So we got the first head scratching elimination from the show proper last week.  (Not that we haven't had our fair share in the run up to the Top 20.  Evan, Brandon, Asuka.  If I were an OG and drank malt liquor, I'd pour a little out for ya, homies)  The judges sent Marquis home for doing too many tricks, apparently forgetting the last season entirely and one brown manpri clad leaper in particular.  Meanwhile, Chris lives to sweat and Gumby-up another episode. 

Ah well, kids.  Truth is, Marquis was never gonna win this season anyway.  Though Terpsichore knows he should've outlasted Chris.  And nobody set the stage on fire with their solos on Top 18 night.  I mean, the judges hypocrisy aside, Marquis' solo really was a bunch of tricks strung together by some pretty weak transitions.  Were they pretty tricks?  Mercy me, yes.  And I think Marquis and Comfort could've been a dynamite pair (especially given his performance in Shane's opening number).

And kiddies, can we talk about Mr. Sparks' opening number?  Because he absolutely threw it down!  He came with an agenda of showcasing the "skreet" dancers, and he delivered a hot routine.  And Comfort, Gev, Joshua and Twitch stepped up and laid down sizzling performances.  And of course, Marquis on the stairs during the opening was fire.  Being on ABDC is doing wonders for Shane!

Side Note: ABDC is indeed just as enjoyable this year as last.  Supercrew with the ninja inspired routine - and the falling tower?  What?   ASID was hot with the walking the dog.  I thought Boogie Bots tore the roof off the mothasucka going old school with More Bounce to the Ounce.  And Shane, L'il Mama and that inimitable icon of outre style, JC Chasez, continue to be the most knowledgable and entertaining judge panel in all of reality TV-dom, providing relevant critiques and, oh yeah, "keepin' it real."  Here's the plug, dance fans.  If you're not watching ABDC, you better act like ya know and jump on it.

Back to SYTYCD, while Marquis may have been a trick-meister, at least he held my attention.  Thayne was pretty but forgettable.  A second after he was done, I'd already forgottne what he danced to or how it went.  And the less said about the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, the better.  He has the requisite technique, but he's an uppleasant dancer to watch, heavy footed and not emotionally engaging.  Eh, I still like Thayne and think he has a chance to bring it moving forward, but these three are definitely not up there with the Alpha dogs.  There is a chasm between them and folks like Mark, Will and Joshua.

Notice how I haven't mentioned our ladies at all?  Yeah, it was like that.  Underwhelming doesn't even begin to cover it.  Comfort was the best of a bad lot, I guess.  Her solo was cute and fun and you could tell that she really does have skills.  But she will need to bring it much harder than that if she wants to reach the top 10.  Chelsea decided to borrow some of her partner's tighty whities and flail around on the stage.  Sadly, the Rhianna bob is not nearly as flippy as the long, white girl contempo tresses so she couldn't distract from the fact that she didn't really do anything.  And Susie continued to dance like she thought she was at Cousin Memo's backyard BBQ.  Once again this week, I could've lost any of them and not really batted an eye.  Well maybe I would've felt a little badly if Comfort had left because I really do like her, but even she is fading fast.

As for my prediction streak?  Still hotter than the muggy weather we're suffering through here on the East Coast.  Once again, we got the couple boot and all of our pairs stay in tact.  How I long for the halcyon days of S1 and the couple switch every week!  Y'all don't even know!  The judges continue to play the "we're serious about dance this season" card by pretending to care about how many flips and tricks the dancers throw in and paying lip service to the importance of musicality and emotional connection.  (BTW, only Mia can sell that.  Nigel and Mary forfeited the right to be high and mighty about the purity of dance long ago)  Maybe this week we'll get some past contestants as choreographers?  I need another in my win column.

And ABDC?  Totally kickin' SYTYCD's behind.  As Mr. Sparks would say, "Y'all need to pick it up next week.  Please, work."