‘DWTS’ recap: Night of the Monsters ends with a shocking elimination and Carrie Ann Inaba names a trailblazer

dancing with the Stars Bring the spooky factor to Halloween night. The remaining 9 couples will dress up in amazing costumes for their Monster Night performances. The Dance Marathon also returns and couples will be able to earn extra points that can help them avoid elimination.

Jason Mraz AND Daniella Karagach He arrives first in the ballroom as a zombie/mummy hybrid. They dance to a spooky contemporary song from “Zombie” by Blueberries. Derek Hough he tells the duo that they started Monster Night off in a “fantastic way.” nephew Nash She says she was impressed by the elevators and the way Jason hugged them for the first time. Carrie Ann Inaba calls Jason a “chameleon” and how he transforms every week. Ratings from Jason and Daniella: CarrieAnn = 9; Derek = 9; Grandson = 9; and Bruno = 9. Total score = 36 out of 40.

Alyson Hannigan AND Sasha Farber become a vampire with your ferocious pasodoble of “Supermassive Black Hole” by Muse. Niecy praises how much “energy” Alyson brought to the performance. Bruno appreciates the amount of content he had in her routine. Despite some missteps, Bruno gives Alyson high praise. Alyson and Sasha score: CarrieAnn = 7; Derek = 7; Grandson = 7; and Bruno = 8. Total score = 29 out of 40.

Xochitl Gomez AND Val Chmerkovsky impresses with his intense and contemporary “Survival Game” by Ruella. Once the show ends, Xóchitl appears injured. He goes through the door near the judges. Carrie Ann tells Xochitl and Val that the performance was “very powerful” and she admits that she was really impressed by the elevators. Derek says Xochitl gives him chills every time he performs. “You are so captivating,” Niecy adds. Xochitl and Val scores: CarrieAnn = 9; Derek = 9; Grandson = 10; and Bruno = 9. Total score = 37 out of 40.

Harry Jowsey AND Rylee Arnold He faced criticism for not reaching the top of the charts and he is disheartened by this. But they promise to return. Dressed as aliens, Harry and Rylee dance the Argentine tango to “Blinding Lights.” District 78. Carrie Ann tells Harry that she is going in the “right direction”, but she wants to see him offer a “full-bodied dance experience”. Derek chimes in on Carrie’s comments, urging Harry to “over-exaggerate” his moves in the future. Bruno says he noticed the added content and an improvement in Harry’s musicianship. Harry and Rylee Ratings: CarrieAnn = 7; Derek = 7; Grandson = 7; and Bruno = 7. Total score = 28 out of 40.

Barry Williams AND Peta Murgatroyd Take a walk with your Viennese waltz to the tune of “It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World,” like the Wolf Man and Little Red Riding Hood. Derek believes Barry’s character has taken too much control and that “the dance itself has suffered”. Niecy disagrees. “I loved you tonight,” she praises. Bruno encourages Barry to “stick to technique” throughout the performance and can take things to a new level. Carrie Ann calls the performance “incredible” and praises Barry’s ability to connect with his surroundings. Barry and Peta’s scores: CarrieAnn = 8; Derek = 7; Grandson = 8; and Bruno = 8. Total score = 31 out of 40.

Ariana Madix AND Pasha Pashkov dazzles with his elegant and passionate Argentine tango to the sound of “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish. “I’m obsessed with you,” Niecy declares. Bruno stands up and praises the “authentic, true and pure Argentine tango”. Carrie makes a bold statement amid the competition. “I think you have what it takes to win,” she says. Derek adds that Ariana’s performance was “perfect.” Ariana and Pasha’s rating: CarrieAnn = 9; Derek = 9; Grandson = 9; and Bruno = 10. Total score = 37 out of 40.

Lele Pons AND Brandon Armstrong gather for a pasodoble to the tune of “Bloody Mary” (the Wednesday TikTok dance version) by Lady Gaga. “It was a lethal pasodoble,” admits Bruno. He notes that Lele has been “much cleaner, much smarter” this week. However, Carrie Ann believes there is still “carelessness” in Lele’s movements. Derek agrees with Carrie Ann that Lele’s movements lack “some finesse.” Lele and Brandon’s scores: CarrieAnn = 8; Derek = 8; Grandson = 8; and Bruno = 9. Total score = 33 out of 40.

Maurizio Umansky AND Emma Slate They hope to leave the group with their Argentine tango to the sound of Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching Me.” Carrie Ann points out that Mauricio “has come a long way” since week one. However, he would like to see more “strength” from the Mauritius core group. Derek wants to see “more stamina in the legs,” but has noticed confidence in Mauricio’s upper body. Bruno says that he didn’t hate the performance, but that “the style wasn’t right”. Mauricio and Emma’s scores: CarrieAnn = 8; Derek = 8; Grandson = 7; and Bruno = 8. Total score = 31 out of 40.

Charity Lawson AND Artem Chigvintsev rocks with his song “Skeleton Sam” by LVCRFT. Derek notes the “beautiful content of the jive” but wants to see “more attacks” from Charity. Niecy agrees with Derek and she wishes Charity had “more power” in dancing than she does. Bruno says the performance was “delightfully creepy and funny” and Carrie Ann adds that the performance was “wonderfully done”. Charity and Artem scores: CarrieAnn = 9; Derek = 9; Grandson = 8; and Bruno = 9. Total score = 35 out of 40.

During the dance marathon, couples perform a Hustle to “Stayin’ Alive” Bee Gees and a Charleston with “Grim Grinning Ghosts (Dance Party)” by Chris Bowers. The winners of the dance marathon are Xochitl and Val! They get 5 bonus points.

Harry and Rylee, Alyson and Sasha, and Mauricio and Emma are in the bottom three. The couple returning home is… Mauricio and Emma!