Recap: So You Think You Can Dance Performance Show: All About Song Choice

Last week we got rid of Ashley and Ricky. And by “we” I mean the judges, since they actually made that decision, and don’t let them convince you otherwise in this episode. Now that the gravity of “dancing for your life” has struck the dancers, everyone’s giving their all this week. It’s a solid performance show, with most of the pairs doing really well. But there’s still plenty of questionable fashion choices and classic Mary Murphy-isms to be had. Welcome to SoYouThinkYouCanDance!Cat reintroduces us to our Top 18. They will be household names, dammit, if it’s the last thing Nigel does!

Some thoughts from the solos: Jessi is still useless to me. Kameron is adorable. When did Pasha get so hot? Danny is incredible.

Cat Deeley is wearing a vagina dress. No really, there are vaginas on it. I like her hair tonight, though.

Easy, Breezy, Beautiful Vagina

Ooh tonight’s guest judge is Mia Michaels! Yes, bring on the bitchery. Cat gets right into it, asking how Mia feels about her two favorites, Ricky and Ashley, being eliminated first. Way to stir the pot, Cat.

Mia was gagging you guys. She gagged. Okay we get the picture drama queen, move on. Mia blames it on America, saying “America got it wrong.”

WHYYY? We trusted your vote!

Mia says the best male dancers were in the bottom last week (BOLD FACE LIE) so the judges had no choice. Nigel explains that the judges decided to keep the dancers with more personality, simple as that. He decries “dance snobs” (um, shout out?) who require formal training. That’s all well and good, but how much you want to bet later in the season they start going with the people with more formal training?

Cat explains the theme of all of tonight’s getting-to-know-our-dancers-videos: What inspired you to dance? As Mia Michaels once said, “Gag“

Lauren was a tomboy so her mother made her take dance classes to be a little bit girly. When Lauren took the stage, her face lit up and her mother could see how much she loved it and knew that’s what Lauren would do with her life. Neil had a crush on a girl in preschool who took dance classes so he and his twin started taking them. Yeah, um, Neil’s straight. Who knew? Certainly not the judges last week who commented on the lack of chemistry between Lauren and Neil, and laid most of the blame with Neil.

This week the pair are dancing hip-hop. The choreographer, Dave Scott, is worried about Neil in rehearsals. Because he’s so white. But Dave is excited to incorporate some of Neil’s acrobatics into the routine. Lauren’s sooo sure she’s doing everything right, and even corrects Neil in a few places. That would get so old so fast if I were in this competition, but Neil doesn’t seem to mind.

They’re dancing to “The Way I Are,” which is a kind of cool techno song, but what kind of title is that really? My inner grammar-teacher cringes. Lauren, aside from wearing about the most horrible costume ever, is so meh during this performance. I can’t take my eyes off of Neil though. At one point, he does this incredible leap over Lauren and almost seems to stop in midair. So cool.

Straight Men Can’t Jump

Cat comments that Neil is bringing “the ‘tude.” Haha, so funny when British people say American colloquialisms. Mia loved the routine and loved Neil, going as far as to say she could have done without Lauren. Yeah, my first impression was that she made a lot of funny faces. That’s about all I remember Lauren doing. Mary comments that their chemistry has vastly improved since the week before. Nigel loved the routine from the both and comments that they’ve set the bar high for everyone else dancing out of their style that night, which is just about everyone so this should be interesting.

Seriously, why does Pasha look so cute this week? Haircut? Spray tan? What is it? Geez, first Neil, now Pasha… Kameron better watch his back, because he’s got some serious competition for my love. Pasha started dancing at 8 years-old after watching the beautiful women in ballroom competitions. Touching story, there, Pasha. Jessi started dancing at 2 in front of her fireplace. She calls it a “celebratory artform.” Shut up, Jessi.

This week the pair are dancing a jazz routine. Bangs are definitely a great look on Jessi. Tyce has an “African-Caribbean” routine in mind, which would be great when the contestants are given “African-Caribbean” as a style. Jazz always seems to be the catchall for crazy dances. And this time is no exception, as Tyce has the two imitating birds. In rehearsals they don’t seem to have any problems and Tyce seems especially happy with Pasha. Talent is hot.

I guess it’s a jazz routine because they’re dancing to jazz music? I dunno. Anyways, it’s pretty “earthy” as they said. The two are dancing it really well. I think this style is especially suited to Jessi’s kind of dancing, while Pasha is just fantastic. Looking at him do this, you’d never know he’s a ballroom dancer. Nice job to the both of them.

