DonnaK:  Before I get down into the details of this week’s show, a comment or two, if you will….

There has been much talk from the show’s talent and producers that “season six is the best season ever”! In fact, that line has been the show’s mantra this season from the very first audition show. The question is… is it true? Many out there, including myself, are really beginning to feel is isn’t. I’ve long felt that the cast, the production and the choreography of this season are all weaker than they were last season. We’ve had very few truly memorable routines, few standout performers or performances, VERY few amazing solos, and the huge influx of new choreographers has, in my view, hurt more than helped. I think season five was stronger in every possible way and I just wish that the judges would simply stop trumpeting that season six is the end-all and be-all of SYTYCD. It isn’t, and just repeating yourself won’t make it so. Now, I’m not trying to knock this season’s talent, I’m really not. They are all talented, wonderful dancers. But I just haven’t seen many awesome standouts this season like I did with Melissa, Ade, Brandon, Kayla, Evan, Janette, and, yes, even Max. I think season six has a very even playing field which will make it exciting, but best? No, I think not.

Having said all that, time to stop yapping and get on to the show. We’ve hit the Top 10 so all the couples were broken up and the girls chose both their partners and their dances out of a hat. And now that the vote has gone to America, in addition to dancing with their partners twice, each dancer must perform a solo. That’s a lot of dancing, time to get to it.

Our first new couple, Noelle and Ryan, started off the night with a Nappy Tabs hip hop number that had a lot of sizzle. I thought the performances by both Ryan and Noelle were spot on, especially Noelle who oozed sex for this dance. The choreography seemed to be a bit off - more posing and less dancing - but the pair did everything asked of them and more. For their second number the pair danced a smooth waltz by JT and Tomas. This was a beautifully choreographed number danced perfectly… which for some reason I simply could not connect to at all. I felt a wall of distance between the two dancers and between the dancers and me the observer. I put the blame for this on Ryan, who seemed very detached and not nearly as connected to Noelle as he was in their first number. I was only iffy about this second dance, but overall a good showing, at least from Noelle.

Ashleigh and Legacy, a pairing I NEVER thought would work, had a strong showing with a completely bizarre (and in my opinion not right for this show) contemporary number by Gary Stuart. I couldn’t tell what the hell was going on in this dance. It was a constant show of leaping, athleticism, and a lot of hip hop that made no sense to me. I thought Legacy and Ashleigh danced the hell out of it, but I simply hated the choreography. I really wish the producers would stop bringing these totally strange and foreign routines and choreographers to the show, especially when it’s clinch time in the Top 10. It isn’t fair to the dancers or we the untrained audience. The judges RAVED for this number which I hope helps the two. Ashleigh and Legacy’s second dance was a Dave Scott hip hop number where Legacy got to play a vampire and Ashleigh his victim. I *LOVED* this number and thought it one of the best of the night… but the judges shat all over it. In fairness their criticism was entirely about the choreography and not the dancing, which just reinforces my earlier point. I think the judges are nuts and I loved this piece, but it might leave Ashleigh and Legacy in a bit of trouble.

Kathryn and Nathan were up next with a Spencer Liff Broadway number. These two were simply stunning in this, looking and dancing as if they had been lifted out of the 40’s. Beautiful in every way, this was the boost Nathan so badly needed. And then… the two got hit with a Tony Meredith rumba. Now, once again, I loved this. I thought the two were sexy and wild and everything good in this piece. However, the judges slammed both the choreography and Nathan in particular for not living up to rumba standards. Now I’m actually getting pissed - why are the dancers getting bad reviews when *their* work is solid and it’s the choreography that the judges don’t like? Knocking the dancers down for doing the best the can with a bad number doesn’t help the audience judge fairly - they hear the negativity and it sours them on the dancers, not the routine. Nathan’s sour face isn’t going to win him any votes either, so I’m looking to see Nathan in the bottom two.

Ellenore and Jakob, the REAL dream team, were paired up next and started the night with a dreaded quick step by Tony Meredith. And, for the first time in SYTYCD history, I loved the quick step! These two nailed this dance as much as it can be nailed by non-ballroom dancers. The judges were full of praise and I was very impressed by this showing. The two ended the night with a smashing contemporary number by Sonya. Now, everyone knows I’m not a Sonya fan, but her last few routines have been off the charts good, and this was no exception. Add the two best dancers on the show into the mix and you’ve got magic. This got and deserved a standing ovation from everyone and absolutely earned the Awesome Dance of the Week Award from me. These two will go all the way to the finals, no question.

Mollee and Russell were the last couple of the night. Their first dance, a Mandy Moore lyrical jazz number, was beautiful, mature and romantic. I couldn’t believe this was the same Mollee I’d been watching for weeks - she really came alive with Russell. Russell is just a marvel - I have no idea how he can do what he does with no formal training. A wonderful piece all around. The closed the night with a spectacular Anya and Pascha jive number that brought the house down. Again, Russell seems to defy all logic with his skill, and Mollee was more alive than I’ve even seen her. A great showing for both of them.

The best solos of the night easily went to Russell for the guys and Ellenore for the girls. Legacy’s solo was also out of this world as was Kathryn’s. Ryan’s solo was nothing short of a train wreck. It was god-awful in every way and I think cemented his place in the bottom two. Both Mollee and Noelle’s solos were just average and I disliked Ashleigh’s as well.

Factoring in past fan reactions and this week’s work (particularly the solos) I think it will be Nathan and Ryan in the bottom two for the guys and Noelle and Mollee for the girls. It’s going to be close but I’m thinking Ryan’s days are up in this competition. I heard some scattered boos during his introduction and that solo was enough to seal the deal. The fans have been off of Nathan for weeks now, though, so it could easily be him as well. The girls are much closer and I don’t discount the possibility that Ashleigh might hit the bottom two as well. However, I think that past rancor against Mollee will finally boil over and she’ll be off the show no matter how well she fared last night. Ashleigh’s my dark horse pick, but if I’m putting money on it I’m betting on Mollee and Ryan to go home.

Okay, enough from me. Thoughts?