There’s a lot to cover on this penultimate episode with three rounds of dancing for the top four to show off one last time. So let’s get going.

Like I do each week, I will write a recap of each dance and give it a rating of zero to five stars. Feel free to comment below with your favorite/least favorite routine of the night.

--Duet with Contestants--

Jaja (Team Street) & Hailee (Team Stage), Hip-Hop – * * * *
Even though Jaja is Team Street, her style is a tighter, theatrical street dance than what we think of as an inner-city gangster style. Perhaps that’s why, even though Jaja’s got great talent, it was hard to buy this petite, 20-something Czech girl as a badass bank robber. Same goes to Hailee who tried her best but whose performance was more posing and stank face than really inhabiting the character. Both needed to hit harder, have more precise isolations and really get into character more. But then again, this is the top four and I doubt I’d be so tough a month ago.

Virgil (Team Street) & Gaby (Team Stage), Lyrical Hip-Hop – * * * * *
I’ve been a fan of Phillip Chbeeb since he was contestant way back when. So I’m really happy Phillip got a chance to choreograph this season, especially since his piece was so artful and unique. While it didn’t feature any fireworks – emotional or otherwise – it was one of my favorites this season. Danced exceptionally well by Virgil and Gaby, the two got out of their own way to execute some deceivingly difficult choreography.

Jaja (Team Street) & Gaby (Team Stage), Jazz – * * * * ½
We’ve had some incredibly strong ladies this season, so it makes perfect sense that they’d perform a powerful ode to female empowerment. Physically demanding but without much a storyline, this number was more entertaining than technically perfect. Yes, there were a few spots that felt under-rehearsed and, yes, Gaby out-danced Jaja. But these performers are such spitfires; it didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all.

Jaja (Team Street) & Virgil (Team Street), Contemporary – * * * * *
This would have been impressive with two contemporary dancers but with two untrained hip-hop dancers it borders on unbelievable. But, as Nigel said, it wasn’t perfect technique that makes this so successful (although the very difficult choreography was done well, especially the lifts) it was two brilliant performers putting everything on the dance floor.

Hailee (Team Stage) & Virgil (Team Street), Broadway – * * * * ½
In a night with such somber numbers, it’s refreshing to have a campy, old-style Broadway routine that wouldn’t be out of place in a “On The Town”-esque show. What I know that is the two are incredibly charismatic and I’d gladly pay to see either one of them on the Great White Way. What I also know is that Hailee’s oddly smiley performance did throw a wrench in the dance’s storyline.

Gaby (Team Stage) & Hailee (Team Stage), Broadway – * * * * *
Was this a coming out story? If so, why couldn’t Travis just say that? But in the end, it doesn’t matter. What does matter is the gorgeous, fluid, honest movement and those brilliant little moments like Gaby climbing on Hailee’s back of the blissful look in Hailee’s eyes whenever she looked at her partner. Just divine.

--Duet with All-Stars—

Virgil (Team Street) & Josh (All-Star), Hip-Hop – * * * * ½
While the actual dance choreography I found a little ho-hum, the tricks and difficulty level was off the hook. That back walk?! That crazy spider wheelbarrow thing?! I can’t remember a more difficult hip-hop routine executed so well.

Hailee (Team Stage) & Marko (All-Star), Jazz – * * * *
Hailee is great, but after such challenging material, this somewhat bland jazz routine isn’t doing her any favors. It was fine and she danced it fine. It’s just not amazing. And at this point, every move has to be amazing.

Jaja (Team Street) & Cyrus (All-Star), Hip-Hop – * * * *
Much like the previous one, Jaja was a bit let down by choreography that more like Nicki Minaj backup dancing. Jaja has been so brilliant with almost everything thrown at her, this can’t help but feel like she’s resting on her laurels a bit.

Gaby (Team Stage) & Zack (All-Star), Hip-Hop – * * * * ½
Ending the night on a high note, we have an invigorating tap number with feet flying all over the place. Although I tend to dislike routines with no clear cut backstory, this was just a joy to watch.

--Solos—

Gaby (Team Stage) – * * * *
Boy I wish those solos were longer. I must say, I usually associate tap with jazz or big band music, so it’s incredibly fun and refreshing to see it done with Latin flair.

Virgil (Team Street) – * * * *
While Virgil might not always be the best dancer in the room, he’s such a little supernova and so incredibly entertaining. He’s just a walking energizer bunny.

Hailee (Team Street) – * * * *
I don’t think Hailee will win next week, she’s a bit outdone by her contemporaries, but

Jaja (Team Street) – * * * * ½
Jaja may not be classically trained but she has an X factor you just can’t teach. Since it’s the penultimate episode, it’s time to get to the cat out of the bag – I believe Jaja should win this season.

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Who Should Win Next Week:
Jaja