SYTYCD Top 10

It’s on, baby.

This is where not only the judges, but I think the viewing audience as well, expects things to really step up a notch. Some pairs did with some routines, others not so much. Last week we said goodbye to Comfort and Thayne, only to see Comfort back and competing once again. Unfortunately I missed the reasons, but Jessie apparently has a medical situation that will keep her from performing for the next four weeks. She will however still be allowed to perform on the tour. Each dancer did one solo between partnered routines and wow – they really stepped them up tonight. I’ll talk mucho brief about those at the end.

The Routines

Our first couple was Courtney and Joshua and it was hard for me to pick which routine to feature! I had to go with the hip hop though, choreographed by Dave Scott. The story was a play of off the Bride of Frankenstein, with Joshua as the mad scientist and the always cute Courtney as his budding creation. So much fun. tons of hard hitting, holla out loud moves from Joshua. Courtney has already proven that white girls can dance and she did pretty damn good herself with this one too. Then there were those parts where Joshua mouthed the words to the song – HOT! I loved them as a pair and felt they played off each other well, showed a lot of commitment and looked like they were having fun.

Their second routine was a rumba by Jean-Marc. Wonderful, beautiful and so sexy. Joshua puts so much passion into whatever he does and adapts to different styles so easily it seems. Courtney has again already proven herself with these kind of slow, undulating and sensual dance styles and she nailed it again. Very hot, very sexy. I was surprised they didn’t get the hot tamale train from Mary.

Kherington and Mark’s first routine was a country western and yikes. I’ll get back to that in a moment. Their second was much better, although the judges didn’t seem to think so. It was a jazz routine by Tyce Diorio, oddly enough with no story to get into character for. Very unusual and I think that may have hurt them in the long run. It was however, at least high energy, fun and upbeat. Marc looked awesome; he seems to have this innate and natural dancing grace that translates well in a lot of what he does. Kherington showed off her vivacity and enthusiasm. The judges didn’t think there was anything added by them though. What do you think?

Their first routine was a two-step. Very awkward. The first ever done on the show and it was boring, simply did not care for it. I thought it cool to give props on the show to that style of dance, but I’d much rather have seen something along the lines of another Bollywood routine or something. I appreciated how the guest judge, Little-C, called them on their mistakes. He gave great critiques for every dance last night, actually. So this was probably my least favorite routine. I do wonder if Kherington is in danger.

Comfort and Twitch. Again another awkward first, so we’ll skip to their second, featured above. It was a hip hop routine by Dave Scott and DAYUM, it was AWESOME! Loved the music, hated Twitch’s outfit, but hey – they danced it so hot. This was both their element and it was great to see each of them nailing it. Honestly, I think this was one of the best of the night.

Back to the first – a smooth waltz. At first glance and on the surface, it was pretty. Looking much closer though, you do start to notice the mistakes and awkwardness. It’s too bad, once I realized Comfort was back I really wanted her to nail both routines. So it was simply OK and that’s really too bad for both her and Twitch at this point. I seriously doubt Twitch is in any trouble though. Comfort may be another story, even with her awesome 2nd performance.

Katee and Will – ah, another dance pair made in heaven. I had to choose their 2nd routine, a Pas de Deux, though and I think you’ll see why when you watch. So graceful, like nothing I’ve ever seen in terms of dance. They danced it to David Archuleta’s version of Imagine too, which just completed their efforts. What can I say except I was blown away and caught completely off guard, in a good, pleasantly dazed way. This one was also in the running for my fave of the night.

Their first routine was a Tyce Diorio Broadway and it was cute. They had a big ‘ole boat out their as a prop and they were in it, out of it, on the side of it and they used that thing like dancing pros. Got a chuckle at Little-C calling Tyce a “beast”. Will made smart move by ripping off his shirt at one point; no doubt he’ll be safe. :D It was cute and simply an OK routine for me, but at least it was fun to watch. Won’t be a memorable one for me though by the end of the season.

Chelsie and Gev – they made a cute couple but I do miss him with Courtney! But anywayz, Chelsie and Gev’s featured dance was their first of the night, a contemporary by Sonya and it was beautiful! Very dynamic, interesting choreography – I’m liking what this Sonya is doing. The dancers felt and looked passionate up there.

Their second routine, and the last of the night, was a jive by Jean Marc and it was a lot of fun. I kind of agree with the judges in that Chelsie outdid Gev. Both were committed, but Chelsie was like lightning, as one of the judges said. Courtney said before that she hoped it would be the best jive ever on the show. Nope, not for me. Anya and Danny from Season 3 still have that spot, IMO. BUT this was fun, it wasn’t a slump by a long shot. So not love, but at least like.

The Solos

In order, we had:

• Chelsie: I thought she was OK, very cute as usual, but nothing really extra in her solo tonight.
• Gev: High b-boy energy, very cool to watch and I would watch this very short demo of skills again.
• Courtney: I think I’d watch any dance this girl does and without a doubt she is my favorite female dancer this season. She always surprises me and her solo was no exception.
• Mark: *crickets* Very strange. That’s all I could think of while watching…
• Comfort: SO much fun to see this gal in her element! You can tell her confidence steps up.
• Twitch: Nigel has said this dancer has musicality. Even if you don’t know exactly what that means, you can kind of understand when you watch Twitch. He is almost ALWAYS amazing.
• Katee: Beautiful, very “flowing”. She just makes me happy when she dances.
• Will: Such strong masculine prowess and power, yet supremely graceful at the same time.
• Kherington: She was fun and sassy, but didn’t blow me away.
• Joshua: amazing, another hard hitting solo and possibly the best one, for me

Predictions and Faves

I hate for anyone to go, really, but they gots to. I think the two girls in danger are Kherington and Comfort. For the guys, it’s harder to say, but will go with Gev and Mark.

After ruminating on it a bit more, I have to go with Courtney and Joshua’s hip hop Frankenstein routine as myu favorite of the night because in the end I want to be entertained to the fullest and hip hop often does that for me. Almost neck and neck with it was Katee and Will’s ballet though. Such a different, strong and moving piece. Will definitely still be some talk about that one come the end of the season and I bet it gets danced on the tour. Oh what the heck, I’ll just say the two routines tied for first with me.

It was hard to choose though. There were a lot more good dances this time than bad. I believe we can expect a Mia Michaels group routine tomorrow night? Someone please correct me if that’s wrong. And feel free to share your faves and disappointments of the show.