By Lindsay Strouse

 

With another week behind us, we are one step closer to choosing our favorite dancer on So You Think You Can Dance. Though contemporary is near and dear to my heart, I do wish we had a little more diversity left in the competition. And with the only ballroom and tap dancer gone, and our hip hop dancers slowly dwindling, it looks like this is boiling down to yet another Battle of the Contemporary/Jazz dancers.

 

Guest judging tonight’s performances are Carmen Electra and TRAVIS WALL! So happy about that. Here’s how our dancers did:

 

Dancers: Mitchell, Ryan, Alexander, Chris, Jess, Tadd and Marko

Style: Contemporary

Choreographer: Justin Giles

Song: “Prague” by Damien Rice

Our Top 7 guys start the night off right with a powerful contemporary piece about the seven stages of grief. So great to finally have Justin Giles choreographing for the show, as he helped these guys dance as one and tell an emotionally moving and relatable story of heartbreak. Great work. 

 

Dancers: Melanie and Marko

Style: Jazz

Choreographer: Ray Leeper

Song: “Americano” by Lady Gaga

I don’t think these two will ever take a wrong step…or get anything less than rave reviews from the judges. Strength and passion seem to be the most notable aspects to this couple tonight. And it is so wonderful to see how humble Melanie and Marko are in receiving their compliments and how much they care about each other as partners.

 

Dancers: Sasha and Alexander

Style: Hip Hop

Choreographer: Shaun Evaristo

Song: “To the Moon” by Miguel

Okay, so Sasha is fierce. And Alexander gets an A for effort…some people just don’t got that swag! Mary was missing the connection between the two and Nigel compares their performance to “Hip Hop 101.” Despite their less than perfect dancing, something is telling me their lovability factor will help them make it through to next week.

 

Dancers: Jordan and Tadd

Style: Waltz

Choreographer: Toni Redpath

Song: “Nocturne” by Secret Garden

This felt like a mix somewhere between The Little Mermaid and Pirates of the Caribbean. Mary loved it and described it as “dreamy and romantic.” Travis thought it could have been a bit smoother but marveled at Tadd’s ability to dance outside his genre. Overall, his masculine yet tender partnering matched Jordan’s strength and sexiness for a perfectly enjoyable performance.

 

Dancers: Clarice and Jess

Style: Contemporary

Choreographer: Justine Giles

Song: “Light Through the Branches” by Celeste Lear

I got the power of their technique in this performance, but not the power of their emotions. Maybe I’m the only one, because Travis thought they came alive for the first time in this piece. The remaining judges echoed his comment by complimenting the honesty in their emotions toward each other. I’m usually a fan of these two, so I’m hoping America agrees with the judges this week.

 

Dancers: Ashley and Chris

Style: Salsa

Choreographer: Liz Lira

Song: “Mambo Beat” by Tito Puente

In the words of Cat Deeley, “He’s hip-hop, she’s jazz. Tonight they salsa.” And salsa they…attempted! Thankfully no one got hurt during the many intense lifts, but there was a lack of chemistry, a lack of energy and a definite lack of hip-shaking. Mary noted several moments where Ashley and Chris were fired up (especially during the lifts), but it just wasn’t enough as a whole.

 

Dancers: Ryan and Ricky

Style: Jazz

Choreographer: Chucky Klapow

Song: “Fashion” by David Bowie

Those costumes were so 80s-tastic, I loved it! A bit of a quirky concept, but I have to say…it was great. These dancers went so deep into their zombie characters that it really made this dance a standout piece tonight. I’m so happy Nigel compared this performance to Season 2’s “Rama Lama” (which Travis Wall appeared in), because I was thinking the same exact thing.

 

Dancers: Caitlynn and Mitchell

Style: Contemporary

Choreographer: Mandy Moore

Song: “To Love You More” by Celine Dion

Caitlynn’s extensions are ridiculous and I’m pretty sure Mitchell was close to reaching the top of the domed ceiling when he jumped. What’s more, they shared an incredible chemistry and fearlessness with each other that I haven’t seen them reach before. And it was well worth it because they achieved the first standing ovation from the judges this season! Bravo. Deemed best routine of the night.

 

Dancers: Caitlynn, Ryan, Ashley, Clarice, Melanie, Sasha and Jordan

Style: Jazz

Choreographer: Ray Leeper

Song: “My Discarded Men” by Eartha Kitt

And this is why they’re called beasts. Each girl was better than the next while still working together as a whole to produce a masterpiece. The judges may not be able to comment on the group dances, but they sure gave it a standing ovation. These women are seriously in it to win it.

 

It’s hard to watch, I know, but tune in tomorrow night at 8/7c on FOX to find out who goes home next on So You Think You Can Dance.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

Follow Lindsay on Twitter @LindsayStrouse