STYTCD: Week 7

Yay, we're down to the top 6!!!

Wait....

Opening credits are over, and let's see if we actually have 6 healthy dancers ready to dance - indeed we do, holla! Cat "Python" Deeley is in the house; and it appears Mia was brutally attacked by a stack of rogue bobby pins. Ladies, the truth - you got Nigel drunk on expired scotch and let him style you, didn't you?  'Fess up!

Well, we've got 6 young'uns ready to shake it for us all, so let's get going!

Kent & Anya: *ahem* This ain't your mama's cha-cha. At least, let's hope not - what business does your mom have doing a cha-cha like that?!  I love the fact that, even though Kent's first go at this dance was so great just because it was sweet little Kent doing a sassy cha-cha, he still felt the drive to really improve his technique and grow in the dance. It was a marked improvement and I was very happy to see it. The one thing that got in the way for me, a little: Kent's facial expressions. I think he took lessons from a high school drill team circa late-90's. haha  So distracting!! That's the #1 factor that keeps him locked in the "little boy" room, peeking out the window at the "man" world.

Robert & Kathryn: Wow, that was actually kinda captivating! I mean, what a gorgeous portrait - the line AHHH THE LINES, the subdued sincerity, the flow of movement-to-movement with no halting moments. It was like watching sculptures in motion. And Robert's character was so different from past contemporary pieces; he wasn't really performing it, so much as he was FEELING it. It's a distinction that's kinda hard to achieve, but very appreciated as a viewer. And as a side note, I super-heart that cover - turned a decent 80's pop anthem into a timeless, haunting ballad. Adding to my iTunes wishlist...

Jose's solo: Dude. When the countdown ends, your dance ends. Were you confused about the countdown, did you think there were more numbers after "1"?  Nope, numbers are still the same as they were in 1st grade. Sorry. Off the stage you go.

Adechike & Courtney: Have I mentioned I love a good Jazz?  I love a good Jazz. This was a good Jazz. Courtney is just built & programmed for this kind of stuff, so she's perfect. Adechike is total SuperDancer, the moves couldn't get any better. Again, I'm missing chemistry from him - but Mia's really hit this on the head: he needs style & finesse. He's doing these steps because that's what the choreographer told him to do - not because it's what he wants to do, not the way his body wants to move and turn and stretch. He needs to find a way to deliver the moves that make it seem that way, as if the dance came from within HIM. There's your assignment, Adechike. Go!

Lauren's solo: I so wish that I was like 12 years old, and could be watching this as a young dancer looking up to Lauren & striving to dance just like her. As is, I'm just a little too outta shape to just jump off the couch and try to do what she does. Wow, if ever something has been put mildly.... lol

Jose & Comfort: First off, I LOVED that dance. It was so different for a hip-hop, and a really intriguing mixture of styles.  I only wish someone else would've been the guy! It does seem that, when it comes to SYTYCD, I have a limited pool of loathing to draw from; because as I dislike Jose more I find myself disliking Comfort less! I really enjoyed her in this, she didn't play it straight hip-hop like I was afraid of. She embraced the "1930-'s, lazy South" vibe and infused her movement with that spirit. So, in the spirit of positive thinking, I'll leave Jose alone (EPIC FAIL!!!) and give Comfort major props. See, miracles do exist.

Billy's solo: Billy, can you give me anything new? Nothing wrong with your standard fare, but I wish you'd offer up something a little different for me ponder. Oh well. Glad you're at least here this week & not stuck on a hospital bed somewhere, right?

Kent's solo: This is why years ago, someone, somewhere dreamed up SYTYCD. So that kids everywhere could have a chance to dance, and one day... we could meet Kent.

Lauren & Allyson: I can already tell, this may be my favorite pairing. E.V.E.R. !!!! ~~ Or at least, in theory. In reality, it was pretty good. The girls didn't quite unite enough - as in, playing off each other's strength and compounding it progressively. (Reading that back, it makes less than zero sense; but in my head I know what I mean. So you all just get to wonder.) And my other complaint is that Tyce didn't give them nearly enough to work with. I kept anticipating big moments, and only got one or two. Kinda sad.

Robert's solo: Something has suddenly struck me about Robert's dancing - his hands drive me a little crazy! They're just like, weirdly flexed and stretched, I don't know. It's weird.

Billy & Ade: Okay that one took me by surprise, honestly. Watching the rehearsal package, listening to the concept, I wasn't really latching onto it or anything. Did not expect such a poignant piece of art! I loved the story, what a fantastic use of a guy/guy pairing. And Billy's performance was truly inspired & like 8 months of growth rolled into one week. I'm so glad I didn't see that coming because it really took me on a ride, loved it!

Adechike's solo: This kid sure does love his Maxwell songs, doesn't he? I give that a "Dance, 10 - Pants, 3!" *shudder* Those are getting burned right along with Cat's dress.

Kent & Jose: Jose needs to make a friend in the wardrobe department. I mean, as if his dancing weren't bad enough, they strapped into a pair of crotch-riding Famer-Alls?!? Also didn't help that he was attempting to do the same dance that Kent was doing - or rather OWNING. Kent owned it, fully. His name stamped on the front, registration papers in his pocket, headed straight to the bank with it. * crickets *  "The bank" being the finals, of course; keep up, people. :)

Lauren & Adechike: Man, what is it tonight with the naughti-fied versions of traditional ballroom dances? It definitely didn't feel like a Foxtrot - I wouldn't have really called it that if I hadn't been told that was the style. But it did feel slinky & sexy, and hot like fever! And let's face it, any dance to that song is gonna go up a couple grades with me; I love it huge-much.

Billy & Robert: Okay no, I'm sorry, this season's Bollywood quota has already been filled for the season, this is now excessive. Urgh, whatever. That was very well danced, they brought all their individual abilities in to enhance the piece, and I actually really enjoyed it. But still - no more Bollywood.

Leaving tomorrow will be Jose (even Nigel flat out said it, say goodbye buddy) and I think Adechike. If he's put in danger by the voting, which I'm pretty sure (but not 100% sure) he will be.

That's all kids. Go to bed now. I'm headed there as well; not to actually sleep, but more likely to listen to Adam throw his traditional middle-of-the-night party while I continue my Catching Fire re-read. (The Quell is about to begin & that means... the return of Arena-Peeta!  I love Arena-Peeta. Or any Peeta, for that matter.)