Agree with everyone, esp. the top four.

Mandy Moore needs to seriously step away from her I Love the 80's cd. Seriously. I hated that dance in every possible way because Russell was just a prop for the Tween Terror. He didn't do more than stand and lift. A couple of walks, a run, I think there may have been one turn sequence thrown in. The rest of the time he was carting Mollee around. And that girl cannot partner. It was like he was lifting a sack of wet cement. The judges can lie all they want. That was not good.

This was terrible! She was an awful partner. Her solo, too, just felt so dance school. I guess the judges said they liked it to avoid energizing a fanbase? Something about pairing her with Russell felt like trying to get her voted off, weirdly enough. They just didn't pair.

I wish someone had pulled Legacy's coat about using that particular song for his solo. It's so connected to Joshua and Katee on this show that I feel it took away from his solo, which was quite good.

FP's solo was tired, but I really don't know that ballroom kids can throw down on the solos if they are not named Benji Schwimmer. At least, I haven't seen it done.

Jakob's solo was heaven. If ever someone were born to dance! And dad tried to get him to be a sports jock. Aww. Poor dad.

I loved the last two routines of the night. Russell and Mollee were adorable in that Jive. I have to give it up to the Tween Terror, she was really, really good. Anya and Pasha choreographed a smart routine for them. Lots of side by side work, lots of solo work, minimal time spent in hold. It was sassy. Kind of like Danny/Anya's jive to Girlfriend. (And how much did I love seeing Pasha from Russia in the audience? A lot) So yes, they were more adorable than a basketful of kittens and puppies. Sadly, that's all that Mollee can bring. Anytime she tries something other than twee moppet, it all goes to hell. Russell is a wonder. I'll be glad to see him away from Mollee next week. I pray that he gets Ellenore or Kathryn.

Jakob + Ellenore + Sonya = Too perfect for words to describe. There was just so much technique, so much musicality. I don't think I've ever seen a man with a prettier penche arabesque than Jakob. And the feet. Toe point of the gods. And Ellenore has one of the best centers ever. So much core strength. Some of those freezes she pulled off were unreal. My abs hurt from just thinking about it. The two of them came to work tonight. I loved it.

Good show. I honestly think all the kids danced well. I definitely think we'll see Ashleigh, Noelle and Mollee as the girls B3. (Ashleigh/Noelle B2 if it comes to that) For the guys, I'd say Ryan and Legacy are locks. After that it gets tough. Nathan had two really great dances tonight plus a beautiful solo. Russell had one great and one solid dance plus a monster solo. Which way will the tweens break? I'd put Nathan in my personal B3, but I wouldn't be surprised if it were Russell. Jakob is the only guy I'd be completely shocked to see go B3 this week.

As far as who goes home, for the girls, I think Noelle may have danced her last and FP might have just enough in the tank to buy herself one more week. Noelle definitely got more praise tonight, and FP was in the worst routine of the evening with that awful Dave Scott hip hop, but she served in that first contemparary piece and in the hip hop, she did what she could with what she was given. For the guys, heck if I know. I'd probably say Ryan but primarily because I think the other four boys have bigger fan bases.

Done. Jakob and Ellenore should just dance together forever, I'm convinced of it.

The second Jakob and Ellenore piece aside (because that really was in a different class), I thought Russell and Mollee's jive was the best piece of the evening--it was nice to see Russell be able to shine on his own right from the start, and I thought they both killed it.

I actually feel kind of sorry for Nathan--he's a really good dancer, and I think the way he's being treated would be hard on anyone. It does make me wonder if he's kind of a douche though.

SYTYCD:

BTW, I thought there was no top 4 and the finale would be a top 6, but I'm not sure now.

I have also heard that they are going with a final 6 this year and not a final 4. I think they need to have this whole shebang wrapped up by the end of December so that Idol can kick off in January. As much as I love SYTYCD, I think it was a mistake to do the fall season for lots of reasons.

I agree. This was too close to the previous season and now they have to rush and finish it.

SYTYCD: Oh, that dance! I just want to watch Jakob & Ellenore dance together all the time. The strength! The grace! The expression! My body was all tensed up because I just could not believe they were executing what they were at that level. Love.

I agree with most of what you said, Kat, except that I still would put Nathan in the bottom instead of Russell. Russell! That solo is what it's like to bring it. Anyway, I feel a tad sad for Nathan and I can still see some of what I fell in love with him, but I haven't gotten over my pique at him yet.

Mollee needs to go. But I think Ashleigh might. I didn't think Ryan was all that bad, honestly, but that's probably at least partially tainted because I think he's hot.

I actually liked the weird battle contemporary piece. I thought it required a high level of skill and I enjoyed it.

I also thought that the pieces that got really slammed were totally on the choreographers, both the Dave Scott piece (what?!) and the rhumba. They can only do what they're given.

After realizing that my irrational dislike of Jakob had completely vanished, and wondering why Legacy was suddenly less appealing, I have decided that Ashleigh is an albatross who should have been shot long ago.

My favorite non-dance bit of the evening was Shankman trying to explain his amusement at the married couple winding up with each other's partners after the switch.