The Dive to 16

Opening number:  NappyTabs did that???  COOL!  :D  Not exactly my kinda music, but my husband loved it – clapped his hands in glee, actually.  I loved the routine, and continue to be impressed at how 20 people can move in such synchronization and grace, all doing their own thing but coming together fluidly.  Outstanding.

Now, the new format of the show is uniquely challenging, because we watch everyone dance tonight and vote on them for next week – except that four of them won’t make it to next week.  /:|  That sort of makes the whole show...just...feel…weird.  But it is what it is, so here’s the breakdown of routines, followed by The Big News, in the order in which it happened.

Cole & Lindsay – Christopher Scott hip-hop to Lady Gaga’s “Teeth” -  Fun routine, but I was a little worried for awhile there that wasn’t a lot of dancing so much as performing.  I don’t disagree with the judges’ assessment of Lindsay’s character performance, but I didn’t find it as prominent as they did.  Maybe it’s the mother in me, but on the contrary, I was worried that this young lady was being too vampy.

Amelia & Will – Sonya Tayeh contemporary – WOW.  Okay, first of all, I am running out of superlatives to use to describe these routines, so my apologies as I undoubtedly repeat myself.  That was marvelous.  The routine was gorgeous, the dancers were fully engaged, and Amelia’s legs rivaled Jordan Casanova’s (last season’s champion of the vertical split).  That was a truly fantastic number, and hats off to everyone involved for how beautifully executed it was.

Nick & Amber – tango (with new choreographers whose names escaped me) – Hm.  Just…hm.  Feel like I watched an entirely different dance than the judges did here. I wanted to like this more than I did, and for two reasons in particular.  First, in spite of Nick’s best efforts with serious faces and Amber’s overall fierceness, I felt zero connection between the two of them.  Secondly, that choreography just…lacked something for me.  It just wasn’t that interesting, even though Mary insists it was very difficult.  That said, sure, their individual performances were good, but in a tango, I wanna feel passion and spark and intrigue, and instead I just felt…lukewarm.  Might have to re-watch that one to see if I can figure out what I was missing.

Audrey & Matthew – Sonya Tayeh jazz – I really enjoyed that choreography, and find myself wondering exactly what is going on in Sonya’s life these days…but I digress.  Now, both dancers danced it well, but again I’m a little “meh” on the connection between the dancers, and hope Audrey soon learns that it takes more than some stank faces (I was thinking that before Nigel used the word!) to portray “aggressive.”  Still, it was an overall good routine – I’m just not sure I’m convinced it was as brilliant as the judges seemed to think.  I’m beginning to see a pattern here…

Janelle & Dareian – Christopher Scott lyrical hip-hop – That was cute.  It wasn’t brilliant, and they were a little out of sync once or twice, but it was enjoyable.  Still, I’m 100% with the judges on this one.  As brilliant as Christopher Scott is, I think he left a little on the table, and I think the dancers did will but not exceptionally.  I will say that watchin Janelle bend in half – backwards – was breathtaking each time she did it.

Janaya & Brandon – Sean Cheesman Broadway – Hm.  Sean Cheesman, Broadway.  Wasn’t expecting that combination – nor how incredible it was.  This is a couple that, unfortunately, I think is likely to be in trouble after last week, and this routine proves what a mistake that probably is.  They both had me from their first expression, and then the dancing totally lived up to the character portrayals.  Fabulous for both of them – even if it does end up being a farewell performance.

Eliana & Cyrus – Tony and Melanie jive – Okay, okay, even I thought this one was dumbed down a bit for Cyrus.  I still think he did respectably, especially all things considered, and his effort and throw-himself-in-it-110%-ive-ness (new word!) still show through wonderfully.  And, as Mary pointed out, he was a great partner for Eliana.  Was her dancing affected by the dumbed down footwork?  Meh, I doubt it will bring her down.  Will Cyrus last beyond this week?  Meh, we’ll see.   He’s still my favorite dancer, even if he isn’t anywhere near the best dancer.  I’ll watch him any time, no matter the style.

Alexa & Daniel – Dee Kaspary contemporary – Fluid, elegant, beautiful.  I disagree about the connection and emotion.  My husband put it well:  there seems to be some residual expectation that Alexa will fail to live up to the emotion, and sometimes the judges see what isn’t necessarily there.  I think Daniel actually was the more passionate of the two, but I still thought Alexa was more invested in it than she got credit for.

Tiffany & George – Tony and Melanie foxtrot – Well, they danced that fantastically, but I have to admit it felt a bit less like a ballroom partner dance and more like two individual spectacles – which were great.  It was a perfectly lovely dance.  Even so,  I wonder if it will really stand out and stand up with all the other great dancers and routines. 

Witney & Chehon – Nakul’s Bollywood – I have said this often, but never about a woman:  I could watch Witney watch paint dry, and still find her absolutely entrancing.  And what a routine to watch!  That was just exhilarating, from the choreography to the music to the performances.  Terrific!

*WARNING: SPOILER ALERTS BELOW*

The Bottom Six - I was on board with all but the one that made my jaw drop:  Witney.  Yeah, I know, her samba with Chehon could’ve been better, but that was largely because of Chehon.  And clearly, it wasn’t all a “couples” vote, since Nick and Janaya both ended up in the bottom, but Amber and Brandon did not, so you can’t claim it was because Chehon brought her down.  A little puzzled, and wondering if this is a case of American teenage girls hatin’ on the cute blonde.  Had to hold my breath for the judges’ decisions…

But thankfully, they agreed with me on the girls and Witney stays.  I'm genuinely sorry to see Alexa go - she was my Ryan Ramirez of the season.  I am a little disappointed we didn't get to see more of Janaya, and I think the producers did a bit of a disservice to her by not remotely featuring her in the early shows.  But on the whole, I think those were the right choices under the circumstances - which were having some of the best female dancers ever on the show to compete against.  

I found I was more than a little surprised it was Chehon they saved for the guys though.  I believe my exact reaction was, "Whaaaaaat?"  Admittedly, I'm not sure saving either of the other two would've been a better option (and never mind, Sharon(s), that Cyrus wasn't among the choices!), but...huh.  Well, I'll be curious to see how that works out for him.

What do you think, America?