First of all, what was that opening number? It was like if the creative team of The Adams Family musical directed Spring Awakening. “Bitch Of The Living Dead,” amirite? Boy, I hope you get that reference.

Like I do each week, I will write a recap of each dance and give it a rating of zero to five stars. When writing about the solos, I’ll also talk a bit about how each contestant is doing overall in the competition. Feel free to comment below with your favorite/least favorite routine of the night.

Virgil (Team Street) & Jasmine (All Star), African Jazz – * * * ½
I feel bad for Virgil because A) as a guy who also lacks in height I understand how awkward it must be to dance and partner a long-legged wonder like Jasmine and B) Jasmine is one of the most stunning dancers ever to grace SYTYCD. The good news is that Jasmine didn’t outshine Virgil who also has an infectiously large stage presence. The bad news is that Virgil’s African Jazz was surprisingly weak. Most moves didn’t seem to be fully finished and his demonic character came off more silly than scary.

Derek (Team Stage) & Jaime (All Star), Contemporary – * * * *
If I had my druthers, I would have sent Derek home last week. It’s not that I don’t think he’s a talented dancer – he’s a wonderful performer – but my biggest issue with him is something I’m hesitant about even putting in print. While I don’t know anything about Derek’s personal life, he comes off onstage as rather feminine. There is nothing wrong with that at all – there has been no shortage of amazing effeminate dancers on this show – but unfortunately it does affect his performance, as we just don’t buy him in strong, masculine, heterosexual roles. With different material, maybe I’d feel differently or perhaps if he was a better actor he could be more in character during these romantic routines. It’s too bad, this was Derek’s best technical performance…I just didn’t buy the character.

Hailee (Team Stage) & Fikshun (All Star), Hip-Hop – * * * * ½
Fikshun and Hailee make a great team. They are both beams of light who play off each other wonderfully. Could Hailee have hit a little harder? Would one of the Team Stage members out perform her? Maybe. But Hailee connected with the material, played the part wonderfully and did her very best to tackle a hard-hitting hip-hop routine.

Megz (Team Street) & Paul (All Star), Paso Doble – * * ½
The Paso can be a death sentence for SYTYCD contestants but I can’t think of anyone better to tackle it on Team Street than Megz. She has such an interesting, masculine intensity about her that, when harnessed, can be a magical thing. Because of that, the acting of this piece was great. She brought the dark energy Virgil lacked earlier in the show and gave the ballroom routine 100 percent. That all being said, the judges were right; I’m no Paso expert, but her movement came across as clunky and heavy. There’s only so much you can learn in a week and this clearly showed off how far technique-wise Megz has to go.

Neptune (Team Street) & Kayla (All Star), Jazz – * * ½
Last week Kayla dwarfed her partner, leaving it feel more like a star and back up dancer. Luckily, Neptune didn’t have that problem this week and succeeded in the charisma department. But he fell short in his technique. Neptune’s arms didn’t extend enough and his lifts felt oddly haphazard. His performance, though charismatic, lacked the intense connection this piece needed. It should have sizzled with palpable sexual tension but instead we got two ships passing in the night.

Jim (Team Stage) & Comfort (All Star), Hip-Hop – * * *
This was a fun routine and I really wish I could see it with tWitch or a really great, strong hip-hop dancer. Jim did his best with a really difficult number but his ballet-trained body felt out of whack with the looser, hard-hitting hip-hop. Far too meticulous, stiff and light on his feet, Jim’s inexperience with this style just showed.

Gaby (Team Stage) & Robert (All Star), Contemporary – * * * * *
Yes, it is that overwrought song from the depressing abused animal commercial. Although, in reality, that song is about a heroin overdose rather than abandoned animals, which is actually slightly more depressing than previously thought. Anywho. This was absolutely gorgeous. From Gaby and Robert’s unmatched technique to their searing romantic connection, this was very, very close to perfection.

Jaja (Team Street) & Ricky (All Star), Broadway – * * * * ½
First of all, it’s great to have Ricky back. I know he’s off starring on Broadway but I’ve missed him on my set each week. I also loved how Jaja’s character took about half the number to give into Ricky’s charms. Just proving how good of an actress she is as well as a dancer, Jaja succeeded with flying colors in this coy Broadway number. It’s true that Jaja was a little heavier on her feet than her partner, but her charms and passion for dance overshined everything.

---Solos---

Jim – * * * * ½
It’s pretty dumb at this point to go on about Jim’s extraordinary technique. Seriously, I’ve been watching SYTYCD for a long time and not since Alex Wong have I seen such a flawless classical dancer. I could go on about his strength and his elevations and his extensions. But that’s all old news. What I will say is that this show is 60% dance competition and 40% popularity contest. Obviously, Jim is the best dancer this season, no contest. But he can come across as a little aloof and he lacks the acting stills that come easily to some of his competition. We’ll just have to wait and see how far his moves will take him.

Jaja – * * * * ½
Let’s put it out there, Jaja is my favorite girl this year. She’s great in her own style (although this solo felt unusually light on actual dance) but has shown remarkable talent doing just about any style the choreographers have thrown at her. Like Jim she’s great in her own style, but unlike Jim she’s incredibly likeable and a chameleon of an actress.

Gaby – * * * * ½
Gaby is in my top five this season as well and picking a Latin song was a great choice as it gave her a new tap vocabulary to tackle. She’s could easily have a spot in the finale.

Derek – * * * *
Alone, Derek is great. It’s just, as I already wrote, he’s acting chops (or lack of) don’t let him shine in some of the duets.

Virgil – * * * *
When allowed to be himself, Virgil is just a blast to watch. His troubles come outside his genre.

Hailee – * * * *
While this a little too much club and not enough technique, there’s no questioning Hailee’s skills. Her legs, especially, are quite astonishing.

Megz – * * * *
Megz is another dancer who is excellent in her own style – strong, unique and very entertaining – but whose transition to more formal style is often rocky.

Neptune – * * * ½
If this was the search for Americans Most Rubbery Joints we’d have a clear winner…

Bottom Four:
Derek, Hailee, Megz, Neptune

Who Should Have Gone Home:
Derek & Neptune

Who Actually Went Home:
Derek & Neptune