We were down to the Top 10, so no more permanent pairs, and the judges are now essentially pointless: America makes the call as to who stays and who goes. Each new couple danced two numbers, and each dancer got a solo.

First new couple was Noelle/Ryan, doing a Tab/Nap hip-hop. The set-up was a sexy secretary/boss rendezvous over a desk. The two of them were unconvincing in the style, and it was one of the most sluggish hip-hop routines I've ever seen on this show. The desk prop was mostly wasted - certainly nothing like the table routine with Neil and Sabra from S3. Nigel thought Noelle was very sexy (she was), but didn't think Ryan was funky enough. He did like the chemistry between them, though. Mary went overboard with her praise. Adam instructed Noelle to make sure that she danced that strongly from here on out, since it's now an individual competition. Yeah, I can't imagine Noelle has a terribly strong fanbase. Had she not been paired with Russell up til this point I don't think she'd still be in this thing. She seems like a nice, sweet girl, but there are much better dancers still in the competition.

Ashleigh/Legacy pulled a contemporary routine by Gary Stewart, who I think may be new to the show. Again, another really slow routine. It seemed more like gymnastics and martial arts moves to me than contemporary dance. I think Legacy fared better than Ashleigh, who lacked purpose in her movement for a good chunk of the routine. The piece also seemed to go on FOREVER, and that is not a compliment. Nigel talked a bit about the choreographer's very physical style, talking about how his stuff requires his dancers to "defy gravity." Then why did this routine feel so leaden and heavy? Nigel gave the pair props for their effort. We are at Top 10, an A for Effort is not acceptable at this stage. Mary continued to talk about how difficult Gary's style is, but I'm sorry, it didn't look any more physical than any other contemporary routine I've seen on this show, just a lot less lyrical. Adam thought it was "extraordinary and compelling" that the pair of them didn't show fear. Is that really what we're celebrating now? Not shitting on stage? Boy, that underlines how lame this season's dancers are.

Mollee got the first solo, set to "Rock The Beat" by LMAO. Again, lots of gymnastics from her, and some balance/extension moves, but this girl has nothing to show us that we haven't seen a million times before. Her tricks weren't even that tricky. I'm so done with her.

Russell's solo was up next, after a video package in which we got to meet his totally adorable parents. Set to "Outros" by Black Milk. I don't typically like krump, but I like what Russell does. There's so much energy there, and while there's still the anger, it's still somehow fun and exciting. However, Russell should stop wasting the first few seconds of each solo posing. He's only got 30 seconds.

Kathryn and Nathan got a Broadway routine by Spencer. I immediately thought Nathan fared so much better opposite Kathryn than he ever did with Mollee. They looked terrific together, and the routine was super sharp, cute, and fun. I loved it. And I adore Kathryn, but that's typical for me. But Nathan was the surprise - he really rose to the occasion, doing Gene Kelly proud in one of the best Broadway numbers I've seen on this show in quite a while. Nigel thought the duo melded to the 40s/50s style brilliantly, although he thought the chemistry was slightly lacking. I didn't have any problem with the chemistry.

Noelle's solo was next, set to "Every Time it Rains" by Charlotte Martin. Noelle's last solo knocked my socks off, but this one was fairly middle of the road. It lacked a bit of the go-for-broke attitude she has exhibited previously.

Ellenore and Jakob got a quickstep by Tony and Melanie. Oooh, the quickstep is the dance of death on this show. I really like these two, but I wasn't a big fan of this routine - I HATED the aggressively annoying song, and the whole thing looked sloppy, although I don't know how much of that was Ellenore's distracting dress. But Nigel really liked it, especially the body lines, the footwork, etc. Mary gave the two of them props for going the longest in closed position that she's ever seen on this show.

Ryan's solo was set to "Rock You Like a Hurricane" by the Scorpions - hilarious. It featured a lot of repetitive moves and ass-shaking and turning. I don't think he took Nigel's advice from last week, about adding content to his solo, to heart. That worries me. But those arms! Ay, chachi...

Kathryn has never danced a solo for us before, and she did OK for her first time out. Set to "Beautiful' by Bethany Dillon. There were times where I thought I was watching last season's winner, Jeanine. She too needs to watch the repetitive moves business.

Mollee and Russell got a lyrical jazz piece by Mandy Moore to, I shit you not, "It Must Have been Love" by Roxette. While her taste in music might be questionable, Moore's choreography is not. It was a great routine, and Russell and Mollee danced it really well - especially Mollee. And I never thought I'd say that. But she was really, honestly good, and eclipsed Russell in the piece for me. Nigel commented on her growth as well, and again praised Russell for being so much more than a krumper. Mary said they were her favorite couple of the night, based on that number. That's damning with faint praise.

