Dirty Dozen

It's the last week of the same couples, and to that I have to say THANK GOODNESS. This is the first time there hasn't been at least one couple switch, and I gotta say that's pretty disappointing. Plus, next week starts the all-star component of this season, which I'm curious about! I have no idea who's on board, what the format is gonna be, or anything at all, and I LOVE IT!

They must be doing 2 routines each this week because the video packages start right away! Yep, they are, here we go!

Sasha and Alex -
Pasa Doble w/ Tony and Melanie
Yes ballroom! And then it's a dance that could be so smoldering if it wasn't Sasha and...Alex. I am so over him, I really think his only role on the show is to follow Sasha around and hold her on some lifts. Sasha was strong and powerful and amazing as per usual. I can not wait to see her with a different partner, it's going to be so awesome! Judges loved her and kinda sorta mentioned that Alex was in the routine but not really.

Jazz w/ Tyce DiOrio
I really liked this! I completely visualized them dancing on the streets of New Orleans or something, and it was just a beautiful, natural, flowy, and fun! As Sonya said, Alex finally broke his shell, and I actually enjoyed watching him dance for the first time this season. Sasha was perfection, and it was nice to see a little bit of a soft side to her for a change. Plus she looked absolutely gorgeous. Well done, Tyce. I approve!

Jordan and Tadd -
Contemporary w/ Travis Wall
Last week, Nigel said Travis really wanted to work with Tad, so what a nice "coincidence" that he gets to this week. Love that the concept is women who take advantage of weak men - so creative, Travis! That was such a different piece than Travis usually does! Dark, creepy, and completely mesmerizing! Tad was fantastic, and Jordan KILLED. The chemistry and connection between them was so believable as well. Love this partnership so much!

Broadway w/ Spencer Liff
I was so excited about them dancing to RENT, but this routine was underwhelming, to quote Sonya. The moves were a it dainty for the rock style of song. I totally agreed with Nigel when he said they could have had more fun with it and been quirkier...it was definitely missing something. I kept waiting for it to build up to something, but it didn't really peak. The judges are pretty right on tonight with their critiques actually.

Ryan and Ricky -
Broadway w/ Spencer Liff
I love Spencer's routines, but the lack of chemistry between the two is truly palpable. They're both such great dancers, but them together does not bring out their individual bests. I would love for Ricky to get the hell outta there so Ryan can truly shine. That's all I got.

Cha Cha w/ Louis van Amstel
Well they were supposed to be hot, but I'm not so sure these two can be hot together. Nigel praised Ricky, but I still am not buying him. Unlike Mitchell he can not play the straight man well enough for me. Even my non-dancer butt could tell that this was a fast and intricate cha cha. I loved Ryan's death spiral-esque thing when she was in a vertical split and spun down to the floor - INSANE. I loved that Sonya kept it real for Ryan and basically said she's feeling a lot of pressure and letting it get to her dance. I hope Ryan takes that and uses it to make her stronger because omg is she talented!

Caitlynn and Mitchell -
Hip Hop w/ Chris Scott
This is a routine dedicated to Invisible Children, which is something that hasn't been done before. However, Chris Scott's face after the routine pretty much said it all. It was kind of disappointing. Although Caitlynn's face is really expressive, I didn't really buy her in the hip hop genre. Plus they weren't in sync at all, which was pretty distracting. And I didn't see how the choreo was connected to the inspiration. Pretty much in total agreement with the judges.

Jazz w/ Travis Wall
Well that was totally hot. There were also some crazy lifts, damn Travis! These two dance with such conviction, I just love it! I loved the concept, the moves, the outfits (Caitlynn = hot!), and pretty much everything about it!

Melanie and Marko -
Tango w/ Louis van Amstel
Louis is back, hooray! The tango is pretty much the perfect ance for these two to have, seeing as though they are the only couple with any chemistry. AND THEY KILLED THAT. Seriously, I felt like I was watching a ballroom competition routine. The way they look at eachother is so perfect, they move so well together, and it's impossible to not just stare at them in complete awe. The end lift where she went between his legs, flipped around, and came back down on one knee was so awesome!

Contemporary w/ Dee Caspary
I love that I can tell their choreographer based on what they're wearing right before the break. Does Dee just put all the girls in pink/grey/off-white every time? Dee is seriously the most artistic choreographer on this show - he thinks about everything so thoroughly, from the lighting to the timing to every detail of every lift. It doesn't hurt that he got the best couple in the show because they delivered on every level. Again, I totally agree with Nigel when he said it flowed so well that it didn't seem like a "routine" just natural movement and beauty.

Clarice and Jess -
Lyrical Hip Hop w/ Chris Scott
Ok this couple has finally crossed over completely to my good side! I loved this. I was totally thinking Jess couldn't do hip hop, but he totally rocked it! Clarice was fabulous, as per usual, and they were so cute together! Plus, I hated this song before, but this cover was fabulous and I'm pretty sure it contributed to me liking the routine more!

Jive w/ Tony and Melanie
Well her outfit is fabulous for starters. I actually thought they did a good job with this, but I agree with Nigel that it could have used a little more energy at times and Jess' lifts make me nervous. You could tell they got a little tired toward the end, especially in their faces. As far as footwork, they were great and in sync, and I was totally impressed! These two just improve every week, but I'm slightly worried for Jess if he gets to the Top 10...he's really short, who else besides Caitlynn could he dance with?

BOTN: Sasha and Alex's Jazz
B3: Jordan and Tadd, Ryan and Ricky, Caitlynn and Mitchell (by default, I guess)
-Going home: Ricky and Jordan, I don't know why I think this, but I that's my prediction/ hope, even though I really like Jordan
Best Couple: Melanie and Marko - who's surprised? NO ONE.
Best Performance: Clarice and Jess' Lyrical Hip Hop - I really loved this one!
Best Outfit: Clarice's Jive dress
Worst Outfit: Tad's kilt
Biggest Surprise: Alex in the Jazz routine, Jess in the Hip Hop routine
Best Choreo: Tyce's Jazz, Travis' Contemporary
Worst Choreo: Spencer Liff - what happened buddy, I usually like you!
Best Music: Clarice and Jess' Hip Hop

Also, all-stars are announced tomorrow, and assuming there will not be repeats from last season, here is my wish list:
- Alex Wong
- Jakob Karr
- Mollee Gray
- Gev
- Heidi (yeah right that will never happen)
- Dmitry (doubt he can do it with DWTS)
- Phillip
- Kayla
- Evan
- Katee