And then there were four. With the finals just one week away, everyone's emotions were running high on Dancing With the Stars' Nov. 17 episode. Each couple had to do two dances using different versions of the same song, which made for some truly interesting performances. There were other obstacles, too, including Alfonso Ribeiro's back injury, which brought him to tears in front of the judges. And in the end, a fan favorite was eliminated from the competition. Read the recap!
Sadie Robertson and Mark Ballas
Dance No. 1: Quickstep to Ariana Grande's "Problem"
Sadie was still rattled by her big mistake in last week's trio foxtrot, despite the fact that she and Mark earned a perfect score for the routine. Her confidence was shaken, for sure, but she still managed to pull off an impressive quickstep. "I'm a little disappointed, really. I found nothing I didn't like the whole dance," veteran head judge Len Goodman quipped.
Score: 37 out of 40 (10 from Len, 9 from everyone else)
Dance No. 2: Argentine Tango to "Problem"
The judges were impressed by Sadie's ability to tackle such a traditionally passionate dance while staying true to her conservative values. Carrie Ann Inaba said she "suited" the routine, while Len said it was a "terrific" performance.
Score: 37 out of 40 (10 from Julianne Hough, 9 from everyone else)
Tommy Chong and Peta Murgatroyd
Dance No. 1: Jazz to Soft Cell's "Tainted Love"
Of the remaining final five, Tommy is definitely the underdog. He's not the best dancer of the group, but he is arguably the most charming. That charm came in handy for his jazz routine with Peta. "You're six years older than me…and I'll be honest — I couldn't have done what you've done," Len admitted.
Score: 28 out of 40 (7 from everyone)
Dance No. 2: Rumba to "Tainted Love"
Julianne was totally enamored of Tommy and Peta's ballet-inspired second routine. "There was something so magical and fantastical about that piece," she gushed. Added Carrie Ann: That was poetry."
Score: 34 out of 40 (9 from Carrie Ann and Julianne, 8 from Len and Bruno Tonioli)
Bethany Mota and Derek Hough
Dance No. 1: Samba to the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back"
Derek was having a little choreographer's block this week, but (no surprise here!) he pulled it together in the end. Even though it wasn't the judges' favorite — Len called it "a little sticky" — it was good enough to earn near-perfect scores from all four panelists.
Score: 36 out of 40 (9 from everyone)
Dance No. 2: Contemporary to "I Want You Back"
Bethany and Derek's second dance — which made use of an empty picture frame — was a work of art in more ways than one. "This should be on permanent display in an art gallery," Bruno gushed. "A modern masterpiece."
Score: 40 out of 40 (10 from everyone)
Janel Parrish and Val Chmerkovskiy
Dance No. 1: Paso doble to Calvin Harris' "Blame"
The judges couldn't get enough of Janel and Val's first routine. "I wanted more!" Carrie Ann exclaimed afterward. Added Julianne: "I felt like you guys were one…Girl, you are in it to win it."
Score: 40 out of 40 (10 from everyone)
Dance No. 2: Argentine tango to "Blame"
Expectations were high for Janel and Val's second dance after their perfect first one, but they fell just a tiny bit short — at least in Carrie Ann's eyes. She had a problem with the lifts, but Bruno "loved" them.
Score: 38 out of 40 (10 from Julianne and Bruno, 9 from Carrie Ann and Len)
Alfonso Ribeiro and Witney Carson
Dance No. 1: Argentine tango to One Republic's "Love Runs Out"
As Us Weekly previously reported, Alfonso suffered a back injury this week that nearly kept him from performing. He pushed past the pain, though, and pulled off an incredible Argentine tango with Witney. "You're a fighter," Julianne told him as he started to cry.
Score: 36 out of 40 (9 from everyone)
Dance No. 2: Contemporary to "Love Runs Out"
Alfonso once again fought through the pain to perform a stirring contemporary routine that wowed all four judges. "I loved the drama of that dance, the passion and the intensity!" Len marveled afterward. Added Carrie Ann: "This is how you pave the path to the finals. Because that was ridiculous!"
Score: 39 out of 40 (9 from Len, 10 from everyone else)
Unfortunately, only four of the five remaining couples could make it to the next round. Alfonso, Janel, and Bethany were quickly named safe, leaving Sadie and Tommy to learn their fates. In the end, Tommy's charm just wasn't enough to get him through, and he and Peta were eliminated. They went out to a standing ovation, though, from both the audience and the judges.
