'So You Think You Can Dance': Who's your pick?

Stephanie Lysaght called last week's episode the best of the season, but I think we found a new one, and it's great to end on such a wonderful finale -- the dancing and choreography improved to the level of its dancers, not to mention their stamina. 

But let's get to business: Katee Shean should win.  And here is why: She has never failed, been a disappointment or simply not shone during any performance -- it seems like everybody but her has had at least one performance that gained lukewarm reviews from the judges.  While Courtney Galiano was smart to play up her improvement over the season, Nigel Lythgoe was right when he said that Katee just reached beyond her by that extra half-inch.  My only question was, why did she look so bummed after her performance with Joshua Allen? Their Wade Robson lyrical dance brought tears to my eyes, maybe because, as Nigel said, it was just nice to see a tough dance about love that actually had a happy ending.  And her fox trot with Twitch Boss had the benefit of looking sexy and a little "James Bond" (I thought it before Cat Deeley said it).

I liked the idea and execution of the dance Katee performed with Courtney, about two girls out on the town, but their outfits seemed a little over the top for me, like they were about to perform burlesque. When I heard the description of the dance I expected them more to look "My Fair Lady" ish.

I could tell before I even watched Twitch Boss and Josh's dance, however, that it would be more fun, as the "rivalry" between them was so cute and charming. I thought it was interesting that, like last year, it was a fight dance. I guess none of the guys on the show are going to be playing a fox and its baby, like last year's girl/girl dance.  The choice to have Josh and Twitch do a Russian dance was wonderful and the strength and endurance it must have taken is incredible.

While I chose Katee as my winner, I won't be upset if either of the guys win (Courtney I like but I still think she's not as good as Chelsie Hightower was).  But who do you want to win? Come by here Thursday at 1 p.m. Pacific time to chat with Stephanie and me one last time!

--Claire Zulkey

Comments

[SafeTinspector]

I agree that Katee possibly SHOULD win, but I doubt that she WILL win.
I don't think Courtney is really even in the running.
It'll likely be Joshua or Twitch.

Gee, wasn't Nigel beating the "Joshua isn't trained" drum hard this evening? I don't understand why he needs to take this tack. I think Joshua's dancing has been good enough to stand on its own throughout, even if his solos are hopelessly repetitive and he kept the "4-real" thing alive at least two weeks past its expiration date. (Metaphors, I mix thee!)

I did like the dance-off that was Twitch and Joshua (Twitchua? Josh-itch? That last sounds like it might go along with a certain medicated powder)
And I liked it better than the twee-goth-prince battle from last year.

But I have to disagree with you that the choreography was better on the whole than last week. Any week with foxtrot and jive in it is incapable of being really great. Although the judges went easy on the foxtrot and only Nigel poopooed the Jive dance, they simply were not good. I'm surprised they let fan anti-favorites like those through for the final competition show.

Joshua and Katee's Wade dance was just stunning. I don't know what error Katee made that she was upset about, but my untrained and TV tube visioned eyes didn't see it. The only problem I had with that performance was that it seemed to peter out for the last thirty seconds or so.

What about all that couch time with Cat? We got to see Katee's roomie again (even if only in a flashback) and we learned that Courtney is still with her boyfriend regardless of the rumors about Gev. We learned that Twitch almost joined the Navy and that he's a habitual dance exhibitionist (better than the alternative, you can ask my parole officer about that) and that Josh quit sports to dance after going back and forth on the matter for years (yet Nigel says he is NOT trained!)

And we got to hear Cat say "Brought to you by our friends at Snuggle!" Yay!

Lastly, Mia Michaels is HUGE. She is gigantic and monstrous like some otherworldly thing. I'm pretty sure Courtney could fit in her mouth. Like, 90% sure. Like Galactus, but more bitchy when on the judges panel. And, for once, her dance sorta sucked. Nigel was spot on in describing it as a commercial for the Scottish Olympic team.

Claire, did you notice how little the can-can garbed gals actually danced together in their night-on-the-town routine? I agree with you on the outfits. They seemed to be missing sheets of fabric if they were going for some 19th century look... just like you said, burlesque.

Oh, poo. I've typed too much again. I should get some sleep.

[Teela]

UR WRONG! COURTNEY SHOULD WIN!!!
KATEE IS JUST GOOD CAUSE all SHE DOES IS BROADWAY AND CONTEMPORARY!!! and TWITCH ISNT VERSTAILE AT ALL!!!!!!!! he cant do anything but hip hop

[kerouac9]

Katee should probably win. Without question, she's the best dancer. But this isn't a search for America's Best Dancer. I think that Joshua or Twitch are probably America's Favorite Dancer.

Tabitha and Napoleon should be one-and-done as choreogaphers. Their routines always failed to impress, and hip hop dancers like Twitch never looked comfortable in their lame-o numbers. They're okay as judges, but they take all of the teeth out of the street dances. More Lil'C, less T&N.

[Claire Zulkey]

I have to agree with you, kerouac, re: Tabitha and Napoleon. They don't seem as good as the show. Based on my terribly expert opinion.

[Mathew Andresen]

I'm going to have to go with Joshua. His dancing is incredible, and he shines on almost any style. Yes Katie is great, but I still prefer Joshua better.

Then again, I'm a popper.

[SafeTinspector]

Claire, Kerouac, you really didn't like Napolean and Tabitha's routines?
I think I enjoyed most of them, especially Chelsie and Mark's Working-Man-Gotta-Leave-You-Woman routine.
I think Adam coined their routines as "miracle hip-hop", and I don't know how miraculous it is, but its often entertaining.
More so than Sparks' routines, which always seemed to draw from the same two or three move palate.

[Nancy]

You are right; Katee should win, but I think one of the guys will.

[John B]

I like'm all and will be happy with whomever wins. They all bring something different and interesting to their dances. I couldn't agree more with the dump Tabitha and Napoleon. They're routines are not up to snuff when the other choreographers on the show, especially with the likes of Mia Michaels and Wade Robson. I liked Shane Sparks much better.

[John B]

I like'm all and will be happy with whomever wins. They all bring something different and interesting to their dances. I couldn't agree more with the dump Tabitha and Napoleon. They're routines are not up to snuff when the other choreographers on the show, especially with the likes of Mia Michaels and Wade Robson. I liked Shane Sparks much better.

[Cat]

No doubt Katee should win. Her dancing is phenomenal. She stands out in any crowd. My vote is for Katee.