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Finalewatch: 'Step It Up & Dance'
After some ado, a plethora of last dances, a soupcon of unnecessary drama and more twists than a pretzel, we've finally reached the end of Step It Up & Dance.
We pick up the morning after Janelle's elimination as Nick cooks breakfast (which he seems to do 90% of the time, thereby making him that much hotter in my book) and the finalists reflect on what just happened and what's to come.
When the final four get to the studio, Elizabeth lets them know Jerry will be working with each dancer individually for a half hour. Nick goes first and his piece has a lot of humor in it. After a run-through, Jerry has him tell the story he's going through and gives him tips to tighten it up.
Mochi's next. Her solo is sort of a spar with herself with heavy Asian themes. Originally, she was going to wear a kimono type rob but Jerry points out that it obscures the beautiful lines she hits at the end and she figures out a place to take it off. She was very excited at the suggestion.
Miguel's solo has a double identity theme - he's stuck doing someone else's choreography and then he breaks out into his own stuff. Jerry mostly gives him technical tips.
Last up is Cody. He's telling the story of his journey through the competition and how his eyes have been open. No tech tips, obviously, but Jerry really helps point out ways to improve his emoting. Of the four, I'm most impressed with what was shown of Mochi's solo.
After workshops, they're taken to the stage and Elizabeth drops the news that they'll be learning an opening number choreographer by Keith & Sharon Young. Keith did Rent and Sharon's starred in some big Broadway shows. Jerry lets them know that they'll be judged both on their solos and the group number.
Keith and Sharon start rehearsal with a big group hug. Nice. Since the song is Fergie's from Sex & The City, he's going to emphasis the "friends in the big city" angle. Plus, lots of props and some costume changes. Miguel confessionals that Mochi is Miranda (mostly due to the short haircut), Cody is Charlotte ("prim & proper") and Nick is Samantha (he literally called him a "male slut"). Being that he's "curly-haired, fashion forward and never has a man," Miguel naturally designates himself as Carrie.
During a run-through, Miguel twists his ankle both ways. Keith and Sharon advise he goes to the hospital to get it checked on while Cody tapes it up. He returns a little after 2am with crutches and a diagnosis of a strain. He was advised to stay off it for a week and not dance the final but, um, I doubt that's happening. I feel bad for the guy but he's been such a punk, it's really hard to be entirely sympathetic.
Jerry sees him the next day and advises to forget about the $100,000 - his health and mind are far more valuable. But Miguel is still undecided. Meanwhile, Cody, Mochi and Nick walk through the changes they'd have to make if he drops out.
The obligatory arrival/prediction montage shows the past contestants, past guest choreographers, and other notables (Mary Murphy!) on the red carpet and in their seats. Of course, Miguel decides to perform and Cody helps re-tape his ankle. Jerry comes in and says that he has another surprise. As Nick says, "If this is a twist, I'm going to clothesline his ass." But it's better than that, it's their families there to wish them luck. After kicking everyone out, politely, Jerry wishes the final four luck and says that no matter who wins, they'll all make a million buck based on their talent.
Elizabeth, who looks fabulous in her sparkly black dress by the way, greets the audience and intros the dancers and judges, including Keith and a special second guest judge, Akon (who's music I can't stand). He announces that the winner of the group challenge will be featured in the next video for his protege, Colby O'Donis.
On to the group number. Miguel doesn't seem to be favoring his ankle much and had a lot of personality. Mochi had nice energy throughout (as did Miguel and Nick) and did great character work. Cody was good, though he seemed to be visibly concentrating at times. It might just be the way it was edited, though. Nick played the stage well and looked like he was having a good time. Elizabeth kicks the audience out...I mean, sends them on an intermission while the judges discuss. Akon announces that the winner is...Mochi.
With the audience back in place and Vincent and Nancy the only judges on panel, Elizabeth introduces Mochi for her solo. She really does have great lines. And she's working that kimono. It's a powerful little piece and she hits all her spots. I'm very impressed.
