I guess since the tight schedule meant almost no time was devoted to the rehearsal packages before the routines, we never got to see whatever ''meltdowns'' Nigel was referring to after Will and Jess's second number — but it was about this moment that I realized why this season's been such a nonstarter for so many viewers. There's been no Dominic, no Sara, no Ivan — no appealing underdog who's shown real, true improvement and growth week to week, allowing us a sense of progression throughout the season. All the dancers have either remained at the same level they started at — and that includes the out-of-the-box fabulous Joshua — or have faltered slightly since Vegas and the top 20. It's appeared to me that the judges have been working overtime to make Jessica this season's ''story,'' to set her up for some impending moment of triumph, but they've piled on so much at this point that she could just as easily crumple under the pressure. (Behind-the-scenes tidbit No. 3: It really didn't help matters when Nigel had to re-record saying Jessica's name a few times during the first ad break because, as he mouthed to someone off stage, he'd plumb forgot it when they were filming his comments.)
Comfort, by the way, could've easily been this season's underdog story. She was given ample opportunity last night to take on that mantle, with a West Side Story Broadway routine to showcase her growth as an entertainer and performer and a smooth waltz to show off how a hip-hop dancer can have elegance and poise. She nailed the latter with an assist from her gorgeous dress, but I'm with Nigel: When you take on West Side Story on a show with this much serious competition, the passion and angst better be first-rate and Broadway ready, and it was just good enough for a regional road show. Thayne also disappointed me; he's certainly got the well-rounded technical skill, but losing his first partner, Chelsea, seems to have taken a few gusts of wind from his sails.
Luckily, they still won more praise than Kourtni and Matt, who could barely do any right in the judges' eyes. In person, I thought Matt actually got down with the get-down during his hip-hop routine, but it didn't play as cool or collected on screen, especially toward the end. There was no mistaking, though, that he fell back into his upright, face-forward, super-smile sameness during what should've been a down-and-dirty mambo. (So do I think Nigel was out of line telling Matt he should be more ''butch''? Nope. This time, that was precisely the right word. Although, if we're really aiming for accuracy, whatever guttural snarl was burbling forth from Mary's mouth was pretty much dead center where Matt should be heading. He should just take care to wear a cup.) Kourtni was the opposite, weak during the hip-hop and stronger during the mambo, but I still feel like she's holding back. Yeah, Alex Da Silva's choreography cut this couple no slack, but Nigel's right: These two really should have delivered — other dancers in other seasons have had less training than these two while taking on a demanding style outside their comfort zone, and they've aced it. My guess: Kourtni and Matt are first in line in the judges' minds to go home. (Behind-the-scenes tidbit No. 4: A girl fainted in the SYTYCD ''mosh pit'' halfway through the judging panel's assessment of the mambo — don't lock your knees, kids! — so Matt had to hear Mary's critique of him twice.)
NEXT: Mia's magic touch
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