You're On Your Own Now...

Well, I can’t say I’m all too pleased that Ryan isn’t in the Top 10 to fend for herself without her chemistry-less partnership, I don’t know who I would have sacrificed to get her there, so I guess it’s ok.

The Top 10 get to dance with All-Stars, which I’ll admit I was torn about last season, but I am pretty excited about this season. Hopefully they get to dance with fellow contestants as well.

Also, NPH is the guest judge this week, and I’m especially excited about that since I’ve been gorging on How I Met Your Mother recently. And tour tickets go on sale next week?! Yay! Here’s hoping they come to Austin…or at least San Antonio.

Marko and Chelsie Hightower – Samba w/ Jason Gilkison
I think everyone was worried for Marko going off on his own without Melanie, and I was especially worried since it’s almost impossible not to watch Chelsie when she’s doing her thing, but I am so proud of him! Damn! I don’t know if it was just the lights or what, but it seemed like his hips were moving a mile a minute! Also, those lifts were seriously insane! Loved it!

Sasha’s solo was great, dance-wise, but I really wish she’d engaged the audience/camera a little bit more.

Jordan and Brandon – Contemporary w/ Dwight Rhoden & Desmond Richardson
I am so happy Brandon is an All-Star this year, he’s so fabulous! That being said, the choreography really played more to him than it did to Jordan, which is unfortunate because she really did a great job! But, it’s a bit hard to pay attention to her when he’s jumping and turning a million times into a middle split as if it was nothing. Jordan did do an amazing job though, and I especially loved when Brandon turned her around on one leg. She was flowy and effortless, and they were always in sync, which is important in Dwight and Desmond’s pieces. Yay Jordan!

Jess’ solo was fun and wonderful, but he’s reverting back to his annoying little smug face a bit, and I don’t like it.

Tadd and Comfort – Hip Hop w/ Chuck Maldonado
Well it wasn’t exactly memorable in terms of story, but damn that was some good hip hop dancing. Tad is pretty much amazing! As Nigel said, it was very very very very very very fast, and he did everything right! I even watched Comfort slip up a little bit, but Tad was right on the whole time. I especially loved when they were both on the floor essentially on their knees and they pulled themselves around…TWICE! NPH even loved it too ☺

Melanie’s solo was just fabulous, and I love her. SO MUCH. 1-866-TEMPO-03, baby!!!

Mitchell and Melody – Broadway w/ Tyce DiOrio
I’m pretty h-core, but I don’t know anything about Melody, so this was a pleasant surprise. She did look slightly unsure of herself throughout the piece. I’m a little bit with NPH though, it was a bit disjointed and I didn’t really get it. Usually Mitchell has good chemistry with his partner, but maybe the Broadway genre brought out the gay in him? The judges said he overplayed it, and I definitely agree. It’s about the details and the style, which weren’t all there.

Ricky’s solo was pretty much usual Ricky. Amazing elevation, great center, beautiful dance, but I don’t really get anything from him and this didn’t change that at all.

I liked Clarice’s solo, it definitely showed versality, but is it me or does it always look like she’s chewing gum?! Weird.

Caitlynn and Pasha – Argentine Tango w/ Miriam LaRici and Leonardo (Long last name!!!!)
It’s legitimately impossible not to have chemistry with Pasha. Are you serious?! The looks in both of their eyes - so hot! Caitlynn did a fabulous job with her footwork and all the kicks and flicks, and the lifts were so great! She was slightly awkward when she went backward, but not so much to detract from the dance at all. Pasha really does bring out the best ballroom in everyone! And, I don’t even have to see any other outfits to know that Caitlynn is going to win my best dressed award tonight. Nigel really gave her some really great compliments, which was nice to hear coming from him.

I can’t even focus on what an amazing dancer Mitchell is because he is literally wearing a DIAPER for his solo. Fail.

Sasha and Twitch – Hip Hop w/ Christopher Scott
FINALLY SASHA HAS A LEGIT PARTNER AND OMG WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT MAKES! YES THESE ALL CAPS ARE 100% INTENTIONAL! That was BY FAR the best hip-hop routine of the season, Sasha’s best routine of the season, and just straight up amazing. It might have been my overall favorite routine of the season so far…seriously Christopher Scott is a GENIUS! As is Twitch. As is Sasha! They KILLED that! Nigel said “Sasha I think this is the first time I’ve seen you have chemistry with you partner” and to that I say DUH!!! Maybe you should have partnered her with someone who wasn’t lame and creepy! NPH said they should dance every dance together, and I wholeheartedly agree. I’m gonna watch that again now…RIGHT NOW. And after that I will be downloading “Misty Blue”.

Jordan performed her best solo thus far tonight! It was so lovely and contained, and she showed her strong center, which she hadn’t really shown before!

Jess and Kathryn – Contemporary w/ Stacy Tookey
Wow I’ve missed Kathryn. She is SOOOO gorgeous to watch! That was a beautiful routine, but as he said in his video package, Jess really does struggle with lifts. A couple of the longer ones were a bit awkward, but the little ones worked out great. I especially liked the one where he was sitting and lifted her over him. The judges all thought this was the best that Jess has done this season, and I might agree with that…either this or the adorable foxtrot that he and Clarice did.

Omg Tad, when you hold yourself over the stage it freaks me out! And amazes me! Loved his solo, he is absolutely adorable!

Melanie and Pasha – Viennese Waltz w/ Jason Gilkison
Pasha shirtless is fine by me in ANY routine. I actually think it should be like that in every routine. That was just a beautiful routine. As Mary said, it was like Melanie was floating the whole time. They did so many lifts, and they all looked effortless. Plus, the chemistry between them was as amazing as if she were dancing with Marko. But again, it’s impossible for anyone to NOT have chemistry with Pasha. The one thing about Melanie that I did notice was her hands could have been a little more elegant, but whatever, she’s amazing and I love her. She really is the “rock” in this competition, literally and in dance metaphors.

I love how much Caitlynn engages the audience when she dances! It really makes me feel included in her moment, which is just awesome!

Ricky and Allison – Jazz w/ Tyce DiOrio
I really hope that Ricky doesn’t pull Allison votes on this one (she’s not competing anymore, people!!!) because I didn’t enjoy Ricky in this at all. I liked the piece and the choreo, but Allison stole that whole show. I disagree with Nigel saying he danced up to Allison’s standard – BS.

I love Marko. LOVE him! Maybe it’s because he dances like Travis, maybe it’s because I can’t believe he’s got a bullet in his arm, I don’t know, but I just love him!

Clarice and Robert – Bollywood w/ Nukul
After a few duds this season, Nukul finally came through with a good Bollywood routine! It was really dynamic and complex, and they were BOTH great in it! Minus the first Bollywood we ever saw (shout out to Katee and Joshua!), I never find Bollywood that memorable, but that was good.

My weekly awards:
BOTN: Sasha and Twitch
B3: Mitchell, Ricky, and I guess Clarice (by default and because I don’t want to put 3 boys in there)
Best Performance: Sasha and Twitch
Worst Performance: Mitchell and Melody
Best Choreo: Christopher Scott (by a MILE)
Best Dressed: Caitlynn in her Tango, Melanie is a close second
Best All-star: Pasha!
Best Solo: Marko

I also have to give a shout out to NPH for being a legit guest judge! Loved him!