Who would have thought Ashleigh and Legacy would have survived to be in the top 10? Yet here they are, along with some favorites from way back and others that have shown improvement over the course of the show. It's the same drill for this episode with a few new additions: this episode features only the dancers that will make it onto the Season 6 tour. They can breathe a bit easier because of that. The judges no longer have the final say in who goes home - all eliminations can be blamed on the voting viewers. There will also be new partners and solos for all, with two chances to perform with their new partners.

Noelle and Ryan:

Hip-hop
Workplace sexual harassment as a muse? The choreographers are being as creative as they can with the themes of each routine this season. Ryan performed the hell out of the routine and seemed to fondle his tie throughout. Noelle had great technique with the lifts that transitioned into the splits all the while making white pants look acceptable. It was a partnership that brought out the best in the choreography and the dancers. Luckily for them it was a sexy, non-threatening hip-hop dance. Viewers being mostly tweens and young adults will respond well, all other things being equal.

Waltz: Ryan and Noelle looked like could do this dance in their sleep. The chemistry was there a bit more than in hip-hop, as it should be because hey, it's a waltz, but the only fault I see with this routine is that the waltz isn't a popular style that people ultimately understand in droves.

Ashleigh and Legacy:

Contemporary
This partnership hurt to watch. The piece was hard to watch. The entire routine seemed mismatched. Ash and Leg, two nicknames I'll never use again, aren't contemporary dancers. I thought it showed, but the judges seemed to see only the athleticism and "non-stop up, down, leap, dive, keep leaping, dive again, and again, and leap" that drove the routine. Fine, praise them for an awesome final pose with Legacy on his head being supported by Ashleigh holding his ankles. The viewers want to see movements that translate, not movements that only tire out the conditioned dancers. It's prettier to watch gymnastics than a marathon; Nielsen numbers easily tell you that. Here's hoping Legacy's popularity keeps him around - Ashleigh, I'm sorry but you again need to give me something to cheer about.

Hip hop
The cape Legacy wore was so damn distracting. It didn't really matter. The choreography wasn't something the dancers seemed interested in committing to until halfway through their piece. Why is it that hip hop always seems to be less than stellar on this show? Their focus in synched portions was off, at times it seemed like their arms were meant to be symmetrical but weren't, and that stupid cape...A poor choice of choreography, a stupid choice for wardrobe and a really scary was for them to end their partner routines for the night.

Kathryn and Nathan:

Broadway
I hate Broadway. This partnership didn't make me want to vomit, which is saying a lot. Kathryn made the cheesy, over-the-top style look classy. Nathan is off my list of favorites for good now, talent be damned. But, Broadway being what it is, they don't deserve to be sent home for this week's work. The synch was a bit off near the end, and Nathan's schmaltz reminded me of all the tappers sent packing, but it wasn't off-putting. Vote for them if you want, but please think of all the other dancers first.

Rumba
The song was doing nothing for me. Their performance demanded something with a lot more emotion, sensuality, and less Motown infusion. Kathryn's really turning on the performance charm tonight, but the chemistry, as Nigel pointed out, wasn't there. Can they just get rid of Nathan? I'm not seeing him get better on this show on the same scale other people have. If people are voting based on how much their give a crap about the styles, well…here's hoping the entire musical theater department of all liberal arts schools watch and vote.



Ellenore and Jakob:

Quick Step
The dreaded quick step was given to the two most well rounded dancers performance-wise. These two also happened to have the technical chops to put all others in their respective genders on this show to shame. I'm not sure if I was lost in their performance and therefore didn't notice the good points, or if the quick step is so flowing, so nuanced that it was done correctly. Their chemistry was maddeningly wrong - did they care the other person was there? The judges thought it was good, thankfully. If we don't see them again I'll be pissed.

Contemporary
I think the floor motion of the first ten seconds was the most interesting thing of the entire night. The sexy arch walk was hot and fluid. The routine was fantastic. This shows what can happen when two talented dancers are also talented performers. The freedom contemporary pieces give to dancers can be unnerving, as it was when Ellenore had a bit of a seizure in the piece, but it adds intensity. The partner shake-up is something we totally needed. Thank sweet baby Jesus that these two dancers were given a style that capitalizes on this perfect storm of talent, performance, and choreography. The judges gave them a standing ovation. It was the best routine of the season so far.

Mollee and Russell:

Jazz
"Hook arms together. Throw Mollee across your body and the stage." Russell's directions were a little nuts, but apparently doable. He's the complete package when it comes to growing dancers. Each routine he's performed does not give away his lack of technical training. It's noted constantly but it's just incredible how he rises to every occasion. Mollee was able to hold her own for once, showing maturity and skill, even if her performance level wasn't where it needed to be. For once, she does not deserve to be in the bottom!

Jive
I already love this dance because of the song. If you don't like "Land of 1,000 Dances" you should move to a convent in 1640 and stay there. The movements were cheeky and actually right up Russell's alley, not so much Mollee's. She held her own against his enthusiastic performance, but he was stealing her show despite the miniscule dress. They were a bit off at the beginning, but the entire routine was great. This built upon the jazz number they rocked earlier in the evening and were a nice clinch to a pretty damn impressive show.

The partner shake-ups were incredible to watch. Mollee and Nathan's curse was broken as each moved on with partners that toned down their cutesy performances and brought out their maturity and versatility. Ellenore and Jakob prove to be the best two dancers of the entire season, and Ashleigh and Legacy seem to be the ultimate combination of dark horse competitors that nobody thought would last this long. If you didn't see this show, find it on Hulu because it was a level above every other episode from this season.

Every single dancer was featured in solos throughout the evening. A quick blurb preceded their 30 seconds of glory. Here's a quick critique of what you may have missed:

Mollee: I didn't know she was in the High School Musical series. I wish I still didn't know. Her leaps are her strong point, but the connections throughout her solo and overall performance was lacking. She's a favorite, so I doubt this did her any detriment.

Russell: Russelll's moves are the epitome of the phrase "get some" when it applies to dance. He owns the stage and punctuates the music with held poses (a bastardized tree pose at the end) and fierce expressions. Here's hoping he's still recognized for his transcending talent.

Noelle: She performed and held the audience in the palm of her hand, always maintaining contact through her eyes and her stretch of each move. The most engaging solo thus far.

Ryan: A third generation career dancer with ballroom skills chose "Rock You Like A Hurricane" to showcase his moves. It was a bit gay-bar-dance-off, not that there's anything wrong with that, but it may not have done him any good with voters.

Kathryn: We have our most Kayla-esque performer of Season 6. Kathryn was throwing some strong lines into her solo with a lot of floor work. It didn't suck, great for her, but her performance rivaled that of Noelle. These two lack Mollee's insane skill but kick her butt with performance value. If only we could merge the three into a Man-Bear-Pig of dancer proportions…

Nathan: He performs better on his own. I want to see him in a contemporary number with the right partner. Crying over how much you love your parents at the end of the solo wasn't getting him my vote, but he did it anyway.

Ellenore: Ellenore combined bits of hip-hop, jazz, and character into her solo. Add in her usual quirkiness plus some odd harmonica music and you're not sure if she just danced for you or charmed you into calling in to vote for her. Her style is magnetic when done correctly. Hopefully her new partnership brings that out.

Legacy: He used to dance on the street to earn rent, now he's dancing on national TV to earn votes. He's the best B-boy we've seen in a while. Plus, he's gorgeous. The solo was badass, as usual, but will his caped mess of a hip-hop routine ruin him?

Ashleigh: Her mystery illness was actually a parasitic infection. Her copper mess of a dress was all ballroom. The solo was fast as hell and she timed it all perfectly with the music. I guess she does her own style well, but I'm not convinced she needs to be around next week.

Jakob: I have been waiting to see this for a while. Wow. I'll say it plainly - he is better than anybody else on this show and can only be brought down by the voters simply wanting somebody else to win based on superficial preferences.

My picks to go home? Ashleigh and Ryan. One stupid cape routine is going to stick with Ashleigh while Ryan didn't make enough of an impact this week.

Who do I think should go home? Nathan and Ashleigh. I've run out of steam trying to believe in either one any longer, despite lovely solos, and cuts need to be made.

It must be said that in this episode this top 10 turned the volume up past 11. Each performer would have blown their episode 1 performances out of the water. Whoever goes home tomorrow fought hard to get this far. Make the right choice voters!


Story by Kate Kostal

Starpulse contributing writer