In the end, those who left cheated themselves. This has been a season of tremendous growth, and has ended up as one of my two favorite seasons, along with season 4. Adam commented tonight that the All Stars format had been validated, because the dancers wouldn't have grown as much dancing with each other as they did partnering with the All Stars. I think he's right.
Nigel said near the beginning of tonight's show that, unlike most seasons, he'd be happy if any of the final three won. I understand and mostly agree with him, but I still wanted to vote.
I've been critical of Robert in the past. I now have to admit that he's progressed pretty much every week as the season has proceeded, and tonight was the best night he's ever had. I've often found his movements to be just a bit tight, a bit overly controlled, leading to a slightly mechanical feel. None of that was in evidence in his contemporary routine. Add to that a stellar jazz routine, and he proved that he deserved to be in the final.
Lauren, in my mind, had her real breakthrough about week two or three of the competition, and has been amazing every since. Everything she does, she does magnificently. She's a very, very close second for me.
In the end, though, I had to vote for Kent. In addition to his tremendous technical skill, the energy and sheer joy that radiates from his dancing elevates his performance. And with his contemporary routine tonight, he proved that he can do moving, serious work, filling in the last piece of his artistry.
This hasn't just been the youngest set of finalists, it's also been the goofiest, and in the end, I found that tremendously endearing. The show was given an extra dimension this season because they not only worked their asses off and gave so many great performances, they grew to genuinely and obviously love each other. I don't know of any other reality show where the overall mood is so overwhelmingly positive. So Bravo to the contestants, to the choreographers, to Cat, and even to the judges. I hope future seasons are as good.
