‘Dancing With The Stars’ Season 25, Episode 10 Recap: Victoria Arlen Says Goodbye In Semi-Finals

The Dancing with the Stars semi-finals are here, and the remaining top five contestants must dance twice before the show’s over.

DANCING WITH THE STARS RECAP

The first of each couple’s two dances is to a song chosen by the pros, and the second is a tribute to an iconic DWTS dance that’s earned a perfect score in the past.

First up are Drew Scott and Emma Slater, who perform a tango to “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by the Proclaimers. While this tango is not traditional, the dancers have a blast, knowing that any dance could be their last. They earn just a 24/30.

Victoria Arlen and Val Chmerkovskiy are up next and do a contemporary routine to “To Build a Home” by Cinematic Orchestra feat. Patrick Watson. This moving performance attempts to show Arlen’s story through the eyes of her parents. The routine takes place in a living room, where Arlen was moved after her diagnosis. Val’s girlfriend Jenna Johnson joins the dance, and Arlen succeeds in showing her emotions, just like Carrie Ann Inaba wanted from her. They score a 27/30.

Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold are back together again, and do an Argentine tango to “Brother” by NEEDTOBREATHE feat. Gavin DeGraw. Something seems a little off about this performance from a usually perfect couple. This dance celebrates the sibling relationship that Fisher has with his siblings, and also with Arnold. While the theme was there, it strayed too far from what an Argentine tango is supposed to be. Still, they walk away with a 28/30.

Next up are Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas, who do a contemporary routine to Alexander Jean’s “Head High.” Alexander Jean just happens to be Ballas’ band with his wife, but the song choice actually works really well for the dance. The pair is very in sync and the athletic movements are lovely. They get a 29/30.

Finally, Frankie Muniz and Witney Carson are up for a salsa to “Shake” by the Yin Yang Twins and Pitbull. Carson is convinced that “Shake” is who Frankie is on the inside, even if the song choice seems crazy. The routine is fun – set on a basketball court with Muniz getting the girl. He even shows off his abs and does a slo-mo slam dunk. The judges are very mixed, but Muniz gave it his all, and they receive a 25/30.

Now we enter the iconic dance round. Scott and Slater get a routine from season 17 that was originally done with Corbin Bleu, Karina Smirnoff, and Witney Carson. It’s a jazz piece to “Yeah!” by Usher, Lil Jon, and Ludacris. This routine is mostly a failure, as Scott simply tried to copy Bleu, which he does not have the skills to do. They end up with a 24/30, and frankly, it’s a wonder the score was not lower.

Arlen and Chmerkovskiy attempt a season 17 dance from Amber Riley and Derek Hough – a Charleston to will.i.am’s “Bang Bang.” Arlen kills it this time, and the judges agree. They really transform this dance into one of their own, and earn a 29/30 for their efforts.

Fisher and Arnold take the stage next to recreate a season 22 dance with Paige VanZant and Mark Ballas. It’s a jive to Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary.” And this one is perhaps better than the original. The fast-paced routine is transformed and Fisher really owns this one, even with a scratched cornea. They get a perfect score, 30/30. It’s the first of the night, and at this point it’s hard to keep track of how many Fisher has earned overall.

Stirling and Ballas take on a season 18 tango by Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy to “Feel So Close” by Calvin Harris. They recreate the dance down to the jumpsuit worn by Davis all those seasons ago. The chemistry between the dancers isn’t quite as exquisite, but the dance is solid all the same. They get a 28/30.

Last up are Muniz and Carson with a dance from season 4 originally done by Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough. It’s a paso doble to Dario G’s “Carnival de Paris.” The couple aims for an actual step-by-step recreation of the season 4 dance, and it wasn’t the greatest decision. Frankie can’t keep up with Ohno’s original steps, but the dance wasn’t a total loss. They eked out a 26/30.

At the end of the night, Muniz and Carson and Arlen and Chmerkovskiy find themselves in the bottom two, and the latter couple heads home.