TV Recap: So You Think You Can Dance - Top 9 Perform

Before I had a chance to select So You Think You Can Dance from the Now Playing list my wife told me she had to show me something. That thing happened to be Melissa and Ade’s second routine, which I’m assuming will go down in history as one of the greatest in the show’s history. I don’t disagree, but did we all forget how tremendously superior Jeannine and Brandon’s piece right before was?

The great thing about watching a top eight episode is that even the bad routines are still pretty good. I was enjoying the show overall, but felt that it was lacking. It was even a bit hard for me to enjoy Ellen’s jokes since everyone on the panel (except Nigel in a few cases) were heaping praise upon merely good pieces. But when the dances were on tonight, they were pure perfection. I’m not going to bother with the solos as they’re just so damn repetitive. Yes, Brandon’s solo at the end stands out…but just barely.

Group Routine - Choreography by Travis Wall: After what he did last week Travis was brought back for the group number. It was good, not great. I think it’ll be easy to spot a Travis routine as he becomes more commonplace on SYTYCD because he has a tendency to put in interesting movements during turns and flips.

Janette and Evan - Choreography by Sonya Tayeh: Evan couldn’t have asked for a better partner this week. The guy that will have the hardest time making it too much further needs someone that’s his size, and can help him shine. Perhaps Mia is right and Evan could never achieve the dark and freakish quality that Sonya requires for her choreography, but he did a great job with a funky jazz number. It just sucks for him that Janette pulls off the lusty and sensual far more than he could ever hope to achieve serious attitude.

Choreography by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin: What is wrong with Nigel? The comments about Evan’s eyes were so wrong. I honestly think he just did a horrible job conveying what he meant, but it was still some weird criticism to give a dancer. Evan has already failed miserably at the samba, but he nailed the rumba. Of course it helps to have a Latin ballroom trained partner to help you through.

Jeanine and Brandon - Choreography by Hunter Johnson: I’m no expert on the waltz, but watching this I thought it looked really nice. I’ll leave it to Mary to critique the specific movements. Mia mentioned that she wasn’t taken away or moved and I’m certain that was what was lacking in the number. It was danced, but it never moved.

Choreography by Laurie Ann Gibson: The strongest and best danced routine of the night by a long shot. Cry all you want at Tyce’s beautiful piece that follows, this was the dance of the night. I was awestruck by the time Jeanine and Brandon were done with this one.

Melissa and Ade - Choreography by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin: The dream team back again and they start off the night with this weak ass cha-cha? Not just weak, but so underwhelming I thought maybe we’d hear Cat mention something about one or both of them getting swine flu during the week. No fire at all, and it was clear that the sexy hip movement was lost on Melissa. Mia said it was Ade’s worst performance of the season, and I would add that to Melissa as well.

Choreography by Tyce Diorio: This was truly great work by all involved. Tyce’s contemporary routine about a friend’s battle with breast cancer was emotionality at its finest. Plus it helps that Melissa and Ade danced this so well. I think all of the tears by the judges were a bit over the top though. It was a beautiful piece that I enjoyed a great deal. But all of the blubbering kind of got on my nerves after awhile.

Kayla and Jason - Choreography by Tyce Diorio: Is it safe to call Jason the dark horse of the season at this point? Perhaps it’s his freedom from Caitlin, but the guy is starting to shine quite a bit. Kayla was perfection in her dancing, but for some strange reason I don’t go to her as the top girl the same way I constantly turn to Janette and Jeanine.

Choreography by Shane Sparks: How do you follow Melissa and Ade baring their souls onstage? Simple: you bring back Shane Sparks to do an inspired hip-hop routine. This was fun and twisted, and also exactly what the show needed at that moment. Something that was light and interesting, but still full of intense and interesting movement. I’m glad Shane’s back onboard, because there was only one way to follow Tyce’s cancer piece, and that’s with this number.