Russell/Noelle-Melanie - Russell lucked out in getting to dance with Melanie because she is a fantastic partner. That said, I thought he was enchanting. There were definitely some technique issues, not the least the hinky steps Mary noted when Russell and Melanie were in closed hold. But this kid has real star quality. And some of the side by side work he put in was really lovely. And the character work was great. Overall, I am loving him still.

The more I see Victor, the more I'm completely blown away by him. He had moments in that Travis piece that were incredible. At one point, I think he did maybe a triple pirouette and he stepped out of it so smoothly. Just, boom, like it was nothing. And Travis choreographed the hell out of that piece. That little bit where Victor was walking while Bianca was doing rolls along the floor trying to hold on to his leg? Was so, so lovely. And they really sold the routine. There was another moment where he was in a deep plie, holding her facing him and she did a couple of body rolls and the whole moment was so sexy. I needed a cigarette. I loved the piece. I loved him. And I have to grudingly give it up to her. I saw what Adam was saying about watching the shoulders and the toe point and really finishing her moves, but I was really impressed with her. I didn't know she had it like that. Still hate her, though.

a deep plie

I read this as "deep pile." I'm warming up to Bianca. I want Ashleigh gone though. Their overpraise did it for me.

I liked the Legacy/Katherine piece. it was nicely goofy, and I thought they had good chemistry.

I thought Legacy and Kathryn absolutely destroyed that piece. I'm blown away by her. She was on fire. He was great, but he should've been great because hip hop is, if not his style, then at least style adjacent. And in general, I loved hte piece. Dave Scott hasn't always done his best work for SYTYCD, but he knocked it out of the park with that one. Great concept, good choreography to go along with it. Bonus points for the Missy Elliot. That almost makes up for using Push It in the Cha Cha. Almost.

Grrr. I think I'm going to miss the last half hour--Local News is having another special report.

Boo, special reports. Don't they know SYTYCD is on?

Blah blah bay bridge closed blah.

They showed some of Nathan and Mollee's dance, at least.

Why is Russell up for elimination? Not right.

I also hope they let Brandon try out again. I assume he will be going home, and it doesn't seem fair for this to be his one chance.

Russell is just awesome. It's ridiculous. I think the judges put him in the bottom tonight just because they wanted to see him dance. And the rest of the kids all love him. So sweet.

I don't understand why Brandon spent half his time rolling around on the ground.

Neither of the girls made much of an impression. And Pauline's music choice was just bizarre. And I like Sergio Mendes and I adore that song, but it just didn't fit. If it were up to me, I'd kick Noelle off. Even if she is well enough to dance next week, it's not fair that she basically got a free pass this week.

I think the judges put him in the bottom tonight just because they wanted to see him dance.

Seriously. All three of the judges said pretty good things about him in the critique section. There were several guys that got worse reviews.