The Final Four - Performance Finale

OH, I almost hate for this to END!  What a season it's been.  You think the talent just can't get any better, and yet somehow it does.  And was it ever on display tonight!  Let's get right to the goods:

Cyrus & Eliana, Jason Gilkinson paso doble: I’m sorry to all the naysayers, but CYRUS.  JUST. KILLED. THAT!  Yes, the leap and cartwheel were terrible, but otherwise, he was outstanding.  His posture was good, his moves were crisp, and he was a fantastic partner.  Eliana was, of course, perfection, but this time, I did not feel she suffered at all for being teamed with Cyrus.  I loved that, and what a great way to open the show.

Tiffany & Will, Sonya Tayeh jazz:  Well, I thought they performed it terrifically, but I was kinda “meh” on the choreography itself.  Tiffany is such a light, and so joyful to watch, and this routine did show that off.  I wish it had been one of Sonya’s better routines, because I think with each of them getting their own genre, Tiffany shoulda gotten a better showcase.  But, it by no means sucked, so there ya’ go.

Chehon & Eliana, Marat Daukeyev ballet:  Well, I didn’t think the choreography was terribly interesting, but I recognize its difficulty, and that not everyone could do that.  It certainly showed off what those two are capable of, though, and it was a nice change of pace from the abundance of contemporary and hip-hop numbers.

Tiffany & Cyrus, Tessandra Chavez lyrical hip-hop:  That was probably my favorite Tiffany performance all season.  She was not only technically virtually perfect, but her expressiveness was so convincing that at one point, I couldn’t resist saying out loud, “You let him have it, girl!”  And Cyrus was great, although admittedly, this one time I was hardly watching him for how riveting I found Tiffany.

The Top Four,  Tyce Diorio “quirky” number:  Well that was…interesting. It was an interesting attempt to showcase each person’s skills, but it ultimately didn’t quite hang together for me.  Not good, not bad, just…yep.

Eliana’s solo:  How ridiculously elegant.  I am so glad she had to do that in her toe shoes (‘cause she pretty much did, given the quick-turnaround between numbers), because it just emphasized how splendid her lines are and the absolute eloquence of her movement.

Chehon & Allison, Stacey Tookey contemporary:  I’ll admit I have not been Chehon’s biggest fan this season, but I am SO glad I was overruled and that we got to witness that extraordinary performance.  Allison is probably my all-time favorite female contemporary dancer (if not female dancer period), and yet Chehon completely held up to her level.  They absolutely threw themselves all over that stage, and were both so emotionally invested that I worried Twitch (Allison’s beau, currently) would storm that stage.  Tiffany and Cyrus had my favorite routine of the night – until this happened.

Eliana & Tiffany, Ray Leeper Broadway:  Well I wasn’t thrilled at the idea of pole dancing having made it to SYTYCD, but I have to say that I was frankly just not all that impressed, and not because it was pole dancing.  It wasn’t nearly as nasty as I’d feared, but it also just wasn’t all that…huh.  I don’t get the judges’ reactions at all.  I was impressed with Eliana’s pole work, just because of the physical strength required to execute it, but I didn’t think she was all that sexy.  I thought Tiffany was the sexier of the two, and also the better overall performance, which was a smidge more Broadway. 

Cyrus’ solo:  I just don’t get tired of that.  Ever.

Tiffany’s solo:  By far the strongest solo, and that is exceptional tonight.  She’s right, she wasn’t known at the beginning.  What a testament to her skills – and her drive – that she is here in the final four, blowing us away with each and every performance she gives. 

Chehon & Cyrus, Sonya Tayeh jazz:  I wish I could explain why certain Sonya Tayeh numbers connect for me and others don’t – this one had music and choreography just as weird as any other, but I absolutely LOVED it.  No, she didn’t dumb this down, and yes, it showed a little in Cyrus.  Some of his execution was marginal, and it seemed like he was anticipating a bit more than once.  But Nigel was right that he has come so terribly far; I don’t think he could possibly have pulled that off back at the beginning of this season, and he did more than respectably tonight.  Chehon was terrific, and I have not been disappointed with any of his stuff tonight, which is a first, I think.

INTERLUDE:  Jean Sok – That was one of the most remarkable things I’ve seen on this show, and considering all that we’ve seen here, that is really saying something. 

Chehon’s solo:  Lovely.  Just lovely.

Eliana & Alex, Travis Wall contemporary:  For sheer quality of dance, this is one of my favorite pairings the show has ever given us.  I could watch Alex and Eliana dance ALL. NIGHT. LONG. That was exquisite.

Tiffany & Chehon, Dmitry Chaplin rumba:  Honestly, I did not have high hopes for this dance, but I was happy to be wrong.  Just goes to show how far Chehon has come this season that he could ultimately convince me (sorry Mary) that he has chemistry with Tiffany - who was wonderful, as always.  Not my favorite number - or performance by either of them - but a pleasant surprise nonetheless.  

Cyrus & Twitch, Christopher Scott animation:  To quote Billy Ocean:  "Simply. Awesome."  Rob Marshall took the word right out of my mouth: That was crazy, crazy good.  I do think Twitch mastered the choreographed-ness a smidge better, but his animation wasn't quite as crisp as Cyrus' so that kinda evened the field.  Twitch makes Cyrus look like such a shrimp by comparison, but both are incredible specimens in their genres.  

Now, as for Nigel's parting comments:  That was an interesting move on his part.  On the one hand, I completely understand: people have questioned Cyrus' continued presence all season long, and sure, as a dance professional, it's hard to set aside quality and technical proficiency for popularity of performance.  On the other hand:  what a horrible thing to say, regardless of whether anyone listens to him or not.  It's a comment best dealt in person, not live, at the end of an otherwise wonderful series of performances, and certainly not when others will be voting immediately thereafter.  Then again, he may very well have just sealed the sympathy vote for Cyrus, but either way, I thought it was terribly unfair and inappropriate.  Twenty lashes with a wet noodle tonight, Nigel!

So, America: who will it be?