Some feathers and a glue gun go a long way on this show.

Mia loves birds apparently, so she loved this because it was “the quirkiest, ridiculous, amazing piece” and they “danced it amazing.” Great grammar all around tonight! Mia is especially proud of Pasha for excelling in another style. Mary seconds that it was terrific and loved how he brought his partnering skills to another genre. Nigel babbles about the “journey” of SYTYCD and singles Pasha out as a prime example.

Next, it’s Jamie and Hok, performing the samba. Last week, Jamie was nervous about the hip-hop, but Hok had her back. This week they’re both in the dark as they draw the samba. “This is the guy from The Lion King, right?” Hok asks. Yeah, and it’s a Vietnamese Waltz.

Their rehearsal seems to go pretty smoothly. Jamie’s perkiness is getting a little grating, but I’m going try to avoid disliking her solely because she’s perky. Just trying to reduce my cynical output. Everyone’s so impressed with Hok, and we get it, Hok’s got personality and the skillz.

There’s lots of hip-shaking and shimmying going on. They’re both doing a nice job considering neither of them are ballroom dancers, but it’s not great. The fact that Jamie’s much taller than Hok isn’t readily apparent in this routine, which is a plus I guess, but the moves at the end are just a mess.

They’re trying to have a girl.

Mia says she drank love juice tonight (EW! [Also, yeah, I bet she did.]) because she’s loving everything. She loved the routine, thought they were sexy and especially loved Hok. Mary, on the other hand, did not like it. She thought there were good bits, but on the whole it wasn’t up to the caliber of So You Think You Can Dance. Nigel takes the middle ground between Mia and Mary, saying they gave a great performance but the technique wasn’t great. He actually says out loud that he prefers the kind of samba they do on Dancing with the Stars with a “bit more close-hold,” whatever that means. Whatever old man! The MTV generation disagrees!

Dominic and Sabra are probably the most inexperienced dancers on the show. Nice that they’re paired together like that. Dominic started dancing because he wasn’t good at sports and wanted to find a way to “get the ladies.” He stared spinning on his head, but the ladies still don’t come flocking. Wah wah. Sabra started dancing four years ago after seeing a friend dance. She loved it so much and is glad this is what she chose to do for the rest of her life.

Last week they had to dance for their lives. How would they fare this week? They pull contemporary as their style, to be choreographed by the non-famous Mandy Moore. She likens men to creatures in her routine and I wonder what guy dicked her over recently. Sabra, meanwhile, is a bird. They look like they’re having fun in rehearsal, but I don’t know how good this dance is going to be.

They’re dancing to “I’ll Stand by You” by the Pretenders and that’s strike one against this routine. The dancing is… okay. Dominic and Sabra give perfectly fine performances, but I am completely unmoved. Make me cry, give me goosebumps, something! BORING.

Mia tortures poor Dominic by asking him what he thinking. Dominic is scared, especially since Mia hated him in Vegas, and he’s hoping she can see how his contemporary has improved. Mia, in a long, roundabout speech ends up being touched by Dominic. Lol, she calls out Nigel’s phrase and says that Dominic “is truly what this competition is about.” I want to laugh but she’s being SO EARNEST. Mary agrees, saying she loved the partnering work. Geez. Mary’s obsessed with partnering this week. Nigel calls Sabra outstanding and hopes she “doesn’t slip through the net.” Um, thanks? There’s a bit about Dominic shaving his toes that the judges find hilarious, but it’s not actually that funny.

Hairy feet = comedy gold

Faina started dancing at a young enough age that by 13 she was sick of it and ready to quit. Her mother, in typical stage-mom fashion, refused to let Faina quit, and Faina is so grateful for that today. Cedric started dancing for his mother, so he could vent his emotional frustration through movement by dancing instead of by fighting. Hey, isn’t that the plot of You Got Served?

This week the pair picks the Foxtrot. Yikes, this is going to be a mess. Their goon of a choreographer goes on and on about railroad tracks and I don’t think anyone knows what he’s talking about here.

The performance starts out well and I’m just so amazed by Cedric’s long legs. Once they really start getting into things, however, Cedric’s discomfort starts showing and the whole routine suffers. Faina looks gorgeous and dances grandly, but it’s not enough to make up for Cedric.

Mia calls that dance “Ginger Rodgers and an insecure Michael Jackson.” Mia wanted more style from Cedric. Agreed. Mia wants him to “take the next step.” You know a couple’s chances don’t look good when the judges start saying “if you stay in this competition…”

We all know Lacey’s life story: her whole family dances, her parents are swing champions, she’s danced since she was BORN. Kameron was inspired to dance by his sister, after seeing her onstage. Last week the pair excelled in their contemporary routine, so how will they do with Broadway tonight?

