So You Think You Can Dance Review: The Fab Four

There is nothing bad about the dancers left in the competition this week. The fact that they are all contemporary dancers doesn’t really uphold the whole mission of the show, but each have conquered almost every style thrown at them and shown growth over these last few weeks, and that‘s really all the judges can ask for. Personally, I’d never been so impressed by the whole of the Top four in my So You Think You Can Dance viewing history. Early on Tyce (the man who needs a mute button) said, “The top four should be like the Fourth of July. Fireworks!” And, for the most part, they stood up to that standard by the end of the performance episode.

I could wax positive on this season’s contestants for ages, but in truth, every dance wasn’t perfect or awe-inspiring. In this world, there’s always things to improve on. There was a clear favorite going into the finale which is a bit anticlimactic. Next season I hope that  the judges will step up the criticism early on and allow the audience to make up their  own minds more towards the end. Then, there was Tyce. Oh, Tyce. Sometimes his routines are effortlessly beautiful. Remember Will and Jessica’s “Silence” in Season 4? He won an Emmy for that one! But then, Tyce joined the judging panel with the sole task of irritating me with high pitched noises, repeated phrases, a grating voice and some unjustly harsh criticism. Really, that was enough to ruin the whole episode! Luckily, there was also the dancing.

TOP 4
8. ADÉCHIKÉ and Lauren | Afrikan Jazz | Sean | “The Path” by Ralph MacDonald
We’re on the final stretch, so though the judges have held back for the last few weeks, everyone on the panel had something critical to say about how Adéchiké performed. They harped on the same issues, that he can’t seem to lose himself. I’ve disagreed in the past, but this time I stepped in line. The piece was about abandonment and joy, and though those feelings bubbled up here and there, it didn’t take over me like it should have.

7. ADÉCHIKÉ and Kathryn | Contemporary | Dwight Rhoden & Desmond Richardson | “Fearless Love” Melissa Ethridge
With high energy and fearless love, Dwight and Desmond gave an uplifting piece that celebrated so many SYTYCD styles, and most importantly, the joy of movement. Instead we got a fairly well executed piece that should have exalted instead of bored. He remained a little stiff and contained, though the disconnect between the dance and the song didn’t help.

6. KENT and Courtney | Disco | Doriana | “When Love Takes Over” by David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland
Cat kicked off the number ominously. “Never underestimate the power of Disco. Never. It’s dangerous.” Of course that line followed a package where Kent dropped Courtney numerous times. It was meant as a quip, but it’s so true. Disco is no joke. It’s possible death dressed up as a shiny ball! Unfortunately, I didn’t really feel that Kent was very present. I missed that sparkle and it factor that he usually, easily conveys. I agreed with Nigel that this wasn’t the “trickiest” disco number that Doriana’s ever executed. Most of the judges, besides Nigel, wanted to see more charisma and smooth appeal. He didn’t get many wow moments, but he doesn’t really need that going into the finale. He’s got the squeals to prove it.

5. ROBERT and Anya | Viennese Waltz | Jonathan Roberts | “Lost” by Anouk
For Jonathan’s debut, he turned in a very flowing, touching piece. Kudos, sir. Anya was also, as Cat said, gorgeous. I’m no expert, but that’s why there’s a Nigel. He complimented Robert’s rise and fall and his carriage. Tyce felt he really has always risen to the ballroom occasion. (He’s pulled samba, quick-step and CC.) And Mia called him “the prince of this season,” though she also wanted him to let go and enjoy the moment more. And again, I don’t know a thing about the technical aspect of this style, but I certainly swooned a bit and got lost in the fairytale of the number.

4. LAUREN and Pasha | Argentine tango | Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barrionuevo | “Oblivion” by Astor Piazzolla
Wow, a number that could silence the crazed pit. If only I got to watch that every time I willed them to shut up. I’d expect nothing less from Pasha, but I was still taken aback but the sultriness, the sexiness, and the slinkiness of the entire number. The choreography was exceptional, and the whole piece was like this quietly burning fire.