Miguel's next. The piece is full of a lot of sharp, staccato movements. I liked it a lot better than I thought I would based on the segment with Jerry. Third is Cody. Jerry really helped because I think this is the most I've seen him emote in a piece. And, as usual, it's technically fantastic. And last but not least, it's Nick. The number reminds me of old school musicals, which I totally dig. Very high with the showmanship and smiley Muppet faces. It was enjoyable. I think Mochi's might've been my favorite.
Elizabeth ejects the audience once more so the judges can deliberate. All that was told to them was that they really enjoyed the solos. Given the opportunity to say something before their fates are decided, Miguel thanks them for making him a stronger man and a better dancer; Mochi says that she left her heart on the stage; Cody expressed that he was glad to show what happens when something is said that you don't agree with (which Nancy responds to by saying she's glad he got mad about the "snob" thing since it pushed him to perform the way he did); and Nick said he wanted to make everyone smile with his solo and that he's recaptured his love of dance.
Michael and Nancy recognize that Cody made an emotional breakthrough. They all applaud Miguel's uniqueness. Vincent likens Nick to Gene Kelly, as in he's "a real guy" on stage while Nancy adds he's really taken in all their notes, calling him her "favorite dork." They all loved Mochi's fire and her storytelling.
And the winner is...Cody. Is anyone surprised? I'm not. The only way he wouldn't have pulled it out was if he couldn't emotionally connect and/or let himself go in his solo.
So, does anyone disagree? Which solo was your favorite? Any other thoughts you want to share? Congrats to Cody and all the finalists and Nick, you'll always be our buttered biscuit.
I knew that Cody SHOULD win it, but after everyone being so negative towards him the past couple of weeks, I had my doubts. I thought Nick was the front runner. If Cody didn't win, I would have been very angry with the show even though Mochi and Nick are great. It has been Cody all along and Cody is the right winner. His solo was beautiful.
Side note, I still think when Nancy calls Nick, "Nicholas" it's a little creepy.
T | Jun 5, 2008 11:12:21 PM | #does anyone know the title of the song that cody was dancing to for his solo on the final episode?! please help i'm dying to know!!!
s | Jun 6, 2008 12:12:57 AM | #All of the solos ended up being quite good. I really loved Mochi's grace and power but I have to say that Cody was the one who blew me away. His piece was so intense and his movements and emoting literally gave me chills and a little of that welling/stinging sensation in my tear glands (a true sign you're experiencing something truly beatiful). Like the judges, I have found him a bit mechanical in the last few eps so I was very pleasantly surprised he pulled it off. A well-deserved win.
pippo | Jun 6, 2008 12:22:01 AM | #the SONG Cody danced to is "IT"S OVER" by TJ MOSS!!! look for it on myspace
emily | Jun 6, 2008 12:49:55 AM | #Does anyone know the Sex in the City themed song they all danced to at the beginnging of the final program? I can't figure it out and it's not on the soundtrack. Thanks.
ozzyvada | Jun 6, 2008 5:51:16 AM | #I am soooo excited that Cody won. I really thought he wouldn't for the same reasons T mentioned above. They've been so negative on him. But, I really am thinking that they did that to get him to push harder- and it worked. I LOVED the little smile he gave during his dance. It was pure joy- not faked at all.
I thought all of their solos were really amazing, though. I was a little worried because they all did so good. But, again, Cody has the technicality that the rest don't have. I really would've preferred to see both Nick & Cody on SYTYCD so I could see them partner and see more personality. I think Nick, especially, would've really shined on that show.