Tyce is once again choreographing. He says to look for “sex appeal, dangerous and a little bit of sex appeal.” You just know they’re dancing to something from Chicago. Lacey worries about being sexy and says she needs to “take notes from some people.” Which people? I want the goss!

Whoa, who knew Lacey had abs like those? She normally looks kind of chunky. They’re both great, but once again, as much as I love Kameron, Lacey steals the show. The routine itself is really fun and fast and not too faux-Fosse. I think it’s great.

Glitter Gyno

Mia thinks that while they’re the sexiest couple, she wished everything had been a little flashier and spicier. Uh, I think Lacey’s bra has enough flash for the both of them. Mary and Nigel both loved it unequivocally, though, so I think they’ll be safe for another week.

Anya started ballroom dancing because her parents made her, but loved it for the glamorous gowns. Danny got into a lot of trouble as a kid, so started dancing as an outlet to get himself out of trouble. Dance! Saving lives!

This week the couple draws another ballroom style, the Viennese Waltz. Danny has no idea what that means, but Anya rightly comments, “You know the sad part? Neither do I!” Heh, they’re so still my favorites.

The goony choreographer who taught Cedric and Faina the Foxtrot is back for this one. I guess he only does the really WASP-y dances. Anya explains the woman is there to be the man’s vision. “And yet, we’re not romantically involved,” explains Danny (’cause he’s gay!). Basically, we’re looking for an old-school romance and trust between the partners.

We have funeral packages for every budget.

Oh irritating, they’re dancing to Lifehouse. My ears! They hurt! But the pair are smooth and lovely and elegant and turn beautifully together. The “runaround” move they showed in rehearsal looks even better in performance. LOVE THIS COUPLE.

Mia comments that these two are the lady and man of the competition, with their maturity and professionalism. She calls them stunning and beautiful. Mary thought they stepped out of a dream. She thought it was technically wonderful and throws in a patented Mary Murphy scream for good measure. Nigel comments that even people who don’t know dance would know that was a gorgeous performance.

Shauna has the usual, mother-stared-me-dancing story. Heard it before. Jimmy started dancing at 12 for a credit for fine arts, and calls it a happy accident. This week they’re doing hip-hop, which should be iiiiiiiinteresting. Dave Scott is choreographing again and says this routine will include some stepping. Both dancers struggle to pick up the choreography. For once in my life I can say the dancers are over-thinking.

It’s a fun routine, mostly because it’s upbeat, but I think Shauna, especially, looks like hip-hop is clearly not her style. Also the stepping is not tight and considering they’re both dancers they should have a SENSE OF RHYTHM. Love the SYTYCD sweats, though. Where can I buy?

Mia thought they were improved from last week, though still not excellent. Mary loved Jimmy in the routine. Nigel says he’s going to say the “f-word” and Mary’s face is priceless. No, get your mind out of the gutter, he means “FUN!” Oh Nigel, you rascal, you.

Nigel! You wouldn’t!!

Last up tonight are Sara and Jesús. Sara danced most of her life, but only got into breaking a few years ago at a B-boy… convention? Oookay. Jesús started dancing later in life, but relishes the opportunity to be free (to be gay!).

This week the pair will be dancing the Paso Doble, and wow, Sara’s in a skirt! Since neither of them are ballroom dancers, they’re looking a little rough in rehearsal. Looks like they’re having fun, though!

Are you kidding me? They’re dancing to “We Will Rock You.” Yeah, nothing screams bullfight like Queen. I can’t even tell you how the dancing is, I still can’t get over this music. And the lights are giving me seizures. Is that your plan, FOX? Oooh, there is a cool move toward the end when Jesús swings Sara to the ground and steps over her, but all in all, ridiculous.

Mia didn’t love it. She found it awkward to dance the Paso Doble to Queen.

I know that bitch didn’t just call me awkward.

She thought Jesús’s carriage was great, though she wasn’t a fan of Sara. Mary defends the choreography, though praises Sara for dancing so well in heels for the first time. Mary also loved Jesús’s passion. Nigel thought they both did well so far outside their respective styles. And really, what would an episode of SYTYCD be without Nigel ogling a female dancer inappropriately, and here we get some of that and just in time too.

So what did you think of tonight’s episode? Paso Doble to Queen? How did Pasha get so cute suddenly? Just how hairy were Dominic’s toes? Burning questions demand answers!