I thought Asuka was Oscar.

That's what it sounds like. I only knew it was Asuka because I've been kind of obssessed with her since last season when she made it through the early audition choreography round despite the fact that she was a dehydrated, flu suffering mess. Glad she made the show this season.

I am heartbroken over Alex, though. It was so, so sad to see him cry. I hope he gets to come back in the fall after he gets out of his contract with the evil ballet master Alex Villela. It's the Miami Ballet, you know, not the Kirov. You can make an exception.

Oh, yeah! I meant to talk about Asuka, but I forgot because I was googling her. I couldn't find any information on her ethnic heritage, so I'm going to assume she's Japanese until corrected. Both Asuka and Kondoh are Japanese names, although my family Kondo spell it without the h.

Anyway. I like her a lot. I love that she's dedicated to her genre regardless of her background. I think she's talented and I look forward to learning more about her and seeing her dance.

Yeah, I understand where they are in terms of his contract, but it seems like it would be good press for the Ballet for us to be watching Alex and marveling over what great ballet is coming out of Miami. I mean, we were all already going around saying, "the Miami ballet dancer" when I sure haven't been thinking of it as a particular hotbed for that art form.

This is what I'm saying. They had a golden opportunity for some great free publicity. And now they will just be known as "the evil dance company that made that poor boy cry." Not a good look. And yeah, Alex probably should have checked the terms of his contract before trying out for SYTYCD, but as he didn't, I'm thinking Mr. Villela picked the worst possible way to handle the situation.

It's the Miami Ballet, you know, not the Kirov. You can make an exception.

Well, as a sort of theatre person, I can tell you that it's a real pain in the ass to replace someone in the middle of the season, especially when they're in a principal role (not that I know that about Alex, but I've seen what they go through in my theatre when someone gets ill or craps out)

Alex probably should have checked the terms of his contract before trying out for SYTYCD, but as he didn't, I'm thinking Mr. Villela picked the worst possible way to handle the situation.

I don't think so. Alex made a commitment to the Miami Ballet, and tried out for the show knowing that he would not be able to fulfill that commitment if he got on the show. Mr. Villela is not out of line in expecting Alex to live up to his obligations, especially if Alex didn't discuss the possibility with the ballet before trying out (which it doesn't seem like he did).

Oh, I'm sure you are right, Vortex. Apparently Alex is a principal soloist with MCB, so just this close to becoming a principal dancer. If he were already a principal dancer, he probably would've never even tried out for this show, because that is big hooha in a ballet company. The thing is I just don't think your average viewer knows enough about how theaters/dance companies work to really cut MCB or Mr. Villela any slack. All they know is that because of him and MCB they don't get their shiny Alex toy. Just imagine how magnanimous he would've come off if he'd let him go on the show. MCB could have come on as guest company on a results show night (just as the LA City Ballet did last year) and gotten more free publicity and Alex could've come back next season as "SYTYCD" champ maybe, or at the very least "as seen on SYTYCD" which could have been a mighty spiffy marketing hook.

And of course, this is mainly just me complaining because I didn't get my shiny Alex toy. I'm sure it would've been a bitch for the company to lose him for the season. Eh, something similar happened a couple of seasons ago with one of the dancers (Dallas, I think?) but I hadn't fallen in love with him so it was no skin off my nose.

I definitely wanted my shiny Alex toy, dang! I'm hoping he works something out to take off next season (trying out right NOW maybe?) and then perhaps if he needs/wants, go back to the ballet with a whole "ooh, look, come young folks to the ballet! He was on SYTYCD!" as others said. But yes, he also should've totally checked his contract first, silly boy.

The Haitian guy looked cute...

Am sad about the brothers, but am totally thinking that was in part a production decision--America will vote for the cuter brother?

Love the Hawaiian boy whose name I'm not even trying right now.

Hated Mia getting down on Brandon. Yeesh. YES, he's a smiley boy, but I think it's partly one of those "I smile when I'm nervous" as well as being a generally smiley person.

Don't really have a feel for the girls yet.

Am sad about the brothers, but am totally thinking that was in part a production decision--America will vote for the cuter brother?

Oh yeah. I wonder if they'd ever hire the other one to choreograph? Next season, maybe?

Nigel actually tweeted about that.

Am sad about the brothers, but am totally thinking that was in part a production decision--America will vote for the cuter brother?

actually, I thought that the older one was cuter in the WSS number (I like strong, angular faces). He has a good face for intensity, not so much for whimsy without the hat.