'Dancing With the Stars' recap: Final three on near-equal footing

It's been widely reported that Ginger was injured earlier this week and even missed parts of dress rehearsal. It's a back injury. Those can be so vague and difficult, poor Ginger. But she's dancing now! The show must go on!

The dance is contemporary but with a lot of ballroom flourishes. More than once, there's a move that reminds me of the big "(I've Had) the Time of My Life" number from "Dirty Dancing."

Len says since Week 3 when they first did this dance, Ginger's confidence is much more evident and her movements more fluid. Bruno says it was "Ginger and Val's greatest hits" remixed in contemporary style. He compliments Ginger's lines and reach. Carrie Ann calls it a medley, which feels apt.

Scores: Carrie Ann: 9; Len: 10; Bruno: 9

They chose quickstep as their "redemption dance" because of all the criticism they got for their "The Mask" number during Movie Week. But this is going to be a "country quickstep" with cowboy hats and cowboy boots.

They're dancing to one of my favorite new songs from the past year, "S.O.B." by Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, and I can't believe the network is allowing the B-word this freely. I found myself humming this song so often I tracked down the album (self-titled) and it's all pretty darn good.

Bruno exclaims over the amount of content but regretfully critiques that Nyle lost a bit of the footwork at times. Carrie Ann liked his attitude, but agrees with Bruno about the footwork issues, and concludes with "I think everybody else loved it." Ouch, Carrie Ann. Len calls it hectic, which doesn't bode well.

Scores: Carrie Ann: 9; Len: 9; Bruno: 9. Those scores are at least a two point improvement on their original quickstep in Week 6.

They've upgraded backup dancers since Sharna is no longer competing and is free to join the troupe.

I swear there's a turn about a third of the way through where it looks like there's some confusion about which way they're meant to go. But upon rewatching, it may have just been a deliberate slowdown of the move. We'll have to wait for the judges. There's also a lift sequence in the middle that's a tad awkward — I can't tell if it's the choreography or the execution.

Carrie Ann calls Paige a meteor shower and says it was her A+ game. Len compliments Mark on the choreography. Len feels there wasn't quite enough hip action from Paige but he loves the performance. Bruno says Paige outdanced Mark— Bruno, don't dare Mark like that.

And then during their interview with Erin, we see a clip from Jean-Claude Van Damme encouraging Paige. And THEN Paige announces she's just been cast in a movie with him ("Kickboxer: Retaliation").

Scores: Carrie Ann: 10; Len: 9; Bruno: 10

Ginger's freestyle is an homage to another Ginger — Rogers, and her longtime partner, Fred Astaire. I love that Ginger went this route for her freestyle. Freestyle doesn't have to mean hip-hop or some kind of stage show jazz. This is what Val is best suited to choreograph and it suites Ginger's personality and dance strengths.

I do wish they hadn't chosen shades of brown and beige for the costumes, though. To sell a modern audience on this number, she should've amped up the color story. Also, while her shoes may be period appropriate, they are super ugly.

There was nothing inherently wrong with that routine but it lacked the oomph of some of the best freestyles.

Len calls it fun and effervescent and reminds her "Pain is temporary but glory lasts forever." Bruno adores the number and calls it "Turner Classic Movies set to dance." Carrie Ann thinks Ginger shows to her best advantage in ballroom hold.

Scores: Carrie Ann: 10; Len: 10; Bruno: 10

Peta brings in an outside choreographer, Talia Favia, to design their contemporary routine. They want to tell a story about Nyle being an inspiration to the deaf community.

It starts with Peta on Nyle's back, arms and legs wrapped around him. There's a really scary looking move where Nyle falls forward as Peta holds on to his ankle. And then I forget to watch them because the piano in the background is ON FIRE. FIRE! And I think it's real! There is too much hairspray and polyester in the ballroom for FIRE. Aieeeee!

OK, let me rewind now that I know the place doesn't burn down. I'm also muting it because that's how this version of a Simon and Garfunkel song is best enjoyed. This is very, very contemporary style. When you bring in a choreographer who's trained in that style, it apparently does make a big difference.

Bruno says, "I'm a hard one but you brought me to tears in this one." He calls it perfection and says he has chills. He dubs it a work of art. Carrie Ann is, of course, choked up. She says it's the best dance she's seen in 22 years. Len calls it "very special."

It is very difficult to concentrate on anything other than shirtless Nyle in the interview with Erin. Although, when he speaks about some of the difficulties deaf people encounter, I do manage to pay attention, especially to the bit about not wanting to be told how to raise their children.

Scores: Carrie Ann: 10; Len: 10; Bruno: 10

I feel kind of bad that they have to follow that routine from Nyle. I mean, setting fire to a piano is kind of a showstopper.

Paige says in her interview that she's going back to the town where she was bullied to speak to a school there. She explains that "Somewhere over the Rainbow" describes where she is now because her dreams have come true.

It's what I can only call "quasi-contemporary" after seeing the real deal from Nyle & Peta. There's a really neat lift in which Paige jumps onto Mark's back with her legs out in front of her, in front of Mark. Mark grasps her feet and they maneuver into a lift where she's standing on his hands. I have to think her cheerleading background helped her with that move.

FYI, the singer performing live during their dance is Mark's fiancee and musical partner BC Jean.
Mark's in tears, so Tom interviews him first. He says that he's so proud of Paige and how she's opened up this season.

Carrie Ann is crying, so Tom offers to start with Len. She quickly pulls it together. Carrie Ann compliments Paige's lines and arms. Len wishes her luck tomorrow night. Poor Tom has to keep interrupting Bruno for time.

Scores: Carrie Ann: 10; Len: 9; Bruno: 10

Last week's scores apparently count toward this week, so that means the total for two nights is currently:

Paige & Mark: 118 points (34.1 percent of judges score)
Ginger & Val: 114 points (32.9 percent of judges score)
Nyle & Peta: 114 points (32.9 percent of judges score)

On Tuesday night, the dancers will dance once more for the judges in a "fusion" round. And then we'll find out this year's mirrorball trophy winner. After Monday night's episode, I think Nyle and Paige are your front-runners — not just based on scores, but because they also seemed to have routines in both rounds that were going to be easier for viewers to latch onto.