Since it seems to be the thing to do to rank one’s favorite dances for the season, I’ll jump on the bandwagon too! These are my favorite dances of the season. Not necessarily the best, not necessarily the most technically correct, just the dances that struck me for one reason or another and that I watched over and over again.

20. Sabra and Dominic’s Contemporary (Week 2)

This one sticks with me because it highlighted what a great chemistry they were building, and it proved that Dominic was a serious contender in this competition and not just a B-Boy. And the whole thing about him shaving his toes was just too funny.

19. Anya and Danny’s Foxtrot (Week 5)

I was never really a big fan of Anya and I didn’t like Danny all that much at first, either, but I think this is when he started to win me over. His lines and his jumps are just so amazing in this dance and it was a lot of fun to watch.

18. Sara and Danny’s Argentine Tango (Week 7)

I hated Sara’s costume because she looked too much like an S&M mistress, but I loved that pretzel move. That might have been my favorite trick of the season. And Danny’s spins were just ridiculous (in a good way).

17. You Can’t Stop the Beat Group Dance (Week 4)

My favorite group dance of the season. Mostly because it was just so much fun!

16. Pasha and Jessi’s Cha-Cha (Week 3)

Even though they didn’t actually perform it together until the results show, this dance was just hot-hot-hot. Muy caliente.

15. Lacey and Kameron’s Contemporary (Week 1)

I didn’t really care for this the first time I saw it, but after I watched it a few more times, it really grew on me. What a way for Lacey to start the show - she really proved that she was going to be a force to be reckoned with…and she was. And she and Kameron had one of the best partnerships on the show. Although I think a toad could have chemistry with Lacey. She’s just that good.

14. Sara and Neil’s Disco (Week 6)

Definitely the best disco routine of the season. I, personally, enjoy the disco routines, but I know a lot of people don’t seem to care for them. I think they’re exciting to watch. Especially those death drops. But probably the best part of this dance was Neil’s flip at the beginning.

13. Lacey and Kameron’s Broadway (Week 2)

So many great Lacey and Kameron routines, so few spots in which to put them. Again, great partnering, great chemistry, very sexy.

12. Lacey and Kameron’s Hustle (Week 4)

The first hustle ever on the show and if there is ever another (and I hope there is), it’s going to have a lot to live up to. With any two other dancers, this might have just been okay, but with Lacey and Kameron, it was pure entertainment.

11. Sabra and Pasha’s Quickstep (Week 7)

Pasha was probably the best partner in the entire show. He handled every bit of choreography given to him beautifully and he never EVER let his partner down. He’s also very nice to look at. Sabra, little though she may be, dances with such sparkle and pizzazz. She totally deserved to win. And this was a really great routine!

10. Lauren and Pasha’s Transformers Dance (Week 6)

The only Hip-hop in my Top 20. Performed by two non-hip-hoppers. Who knew Pasha could do hip-hop? This was such an inventive and fun routine. And they pulled it off so well. Lauren was not one of my favorites this season at all, but I liked her in this dance. Unfortunately it was the only time I liked her.

9. Lacey and Danny’s Viennese Waltz (Week 9)

The only dance from the finale that made my Top 20. I just thought this was so elegant and beautiful and proved why they both belonged in the final 4.

8. Sabra and Dominic’s Rumba (Week 3)

There was a lot of talk about Dominic’s Rumba with Lauren and of course the kiss at the end. Personally, I found their Rumba rather creepy. On the other hand, Sabra and Dominic’s Rumba (the first ever on the show) was beautiful and sweet and I love love loved it. Their chemistry was never overtly sexual, just sweet and romantic and like watching an old-time love story.

7. Anya and Danny’s Viennese Waltz (Week 2)

I must have watched this one ten times. That arabesque spin was just breathtaking and was one of my favorite and most memorable moves of the season. I didn’t really care for either of them at the time, but I still love this routine.

6. Lacey and Danny’s Samba (Week 6)

Talk about muy caliente. This was probably the hottest, sexiest dance of the season. Just delicious.

5. Lacey and Neil’s Flower Dance (Week 7)

This dance makes me cry every single time I watch it. It’s just so beautiful and touching and there is so much emotion in it. Definitely one of the most memorable dances of the season.

4. Sara and Pasha’s West Coast Swing (Week 4)

I love that they brought back some of the contestants from last year to choreograph. This one was choreographed by last year’s winner, Benji, and of course Lacey and Danny’s Samba (#6) was choreographed by Dmitry. This dance is just pure energy - great tricks, non-stop excitement. SO much fun to watch!

3. Sara and Pasha’s Body Language Dance (Week 5)

This dance could have been so cheesy and lame done by any other dancers. But Pasha and Sara sold it so well. It was awesome. I love the suspenders, the costumes, the music, the choreography. I hope Mandy Moore does a lot more choreography next year because she is fabulous!

2. Jaimie and Hok’s Hummingbird Dance (Week 3)

This was just so crazy and insane. And definitely memorable. Wade Robson can be hit or miss for me. Sometimes I love his crazy vision and sometimes I hate it. But this was such a great marriage of an inventive idea and working with the dancers’ strengths that it turned out to be a spectacular routine.

1. Sabra and Neil’s Table Dance (Week 8)

Honestly, the top 5 dances could have been in just about any order. It was really hard for me to rank them because they are all so memorable and wonderful to me for totally different reasons. I ended up choosing this one as my favorite of the season because of the inventive choreography and use of that silly table. And also Neil’s “plange”. Love that move! But honestly, I think the best thing about this is that even though Neil and Sabra don’t have the best chemistry, it didn’t matter in this dance. And the music was perfect, too. Again, it’s choreographed by Mandy Moore. More Mandy next season please!

Honorable Mention:

Lacey and Pasha’s Hip-hop (Week 8)

This dance just made me laugh. They were so cute together and Lacey made a great mannequin and Pasha made a great nerd. Good stuff.

Jessi and Pasha’s Jazz (Week 2)

This dance served notice that Pasha was not just a ballroom dancer. And it was fun, too.

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy Group Dance (Week 5)

One, I love the song. Two, I love the style. Three, I just really enjoyed this routine!

If you’re curious, here’s how the dancers stacked up in my Top 20…

1. Lacey (6 dances)
2. Pasha & Danny (5 dances)
3. Sabra & Sara (4 dances)
4. Neil & Kameron (3 dances)
5. Dominic & Anya (2 dances)
6. Hok, Jaimie, Jessi & Lauren (1 dance)