by David McAlpine
 
Tonight, on So You Think You Can Dance, the Top 12 dance not once…but twice! Double the fun, right? With the Top 10 and America’s voting only one week away, everyone is desperate to reach the final stage of the competition.

Dancers: Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi

Style: Disco
Choreographer: Doriana Sanchez
Song: “Move On Up” by Destination
Disco has to be my favorite style. Don’t ask me why, I just love it. And Doriana Sanchez does it so well, I love watching what she comes up with next. Honestly, it seemed like they were behind the pace of the music. It doesn’t surprise me, since Melissa is a ballet dancer, but something about it just seemed off. The judges, however, really enjoyed the energy of the dance and the execution, and Tyce couldn’t get over how well Melissa did.

Dancers: Kayla Radomski and Kupono Aweau

Style: Contemporary

Choreographer: Mia Michaels
Song: “Gravity” by Sara Bareilles
After getting contemporary last week, I was worried for Kayla and Kupono because they have nothing to do but step up their game this week, especially since they’re under the direction of THE Mia Michaels. This piece is definitely a lot more intense than the Sonya Tayeh choreography they did last week, and Kupono pulls it off excellently. Mary decides to keep them on the hot tamale train, and Tyce compliments them on both their dancing ability and their acting ability.

Dancers: Caitlin Kinney and Jason Glover

Style: Foxtrot
Choreographer: 
Tony Meredith & Melanie LePatin
Song: “Minnie the Moocher” by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
After their surprise escape from the bottom last week, it’s evident that Caitlin and Jason have made their presence to America, which makes them viable competitors come next week when the results are solely based on America’s votes. However, they have to get through this week, first, and the foxtrot wasn’t something that I saw them handling particularly well. Unfortunately, they seemed very stiff on stage, and there seemed to be a distinct lack of energy, especially after the first couple explosive performances. They get some “good improvement” comments from the judges, but nothing really spectacular and, with only 6 couples this week, I’d be willing to bet they’re dancing dangerously close to the edge of elimination.

Dancers: Jeanine Mason and Phillip Chbeeb

Style: Russian Folk Dance
Choreographer: Youri Nelzine & Lilla Babenko
Song: “Kalinka” by Barynya
Really? Folk dancing? Come on, these two had a bad enough week last week having to dance solos when they were clearly not bottom three material. And now you give them folk dancing? It’s really strange, but they really lack a shining quality. The judges seem to think the dance is not memorable, but they didn’t do as bad as they could have.

Dancers: Randi Evans and Evan Kasprzak

Style: Hip Hop
Choreographer: Tabitha & Napoleon
Song: “Halo” by Beyonce
Once again, great song choice by the music crew. I’m definitely loving this soundtrack so far! After seeing Randi and Evan doing so many different styles, I wasn’t concerned about them doing hip hop until I saw just how intricate the choreography was. Then I got concerned…and I think I was proven right. They seemed to miss a lot of the little details that would have made the dance a lot better, but they still gave a good performance. Again, lots of “very good”s from the judges, but not the best from these two.

Dancers: Janette Manrara and Brandon Bryant

Style: Argentine Tango
Choreographer: Leonardo Barrionuevo & Mariam Larci
Song: "Libertango” from Forever Tango

After last week, I always ask myself what this couple can’t do. I think it’ll be a shame next week when they’re broken up and they have to work with other people, but that’s probably when we’ll see the true lasting power of Janette and Brandon individually. But for now, I enjoyed them again as a true power couple. Their dance was flawless and they once again proved that they really are the best in the competition. They get a standing ovation from the judges, too!

Since there are only six couples left and, well, it’s a two-hour show, they didn’t want to stretch, but instead, cram. Therefore, everyone gets to dance again before America votes this week.

Dancers: Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi

Style: Waltz
Choreographer: Ron Montez
Song: “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” by Mary J. Blige
As a ballet dancer, I expected a lot from Melissa, because it seems like from her previous dances, she already has the technique down. The dance itself was really smooth and they clearly had a hot chemistry during a really sultry song, which made the dance that much better. It wasn’t super interesting, but it was really entertaining to watch. The judges commented on how great they both looked, and Ade got some good compliments on his technique.

Dancers: Kayla Radomski and Kupono Aweau

Style: Broadway
Choreographer: Joey Dowling
Song: “The Dance at the Gym” from West Side Story
Joey Dowling has become the new Mia Michaels, and it seems like everyone is fully frightened of her, especially when she gets that look in her eye during rehearsals. I think the issue with this dance is that, with previous Broadway routines, each dancer is given a specific character. However, it doesn’t seem like either Kayla or Kupono had that direction, so it just seemed off and almost empty. The judges seemed to agree, but Tyce said he sees this couple sticking around.

Dancers: Caitlin Kinney and Jason Glover

Style: Lyrical Jazz
Choreographer: 
Mandy Moore
Song: “Show Me Heaven” by Maria McKee
Finally, we get to see Caitlin and Jason in their own styles, which I’m hoping is good, but at the same time I’m sure puts a lot of pressure on them. They’ve been in the bottom more times than any other couple, so another trip back there could be the end of the road for one or both of them. Their dance comes off really nicely, but it’s very cluttered and it seems like they try to show too much in a short period of time. Since it is their own style, I expected a lot more, and I’d be willing to bet they’ll be in the bottom again. The judges also thought that an element of magic was missing, but they still had very positive reviews.

Dancers: Jeanine Mason and Phillip Chbeeb

Style: Jive
Choreographer: Tony Meredith & Melanie LePatin
Song: “Stuff Like That There” by Bette Midler
Now these two get stuck with the jive? What a rough night for Jeanine and Phillip, I’d say they really just got unlucky with their styles this week. They were definitely more energetic in the second half of the show (and more enjoyable to watch), but the technicality was definitely not there, especially with Phillip. Unfortunately, I’d be willing to bet that these two are also going to fall into the danger zone tomorrow night.

Dancers: Randi Evans and Evan Kasprzak

Style: Samba
Choreographer: Pasha Kovalev & Anya Garnis
Song: “Ritmo De Bom Bom” by Jubaba
I always love seeing former So You Think You Can Dance contestants come back and choreograph for the show—especially when I voted for them and they got sent home anyway! Sorry, I’m just a little bitter. Anyway, it’s clear that this is not Randi and Evan’s thing during rehearsals, but they started off as if it was comfortable to them. However, as the dance progressed, they started to fade. The judges also thought it wasn’t great, and that it was missing the spark that normally comes with latin dances. I’d probably say that this couple, barring any nasty mess up by Janette and Brandon, will be rounding out the bottom three.

Dancers: Janette Manrara and Brandon Bryant

Style: Jazz
Choreographer: Wade Robson
Song: "Ruby Blue” by Roisin Murphy

What better way to end the show than a Wade Robson routine performed by Janette and Brandon? There’s really not much to say except that, yet again, they completely nailed the dance. Time after time, they’ve been flawless, so it seems like a great way to end their permanent partnership. The judges also loved it and made it clear that they were the best of the night and that America should love them for it. We do, Nigel. We do.
 
Be sure to tune in tomorrow night at 9/8c on FOX to So You Think You Can Dance for the live results show to see who will make it into the final stage of the competition!

(Photo courtesy of FOX)

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