Nathan overdid it in his clip package, squeaking out a few tears when talking about his family, and it all felt very forced to me. He danced to "Golden Train" by Justin something (flashed by too fast). His solo had flashes of brilliance, but there were a few too many lulls and, again, repeated moves. And after, he started in with the tears and moping again. I am a cynical bastard. I will admit that. But I can't imagine that Nathan's little emotional display didn't have something to do with Adam's lecture to him last week about how he was coming off as a smug little prick to America. And I actually find that even more off-putting than him being an entitled little shit.

Noelle and Ryan returned for a smooth waltz by JT and Tomas. Ryan's shirt was seven kinds of bad - shiny, cheap looking, oddly patterned. The dance itself was lovely, and the two of them danced it really well - especially Noelle - but I felt that their chemistry was lacking. Some really gorgeous moves, though. Nigel thought it was beautiful, but thought Ryan needed to soften his neck and face a bit. Mary thought Noelle was breathtaking and elegant. Adam said he was hypnotized by the performance, but in the right way, and called them a "power partnership." Eh, I disagree. I think they're the two most extraneous dancers left.

Ellenore's solo was set to "Beatbox Harmonica" by Yuri Lane. It was more of that weird bird movement that she loves so much, but it was certainly interesting, unique, and new. I think she needs to add a few flashier movements to what she does, but nobody does anything else like her, and I appreciate that.

Ashleigh and Legacy returned with a hip-hop number by Dave Scott, with Legacy dressed like a vampire (like a Bela Lugosi vampire, with the cape and red cowl), and Ashleigh had a black shower poof strapped on her shoulder or something. The routine was as shitty as the costuming. Ashleigh did not hit hard at all; it was one of the softest displays of hip-hop I've ever seen on this show. She also failed in the acting of the story, which she usually excels at. Legacy was totally not present for this number. It was like he was invisible, and not in an intentional vampire way. Nigel didn't like it, he didn't feel it - he specifically criticized the lack of content in the routine (he pointed out that Legacy was preoccupied with his stupid prop cape), and also sniped about the lack of musicality. Adam said the number wasn't challenging enough for them. And yet, they didn't even execute a banal routine well. I don't think its simplicity was the issue.

Kathryn and Nathan picked a Tony/Melanie rumba for their second number. Nathan looked uncomfortable in the super-sexy role (that's been continuously true for him), but Kathryn was ravishing. There were some execution issues with a couple split moves, where things didn't go as smoothly as I'm sure they were intended. But it was a hot number, at least from Kathryn's side. I think she actually became my favorite contestant during that piece. Nigel pointed out that Nathan's sour face botched the chemistry, and also said that the piece lacked some of the slinky ballroom moves he looks for in a rumba. Mary found the chemistry was totally unbelievable, and that Nathan was uncomfortable for a good chunk of it. Adam pointed out that Kathryn danced like she was competing. Amen. That lady threw herself into the routine, as she does almost every single time.

Legacy's solo was set to "No Air" by Jordin Sparks. He broke out the spider walk, and some crazy head/shoulder spins. It was good, but we've seen a lot more from him. Do these guys practice their solos before the show? Because I think they need to put more effort into them.

Jakob and Ellenore got a contemporary piece by Sonya Tayeh. It was a KILLER routine, full of sexy, slithering moves and lots of attitude, but what really made it soar was the the dancing. No other dancers on this show could have pulled that off. The extension, the intricate movements, the control, the energy, the commitment - none of that would have been possible if Jakob or Ellenore were not together on that stage. Nigel explained that performances like this are why the judges get frustrated with the rest of the dancers on this show, because the two of them just oozed brilliance. The judges all stood up and gave them a standing ovation. Justly deserved.

Ashleigh's solo was next, but first we learned a little more about the mysterious illness she has previously referred to, which turned out to be a rare parasite she picked up in the Pacific. Creepy. I loved her shimmery gold dress, but he solo itself seemed unfocused in the beginning, until she broke out the butt jiggling and then the coochi-coochi shaking. I root for her as a person, but I do think she's probably the weakest dancer left in the competition at this point.

Mollee and Russell got a jive by S3's Anya and Pasha. Russell was great and had terrific energy. Mollee seemed tentative and her footwork looked sloppy to me. Some great tricks, and I loved the ending - another great routine from a "Dance" alum. Nigel liked it, and called the two of them the best performers in the show. Mary put them both on the train (at least, I think she did; she called them hot tamales).

Jakob was the last solo, to "Always Midnight" by Pat Monahan. Now THAT was a solo, folks. Some lovely spins, incredible extension, and some solid musicality. Jakob is a star, and I can't believe I was so dismissive of him at the beginning of this competition. The guy has the goods, and he and Kathryn are probably my favorites at this point.

Predictions: Noelle and Ashleigh are probably in trouble for the girls, although I'm not really sure how popular Ellenore is at this point. For the boys, it's a little more difficult. I think Ryan's probably low man on the totem pole at this point, but I can't imagine who else will join him. It SHOULD be Nathan, but I suspect his little crying jag might help him. I just can't imagine Jakob or Russell or Legacy in the bottom, but I guess it's coming sooner rather than later...