SkimIt
The top 20 perform live, and four dancers are eliminated.
Getting in Character
Tonight marks the first time in So You Think Can Dance history in which a dance episode shares space with a results show. The evening begins with a group dance set to Marilyn Manson's "The Beautiful People," Nigel rambles on a bit about commemorative Dance Day postage stamps, and then the dancing starts in earnest.
The first routine of the evening is a stylized trip to the dentist featuring Lindsay preying on Cole as a dental patient, cleverly scored to Lady Gaga's "Teeth." Though they earn positive comments for the routine's entertainment value, they display conflicting levels of commitment to the required acting: while Lindsey doesn't quite throw herself in all the way, Cole freaks everybody out by staying in character long after the routine's completion.
High Praise
Amelia and Will follow with a far more refined performance, absolutely nailing a fantastically choreographed modern routine. The audience explodes in approval, and the judges are just as enthusiastic.
Amber and Nick follow with an intricate, physically demanding tango, maintaining the high bar of the former routine. Amber is the dominant standout here, to the extent that Nick is almost lost in the mix.
Good and Bad Romance
Audrey and Matthew change up the tone of their performances tonight, offering up a dark, aggressive electronic routine. Dareian and Janelle operate on the opposite side of the romantic spectrum, performing a sweet, character-based proposal routine set to the Temptations' "My Girl." Though the routine is a tad forgettable, it at least inspires Adam to plant an enormous stage kiss on Nigel.
Brandon and Janaya follow with a spectacularly over the top Broadway seduction routine, in which Janaya essentially plays an erotica-fueled female Elmer Fudd to Brandon's dancing Bugs Bunny. Their 100% character commitment pays off, as the result is one of the evening's most entertaining performances.
Breaking with Expectations
Cyrus dances a jive against type tonight, though he is buoyed through the number by his hard-working partner Eliana--the judges are enthusiastic about her, while they merely offer polite appreciation of his efforts.
Alexa and Daniel are up next, dancing a very beautiful, vulnerable routine that somewhat clunkily revolves around an old timey bath tub. The judges are complimentary of the dancers' technical ability, but fault them for a lack of chemistry.
Grand Finale
The penultimate dance of the evening is an elegant foxtrot courtesy of George and Tiffany. Their routine recalls the classic style of an MGM musical, and earns rave reviews from all three judges. Whitney and Chehon close the evening with a demanding and well received Bollywood number.
With the conclusion of the regular dancing, the bottom six from last week are revealed: Janaya, Alexa, Whitney, Nick, Daniel and Chehon. The judges exercise their power to save one girl and one guy without any further dancing: Whitney and Chehon make it through to next week, while Nick, Daniel, Janaya and Alexa go home.
Thus ends So You Think You Can Dance's first elimination of the season. With a fifth of the competitors out of the way, the routines can only get more intimate from here.
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