Congrats Cody!!! Well deserved!
genniel | Jun 6, 2008 5:56:14 AM | #ozzyvada- It is by Fergie. Are you sure it's not on the soundtrack because it's been really pimped lately as being THE Sex and the City song right now.
genniel | Jun 6, 2008 5:56:55 AM | #Really? I went to itunes and listened to the songs, but didn't see a song by Fergie. I'll look again. Thanks.
ozzyvada | Jun 6, 2008 5:59:45 AM | #genniel, thanks i went back to itunes and like an idiot i wasn't looking at the movie soundtrack, i was looking at one of the show soundtracks. Thanks!
ozzyvada | Jun 6, 2008 6:03:56 AM | #The song for the group performance was "Love and Labels" by Fergie from the soundtrack to "Sex and The City".
I think the outcome was very predictable. Cody was the best from the beginning. I think the top 4 all deserved it because they were all unique in their styles.
Miguel was much better than I expected. His moves were crisp and on beat. Nick was my favorite performer. Although Cody is the best technically. Mochi never really did it for me. She was good, but I never really felt it from her.
Peace and keep dancin'
Dancin Machine | Jun 6, 2008 6:55:23 AM | #Part of me thinks everyone was so hard on Cody because they didn't want this to be a runaway like it was looking for a while. But he did kind of withdraw into himself while that was happening.
All the solos were great. I too was worried when I saw Mochi's and Miguel's that Cody might not be able to pull it off, but his blew me away. He made me smile where the other two, while good, didn't bring out that emotion in me.
Nick's solo was very Nick. If Cody hadn't won, Nick would have been my next favorite.
jen | Jun 6, 2008 8:27:22 AM | #CODY DANCED TO "IT'S OVER" by TJ MOSS.
http://www.myspace.com/tjmossmusic
His EP is also available on iTunes!
Jayme | Jun 6, 2008 8:43:57 AM | #i WANTED nick to win...i really did!
but, i must say that mochi's was my favorite solo, except that damn kimono obscured all the mystic power i saw in her rehearsal session...and, the one-piece was too weak for what she was doing--maybe some wonder woman bracelets and a samurai princess one piece.
and, you know? i didn't like cody, but i ain't mad cody won...how could ANYone be? dude can flat-out dance! i wanted to not like his solo, but it was that much better than mochi's covered up act.
congrats, cody! may you disappear into the emotionless limbo you dance from.
NonImus | Jun 6, 2008 9:54:15 AM | #Miguel: 'I am better than those 3 dancers' and 'I am sure they would hate to know they won becuase I coudn't perform' (paraphrasing, but it was something obnoxious like that)
Glad he lost, even though his solo was great. His attitude sucks.
Does anyone know which video Mochi will be in?
MDEP | Jun 6, 2008 10:56:21 AM | #I was disappointed that there was no critique when it came to the final solos. They were all entertaining and enjoyable, but I wanted to here more nuts-and-bolts of how the decision was made, not just the big love-fest they ended up with.
Beth | Jun 6, 2008 2:05:46 PM | #Oops, make that wanted to "hear".
Beth | Jun 6, 2008 2:06:44 PM | #for overall season performance i thought mooch nailed the win, but cody's solo was so amazing. chills are an understatement. if judged on that alone, he deserved the prize, and once again i wished there was a 2nd place cash gift in these competitions.
renee | Jun 6, 2008 3:07:53 PM | #I agree - Cody was great - but overall - Mochi was the most consistent of all. I also agree that damn kimono took away from her solo.
JRP | Jun 9, 2008 12:03:41 PM | #does anyone know the name of the song that Miguel was dancing for his solo?????
the one i think was the best!
anyone know the song title for miguels solo performance? it was amazing!
JUSTIN HAWKINS | Jun 12, 2008 5:00:34 PM | #it think that the miguel's song is kind of a remix of "strict machine" of Goldfrapp because the beginig is not familiar with the original song..
tedd | Jun 12, 2008 11:15:18 PM | #does anyone know the name of the song in the opening credits and i really wanted Nick to win but Cody was amazing too!!
Rachel Donnelly | May 22, 2009 1:39:37 AM | #
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