The episode opened with last year's winner, Nick Lazzarini, performing a solo dance.

Then, Cat introduced this episode's judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, and Dan Karaty. She also announced that this year instead of drawing a partner every week, the partners were randomly assigned and will stay together until one of them is eliminated.

This week's pairs danced together: Benji and Donyelle, Ivan and Allison, Jason and Aleksandra, Jamyz and Jessica, Stanislav and Erin, Dmitry and Joy, Ryan and Heidi, Ben and Ashlee, Travis and Martha, and Musa and Natalie. Afterwards, voting was opened up to the audience.

When a longtime outspoken critic of the Equal Rights Amendment passes away and his wife prepares to take over his Congressional seat, Mac sees the opportunity to amend the Constitution and finally pass the ERA. Meanwhile, she prepares to participate in a previously scheduled Get Out the Vote event with Templeton, which turns into more of a presidential debate. On the home front, Rod is approached about doing a story on his relationship with Mac a Presidential marriage and it turns out Kelly has a past with the writer. Rebecca continues her relationship with her IM buddy, but theyre each shocked at the others identity when they meet in person. And the differences between Mac and Dickies beliefs become glaringly apparent.

Lauren gets an assignment to fly to New York and deliver a dress for a fashion show. Heidi is faced with the reality of her "dream job" because she is expected to do work.

TONIGHT: The Host of NBC's Meet the Press and the author of Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons, Tim Russert!

Tonight Stephen welcomes the author of Hostile Takeover, David Sirota.

The story of American millionaire Robert Graham, who planned to improve the next generation of the human race by setting up a sperm bank where all the donors were geniuses. Featuring dramatic reconstructions and contributions by some of the 200 people conceived as a result.