Season 11’s top 4 took the stage one last time to fight for America’s votes in the last competitive show of the season.
The final four were in fightin’ form this week, dancing for their lives and for the win, but the winners were the viewers, because we were treated to some amazing dancing. Modern Family’s Jesse Tyler Ferguson joined Nigel and Mary at the judges table, and proved to be one of the most entertaining guest judges we’ve had all season. Taking selfies, talking about his yellow sari, confessing his continued crush on all-star Aaron (Right there with you, Jesse,) and telling Ricky Ubeda: “Hey, you’re so great, if you were older, we could date!”
Group Number
In his ongoing attempt to make America weep, Travis Wall choreographed a beautiful routine for the top four dancers, set to “The Wind Beneath My Wings.” A sob trigger since the ’90s, the song was made all the more poignant, as the dancers were thanking each other for their support and inspiration throughout the season. But they were doing so through dance. It was beautiful.
Contestant Routines
Ricky and Valerie
Sean Cheesman pitted Ricky and Valerie against one another in an African Jazz race. It was a fast-paced routine, but it didn’t get the best of either dancer. They looked great, with fake tribal tattoos, and Valerie’s hair flowing wild and free. The judges think they’re survivors this season, and they both won this race, in the end.
Zack and Jessica
Zack and Jessica met up at their secret hideaway for a Spencer Liff Broadway routine. It was an adorable retro number, with Jessica looking va va va voom like Jessica Rabbit. Both dancers did a great job, not only with the dancing itself, but with the character. Jesse thought they were ready to take on Broadway, starting with On The Town if they win.
Zack and Valerie
Love was blind in Zack and Valerie’s contemporary routine from Tyce Diorio – or at least Valerie was. Billed as a routine unlike any we’ve seen before, with two people facing a mysterious obstacle. Both dancers were beautiful, though the routine itself came off a bit like a Helen Keller rom com. Fortunately, Valerie’s sweet smile is infectious, and you couldn’t help but enjoy watching her finally see Zack.
Jessica and Ricky
Jessica and Ricky took on a non-stop jazz routine from Ray Leeper. It was a very athletic performance, stretching the dancers into beautiful lines. They looked very cool in coordinating black geometric outfits, and we were reminded of what a great pair the two of them make. Jesse called them “adorable little sprockets,” but they looked like absolute pros.
Jessica and Valerie
Our top two girls, Valerie and Jessica, came together for a Nakul Dev Mahajan Bollywood routine full of girl power. Bollywood is always so difficult, because it’s so fast-paced and yet so specific and intricate. Both girls certainly had the smiles and joy to make the routine enjoyable, but it didn’t look very well coordinated at certain times.
Zack and Ricky
Season 11’s top 2 guys, Zack and Ricky, were dueling suits in a card battle. Ricky was the King of Diamonds, and Zack was the King of Clubs, and while they might look like the least ferocious guys to take on a hard-hitting hip-hop number (from Phoenix and Pharcyde), no one has so surprisingly risen to the hip-hop challenge since Alex Wong’s unforgettable routine with Twitch. They earned a standing ovation from everyone.
All-star routines
Valerie and Aaron
Valerie was joined by last year’s finalist Aaron Turner for an Anthony Morigerato tap routine, about a feuding couple battling out their frustrations through dance. Dancing to Sammy Davis Jr’s “Love Me or Leave Me,” Aaron and Valerie were incredibly charming, not to mention incredible tappers. Thank God we’ve had so many talented tappers the past two seasons, because Anthony Morigerato is one of the best, and unfortunately underutilized, choreographers on the show.
Ricky and Kathryn
Ricky was joined by all-star Kathryn McCormick for a gorgeous Stacey Tookey contemporary routine. In the routine, Ricky had hit rock bottom, and Kathryn was an angel on earth sent to save him. Kathryn is one of the most beautiful dancers to have ever graced the SYTYCD stage, and she truly was angelic in this dance. But Ricky rose to her level, ending the routine with wings of his own, and leaving the audience with chills.
Zack and Aaron
Two of SYTYCD’s best tappers, Zack and Aaron, bellied up to the bar in another Anthony Morigerato tap routine, set to Billy Joel’s classic “Piano Man.” It was incredible how both dancers were actually able to have a conversation through tap, but they made it look effortless. I don’t know where this bar full of handsome tap-dancing men is, but I want to go to there.
Jessica and Robert
Jessica was paired with all-star Robert Roldan for a sexy Travis Wall contemporary routine, about whether or not your partner would even miss you if you left the relationship. The dancing was incredible. Robert was absolutely awful to Jessica in this routine, until the end, when Jessica finally had enough, and threw him aside. It was fraught with passion and feeling, and perfectly acted.
Solos
Ricky
Valerie
Jessica
Zack
Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz was joined by Raining Jane to perform his new hit “Love Someone,” from his new album Yes!. It was a beautiful performance of a gorgeous song, and Jason sounded great, as always. However, this writer continues to wish that the guest performances were accompanied by dance routines from some of our SYTYCD favorites, like they used to be.
Season 11’s winner will be revealed next Wednesday, September 3 at 8 p.m. on Fox.