggest hill to climb, coming from third place and stuck with a Latin performance.


Round 1 – Paso Doble Face Off

Instead of only having Len teach his master class, we get a video of Len calling the other two judges. Our scenes consist of Bruno tanning and Carrie Ann eating a salad. I'm actually surprised how thin Bruno is, Speedo and all. Bruno came to visit Shawn, and he reminds them that they have to break away from the paso doble they performed two weeks ago. He is looking for sharpness and winners confidence. Carrie Ann is sent to coach Melissa and wants her to improve her steps. Carrie Ann is still upset that Melissa depends on her ballet and cheerleader training; instead she wants power in her step. Our master trainer Len thought that Gilles' Paso was too hectic. I still don't think that the hectic nature is Gilles' fault; instead it was Cheryl's choreography. Len wants "swagger," one of those words that has emerged from the past five years that I'm surprised Len can use correctly in a sentence.

Shawn & Mark - At first I thought that Shawn fell, but it was intentional. I still didn't find the full intensity to her paso, but I realized it was because of her height differential. The traditional paso steps are all performed with technical beauty. The outfit was old looking on Shawn and not flattering.

Melissa & Tony - On the other hand, Melissa looked current, and her height made her lines beautiful. Tony is still abusing the fact that Melissa can perform beautiful kicks. There was a mistake near the end, but the two overcame the problem.

Gilles & Cheryl - Gilles still has the confidence and passion that's needed for the Paso. I'm almost shocked that Cheryl didn't create something that was too hectic.

Len knows that it was hard to merge paso with pop music, but the three delivered. He was excited by Shawn's energy, but her chin was positioned too low. Melissa's had the slight mistake. Gilles gets the most positive comments: it wasn't hectic and it had intensity. Bruno congratulates all three because they competed against each other but worked together as a team. Bruno continues with the judging: Shawn was strong and technical, Melissa had confidence and beauty, and Gilles is truly a leading man. Carrie Ann loves this season because the final three became great dancers. She did see weaknesses/strengths: Shawn lacks emotional commitment. Melissa hit it hard, and Gilles was perfection.

Score:

Shawn – 28 (9, 9, 10)
Melissa – 29 (10, 9, 10)
Gilles – 30 (10, 10, 10)

Round 2 – Freestyle

Shawn & Mark – Shawn loves having no rules, but doesn't want to use the gymnastics since she got points docked the last time she tried to use it. I guess it was a good thing that Kristi Yamaguchi didn't try a triple lutz on the dance floor. Apollo Anton Ohno came to light an Olympic fire under Shawn's ass. He doesn't really give any tips on dancing, but instead tries to parallel winning a prestigious gold medal with winning a disco ball mounted to a plank of wood. Shawn surprises me with a JabbaWockeeZ theme, which is better than ripping off Michael Jackson or Saturday Night Fever. The beginning basically plagiarizes the Broadway week from America's Best Dance Crew. Unfortunately, after ripping off MTV, Mark returns to that Michael Jackson shortened pants/extended sock outfit. The tricks don't seem that original, and I'm tired of Mark's goofiness.

Bruno thinks that Shawn was going for the gold. He loved the performance style. Carrie Ann likes that she's adorable; she reached the high standards of the freestyle round. Len loved it. Score: 30 (10, 10, 10)

Melissa & Tony – Melissa had a weak performance last week. Tony recalls his last freestyle: all the way back in Season 2, he had a weak Saturday Night Fever performance with Stacy Keibler and vows never to do something so stupid. Melissa is willing to do tricks, until Melissa slams him in the face; she quickly runs and gets him ice. I wonder where the ice machine came from. He decided to create the most physical performance ever. To top the physicality, Tony has the gayest shirt ever. The performance lacked dancing until the middle, but it does show that Melissa had strong hip action and could have used it with some Latin performances. The whole dance was like a lindy hip-hop.

Carrie Ann loved the new positive attitude. There was something wrong about the choreography because there were gaps between the lift sequences. Len saw the versatility, but he didn't get it. Tony failed again. I hope he doesn't have to wait another five seasons to try again. Bruno didn't like the running man; and it wasn't a smooth performance. Score: 27 (9, 9, 9)

Gilles & Cheryl – Gilles had the only perfect 60 last week, but he still feels like he's the underdog. Cheryl wants to make sure that his personality is showcased. Gilles had shoulder problems since the beginning and like Melissa with her ribs, he quickly recovers. Cheryl believes that she pulls the essence of her partner's personality in the freestyle. Apparently, his inner personality is a gay man's fantasy. I really hope that the song was given to the two by production. The lift sequences were original and the performance was invigorating to watch.

Len liked the high energy. He thought the freestyle displayed that he is a real dancer. Bruno loved the performance, but he wanted more actual dancing. Carrie Ann agrees, it's an odd choice because Flashdance was female-centric. In retrospect, if Melissa had the Flashdance theme, it would be the most fitting, since it's about an unknown girl succeeding. Score: 28 (9, 10, 9)

Combined Scores:
Gilles & Cheryl – 58
Shawn & Mark – 58
Melissa & Tony – 56

My money is on the odds on favorite: Gilles. I would be shocked of Gilles lost; right now, it's Gilles' game to lose. He has been the most consistent performer. Tomorrow we have one more performance by the final three. Lady GaGa will be performing and Jeffery Ross will be roasting the final three. I'm also assuming that we will get the results of the Professional Dancing Competition. Who do you think will win?