DonnaK:  I challenge anyone to tell tell me with a straight face that this isn’t the best group of dancers ever on So You Think You Can Dance. These top twelve dancers have so much passion, skill, and fire that it amazes me every week to see what they’ll be able to tackle this time around. Amazing lot, these guys. This week every couple danced twice, so I won’t bore you to pieces going through every dance on the show, but what I will do is give you a list of what I loved, disliked, and was ambivalent towards.

DANCES I DISLIKED:
—I can’t start this list without talking about the absolutely horrid Russian Kalinka Jeanine and Phillip danced last night. There was nothing interesting or passionate about that dance, and Phillip was just a hot mess throughout it. Jeanine did her best - she was the only reason the dance worked at all. I have to agree with Nigel - they should have never put this style on the show. Horrible routine which might doom these two to the bottom three.
—I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t get behind Caitlin and Jason’s Tony Meredith fox trot. I found it totally lacking in the passion and snappiness a fox trot should have, and although Caitlin was gorgeous and elegant as ever, Jason couldn’t keep up. Jason is one of the two weak links on the show - Kupono being the other - and I wouldn’t mind seeing him leave this week. I’m afraid Caitlin might be on the chopping block as well, as I think they might be destined for the bottom three again this week.
—Kayla and Kupono just didn’t get anything going on their Joey Dowling choreographed Broadway number. I blame all of this on Kupono. Kayla is one of the two strongest woman on the show - Melissa being the other - but Kupono is so weak and not crisp or refined enough to match her. Her skill makes him look all the more worse for wear. I loved the choreography - does it make me a heretic to say I prefer Dowling’s Broadway to Tyce Diorio’s? Look for these two in the bottom three again this week.

DANCES THAT WERE JUST “MEH”:

- Randi and Evan had a rough night last night. First they took a FANTASTIC lyrical hip hop routine by the one and only Tabitha and Napoleon (Nappy Tabs rules!) and just didn’t quite pull it off. I thought their characters were dead on - no one can do a character like Evan can - but their dancing wasn’t strong enough. Randi outdanced Evan, who had a hard time popping as hard as he needed to. Not the best routine. Then Randi and Evan did just an alright job on a Pascha and Anya samba number. Again, it was just “meh”. It had good, solid technique but lacked the fire a samba needs. And since it was choreographed by two past contestants, there was a lot to live up to. Not a bad night for these two, just not the best.

DANCES I LOVED:

—Everything Melissa and Ade did. Seriously, these two can really do no wrong. I call Melissa as both my favorite and the strongest all-around dancer on this show, and I think Ade gives Brandon a run for his money. Their Doriana Sanchez disco was a loaded number as it had to live up to the disco done by Janette and Brandon, and it did that in spades. The pair were on fire on that floor, especially Ade who really let loose. Then the two tackled a Ron Montez waltz that was beautiful, elegant, and technically wonderful. I love these two - I think both of them will be in the final four.
—Jeanine and Phillip did an outstanding jive choreographed by Tony Meredith that surprised the hell out of me. I didn’t think Phillip had it in him, but damn did he shake that booty! Jeanine is such a star - she always tackles and beats every challenge put in front of her. A real highlight of the night for me.
—Brandon and Janette. Oh, Brandon and Janette! Can these two do no wrong? Not in my book! That Argentine Tango choreographed by Leonardo Barrioneuvo was just out of this world. I don’t have the technical knowledge to know how technically sound the routine was, but the panel sure as hell couldn’t praise the technique enough, and that’s enough for me. What I do know is that it moved me and I felt the passion between those two like a raging inferno. Wonderfully done.

And this brings me to my Awesome Dances of the Week Award. Yes, I said *dances*, because I’m honestly torn on which dance was the most awesome. Our first winner was the Wade Robson jazz routine done by Janette and Brandon. WOW was that a thing to see or what! Such use of the stage, such precision dancing, such power and mastery! It was truly a thing of beauty and fun as all hell to watch. Completely awesome job and deserving of the award.

But… then there was the astonishing Mia Michaels contemporary number danced by Kayla and Kupono. This dance moved me to tears. I felt every ache, every rip and tear of the heart as the pair danced out an addiction on stage. It was breathtaking choreography and danced to perfection. Well, almost to perfection. Kayla was absolutely perfect, but Kupono once again couldn’t quite keep up. His lack of power dragged the routine down a bit, but not enough to truly dampen it. A truly fantastic piece deserving of the award. So there you go - a tie for The Awesome Dance of the Week.

I see the remaining six couples in two distinct groups. I think that Janette and Brandon, Melissa and Ade and Randi and Evan are clearly the best three couples left. The other three - Caitlin and Jason, Kayla and Kupono and Jeanine and Phillip fall squarely then into the bottom three, and I think that’s how this will shake out tonight. I’m sad to see any of the girls leave, but I think since one had to go it will sadle by Caitlin. For the boys either Kupono or Jason, although I would GREATLY like to see Kupono get the axe. He’s been dragging Kayla down long enough.

Okay, floor’s open! What did you guys think of the show? Who’s staying and who’s going? And what do you think about the partner shake-up next week? Let’s hear it!