There's been a lot of criticism this season that 'Dancing With the Stars' is becoming nothing but a popularity contest, with dancers getting by on public votes rather than talent. However, in the background each week J.R. Martinez and his partner Karina Smirnoff have quietly been getting better and better. Last night they not only scored the first perfect 30 of the season for their waltz, they went on to score another 30 for their jive.

After recent contentious bust-ups on the show --- Maks vs. Len, Chaz and Lacey vs. Bruno, accusations of favoritism -- it was a welcome return to what the show is all about: Watching hard work pay off in the form of some really great dancing.

So, how does it feel to be the winningest couple on this season of 'DWTS?' Speaking to reporters on the post-show press line, a clearly delighted Martinez thanked Smirnoff for being "an amazing teacher," and he told OnTheRedCarpet.com that in rehearsals he'd "felt really good about the waltz ... and I felt I'd have a good opportunity to do well."

He admitted that he'd been nervous before the jive, but that Smirnoff had given him a great game plan, which they stuck to.

What now for the couple as they prepare for next week's semi-finals? Smirnoff joked that up next is "the final lap of the NASCAR of 'Dancing With the Stars,'" and Martinez quipped that he's in need of a pit stop and a tire change.

Both dancers said that the chemistry and energy between them came together last night in such a way that it felt like "an out-of-body experience." On an altogether more serious note, Martinez said that the only time he's ever felt like that before was "when my life was changed," in Iraq, April 2003.

The former soldier almost died after suffering 40 percent burns in a Humvee accident while on active service. However, this time he found the experience affected him in "the most powerful, positive way ever."

Watch Martinez and Smirnoff talking about their performance:



'Dancing With the Stars' airs Mondays at 8PM ET and Tuesdays at 9PM ET on ABC.

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