The few videos I have seen of Slavik, he looked like a svengali control freak -- supreme excellence beyond question and dancing his partner into invisibility, anticipating every move made and every breath taken by his partner.

The only thing Anna seemed ever able to do on her own was taking a bow at the end. Was I imagining it? It looked as if she instinctively wanted to put as much physical distance between them as possble when bowing, as if distance offered a consolation of freedom for a few seconds. Slavik even wanted to orchestrate this bowing? Time after time his partner departed the dancefloor hoisted over the emperor's shoulders, feet dangling in the air like a child.

here here, they may be out of this world technically and world champs and lovely to look at etc.....

couldn't wait for it to finish................. although I am pleased we have so much more pro dancing this series.

Whatever you think of Michael & Joanna, this has to be the best opening to a Paso ever, (of course, apart from Austin Healey )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gec1Ku0WPY

Soulmate -

Slavik can definitely dominate a partnership and his partnering has always been his biggest criticism. At times he can outdance his partner. I think he works well with Anna though. They have clear male and female roles which is important to the latin dances and I think they combine well, whilst also bringing their individual traits to the dancing.

Their rumba is quite intense with long connections, but he's always done very traditional rumbas that aim to be quite emotional and stress the relationship between the pair. I don't think the choreography smothers her, but I suppose I can see where you're coming from.

Everyone likes different things Some will find Slavik controlling, others will like the classic strong man and soft female combination in rumba. I don't like the fact Michael and Joanna show so little emotion and characterisation in rumba and barely look at each other. I prefer Slavik and Anna's as I think it is more tender and authentic. Others will think the opposite.

If Anna is feeling smothered she'll enjoy her long solo at the start of their samba!

I sincerely don't know how she moves her body so quickly! I'm a bit in awe.

She's an incredibly skilled dancer!! I may moan at some things about their partnership, but like you, I'm in complete awe of what they do!

How do you show emotion when you are moving at the speed of light ? Michael has to be super alert just to see where she is. If he so much as blinked Joanna would have moved 20 feet.

I love Melia's childish mischief. I had 3 nicknames made up last May. Melia was Cleopatra, Yulia was the high priestess in the Temple of Athena. Joanna was Alexander the Great.