What the h*ll was that dreadful music they found for the group Paso Doble? Thought Gilles & Cheryl were far and away the best in the Paso, Melissa wasn't very good, Shawn was okay. Why do Carrie Ann and Bruno insist on giving perfect scores when someone makes a mistake? Melissa lost her footing at one point.

Freestyle - LOVED Shawn & Mark, Melissa & Tony's didn't inspire me - it looked better in rehearsal, Gilles & Cheryl's was all about Cheryl as usual. I agree with Bruno and Carrie Ann that Flashdance is all about the female dancer.

I really wish one of the couples in the final would actually do a ballroom dance with lots of intricate lifts rather than a hip hop type routine. It would have suited Melissa and Tony so much better - he just isn't comfortable doing a hip hop routine, and Gilles didn't look all that comfortable with his routine either.

I think it's between Shawn and Gilles in the end. America v France! Who will get the most votes? I rather think Shawn will do it, which is a bit of a shame as Gilles is the better dancer. Shawn is very athletic but doesn't quite have the depth of emotion to portray some of the dances properly - maybe because she's so young, I don't know.

I agree totally about Tony and Melissa, they could have come out and done a spectacular American Smooth type freestyle that would have blown us away - instead Tony looked cumbersome and uncomfortable doing the hip hop routine, it was disjointed and really just tricks without much dancing.

Have to say I didn't really enjoy Shawns either but I don't think watching it on You Tube you get the best view of it, can't wait to see it on TV on Friday night

Cheryl and Gilles - well I love that song BUT agree it was all about Cheryl - I was rather hoping to see Gilles remove his t-shirt at one point if only to liven his part up (shallow, that's me!) - not much dancing in that one either

I really hope you are wrong about Shawn winning. Her dancing is ok, but it is so emotionless and bland. At her age she should be able to throw herself into it with a vengence, without feeling conspicuous and awkward like some of the older contestants have to contend with.

hmmm I don't know - 17 is kind of an awkward age for a girl and she's obviously shy and embarrassed to be so up close and personal with Mark (tut - some girls don't know they're born) which she may not have been had she been a 5 or 10 years older, she'd possibly be more comfortable in her own skin if she were older. I think she's possibly a little bit immature because her whole life has been gymnastics and I doubt she's had the normal teenage trials and tribulations of a 17yr old girl.

However, having said all that I do absolutely agree with you about her dancing, it shows no emotion or spirit and I LOATHE the way she seems to speak without moving her mouth (but again that could be a sign of awkwardness and embarrassment)

I was really shocked with the freestyles. Although I've liked Shawn since the beginning, I genuinely thought her freestyle was brilliant. She was energetic and the routine actually seemed to involve a lot of dancing rather than just lifts (Brendan and Lisa I'm looking at you!). Also, she seemed to be enjoying herself! Overall I was really impressed with her.

I've never been the biggest Melissa fan and the freestyle did little to change my mind. I don't think it helped that after Shawn's routine it seemed a little pedestrian and slow in parts.

I was really disappointed in Gilles and Cheryl's freestyle. Gilles is a great dancer and I've been championing him from the first time I saw him, but I really think that Cheryl missed a trick with the choreography. She really didn't show off Gilles to his maximum potential.

I was so confident that Gilles would win before this week. Now I think that Shawn might beat him and I can't say that I would be disappointed if she did!

I've also got to say that I agree with Force Ten, it would be so lovely to see a freestyle ballroom dance. I think that Melissa could have done a really great job with that.

I think I'm the only Shawn lover on here. I think she does have enthusiasm and go. I think it was a bit supressed early on, but is really coming out now, especially on her Argentine Tango last week which was terrific. I'd love her to win, but it's in the hands of the American public now...

There was less than 1% separating the first two - it was the closest finish of any series.

Gutted for Gilles as he was clearly the best dancer in the show - however I do wonder whether Cheryl's having already won it twice went against them in the final vote??? Kind of like why should she get all the best dancers? Personally I'd have liked to have seen Gilles dancing with someone like Karina but that's history now. So, what do I think of Shawn winning? Well the American public like the Olympians don't they - that's 3 that have won. Her technique was excellent right through out BUT I just found her emotionless and her dancing without spirit and soul most of the time

Anna was a shoe-in from the start in my book - Julianne had already announced she was leaving so they needed another blonde, young female - the judges fell over themselves to praise her (and rightly so, she is excellent) BUT she is very tall so I wonder if that'll cause them problems in the future - we'll see

Really happy with the result!
I'm so glad Gilles didn't win..sorry but I can't stand that smug grin..