"So You Think You Can Dance" mini-cap: the final 10 try to keep America's attention

Hold on to your chocolate bars ladies, it’s time for us to decide who goes and who stays. Last night was the first time that our voting decides, not the judges. It’s also the first time we’ll see everyone do a solo. And if that wasn’t enough, the couples are parting ways and getting new partners. No more Twitchington? (Let me pause now for a dramatic hand to my forehead.) It’ll be interesting to see how this goes. I’ve stocked up on premium dark chocolate so I’m ready.

First, the big news: Jessica is introduced. Solemnly she tells us that she’s got a couple of broken ribs so no dancing for her for four weeks. (She doesn’t say how it happened although some speculate it’s because Will dropped her.) Jessica can tour, though, so that’s good. The bad? We’ve got another week of Comfort, who’s taking her place. Now, I’d love to hang with Comfort ‘cause I think she’s fun but this isn’t So You Think You Can Hang Out with Jamie.

Lil’ C is the guest judge. I’m not always sure what he’s saying (he talks in circles) but he’s entertaining and I like the krump choreography he did for Kherington and Twitch last week.

Courtney and Joshua do a cool hip-hop number by Dave Scott where Courtney plays a kind of monster with Joshua as her Dr. Frankenstein. I love the characters and they dance it very well. Lil’ C thought Joshua killed it and Courtney was good. Murphy screamed something that made my cats run from the room. Lythgoe commented that he’d never seen Dr. Frankenstein spank his monster. (Well Nigel, obviously you’re going to the wrong parties.) He went on to say that Courtney wasn’t as good as Joshua. Well duh, she’s a contemporary dancer so she’s not going to hit as hard as Joshua.

Chelsie does a solo next. It’s always tough for the ballroom dancers to solo but she pulled it off, even dropping to the floor once.

Kherington and Mark glide through a country two-step choreographed by Ronnie DeBenedetta and a very pregnant Brandi Tobias. (It was lovely to see Brandi move. I’ll bet the baby was doing the backstroke in there.) It was a little too pretty and smooth even if Mark looked tres cute in his jeans and hat. Lil’ C didn’t love it, Murphy used her pouty sad face and Lythgoe commented that Kherington was really leading, not Mark. (And there’s a problem with that?)

Next, Gev does a great solo hip-hop routine.

Comfort and Twitch are paired for a smooth waltz that could’ve been smoother. Comfort is fabulous for someone who’s only been dancing for a few years, but she’s not top ten material. It was noted by all the judges that they didn’t have that floating illusion that’s so important in this dance form. Lythgoe said they looked choppy and I agree.

After Courtney does her solo contemporary presentation Cat Deeley playfully yells, “Come here, gorgeous!” and gives her a big hug. (Me next!)

Tice Diorio put together a Broadway routine for Katee and Will that’s pretty damn good and that’s saying a lot, considering how much I don’t love this genre. It’s animated, the characters are cute and the dancing is technically great. I love how they use the boat as a prop. They look adorable too, with Will in a bow tie and Katee dressed like Maryann from Gilligan’s Island. I could’ve done without Will ripping his shirt open at the end but hey, it’s Will and that’s what he does. The judges go on about the greatness of their pairing and for once, don’t pan Will’s partner.

Mark does a solo to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” with great acting and wonderful technique.

Chelsie and Gev dance a contemporary piece about a couple with a great yearning for each other. The choreography doesn’t excite me, frankly, but maybe I’m just missing Mia. The judges loved it with Murphy saying that they had amazing chemistry.

Comfort does a solo piece that’s not as technically proficient as the other dancers.

After a break, Twitch shows Comfort how it’s done. He’s got a giant “T” on his shirt and all he needs is Lois Lane and a cape and we’re good. I love how his personality comes through. I’ve gotta say that he’s coming out as one of my favorites. (Please don’t take my lesbian card.)

Ooh! Next is a rumba and I do love that dance style ‘cause it’s sexy and fiery and it makes me miss my girlfriend. (OK so that last part isn’t so good but you get the drift. I need more chocolate.) Courtney and Joshua tear it up. Lythgoe has to say that Joshua knows how to use his hips but also how to butch it up. Um, yeah.

Katee does her solo. Damn she’s cute. She could power a small city with that smile.

Kherington and Mark are back with a jazz routine. I missed seeing a story. The judges don’t love it either with Murphy saying that without a story, Mark is lost.

Next is a pas de deux with Katee and Will. (For those of you thinking “Huh?” it’s a type of ballet. In French it means “step of two.” Impressed I know that?) I won’t pretend to know anything about the genre but I can say that was pretty. In fact, Murphy said it was a “beautiful song, beautiful choreography and with two of the most beautiful dancers.” David Archuletta mangling “Imagine” is not my idea of a "beautiful song," but I have to agree on the other two points. (Archuletta almost won American Idol this year. I didn’t vote for him but then, I’m not a 13-year-old girl. Oh don’t get me started.)

Before Lythgoe commented on the pas de deux he said a few words about choreographer Desmond Richardson and his partner Dwight and how honored he was that they were on the show. First, I love that two men showed Katee and Will a dance but second, I wonder what kind of partners, you know? They looked like sweet swishy boys to me.

Joshua does a hard hitting hip-hop solo that I want to watch several times. He’s right up there with Twitch for me.

Chelsie and Gev finish off the evening with an explosive jive that’s joyful and fun. Lil’ C thought Chelsie outdid Gev but I think it was a close call.

Tonight’s show features three group routines, one of them choreographed by Mia Michaels. There’s also a mystery guest. Two dancers will be sent home. For the girls, it’s easy but for the guys? Yikes. It’ll be interesting to see if the public loves Will as much as the judges do. What do you think?