by Gina Scarpa

 

Oh, how I miss the days where So You Think You Can Dance had its own elimination episode every week. Instead, the bottom six are called out in the early moments of the show, dance their solos, and find out who has been eliminated BEFORE they do this week's dance with their partner. Must be hard to slap a smile on your face after that! After a semi-creepy, yet totally beautiful opening routine by Tyce Diorio, the bottom 6 are named.

 

In no particular order, they are: Makenzie, Alan, Mariah, Jade, Brittany, and Carlos. My predictions last week were only 3/6, or 50%, and it seems I need to step up my psychic skills. Nigel first let Makenzie and Alan know they are safe, then felt underwhelmed by the solos that followed. After taking everything into consideration, contemporary dancer Carlos Garland and ballroom dancer Brittany Cherry are the first to be cut. The ironic thing is that one of them landed in my top spot when ranking the top five routines!

 

5. Jasmine Mason and Alan Bersten: Tango choreographed by Miriam and Leonardo

Ballroom routines are often underappreciated by the viewers, and tango is probably at the top of that list (along with the foxtrot). Alan was in his element, while Jasmine really stepped it up with her intensity and technique. This pair has chemistry, they're wonderful every time they hit the stage, and hopefully Alan will find himself on the safe side of things next week.

 

4. Amy Yakima and DuShaunt "Fik-Shun" Stegall: Hip-Hop choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon

Even though Fik-Shun is in his comfort zone, he's proven that he can do any routine that's thrown at him. Amy's rhythm and musicality was spot on but at times, facially, she did feel a bit like a contemporary dancer trying to do hip hop instead of just a hip hop dancer. It's a picky critique but no matter. These two are gonna be sailing through this competition for many weeks to come!

 

3. Alexis Juliano and Nico Greetham: Contemporary choreographed by Stacy Tookey

One of my favorite routines from Season 7 was Stacy's routine with Kathryn and Robert, where she was heading off to war. This season, Stacy choreographed a sequel for Alexis and Nico, where she returns home. Nico continues to step it up every week, while Alexis's sincere performance overshadowed the technical things that she still needs to improve upon.

 

2. Jasmine Harper and Aaron Turner: Lyrical Hip-Hop choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon

It's amazing when you think that Aaron wasn't even supposed to be here, and he is absolutely killing it every week. Jasmine has a great story, solid chemistry with Aaron, and she has an amazing ability to tell a story through her dancing.  In fact, their chemistry was good that I can't help but wonder if there's something more going on... okay perhaps wishful thinking but regardless, I loved, loved, loved this routine!

 

1. Mariah Spears and Carlos Garland: Contemporary choreographed by Stacey Tookey

I... love... Stacy Tookey! This piece, about a couple where the man had been in an accident and lost his memory, was absolutely breathtaking. If anyone had any doubts about whether or not Carlos should've stayed in the competition, he put it to rest with that routine. And then there's Mariah, who showed a completely different, serious, emotional side that left me practically in tears when the music stopped. Mariah should have certainly done enough this week to be safe come next Tuesday.

 

 

Prediction for dancers in danger of elimination: Malece, Alexis, Jenna, Tucker, Jade, BluPrint

 

 

So You Think You Can Dance airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on FOX.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa