photo: fox
Top 6 Perform
Original Air Date: Dec 15, 2009
Rachel M – TwoCents Reviewer
rachelm@thetwocentscorp.com
It’s SYTYCD finale week and I’m horribly disappointed to realize that since there are 6 dancers left, we are getting three boy/girl dances each instead of some same sex dances. Some of my favorite dances ever on this show have been boy/boy or girl/girl. Oh well, we’re jumping straight in tonight.
Kathryn and Ryan: (Samba) How many ways can two bodies twirl in and out of each other? Kathryn gets a little tripped up in this, but Ryan looks great (and the shirtless part is nice of course). The final throw/catch/pose was crazy!
Ellenore and Jakob: (Broadway) I normally love Fosse like routines, and I appreciate the unsynchronized aspects of this routine. Jakob does more leg kicks and splits and jumps and twirls than any routine we’ve ever seen before, but something about this routine doesn’t resonate with me. I agree that each of them got to play to their strengths, but they didn’t really need each other on stage did they?
Ashleigh and Russell: (Jazz) This is a gorgeous routine, and Ashleigh looks great and totally uninjured. Russell looks darn good as well. Except for some slow kind of awkward lifts at the end, this routine was solid from start to finish. The judges pile praise on Russell once again, and more than ever I find it impossible to believe he’s never had any training.
Ellenore and Ryan: (Jazz) About 3 seconds into this routine I hated it. The futuristic robot moves, the complete lack of personality from the dancers, the kneepads, the strange partnering moves…the whole thing left me unsatisfied.
Ashleigh and Jakob: (Foxtrot) This is a nice bubblegum ballroom routine, and they seem to perform the technical aspects well. The lifts seemed out of sync though. Ashleigh looks great, and Jakob is basically always amazing so another number down.
We’re five routines in for tonight, but I’m having flashbacks to earlier in the season when the shows were lackluster and nothing really gave me shivers.
Ellenore and Russell: (Paso Doble) Another dance with a shirtless Russell! They are throwing a fair number of lifts into this, so much so that it took a good long while to get to any real dancing. Both of them seem a bit uncomfortable though, and while the dance is strong, it’s not as strong as some.
Kathryn and Jakob; (Contemporary) A basically shirtless Jakob, but I’m not complaining! There are some absolutely fantastic moments in this routine, where the timing had to be exactly right and the trust was absolutely necessary. They flip in and out of their arms and legs so many times! Definitely the best routine of the night! Nigel makes a good point in that Jakob needs to be around dancers that are as good as him or better so he can grow. As the strongest dancer in this competition he hasn’t had the same growth opportunities as the other dancers.
Ashleigh and Ryan: (Contemporary) Yeah! Travis Wall choreographing for the married couple who made it all the way to the finale. Ashleigh can’t seem to stop grinning and her joy is fairly infectious. This slow routine is just gorgeous- and yes I know I’m totally biased! When they get to Cat they are both crying! Say it with me now- awww.
Kathryn and Russell: (HipHop) Kathryn is doing this surprisingly well! Of course we expect god things from Russell, and he’s hitting hard. Kathryn though really steps up and shows why she is the judge’s favorite. The routine was really enjoyable.
All right, it’s the end of Season 6! It’s time to declare a favorite to win…my vote is going to Jakob for sheer talent but I think Russell will win. Do you agree? Leave your TwoCents!
TheTwoCents 
In my opinion, it is also down to Russell vs Jakob. Jakob is clearly the ‘best’ dancer, but I’m not sure he’s shown enough character to make him the favorite.