First things first… Thanksgiving. If you missed some of my tumblelogging during the event, you can’t check it out here.

So, who won? Well, as we were eating, I was secretly counting…

  • Sean’s stuffed tomatoes: 6 unsolicited compliments (including one from myself that accidentally slipped out… I’ll admit, they were good).
  • My baby eggplants: 4 unsolicited compliments (including one from Sean)
  • Sean and Nick’s Cornish Game Hens: 4 unsolicited compliments (including one from Nick, which doesn’t technically count)
  • My goat cheese mashed potatoes: 5 unsolicited compliments

BUUUUUT….there was an interesting twist I believe is important to mention: Val arrived late in the evening, after getting off work. There was lots of food left over, and so we asked him to help himself. He helped himself to one thing and one thing only… baby eggplants. He scarfed one down, he asked if he could take one HOME WITH HIM. I’m just saying.

Baby Eggplants

Another important mention: the next day we all received an email from our host, Judy. In it, she made a point of mentioning that the “leftover goat cheese mashed potatoes rocked today”. I’m just saying that too.

So… do the math. I’ve done mine. I feel good.

Now, on to The Lark.

It was another interesting week, that’s for sure. Here are my thoughts in a nice bulleted list (I’m all about the bullets… ratta tat tat):

  • This week the dancing was superb.
  • Even the weakest couple managed to pull off something fairly decent (can can).
  • Sonja’s two pieces were out of this frrrrrriggin world. And her piece on Jakleigh was one of my favorite of all time.
  • Jakleigh… near flawless. And I was actually talking to Gunn about this at Thanksgiving: he and I both agree Jakob is probably the best dancer in SYTYCD history. Is it crazy for us to say that? I don’t know, maybe we’re caught up in the moment, but it certainly seems so.
  • This week proved, without question, that the “judging” on this show is a complete crock of cuss (by the way, have you guys seen Fantastic Mr. Fox? It’s so good).
  • Victor was hailed as having done a great solo.
  • He was considered “growing” on the show.
  • His Tango was lauded by the judges.
  • And his dance history on the show has been no worse than Nathan’s… arguably better.
  • There was no comment on Nathan’s solo.
  • He was not considered growing.
  • And Nigel admitted that in a non-unanimous decision, he voted against Nathan staying. Which means we have to believe both Mary Murphy and Adam Shankman chose Nathan over Victor.
  • Uh huh.
  • This week proved, without question, that the “judging” on this show makes for some goooooood Larking.
  • Everyone who put in a bonus pick got at least one point this week.
  • Almost all of you chose Victor.
  • A few Larkers flat out admitted that they wished it wouldn’t be Victor, yet knew in their hearts it would.
  • The Lark is becoming less emotiorific… and way more stratelogical.

And therefore, I believe it is time. The Lark is ready for passage into the next phase of this epic battle.

specialtylark

That’s right… starting this week, Larkers will have the opportunity to unlock special tools. Items that will potentially seal their victory… or their doom.

What are they good for? Well, at this point, they’re just here to look at. But this week, when you come back to place your bonus picks, you’ll learn all about the unique properties of The Cage… and how you’ll go about unlocking it.

Did you think this Lark was over? Amrie, did you think you were that home free? Think again, Larkers. Cause this Lark’s ’bout to get buck wild!

Here are the current standings.