Happy Thanksgiving! Here are some things you can give thanks for early on - spoiler warning - if you're a fan of Ashleigh, Jakob, Legacy, Kathryn, Russell and Noelle. This entire article is a spoiler - it is Black(out) Wednesday after all. Straight talk and realism rule all tonight.

Sorry, but many of you need to concentrate on making new recipes for the Thanksgiving feast or think up new ways to deal with your families. It's 2009; lying and booze are only good for so many years. It's time to get creative to find ways to deal with your family. You can't waste time reading up on last night's episode, so time to make it quick. Those of us using creativity to deal with those un-accepting families, unique Thanksgiving situations, weird-as-hell cousins, or evil-as-sin in-laws will have much in common with Mollee, Nathan, Karen, Victor, Ellenore and Ryan. Each were delegated to the bottom for their routines this past week and needed to creatively prove to the judges in solos why they deserved to stay.

Before we're able to enjoy their persuasive "keep me! Keep me!" routines, we're treated to Paloma Herrera, a principle from the American Ballet Theatre, dancing to "Don Quixote: Kitri's Variation (The Fan)." It's a quick, precise shot of pure pointe culture. We could all use more of it.

On to the solos!

Female: Karen. She tramped it out hard to N.E.R.D. but was lacking some accents. I thought her solo was moving at all times. She needed to use the sensual element of delay, of the tease - simply put, stop moving around so much and give each count some respect, some worth.

Female: Mollee. I have no idea what she did at the end of her routine - an arial into a vertical arabesque? Something she just made up? The point is, her solo was predictable and ok until her creativity got the best of her. At the final seconds she showcased some amazing control and flexibility.

Female: Ellenore. From this blah solo we realize two concrete things: Ellenore deserves to be in the top 10. But if her solo is a testament to her best work, she'll never, ever beat Jakob. Hopefully she improves in the next few weeks.

Male: Victor. His entire routine was unique and spider-like. The crazy traveling movements were unexpected. There was a backwards crawl he did in a straddle position with his torso raised and his hips almost on the floor. He danced for his life tonight and should get to live another day.

Male: Nathan. Damn you contemporary dancers! Each solo you put forth makes the audience feel the desperation to stay more than anything else. Nathan had some clean, slow, and deliberate moves that were filed with emotion - if he can tug the heartstrings of the judges, he could be safe.

Male: Ryan. It's difficult to put Ryan, a ballroom specialist, up against Victor and Nathan. For the run of the show, I'd vote that he needs to leave first, but his solo was hot. It was sexy, and absolutely spot on in his style. Also, Nathan has disappointed me with his inability to grow as a performer, which Ryan seems to have in spades.

This week it's a close call. I'm not sure what decisions would really anger me anymore. Knowing that the top ten get the coveted spots on the SYTYCD tour may factor in when dancers prep their solos. If so, this week absolutely reflects that. All performers on the chopping block threw out new spins, jumps, combos and hip thrusts, but two need to leave. In the meantime we were treated to Shakira performing. Um…she works for UNESCO and is quite pretty. But her music and dancing is what it is - something to waste time.

Back to the elimination at question! We bid farewell to the unanimously chosen Karen and I shriek internally for joy. Not due to somebody losing, but because the judges see that it is indeed her time. It's been her time to depart for a week or two. We all know she went through a divorce between the end of Vegas and the start of this show. It sucks. Sorry, it does, but no more being nice. You deserved to go, but at least keep you head held high. You charmed the judges and the voters for a few more weeks than you deserved. Conversely, the judges are not all in agreement over their dismissal with the boys. This just makes me incredibly nervous. Would Victor be in danger of leaving? Hopefully not. With that, I immediately know who I'm rooting for. Luckily I didn't put money down as Victor was sent home.

Can we stop for a second and try to understand what the hell just happened? Victor was just beaten out by Nathan, but also Ryan. RYAN. Victor's performances aren't as Amber Jackson-y as they could be. I can't be angry at this point - the dancers are all beginning to show their mettle. Yet Victor's talent was almost to the level of Jakob. I really wanted him to succeed but the more I recalled his routines, the less certain I was that his talent merited a position in the top ten. But can somebody please explain why Ryan is better than him??

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Story by Kate Kostal

Starpulse contributing writer