'Dancing with the Stars' Recap: Two Perfect Scores, One Tough Elimination

Find out who soared to 30s and who sank in the dance-duel competition

Published on May 5, 2014 10:25 PM

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star Abby Lee Miller sat at the judge’s table Monday and before it was all over one couple was going to need a little motherly love.

Dance-duel night at Dancing with the Stars delivered a trio of surprises – two perfect scores and one tough elimination. Read on for more.

Charlie White and Sharna Burgess kicked off the show in the best way possible: immediate safety and their first perfect score.

Later, Amy Purdy rebounded from last week’s injury to deliver a mind-blowing and intricate Argentine tango that landed them a perfect score.

“That was totally spellbinding,” judge Bruno Tonioli said. “I feel like I’m in a trance … Perfection.”

Danica McKellar and Valentin Chmerkovskiy came close to perfection, with a 38-out-of-40-point tango, but it wasn’t enough to save them. The pair became the latest to leave the ballroom, sunk by a lackluster duel performance and audience scores.

“It’s been absolutely amazing,” McKellar said. “I had the best time ever. I didn’t want to see any of them eliminated so I guess it all works out.”

Added her partner: “It’s been a blast.”

Meanwhile, at the judge’s table, it didn’t long for Miller to make herself heard.

Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy danced a 36-point rumba that felt a little too much like a contemporary dance for Miller (as well as for regular judge Carrie Ann Inaba). Miller gave the pair an 8 out of 10 after getting some attitude from Maksim.

Candace Cameron Bure showed improvement with partner Mark Ballas. They danced a 36-point foxtrot that head judge Len Goodman said was “so joyful to watch,” while Inaba said, “You have truly made a breakthrough in your mind and your confidence.”

Also scoring 36 points were James Maslow and Peta Murgatroyd, who danced an Argentine tango that Miller absolutely loved. Goodman, on the other hand, critiqued Maslow.

After each couple danced their individual numbers, it was time for the dance duel. It kicked off with McKellar and Davis and their partners performing a 34-point samba that was panned by the judges.

“I would have rather seen the girls in heels,” Miller said, while Inaba added, “It didn’t quite do justice.”

Bure and White, on the other hand, wowed the panel with a powerful 38-point contemporary.

“You look like an Abby Lee Company dance member,” Miller raved.

Last up was a 39-point jive that Maslow and Purdy danced with their partners. Despite a shaky week of rehearsals, the group did an “extraordinary” and “fabulous” job, according to Tonioli.

Miller raved, “I actually wanted to get up and dance for like the first time ever!”