By David Valdes

This week on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, the Top 20 offered up some impressive performances, but none more impressive than the ones choreographed by Wade Robson. The former choreographer for the likes of Britney and *NSYNC has proven himself a mad scientist of dance — mixing classic styles and macabre elements to create unforgettable performances.

B-girl Sara and contemporary dancer, Jesus, performed a highly stylized “vagabond cabaret” number by Wade. The routine was the night’s standout performance, showcasing Sarah’s versatility and featuring the use of prop newspapers. Is it just me, or do you get slightly nervous when the dancers have to use props during their routines? I mean, what if the newspaper rips?  What if a heavy wind picks up and carries the paper prop away? None of that happened to Sara and Jesus, whose routine also benefited from some eerie lighting.

The other standout moment was, of course, the result of choreography by Mia Michaels. Benji’s sister, Lacey, rocked this routine so hard I had to set aside all resentment (on account of nepotism) I had for this girl. She is not a contemporary dancer, but she surrendered to the choreographer’s vision completely. The routine was the right amount of ugly, graceful and frustrating up until its abrupt ending, which Nigel likened to the series finale of THE SOPRANOS. Look, everybody! Nigel is making topical pop culture references and it’s only the first performance episode. Lacey’s partner, Kameron, was, like Dan Karaty said, merely a prop for Lacey to dance around. Strange that Mia would showcase her and not Kameron, because he's is a contemporary dancer and Lacey’s a swing dancer.

There were other performances — and I’d like to hear which were your favorites! — but the real fun actually began on Thursday’s results show. Wade Robson put his stank all over the Top 20 group performance that opened the show. It was another pop-locky, jazz-infused, slightly sinister routine by Wade.  Dressed in mod-style bobbed wigs and minidresses, the girls looked like demented fembots. The guys dressed in all black and — without a doubt — outperformed the ladies.  It was a hot routine, destined to be YouTubed by thousands of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE fans.

After a lot of filler and a performance of  “Get it Shawty” by Lloyd, the bottom six contestants were revealed. For the girls, it was Sabra, Ashlee and Faina. On the guy’s side, it was Ricky, Dominic and Cedric. Six solos later, it was clear to me who should be saved (Sabra and Cedric) and who should probably go (Ashlee). Nigel used his skills as a master suspense-builder to reveal the bad news: Ricky and Ashlee were the ones to get the cut.

Are we really that upset about this? Ricky and Ashlee, who happened to be paired together, performed an underwhelming Argentine tango. He looked small and unbalanced; she looked Amazonian and overbearing. It didn’t work. The only sad part about this is the fact that SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE is no longer playing that obnoxious “Her face is a map of the world (is a map of the world)” song anymore. I hated that song so much I loved it — or something.

There you have it, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE fans. We have lost the first Top 20 couple; the ones you won’t remember until they reappear on the finale, at which point you’ll laugh and say, “Oh yeah … them.” Here’s hoping the rest of the season features more choreography by Mia Michaels and especially Wade Robson.