“DWTS” Week 4 Recap: Maks and Vanessa Return on the Show’s Most Emotional Night Yet

Allison Takeda

Oct 10, 2017

“DWTS” Week 4 Recap: Maks and Vanessa Return on the Show’s Most Emotional Night Yet

After last week’s rumors about Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Vanessa Lachey’s Dancing With the Stars partnership, viewers might have expected to see some tension between them during their rehearsal package. But the October 9 episode was all about love. The theme of the night was “My Most Memorable Year,” and as the stars opened up about their best and worst moments, there was a lot of crying (both happy and sad), a lot of reflection, and a lot of bonding.

Terrell Owens paid tribute to his late grandmother with a waltz to Whitney Houston, Lindsey Stirling shared the heartbreak of her father’s death from cancer, Vanessa Lachey recalled giving birth to son Phoenix at just 29 weeks, and Victoria Arlen opened up about learning to walk again after spending 10 years in a wheelchair.

The episode also saw the first 10s of the season, from Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli for Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold, who danced in tribute to the year Fisher’s parents officially adopted him. (Hope you had some extra tissues on hand for that one.)

.@Jordan_Fisher and @lindsayarnold get a musical assist from @UsTheDuo for a contemporary tribute to his adoptive family. #DWTS pic.twitter.com/oN6lYSJx2L
— Official DWTS (@DancingABC) October 10, 2017

Unfortunately, with no elimination last week, one couple had to say goodbye this week. Nick Lachey and Derek Fisher were the two stars “in jeopardy” based on judges’ scores and fan votes, and the latter was ultimately sent home.

Check out the rest of the week four rankings below. (These rankings are based solely on scores from Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli, but as DWTS fans know, eliminations are based on a combination of scores and votes, so get to voting for your favorite pair.)

1. #TeamFishUponAStar: Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold

Dance: Contemporary to “Take Me Home” by Us The Duo

Score: 29 out of 30 (10 from Carrie Ann and Bruno, 9 from Len)

Most Memorable Year: 2005, the year he was officially adopted

Stunning! Mom and dad raised him well! @Jordan_Fisher & @lindsayarnold! @DancingABC #DWTS @HamiltonMusical #MostMemorableYear pic.twitter.com/BrJsHqXL5v
— Good Morning America (@GMA) October 10, 2017

2. #TeamViVa: Victoria Arlen and Valentin Chmerkovskiy

Dance: Foxtrot to “I Lived” by OneRepublic

Score: 27 out of 30 (9 from each judge)

Most Memorable Year: 2016-2017, the year she regained control of her legs

Truly unbelievable! What an amazing, inspiring story and performance! @Arlenv1 & @iamValC! @DancingABC #DWTS #MostMemorableYear pic.twitter.com/tDrPZGmXUL
— Good Morning America (@GMA) October 10, 2017

3. #TeamStark: Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas

Dance: Viennese Waltz to “Anchor” by Mindy Gledhill

Score: 26 out of 30 (9 from Carrie Ann and Bruno, 8 from Len)

Most Memorable Year: 2016-2017, the year her father spent battling cancer before his death

Dad is looking down with a great big smile! 😢@LindseyStirling & @MarkBallas! @DancingABC #DWTS #MostMemorableYear pic.twitter.com/E4E8mMG2jQ
— Good Morning America (@GMA) October 10, 2017

4. (Tie) #TeamFranneyPack: Frankie Muniz and Witney Carson

Dance: Quickstep to “Adventure of a Lifetime” by Coldplay