'So You Think You Can Dance' Season 7: Finale Part One

August 12th, 2010 9:12am EDT

SYTYCD Final 3 It’s been a busy past few weeks. We’ve seen the departure of Jose, Billy and Adechike, not to mention some excellent pieces and moving routines. We are at the end – down to three dancers that were a little worrisome at the start of this competition. Robert with his pretty boy looks and carbon copy Billy Bell technique initially seemed to be a strong contender that was destined to leave in the final weeks. Lauren the recent high school cheerleader with acrobatic skills to spare began as a jailbait tease with some cutesy moves and not much personality. Kent was a small town hick with some Podunk talent but nothing more.

Thankfully, each week they grew. They revealed something more. They matured.

We’re treated to a montage of the season to open the show – of course. It’s selective in a refreshing way because awful dancers, jokes and finalists are all shown. The usual judges are back – Adam, Mia and Nigel – although the only things that make a difference this time are the voters. We’re told solos and multiple routines are in store for us tonight and it all starts with Kent in a Bollywood number.

The only other style more suited to Kent is Broadway. He delivers and hits each intricate hand motion as good as anyone can – as far as I can tell. The synch between him and his Allstar could have been better, but it was still an excellent routine even if the style is pure camp and joy and not very serious as far as subjective technique. Good show Kent, let’s see if the teeny poppers respond well.

Lauren is showcased with her Allstar in a hip-hop number playing off of the idea of political campaigns. A little cheeky considering the voting that will occur before tonight ends. She snaps, she pops, but her damn hair is still in her face. There weren’t many synchronized moves or interesting sequences. Her attitude was the highlight of the routine – at this point that is absolutely what she needs.

Robert’s jazz routine with a male Allstar was odd. It was set to Devo’s ‘Whip It’ which didn’t help, and the style was spastic and unbecoming. He performed it well but it fell flat for me. A lot of sharp but meaningless moves weren’t saved by the great use of the stage – floor work much? The judges loved it so I think he’ll appeal to his loyal fans and some easily swayed cougars. There, I said it.

Robert and Lauren got to collaborate with each other – and a pillow – on a contemporary routine. It was soft and connected but thankfully it allowed each dancer to showcase their own strengths with different moves from one another. With this being the finale I expected better from the contemporary routines…but there’s still a lot of show left!

Lauren and Kent teamed up to perform a jazz routine set to Huey Lewis’ ‘Hip to Be Square’ that was better suited for the sidelines at a high school football game. This campy, boogie partner routine was great the first time it reared its’ head on SYTYCD this season – when Billy and Lauren got down to ‘Boogie Shoes.’ Except that time it was enjoyable and showed off some skill from each dancer. This routine sucked. It did not belong on this show, especially not on this episode. If Robert wins, we can all blame Mandy Moore’s stupid idea for a finale performance. Booooo. It did nothing to enhance these two in terms of gaining more votes.

Kent teamed up with another Allstar for a contemporary piece by Stacey Tookey. It’s based on a relationship breaking down in private but that doesn’t really translate. There’s incredible partner work and a horrible lax amount of moving sequences, but it was solid. Kent didn’t send a cheesy smile towards the crowd once and the performance was solid. There have been so many excellent and memorable contemporary routines just this season alone that it was an uphill battle to make this stand out.

Robert performed a Broadway routine, and I didn’t throw up. Success. The sexual tension was tempered by the, well, Broadway-ness of the style. He somehow appeared to be more masculine than I expected, but I could’ve done with seeing him take on something that would definitely draw more votes for him – a hip-hop number or another contemporary piece. I think this did him no large favors.

Lauren sexed it up in a cha-cha number set to the uber trashy ‘Not Myself Tonight’ by Christina Aguilera. The spins were a bit slow and the control wasn’t as strong as I thought it should be, but the lifts and holds were damn good. Plus, those two boys left in the competition could never pull off that excuse for an outfit she wore.

Kent and Robert took on something called a ‘malevos’ which you can equate to a battle dance mixed with a tango. I think we have our Russian Folk Dance of this season. It was uncomfortable to watch. Although the first lift was badass, this routine will only get votes for the two guys from concentrated areas in San Francisco, northern Chicago, and most of south beach.

The solos were nothing spectacular. The desperation and hope was splattered across every dancer’s performance, but nobody wowed. Or nobody stood out as they’re all incredibly talented.

Two hours after the show ends, the phone lines will close. Tomorrow we’ll find out who will be the winner of Season 7. My predictions: Robert, Lauren, Kent. Although I refuse to put money down on that!

Photo Credits: Frank Micelotta/FOX

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