America's Ballroom Challenge 3: International Latin

This was an episode of America's Ballroom Challenge even Optimus Prime would love.

The International Latin round began with a farewell performance by Max Kozhevnikov & Yulia Zagoruychenko. Max dressed as an Indian brave, and Yulia dressed as a turkey -- a very sexy turkey. It was a terrific final performance that made me even more sad that they won't be competing together anymore.

Then it was time for the group dance round. Co-host Ron Montez praised Anna Trebunskaya & Pavlo Barsuk as up-and-comers to watch, and Anna's dress was fabulous. But the judges awarded them sixth place, and named Andrei Gavriline & Elena Kryuchkova the winners.

Things got interesting in the showdance round. Vaidotas Skimelis & Jurga Pupelyte did an authentic disco-era cha cha that was my favorite performance of the night. But the judges gave them second place, and awarded first to Ilya Ifraimov & Nadia Goulina for their Transformers routine. I'm not sure what was funnier, the clips of Optimus Prime saying, "Transformers, roll out" that peppered Ilya & Nadia's music, or Ron Montez saying, "It looks like they're going to attempt to do a little paso doble...robot style."

Because of their first place finish in the group dance round and their fourth place finish in the showdance round, Andrei & Elena will represent the International Latin division in next week's America's Ballroom Challenge finale.

I don't want to get my hopes up until I see something official on pbs.org, but there was a clip of Max & Yulia performing another dance in the finale preview. A second farewell performance? Could I be so lucky?