So You Think You Can Dance Roundtable 14×05 “Academy Week #1”

You Think You Can Dance 14×05 was a fast paced intro into the next phase of the competition

So You Think You Can Dance 14×05 started off the Academy round with a lengthy dance number choreographed by Mandy Moore, which, like most things on this show, some people loved and some people hated. As the night continued, unknowns and fan-favorites alike were eliminated faster than the audience could keep up with. Some beloved contestants made it through as well, including Robert Green, Dassy Lee, and Lex Ishimoto.

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There were so many notable aspects of this episode. Some highlights include Nigel Lythgoe’s “bloom where you’re planted” line (which he repeats more than once, to be safe), Lex Ishimoto showing us once again just how talented he is, and the dancers surprisingly all passing on the chance to join All-Star Robert Roldan’s team, for some reason.

Here to discuss the highs and lows of Academy Week is our roundtable!

Austin (@theaustinmayor) – Dancer, choreographer, and teacher
Janine (@J9DH) – Mom of 2 and fan of talent shows like SYTYCD and American Idol
Terry (@rockinchick66) – Asset Manager by day, Wife, Kitty Mama and SYTYCD super fan by night!
Tracy (@tjohn68) – Dance fan, TV fan, Superhero fan
Kiamesha (@SimsKdsims96) – 21-year-old who loves writing, reading, music, and animals.
Brandon (@indigo_15) – Writer, dance enthusiast, lover of pop culture. Supporter of imaginations running wild.
Shana (@mrthnsufferings) – dancer, tv addict, and writer

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1. Which dancer do you think performed the best in the solo round?

Austin (@theaustinmayor): Lex! Just when you think he can’t do any other crazy tricks…he does another crazy trick!!! I’m not surprised that a bunch of all-stars wanted him!

Janine (@J9DH): I am disappointed that more solos weren’t featured. I love this show and would love to see more of the talent than just a handful of solos. I couldn’t even tell who some of the soloists were in the montage because they were shown for a split second! That said, of the handful of solos featured, my favorite was performed by Kristina and Vasily. Their dance was so graceful, beautiful, moving and just exquisite.

Terry (@rockinchick66): As expected, Lex Ishimoto did an amazing performance in the solo round! I predict he will be in the top 10 (you heard it here first folks! LOL)

Kiamesha (@SimsKdsims96): I don’t really have a favorite. Each solo had its moments.

Brandon (@indigo_15): While there were quite a few that I enjoyed, Lex Ishimoto and Logan Hernandez were the solo standouts for me. I rewatched both of their performances several times to make sure I didn’t miss anything.

Shana (@mrthnsufferings): Of the few who were shown in full, I think I was most impressed with Logan Hernandez. The level of fluidity and control was really nice to see, especially when it was applied to tricks that usually don’t get judged based on those qualities.

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2. Which dancer slayed Napolean and Tabitha’s (“NAPPYTABS”) hip-hop choreography?

Austin: A lot of dancers slayed hip hop! I can’t remember their names though…but I can say that I wish they showed more of it!

Janine: I think Inyoung Dassy Lee slayed the hip hop routine but I think they only showed one 8-count of her routine! Please show us more of these talented dancers!

Terry: Robert & Hailey, Lex and Inyoung (Dassy) Lee and Sofia and Kevin Davis Jr all slayed the hip hop choreography but the standouts were Sofia and Kevin! I couldn’t keep my eyes off them!

Kiamesha: The dancer that SLAYED was the hip hop female dancer that traveled
to America to pursue her dreams (Dassy Lee). Not only is she great with choreography but she put her personality in it.

Brandon: Kevin Davis, Jr. and Sofia Ghavami, as well as Kaylee Millis and Robert Green, seemed like the strongest couples in the hip-hop round. Not only did they learn and execute the choreography, but they also had great chemistry with their respective partners.

Shana: I don’t even feel like I’m able to make this kind of assessment based on what was shown. Some dancers were given slightly more screen time than others, I guess? But nobody was really given enough to really get a feel for what they were doing.

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3. Did you love the opening number?

Austin: OMG YES!!! I’ve watched it like 10 times already….and now I want to get 100 people and do something like that!! I also love that version of Brand New!!

Janine: The opening number was very interesting and creative. I love how all of the dancers at the Academy were included and many genres of dance featured. Bravo Mandy Moore!!

Terry: I loved the opening number! It really showcased all the styles perfectly! Loved the song too!

Kiamesha: I love the opening number it was so lively and everyone looked like they had a bunch of fun!

Brandon: Yes! I love how the routine showed off all of the dancers’ different styles and strengths. Routines like this always remind me why SYTYCD is still my favorite dance show on TV, even with its faults. If the show continues beyond this season, I hope this type of opening number becomes a SYTYCD tradition.

Shana: Nope. It felt like I was watching an episode of The Next Step, only without the appeal of the Jiley ship. I think “Extra” is what the youths would call it.

