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And at this point, I'm sad to see any of them go, how about you?
But first things first: How was Cat's dress this week? Answer. Um, better. Although admittedly, that's not saying much. It was a one-shouldered, snakeskinny pattern, and when she wasn't doing that weird one-hip-jutting-out-at-an-impossible-angle stance, she looked good.
Good. Now that we've cleared that up, on with the show.
This week, each contestant danced with an all-star, did a solo and danced with another contestant. Ballroom dancer Toni Redpath was a guest judge, and this week's injury watch included Billy wearing a huge knee brace and Lauren missing the closing credits while she was being seen to by "medics."
So, how'd they do? Really, pretty fabulously...this is probably their best season ever, as talent level goes. In fact, these dancers all started out so good that what we're not seeing is the huge strides and impressive growth that some contestants have shown in seasons past.
Let's dig in:
1. Kent and all-star Anya danced a Jean-Marc/France Cha Cha routine
Kent had the same problem in this Cha Cha as he had in past Ballroom routines (I think he danced the Jive). He's got very straight legs and a stiff posture that doesn't work with this more slinky and sexy dance. So, while he was sharp and precise, he didn't have the spirit of the dance at all, IMHO. And he made the faces. The faces I can't stand. So, round one, Kent gets a big old "meh."
Kent's solo was also a bit of a "meh." I wish he would play into his own personality more in these solos. He's always trying to be serious and dramatic in his solos, and I would love to see him do something a little lighter. It just doesn't feel natural.
2. Robert and all-star Kathryn danced a Stacey Tookey Contemporary routine
OK, we've seen this whole someone-leaving-for-the-military routine before. Josh and Katie danced a great Nappy Tabs hip-hop routine to such a story a couple of years ago (that might even have been the first NappyTabs routine on the show). This had a similar angst-ridden emotional heft, although in a different style. And, like that NappyTabs routine, this one got to me emotionally. I got a little teary-eyed, I admit. Robert was great, but Kathryn really is fantastic. She has that abandon they're always telling the contestants to have. The twist ending that it was her leaving for duty was good, although not really that integral. All in all, I loved this one, and think, unlike what I just said about Kent, that Robert comes off best when he's *not* being goofy!
Robert's solo was nice, but let's face it: We've seen it from him before. I like his general approach. It's not quite the leaping, spinning, flailing contemporary mish-mash we usually see from guys like him, but now he's got to innovate on his innovative style.
3. Adechike and all-star Courtney danced a Tyce Jazz routine
This was a fun, jazzy set-up, and I thought Adechike had loads of confidence and charisma. I know not every judge agreed, but I think they've kind of had it in for him for quite a while. It does get a bit tiresome that so many routines on this show are either tragic unhappy boy-girl routines OR sexy butt-focused boy-girl routines, but that's not exactly the dancer's faults!
Adechike's solo was another good one. I really enjoy his solos more than any of them. He has the most variety of movement. He's the most specifically musical, and therefore seems most in the moment. And I like to look at him without a shirt on. What? So sue me!
4. Jose and all-star Comfort danced a Marty Kudelka Hip-hop routine
Well, I don't really know what Mia's problem was. I thought this was kind of adorable. OK, so it wasn't all down and dirty and "swag." It was fun, it was cute and sexy. I loved the counter-intuitive music. I really really enjoyed this, but then again, I guess I wasn't coming to the table with some pre-conceived notion that the dancer should try to dance just like the choreographer, rather than dancing the steps authentically as themselves. (I mean, don't they always tell them to be authentic?) Whatevs. The judges are ready for Jose to leave, that much is clear.
Jose's solo, somewhat like Robert's, was more of the same. About halfway through he started doing some moves we haven't seen from him before, but mostly this was the same old same old. Which was a litle boring.
5. Lauren and
