So You Think You Can Dance Canada 2, October 13: The End Is But a Feather Step Away!

In the last Elimination episode, Cody and Kim were eliminated. You can read my version of events here if you missed out.

Tonight’s 90-minute episode opens with series host Leah Miller bringing out the dancers and the judges as usual. The latter are principal judges Jean Marc Genereux and Tré Armstrong, plus familiar faces Mary Murphy and Rex Harrington.

Leah informs us that again this week, each dancer will dance four times (that’s 14 presentations in all). Besides two numbers with their partner and a solo, the three guys and three girls will perform separate group numbers. But first, Leah seeks the judges’ opening comments.

Mary says she’s excited to be back. To the dancers, she says that although they are tired, they must dance with their whole heart and soul. She then deafens Rex with her best eardrum-piercing scream. When he recovers, Rex says the six are close, technically, so they have to show their personalities to become Canada’s FAVOURITE dancer. Tré knows they’ll give it their all and wishes them luck. Jean Marc says to pull out all the stops and go for it.

The first to draw his partner for the week is Vincent, and he pulls Tara-Jean’s name. They will dance a salsa, choreographed by Gustavo Vargas. Gustavo has a special flip move he’s been trying to work into one of his routines, and this is the number he’s chosen for it. We see several failed attempts in rehearsal.

However, they nail the flip when it matters. Throughout they are shaking’ it hard, and

Mary comments first, with a scream, and adds, “It doesn’t get any better!” She lauds the partnering, and the two tricks. She feels Tara-Jean is “a star” and she’s still on the hot tamale train, in first class. Vincent is given a “most improved” comment, and he’s also in first class on the hot tamale train.

Rex says he’s hot just being next to Mary. He tells Tara-Jean she is hot and notes Vincent has part of her costume on his crotch. Now, how did that happen? He feels Tara-Jean is sure to be in the final four.

Tré says everything was there. She says she’s already told Vincent how great he is, and this was more proof. Tara-Jean is called “a trouper, a professional,” and, “a sexy kitten.” Jean Marc lauds Vincent, saying he is like a hawk protecting his prey, while she is a sports car going 200 MPH.

The first solo comes from Jayme Rae. There are a lot of spins. I fear we’ve reached a point in the season I was afraid would come even earlier – I’ve run out of words (and dance knowledge) to write anything new about these great solos.

Leah breaks the news that the show is coming back for Season 3, and the open auditions hit Vancouver on Saturday, December 5th in B.C. Full audition tour info will be available on the CTV website “soon.” Actually, the media release I saw mentions two dates, the one in Vancouver and a tour-initiating Toronto date of Friday, November 13th. Yup, Friday the Thirteenth! Kids, keep checking the CTV website before buying any bus tickets!

It’s time for the next couple, and Everett draws Melanie for his partner. They will dance a rock-jazz piece under Melissa Williams’ guidance. When they first meet with Melissa, Everett almost bowls her off her feet!

The storyline is that they are a Bonnie and Clyde couple, running across rooftops to escape the cops, and “they dance the piece to death.” The music is Nickelback’s “Burn It To The Ground.” Both are dressed in black and silver, and they exhibit a badass attitude. Their sync is not ideal. They end by jumping into the crowd, who throws them back like a homerun ball hit by the visitors at Wrigley Field. Overall, this is a strong and exciting performance.

Mary is so excited that her voice goes up another octave. She calls Melanie “a strong, committed, captivating female dancer.” Everett is “on fire,” and a contender. Rex says they committed to their story. He tells Melanie she matched Everett, and Everett that he is a real showman.

Tré says they both rocked it out. Melanie was strong, and is a major threat. She loved the emotion Everett showed. Jean Marc says they were captivating. Everett was aware of his partner and is a real pro; Melanie was committed to her cause.

Tara-Jean solo is next, to Matt Dusk’s version of “Fever.” It has a jazz flavour, and she wears an appropriate Sinatra-ish hat. It’s very smooth.

Leah has news for us. She announces that Tré will choreograph tomorrow night’s opening group number. It’s disco! Groan… maybe I’ll tune in five minutes late!

Emanuel is last to pick a new partner, and to no one’s surprise, he draws Jayme Rae. Pierre Allaire will lead them in a quickstep. At rehearsal, there are some problems with her butt sticking out. She says she can’t help it; it just does that. Speaking not from a dance point of view but as a straight, red-blooded male, I don’t have a problem with it!

They will be dancing to “Let’s Go,” from Hipjoint featuring Sherry St. Germain. Is that name familiar to you? Is this the same lassie that ended up in the Reality TV Hall Of Shame a couple of years ago? At any rate, he is in a World War II military costume, and she is in a period pinup-up outfit (see the photo that accompanies this article). It’s a snappy period-flavoured piece. Emanuel manages to throw a triple-axel in there, and as usual, it’s spot-on.