I’ll Be the Judge of That! – So You Think You Can Dance 5, July 15

The top 10 is upon us! I’m excited, but I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little nervous. I always get this way when the couples break up for the first time. I’m so used to seeing them only with the partner they’ve had for these past five episodes that I don’t think my system can handle new partnerships. Every year, I’m proven wrong because some truly great routines come out of partnerships we didn’t see coming, so I should just get over myself. I just don’t trust those pieces of paper that come out of that hat sometimes! (And whether it makes me naïve or not, I still believe that much of the top 10 is dumb luck instead of conspiracy theories.) I just need to think positive. We have an awesome top 10! And we’re going to have awesome routines! And we started the show with an awesome montage! This is going to be awesome! By now you’ve already read Jenn’s RNO recap, so let’s get it on!

The Ladies – Bollywood

Since the only Bollywood numbers I’ve ever seen have been with one girl and one guy, I’m excited to see how a same-sex group number will go. Before I get to their dancing, perhaps I just really like saturated colors, but it seems like everyone looks outstanding in a Bollywood costume. Katee last year, Caitlin this year, all the ladies here. All of the ladies have incredible bodies, but everyone looks beautiful in her costume.

Okay, to the actual dancing. I second Nigel’s notion that everyone really did a great job. I noticed throughout the routine that there were small moments where individuals were off on their timing or their spacing, but I was concerned about execution turning sloppy just because the routine’s so exhausting. The nitpicky side of me noticed a mistake from each girl, but only timing being off on an arm movement (Melissa) or a girl being too far away in the formation (I think Jeanine – whoever started the routine on the far left when I look at the TV) or someone’s arms getting sloppy (Randi), but nothing that showed any one girl better or worse than anyone else, which is what a group number should do. What a great start to the show!

Kayla & Evan – Viennese waltz

Do the SYTYCD gods have it in for Evan? What a bummer for him! (No offense to Kayla.) Nigel’s criticism of the routine itself surprised me since this waltz was far more faithful to the “proper” style than Kayla & Kupono’s Viennese waltz was a couple weeks back. Overall, I liked this routine. I didn’t love it, but I definitely liked it. After Mary gave Evan’s criticisms, I watched to see what she was looking at to see if I agreed or not, and I didn’t notice all the problems she had with him, but I’m also not as tuned in to ballroom. While I noticed the problems with Evan’s feet that Mary pointed out, I wondered if any of that was hard to tell because he’s dancing in heels. The feet did not look good, and Kayla’s footwork wasn’t exactly what it should probably have looked like, but she was essentially wearing a foot thong or foot undie of some kind (hehe – that is the actual name for those, though) so I wrote it off to simply that.

Between the two of them, I missed the connection I usually get with a Randi & Evan routine. I think it’s the style – it was too rigid for me to see that they were really connecting. Compliments: Kayla’s lines are freakin’ amazing every single week. The sequence where she does fan kicks and the dress swoops with her leg looked so cool. Who saw those lifts coming? I had no idea Evan would be able to hold her up that well. I know Mary and I picked on their feet, but from the waist up, they both looked amazing with carriage and arms. Overall, they did well with some nitpicks. For how terrible this routine could have looked with a tall girl and a short guy, color me pleased.

Brandon – solo

It’s been a year since I commented on solos, but Brandon’s choreography was excellent. He has really great musicality and used the guitar strums really well. He did emote well, but he should have lifted his head more so we could see his face. His jumps were absolutely beautiful.

Janette & Ade – hip-hop

Well, at least we got the wonky-heighted couples out of the way early. I see the pick has become bedazzled, but I’m trying not to hurl. What a fun routine! I thought the hypnotizing was cute, and Janette sold it really well. Both of them did an excellent job with this one. They both hit where they should have hit (which was the majority of the dance) and were smooth where they needed to be smooth. I’m so jealous of ballroom dancers being able to do a backbend and then be able to hold it. That’s so cool! I side with Debbie that these two really did look great together. Well done!

Randi – solo

Is it just me or has Randi worn that dress before? It’s really cute, though, so I don’t mind. Randi’s choreography was also excellent, because she makes every movement seem so natural. There were places where her arms seemed stiff, and while I’m sure it was intentional since we see that in her “THIS… is Randi!” solos at the beginning of the show, the rest of the choreography called for more fluid movements. She did a beautiful triple pirouette, the center was off by the fourth turn and she hopped for the fifth so that was a bummer. Keep in mind, though, that it’s quite a talent to even be able to do that many turns. And I love this song!

Kupono – solo

If this had been a “Dance for your life” solo, Kupono would be going home. While he showed off musicality by doing the intricate choreography to such an instrumental piece, he showed absolutely no substance and this is the second solo for which he’s done that. Kupono needs to show off skills as well: jetés, pirouettes, flexibility, and musicality. Plenty interesting, but absolutely not good enough for this stage of the competition.

Jeanine & Jason – contemporary

Okay, I totally love Jeanine! “Cue reel of lifts.” This was absolutely stunning and completely deserving of the standing ovation they received. Jason has rarely been high on my list, but this routine was perfect for him. He emoted beautifully and while I usually can’t get past how young and puny he looks, he really danced like a man during this routine. Powerful, passionate, strong, yet refined (said that before Mary). His jumps went up for miles his face made everything so much more convincing and he was not only able to shine, but he allowed Jeanine to shine as well.

And speaking of Jeanine, are you freaking kidding me?! The judges go on and on about Kayla’s amazing legs (which they are), but did you see the hyper-extended arabesque? That was amazing! Her flexibility and lines and power were incredible, and while I hate to speak ill of the dead, she never looked this good with Phillip. This was a great moment for her to shine in her own style. I’m blown away by how excellent this routine was. And did you see that make-out session. Daaaaaaaaamn.

Melissa – solo

Very pretty. I was worried that her solos wouldn’t be entertaining to watch, but she’s done better with choreography than I thought she would. She needs to continue to work on how she can choreograph solos to make them entertaining throughout. There were parts of her solo that seemed way too slow, but hopefully that won’t hurt her. This solo is toward the bottom for me, but I really like her nonetheless.