‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Top 8 Recap

Honest critique (and real tears) from Lady Gaga, kind words from director Rob Marshall, and quick-witted banter from Emmy-nominated host Cat Deeley — not to mention some of the best dancing we've seen on TV: Last week's installment of "So You Think You Can Dance" had it all. It was a week where the judges followed America's vote, sending home this season's vixen, Jordan, and Broadway-ready dancer Jess, but no matter.

We predict this season will come down to three dancers: Melanie, Marko, and Sasha. With six dancers left in the competition, we'll have to wait to see which dancer earns top honors. In the meantime, here are the week's best performances, including a fierce same-sex number featuring Melanie and Sasha, plus the dance that famously brought Lady Gaga to tears.

Sasha and Melanie
Sasha and Melanie got the boot last week, but not in the way you might expect. At the end of their fierce (is there any other way to put it?) Sonya Tayeh "warrior princess" jazz routine, Lady Gaga presented the dancers with her seriously high platform boot. "All I know is that was that future," she told them. The other judges were equally effusive. Safe to say, these girls are a lock to go the distance. But will this be the first time we see two females in the finals?

[Video: Watch Last Week's 'So You Think You Can Dance' in Full]

Marko and Allison
This is it: the dance that brought Lady Gaga to tears. Sonya's contemporary routine for Marko and his "SYTYCD" All-Star partner Allison was a tribute to moms — we even got a shout-out to Marko's mom in the audience — and inspired a personal story from the pop superstar. It also got Marko choked up, as well, as he apologized to his mom for being a "bit of a brat."

[Photos: Every Season 8 'So You Think You Can Dance' Performance So Far]

Melanie and Neil
All you "SYTYCD" fans know choreographer Mandy Moore has a soft spot for '80s ballads, and she didn't disappoint with a contemporary routine set to the queen of all love songs, "Total Eclipse of the Heart." And it delivered, with a shirtless Neil and Melanie's "Dirty Dancing"-worthy leap into his arms. Heck, Lady Gaga was moved enough to offer Melanie a job on tour.

[Related: 'So You Think You Can Dance' Finally Receives Its Emmy Due]

Sasha and Pasha
Jonathan Roberts crafted a quirky little quickstep for Sasha and her All-Star partner Pasha (who kept his shirt on this time). High-pitched judge Mary Murphy called out Sasha's stage presence and critiqued her stiff knees, but Nigel just came out and said it: Sasha's his favorite this season — though he went back on his words when praising Melanie.

Which "SYTYCD" pair had your favorite Top 8 performance? Tell us in the comments.