I was so excited this show was back. Even with all the manipulations of the past I'd missed watching some truly wonderful dancing. And then I hit tonight and the gaslighting was just beyond belief. As if I'm not supposed to believe my own eyes, but instead just follow along with the judges like a good little duckling, like the studio audience clearly do when they vote.
That was some next level BS tonight, sending Thiago, of all people home. He was far and away the best dancer on this season. In fact, he was one of the best dancers they've ever had and they treated him like excrement. First they saddle him, the most technical dancer they have, with the total mismatch of Essence, the least technical woman on the show, so he cannot show what he can do in his own style the first week. That dance was clearly dumbed down for Essence to be able to perform. And even given that, it was not nearly as bad as the judges would have had us believe. They both showed plenty of emotion in it, especially Thiago. And how, how the hell did we wind up with Thiago, of all the dancers, getting the "technical but unemotional" edit? What horse hockey. Then, he shone in Essence's style, even though the choreography was somewhat lacklustre.
And tonight, Thiago and Alexis clearly had one of the best dances of the night. I knew it was over when the judges inexplicably decided that was the one dance of the entire evening they were going to pan. Insanity! I agree that the choreography wasn't especially outstanding, unfortunately (see the end as the music builds to a crescendo, and the choreography — doesn't), but Thiago and Alexis made the absolute most of it. This was no cutesy dance where they could gaze longingly into each other's eyes — what the hell more connection did they expect? I thought the connection was evident not only when they looked at each other, but when they extended their beautiful matching lines.
This, this dance got panned when there was that awkward salsa (to this day, I can't remember a single thing he did), and it had no right to be as disconnected from one move to the next as it was when he is a ballroom specialist; that lacklustre African jazz (choreography was great, execution was lacking); and that horrible Bollywood (why the hell is Waverly still here? He's been terrible in everything to date). The only other really good one of the night was actually Beau and Jordan's beautiful Viennese Waltz. I have to hand it to Beau, he seems to bring out the best in everyone he dances with and can find the chemistry. Definitely the best she's been on the show.
And this after Virginia was completely stunning last week, essentially dancing with a lamp post (sorry James fans, I love him too, but he couldn't keep up and wasn't long for the show — he just didn't have the training). She had an amazing core strength and incredible stretch and toe point and but got no recognition for it, just dumped.
But Thiago was really something special and I feel so cheated. I think I'm out for the season. I feel like we're watching some terrible teen movie where everyone goes ga ga over the conventionally attractive quarterback and we're supposed to pretend he's the best thing since sliced bread, when he's about half the dancer Thiago is.
Not once was Thiago given credit for his incredible strengths, or really given a chance to shine. I still thought he shined anyway, and I hope he knows how special a dancer he is and that this is just utter stupidity.
This show has pulled some gaslighting before, but never have I seen them deliberately get rid of their best dancer this early in the game. Big mistake. They've lost this viewer at least.
