More Dancers Rise To The Top On 'SYTYCD'

Over the last few weeks of So You Think You Can Dance Season 12, I've shown my love for the female dancers of Team Street. But after Monday night's episode, I may start having some new favorites. Team Stage dancer Gaby has always been one of the tip top in the competition so far, but now a new street dancer has risen above the fold: Neptune. I don't know why I have not seen this before, but Neptune is really quite amazing. The more and more I watch him perform, the more I feel like comparing him to the way tWitch moves and breathes with the music. Gaby and Neptune's contemporary routine really lit up the stage, not only because it proved that both dancers deserve to make it all the way in the competition, but because the routine itself was incredibly moving.

The dancers had the chance to work with Stacey Tookey, who always helps dancers churn out some incredible work. But Monday night's routine was something more. The routine was all about humanity and the desire to help one another and accept help. But it struck a chord beyond this general theme for Neptune. He told the judges after the dance that the routine meant so much to him because he has a half Cambodian/half African American daughter and he's experienced so much hate that the idea of dancing a routine about humanity brought hope to all of us.

I truly believe that Neptune was more amazing than his normal great self because he was elevated by the sheer brilliance that is Gaby. Nigel Lythgoe stated in his critique of the performance and the dancers that Gaby was his favorite Team Stage female dancer on the show, and I agree whole-heartedly. Gaby is most definitely my favorite dancer on Team Stage (with Hailee as a close second), and after Monday night's performance, Neptune is moving up the ranks on Team Street.

Images: Screenshot/FOX