One thing I’m glad of is that I like the season! I worried that this new crop of celebrities wouldn’t be interesting enough, so I’m happy it’s been entertaining.
Evermom, it does bend at the knee. If you watch yesterday’s video toward the end he’s in a half kneel where it is clearly bent. The way these are designed the natural mechanics of walking trigger the bend where it is supposed to happen
There is no mechanism to bend at will and with dance moves not falling into normal walking pattern I expect it is more stable straight. There isn’t a mechanism to hold a partially bent position. This is at least what I expect based on his mobility. I have seen that prosthetics are in development to be controlled by thought. For now I’ve only seen this with upper extremities. This is cutting edge.
Just a tiny bit of insight I learned from reading both Amy Purdy’s and Derek Hough’s autobiographies: Amy said that there is a sort of shorthand to identify what the amputee is dealing with, AK would be amputation above the knee and BK for below the knee. She was a double bk. She was the first woman with two prosthetic legs to compete in the Paralympics snowboarding event, gaining a bronze metal.
Derek said when he first talked to a reporter about having Amy as his dance partner he referred to her as a double amputee. In private, Amy quietly explained that his description focused on the loss of limb, and asked him from there on in to say that she was a contestant with two prosthetic limbs. Semantics, yes, but very powerful to her.
Get this started for this week:
Just a few random observations–
I thought Chris did much better this week in terms of musicality and rhythm. I actually like watching him more than the shark tank guy, at this point, though I think they are by far the two weakest dancers.
I think the judges are way too hard on Derek and Nastia.
Ryker is delightful and might just be my favorite. Is he really Derek and Julianne’s cousin? I could totally see that…
The group dances were fun!
I was REALLY surprised at the elimination last night.
I thought all the dances were average. It surprised me that Riker got a couple 10s. He was good but lacked finesse. I want to see him become more refined, I hope his partner is up to the task. He’s great to watch.
Nastia’s gown was exquisite, the dance was okay. Rumor’s dance also seemed to lack finesse along with Willow. I’m not a fan of Chris and Robert is starting to look really bad. Noah is going to start to run into difficulty now that competition is heating up. I just really loved watching Patti, she really brings it.
I thought Julianne looked gorgeous. Erin Andrews seemed okay even tho her boyfriend was busted Friday for possession of heroin and ecstacy.
Patti needed to go. Yes, she’s a fun 70yo, but her dances have had almost no content. I have been bugged by how the judges overscored her week after week.
Chris or Robert should go next. They get underscored compared to Patti, but I enjoy both of them. Robert just seems so happy to be there week after week.
I get what they are saying about Nastia … too much reliance on just her flexibility. All those leaned back high kicks. I also didn’t just love Rumer’s dance this week. Of course, she’s good, but I didn’t feel moved. Riker was really fun. I loved the sequence at the top of the stage. He’s not refined enough just yet, but I love watching him with those long legs and being tall. I guess he’s just a different shape from so many of the guys over the years – beefy football players. More Tommy Tune-ish in shape if not talent. 
I loved the second team dance. Much better than the first. The use (non-use) of Patti was great, a way to include her without having her drag the dance down.
I was not blown away with any of the dances this week. I think the judges are being too hard on Nastia and Derek, I think because they are so good that they can pull off great dances with such a hectic schedule, the team really is so stacked with talent.
I think Chris should go next (thought he was over scored), then Robert. Robert always looks like he’s having a great time, I enjoy Riker, although he should be receiving more critiques, rather than such high scores.
OH NO Derek Hough is apparently pretty badly injured! Apparently, monday night after the show, he was rehearsing for the taping of the 10th anniversary special (taping took place on Tuesday night, 4/21) and broke a toe, tore ligaments and sprained his ankle. 
Probably out for the season and also for the rest of his New York Spring Spectacular run. I am really bummed about the latter because we are going up there to see it next week. I was really looking forward to seeing him live!
Wishing him speedy healing! I just hate this for him.
Ouch! Gosh, of all times for him to be injured. You will still enjoy the show, tho, it sounds great, and should be very entertaining. Derek burns the candle at both ends. That will be hard for him to hobbled with an injury that prevents him from performing.
Wow, I wonder who Nastia will be paired with now. Kao would be nice.
I am thinking Tony Dovolani or Armin?
From an article about the injury. http://www.ew.com/article/2015/04/22/dancing-with-the-stars-derek-hough-injured
The most entertaining dance of the night was Noah & Sharna, I loved their 70s dance as much as Carrie Ann.
I didn’t care for the Ninja dance, why did Mark allow Willow’s beautiful face and hair to be completely covered? It seemed too dull, plus, as I’ve said, I don’t care for his costume gimick choices.
Why does Nastia allow her hair to be piled in a big cow patty on her forehead like that? Very unbecoming, tho the dance was cute. Julianne had too much bare skin in the chest area showing, not necessary.
Not a fan of the dance off portion of the show.
Wow. This elimination did not got like I thought it would, but they are the most unlikable couple. Sorry, guys.
ETA: Oh, don’t cry.
Wow! What just happened!!! This was a crazzzy night.
Well, it was a surprise, but I wouldn’t say they were an unlikeable couple. And I think others should have been could have been voted off instead.
I couldn’t say what I really wanted to say because I was trying not to give the answer away. I’ll come back later and say what I really wanted to say. Maybe unpopular?
Why did I think there was gonna be double elimination tonight? Isn’t that what they’d said?
I think they were a totally likable couple and was shocked and sad to see Willow go. I wish it was a matter of voting people “off”…it would be easy for me to come up with who I’d cast that vote for right now. 
Ugh
The double elimination was supposed to be tomorrow night, but now it’s next week. Tomorrow is the 10th anniversary special show.