Dancing With the Stars finale recap: Meet Your Mirrorball Champs

What a very worthy final three, huh? Season 25 of Dancing With the Stars hasn’t served up too many surprises (I’m still sad Debbie Gibson went home so early — what could’ve been!). Both Jordan Fisher and Lindsey Stirling were standouts from week one, and their technical prowess was always top of the class (er, leader board). Frankie Muniz endeared himself to America early, what with all the “I love this so much but I also might throw up!” stuff. Aside from being so easy to root for, Frankie, having had zero dance experience, is the one contestant left who truly embodies the DWTS spirit. It’s really anyone’s Mirrorball.

Before we can close this thing out, our three finalists have two more dances to perform, one repeat performance and the over-hyped 24-Hour Fusion dance. Also there are some last-minute, get-your-vote-on shenanigans to be had. Isn’t this all so exciting? We’ll get to those final dances in just a second, but the finale is also chock full of musical performances, visits from old friends, and, you guys, SANTA IS HERE. And Santa is Len Goodman. He calls Frankie a “little frankfurter.” What the hell is this show, I shall miss it over hiatus.

Here are some show highlights:

There are lots of performances to get you in the holiday spirit, even though I’m pretty sure it’s like 85 degrees in Los Angeles right now. Who cares, SNOW. There is snow and a holiday medley performed by Debbie Gibson and Jordan Fisher (kick, ball, change, HIT THAT HIGH NOTE, DUDE). The best performance is “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” performed by the Ray Chew Live house band with a dance assist from Victoria, Val, and a bunch of our pros. I’m very into the deep v-neck fur collars. On the other end of the holiday spectrum is Barbara Corcoran dancing with shirtless men dressed as reindeer for a “Ruldolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” routine. Keo is Rudolph. I thought we had saved Keo from this nonsense?

Aside from the holidays, we have the traditional “story of the season” dances. They pick some great routines to revisit: Derek and Sharna’s week one salsa and Vanessa and Maks’ quickstep to honor movie musicals are both just as fun the second time around. Everyone from the cast comes back to say hello and goodbye one way or another. It’s all well and good, but it’s time for some results. Let’s see how our three finalists did in their final two competitive routines of the season.

THE REPEAT PERFORMANCE ROUND

Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas
Jive, “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham!
It’s fun to watch some of the season’s best routines again (I don’t miss the Results Show, but I do miss the encore dance), but is scoring really necessary? We learn a little more about Lindsey: She struggled with depression and anorexia before getting back into her childhood passion of the violin and willing herself to be successful. That perseverance and dedication was obviously felt throughout her time on DWTS. She and Mark select their week three pajama party jive to perform again. It was cute and clever then (bed choreography!), and it is cute and clever now.
Judges’ Score: 40/40

Frankie Muniz and Witney Carson
Argentine Tango, “Angelica” from Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Break my heart and Argentine tango all over it why don’t ya, Frankie? Frankie hit a low point after his dream of racing cars was dashed due to an accident. DWTS turned everything around. He doesn’t specifically say it saved his life, but we’ve all been there and WE KNOW. His mom and Bryan Cranston couldn’t be prouder. What more do you need? Frankie and Witney perform their Pirates of the Caribbean Argentine tango and it really showcases Frankie’s growth. Every movement is sharper and infused with the confidence we’ve seen him build over the past few weeks. Cranston said it best: “That’s my boy!”
Judges’ Score: 30/30

Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold
Samba, “Mi Gente” by J. Baldwin and Willy William
Jordan faced a lot of rejection as a child actor trying to make it in Los Angeles. Apparently, he went through a period of time when he would be one of the last two standing only to lose the role. You guys, if Jordan comes in second tonight, I fear a flashback-induced meltdown. It doesn’t seem like he’ll end up in second, especially once we’re reminded of how stinkin’ good he is with his clubby samba from week two. Samba rolls and swagger sounds like a winning recipe for the Mirrorball. There’s not much left for the judges to say; they’ve loved Jordan from day one. Another week, another crowd-pleasing performance.
Judges’ Score: 30/30

24-HOUR DANCE FUSION ROUND

Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas
Cha Cha/Tango Fusion
The final rehearsal, “look at these photos of our lives” finale package hasn’t changed in years, but it gets me every time. As Carrie Ann notes, Lindsey and Mark are so well matched as a couple, so it’ll be tough to say goodbye. This fusion number doesn’t look as polished as we’ve come to expect from Lindsey, but she only had 24 hours to learn it. All I’ve really done in the past 24 hours is sleep, eat, and watch other people dance, so, no judgement here. Lindsey and Mark seamlessly blend their two contrasting dance styles, and the judges are pleased.
Judges’ Score: 30/30

Frankie Muniz and Witney Carson
Foxtrot/Tango Fusion
What else is there to say? Frankie and Witney are the cutest and can they please be partners every season? In their final rehearsal, Frankie once again tells Witney that this experience has been the best of his life and he owes it all to her. YOU GUYS. When season 25 started, I really did not think Malcolm in the Middle would be making me cry this much. Yet here we are. Frankie and Witney’s final turn on the dance floor is fun and inspiring and just as fine as all these other fusion dances, but the judges feel like they still need to judge even though this is the last dance and we’ve all made up our minds. Way to do your jobs, judges, the recapper said sarcastically.
Judges’ Score: 38/40

Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold
Salsa/Paso Doble Fusion
In his final rehearsal, Jordan comes to the realization that all loyal DWTS fans have at some point or another: DWTS isn’t just about dancing. It’s about THE JOURNEY. It’s about letting people in and learning about yourself. Is the DWTS marketing department giving Jordan some extra dough stacks on the side? Obviously, Jordan and Lindsay’s salsa/paso is excellent, and a pretty joyous way to close out the competition. Then Lindsay goes on about how Jordan has made her a better dancer and honestly, this girl deserves a Mirrorball because she’s been outstanding this season. Jordan’s cool too, but I am here for Lindsay.
Judges’ Score: 30/30

With all the dancing and last-minute voting wrapped up, let’s get down to business. Nick Lachey has arrived on the scene to make Frankie Muniz cry one last time. If that sentence isn’t the greatest thing you’ve read all day, tell me about your life. For one moment, I had hope for a big Frankie Muniz upset to spice things up, but alas, things progress predictably: Frankie and Witney land in third place.

Thankfully for Jordan and Lindsay and Lindsey and Mark, they don’t drag anything out. Your season 25 Mirrorball champions are…Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold! Sure, this whole thing is about the celebrity, but Lindsay’s face as Tom calls out their names makes everything worth it. Now that Lindsay’s been taken care of, can we get Sharna a trophy?