Dancing with the Stars “Season 18 Week 10” aka The Finals 

This entire season has been a rollercoaster ride and the two night finale was no different. Did the couple you want win? Did the couple that deserved to win get the Mirror Ball trophy?  

Let’s see how everyone did:

Dance #1

James Maslow and Peta Murgatroyd  

Dance:  Tango

• James and Peta sitting in a tree. Okay, that is so childish but during the Tango it was the kiss heard around the world. I really enjoy watching these two and James has gotten better each week.

Score: 9-Carrie Ann, 10- Len, 10-Bruno; Total: 29

Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy  

Dance:  Argentine Tango

• Carrie Ann said it best: “They have chemistry that you can’t explain.”  The two of them are perfection.

Score: 10-Carrie Ann, 10-Len, 10-Kenny, 10-Bruno; Total: 40

Candace Cameron Bure and Mark Ballas 

Dance:  Quickstep

• During rehearsal Mark got seriously injured and everyone was wondering if he was able to dance. And he did. I think it’s great that Candace has worked so hard and gotten better but is she supposed to be in the finals?

Score: 9-Carrie Ann, 9- Len, 9-Bruno; Total: 27

Amy Purdy and Derek Hough 

Dance:  Salsa

• During the week, Amy’s back went into spasm like it did a few weeks before. But she made it work and came out with a perfect score.  I can’t say enough about how great Derek is as a teacher and choreographer. What he has accomplished with Amy is unbelievable.

Score: 10-Carrie Ann, 10- Len, 10-Bruno; Total: 40

DANCE #2- Freestyle

James Maslow and Peta Murgatroyd  

• It was hot and contemporary. They earned their place in the finals.

Score: 10-Carrie Ann, 9- Len, 10-Bruno; Total: 29

Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy  

• One of the most beautiful Freestyles ever.  These two can do no wrong. Maks wants to win so badly and he really has been different personality wise this season. Way to go Meryl!

Score: 10-Carrie Ann, 10-Len, 10-Kenny, 10-Bruno; Total: 40

Candace Cameron Bure and Mark Ballas

• I still can’t believe that Mark was dancing, let alone standing after his injury but the guy is a trooper.  The thing I can say about this dance was Candace went for it. It was good but not a Finals dance. I do have to give her props for admitting she wasn’t the strongest dancer but she was just going to go for it. It takes class and she has that in spades.

Score: 8-Carrie Ann, 8- Len, 8-Bruno; Total: 24

Amy Purdy and Derek Hough 

• What was the amazing Amy going to possibly do this time? Well, of course, it was incredible but there was rope work as well and she spun by herself above the ball room. She is an inspiration not just to those who have similar injuries but to everyone. The next time you are tired, remember this girl!  She is a superhero.

Score: 10-Carrie Ann, 9- Len, 10-Bruno; Total: 29

The Elimination

After all the dancing, it would come down to three couples who would have to dance one more dance on night two. Meryl & Maks and Amy & Derek were safe.  It came down to James & Peta and Candace & Mark.  The couple in 4^th place was James & Peta? What??? Was not happy about this at all but at the same time they can date now!  

Night Two

In the two-hour finale it was going to come down to three couples and all of the contestants from the season were back. Here’s the funny thing. They had brought back the Encore dance and everyone had to vote which dance from night one they wanted to see again. It was James & Peta. Now how is it that the pair that got voted off got an overwhelming amount of votes to do the encore dance? There’s something rotten in the ballroom and it’s not garbage. Just saying….

• It was great to see reigning champion Amber Riley perform. She really does has one of the most fantastic voices out there. All of the dancers for the season came back and did a little something.

• Something special was seeing Meryl & Charlie dance together, not on the ice but on the dance floor.

• But it was the finalists that were the center of the show. They had 24 hours (not really) to put together a fusion dance. I loved this from last season. (Remember Amber and Derek’s fusion dance? If not check it out on YouTube) Let’s break down what they did:

The Final Dance

Amy Purdy and Derek Hough 

Fusion Dance: Argentine Tango and Cha Cha Cha

• Of course it was sexy and fun and really these two have been amazing all season. I think no matter what at this point they were winners.

Score: 10-Carrie Ann, 10- Len, 10-Bruno; Total: 30

Candace Cameron Bure and Mark Ballas 

Fusion Dance: Quickstep and Samba

• Candace was so happy to be done at this point but really did a nice job. Mark is probably ready for some serious rest.

Score: 9-Carrie Ann, 9- Len, 9-Bruno; Total: 27

Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy  

Fusion Dance: Foxtrot/Cha Cha Cha

• Can these two do anything less than perfect?  I don’t think so.

Score: 10-Carrie Ann, 10-Len, 10-Kenny, 10-Bruno; Total: 40

So a very big bombshell was dropped after Meryl & Maks danced. Len mentioned that it might be his last season. What???? How can they have DWTS without the head judge? ABC needs to get to work.

Tom and Erin would announce the 3^rd place winner of the season and that was Candace & Mark. I was really happy about that and I think they were too.

It came down to Meryl & Maks and Amy & Derek. Would Maks finally get that Mirror Ball trophy he had always wanted and been so close to getting? Or would Derek win it for the sixth time? Well the champions of Season 18 are……..MERYL & MAKS!!!!

Well deserved. Maks is no longer the Susan Lucci of DWTS!

Favorite Finals Quotes

Len: “It was tighter than a trumpeter’s cheeks.”

Tom: “Go head for your scores why we give the judges a time out.”

Tom:  “This will be on sale at my souvenir store right outside the studio.”

Carrie Ann: “First of all I think you guys should get married.”

Len:  “There’s good. There’s great. And then there’s Meryl.”

Erin: “Look, I get it, I know that your Mom and Dad are here but I think we all wanted you to kiss. I’m not even kidding.”

Maks: “Ten weeks is a very long time as you know. I would do another 100 weeks.”

Tom:  “He’s such a teddy bear this year.”

Tom:  “And the audience didn’t connect to you Carrie Ann.”

Tom: “When Len, when you gave Amy and Derek a nine, the audience came up with another use for her rope.”

Erin: “I didn’t know you had a mouth on you.”

Erin: “6 a.m. is never my friend.”

Erin: “You’re getting ready for your 24-hour fusion, which sounds like a deodorant.”

Tom:  “Be looking for Maks on our special summer series, The Blushing Russian.”

It’s the end of another season and it was a crazy one for sure. Are you already thinking about next season and who is going to be on it? Me too! See you next time!

Dancing with the Stars comes back this fall on ABC.

MORE PHOTOS OF DWTS SEASON 18 CHAMPS MAKS AND MERYL!
Photo Credit for the following images: Adam Taylor &  Kelsey McNeal for ABC