3. LAUREN and Ade | Jazz | Sean | “Hide U” (John Creamer & Stephane K Remix) by Kosheen
Putting two power dancers really allowed for a powerful yet effortlessly slinky number. Lauren is certainly sugary but not frilly. The girl is no delicate flower which is why it’s exciting to see her in a piece that wasn’t just acrobatic and fast-paced but was strong and angst-filled. She also didn’t lose her sex appeal in what Nigel called a masculine number. Tyce and Mia wanted more ferociousness. They weren’t watching the same number.

2. ROBERT and Dominic | Hip-hop | NappyTabs | “Scars” by Basement Jaxx feat. Kelis, Melaka & Chipmunk
We all know there’s something a little creepy about clowns. (One of my favorite Stephen King book is “It,” and I had nightmares for weeks.) Yet, NappyTabs made creepy clowns sort of…cool? I was sucked into the deep, dark work and didn’t want their warped trip to end. Robert completely transformed, a trait that he’s proven to be as good as a chameleon.

1. KENT and Neil | Contemporary | Travis | “How It Ends” by DeVotKa
Kent and Neil did quite well as partners once again, and Travis threw down some fantastic work once again. It was about a bromance gone wrong, that horrible time in life when a close friend stabs you in the back. All the judges were taken over by how well all three flaxen boys gelled together perfectly. Hard-as-stone Mia was brought to tears! All Tyce could utter was “are you kidding me?!” over and over again. I think I’d like to ask him the same thing.

Not to be forgotten, Tyce choreographed a group number to “The Crapshooter’s Dance” from Guys & Dolls. Lauren certainly benefited from being the only girl, especially because everyone likes a dance about three dudes going ga-ga over one girl. The spotlight was directly over Lauren. She didn’t disappoint, and the rest were impressive backdrops dancing blasé steps. Tessandra Chavez, on the other hand during the results show, brought the pain. The whole number itself was constant movement, tossing, lifting, flipping and jumping. It was visually exhilarating.

THE RESULTS ARE IN…
An interesting group of artists stopped by this week. Janelle Monae put on a foot show accompanied by some more dancers with equally slippery feet. I’m liking the James Brown feel, but after seeing some of our All-stars boost some of the lamer performances, I missed seeing their limber legs on the stage. At least, Flo Rida didn’t forget to show the All-stars some love even though I’ve already forgotten the song, though I still remember Dominic’s breaking during it. Then, Desmond came back as a performer and not just a choreographer. There was no deny that there’s a good reason Adéchiké adores and looks up to him. That body. That control. That attitude. Adéchiké style and physique also mirror his mentor, so here’s to hoping he finds his way to Complexions. 

Lauren’s solo was so powerful and emotional. She even pulled off a move even b-boys would be impressed by. Her dancing has grown, and she’s also matured. Kent opted to stay away from anything emotional, and instead, he crammed so many flips into his routine that he’d put an floor gymnast to shame. Adéchiké’s robotic, though physically intriguing, number lent well to his stiff problem. (Smart boy.) But Robert’s solo came off as awkward and gangly. By the end of it all factoring in the immediate solos and the season-long journey, it was no surprise that Lauren and Kent were sent to safety first, and Adéchiké and Robert were left to sweat it out. In the end, the results were no different than I thought they’d be at the end of Wednesday’s show. Adechike was sent packing, so close to the taste of sweet, sweet victory.

So what do you think fellow SYTYCD fans? What dances are you looking forward to see replays of during the finale? Who would you like to see win? But, more importantly, who do you think will actually win?

Disagree with Inisia?  Read “No Suprises Here” by Trish Leigh, also on poptimal.com.  Follow Poptimal on Twitter @poptimal.  Friend us on Facebook here.  More on So You Think You Can Dance here.

Season 7, Episode 20 & 21: Top 4 Perform & 1 of 4 Voted Off (originally aired August 4 and August 5, 2010)

Photographs courtesy of Fox and IMDbPro