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4. Is there anyone sent home you are disappointed about?

Austin: Well they didn’t show EVERYONE who went home (like what happened to Chaz?!?!), but I felt bad for Jenson’s partner who was the ONLY person sent home in his group.

Janine: I think I predicted that either Darius Hickman or Zachary Downer would be sent home since they are both very similar in style, so I am not surprised that Darius Hickman was sent home but I didn’t see Zachary Downer at all this episode so if he is not in the competition then I am very disappointed.

Terry: I was really shocked that Darius Hickman was sent home!

Kiamesha: Not really.

Brandon: I was sad to see Tristen Sosa get sent home so quickly. While he wasn’t as strong as his partner Jensen, I was surprised that he didn’t get sent through to hip-hop.

Shana: Darius Hickman. His original audition really impressed me, and he’s just been through so much.

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5. Who are you most psyched made it through?

Austin: Lex! But I already knew he would make it through! I’m going to predict…top 3 for sure!

Janine: I am very happy that Inyoung Dassy Lee made it through. She moved to America just train to be on this show so it is nice to see her passion, drive and hard work be rewarded.

Terry: I’m so happy that some of my faves made it through but Inyoung (Dassy) Lee on Fikshun’s team? Match made in heaven!

Kiamesha: I am psyched for everyone who made it through but for those who
didn’t, it would be great to see them again.

Brandon: I am thrilled that Inyoung “Dassy” Lee, Kaylee “Impovado” Millis, Lex Ishimoto, Kevin Davis, Jr., and Koine Iwasaki are continuing on. I’m already way too invested in them and can already see myself throwing things at my TV if and when their eliminations come. I was also glad to see Jenna put Kiki Nyemchek on her team, despite the fact that he botched the hip-hop round, because he is a fantastic ballroom dancer.

Shana: I don’t have an overall favorite so far. Logan, Lex, and Kaylee/Impavido all have interesting styles and made intriguing team choices, though, so I’m definitely keeping an eye on them.

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6. How are you liking this season’s format?

Austin: So far I’m enjoying it! I just wish they would show more dancing and less commercials!!!!!!!!!!

Janine: I think the format is very interesting with the All Stars competing to get their favorite dancers. I was very surprised at some of the contestant’s choices, especially Lex Ishimoto choosing Gaby Diaz!! I love her and am excited to see this partnership develop!

Terry: So far I really like the format. I’m really bummed that it will be whittled down to 10 though! It would have been nice to have a top 20!

Kiamesha: I like it.

Brandon: I’m a bit disappointed that we’re only getting a top 10 this season instead of a top 20, but I do like the fact that the show kept the one thing I liked about last season: the All-Stars picking dancers to be on their teams.

Shana: I don’t like that some dancers are able to just kind of jump the line — especially when it means someone who screwed up as royally as Kiki did makes it through. It’s Academy week — not Academy five seconds. I’m also not entirely down with this whole “team” thing, especially after last season. Honestly, it just seems like SYTYCD is trying too hard. Just stick to what used to work so very well, please.

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7. Which All-Star’s team would you join, if given the option?

Austin: Ooo I like this question!! Well I think I’d be best suited for Robert because I’m trained in contemporary. But Fikshun would be such a great person to dance with! And I’m crushing on Jenna, so there’s that too haha!

Janine: This is a tough question given the talent on the All Star panel, but I would choose either Allison Holker or Gaby Diaz. Both are beasts on the dance floor and have mastered so many genres of dance.

Terry: Such a tough choice! I love Fikshun and Comfort Fedoke! Alison Holker is so adept at all styles (particularly with her DWTS experience) but I think I would choose Jenna Johnson because she seems very nurturing and she is also very experienced at different styles!

Kiamesha: Gabby. No doubts about it.

Brandon: I’ve been a huge Allison Holker stan ever since season two, so definitely her. But I wouldn’t say no to Robert Roldan or Jenna Johnson, either. Or Marko. Or Comfort. Can I just pick them all?

Shana: It would be my dream to work with Allison sometime, but I have less than zero hip hop skills. So, to be more well-rounded and learn a lesson in SYTYCD resilience, I’d go with Comfort.

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Final Verdict: So You Think You Can Dance desperately needs to slow down and give us time to see these dancers “bloom”

“Academy Week #1” was incredibly eventful, and as much as we’d love to say we loved it, we barely even know what happened. Of course, we got to see who ended up on an All-Star team, but we didn’t really see why. With So You Think You Can Dance insisting on having a top ten this year, they need to show the audience more of what is going on so we can have a chance to really root for our favorites and know if and why they are being sent home. On a show which so heavily relies on a visual art form, they don’t show us enough visuals. So You Think You Can Dance could benefit from longer episodes, shorter commercial breaks, or just less screen time dedicated to reaction shots and story-telling.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE returns next MONDAY, JULY 24 at 8/7C on FOX.