Lady Gaga Is Ready to Hire One of the 'SYTYCD' Finalists Right Now (VIDEO)

After a somewhat slow start, it turned into one of the most impressive performance episodes of 'So You Think You Can Dance' (Wed., 8PM ET on FOX) so far this season. Joining the judging panel for the week were 'Chicago' director Rob Marshall and Lady Gaga, who was ready to hire one dancer almost right there on the spot.

We think the leaders of the Top 8 emerged fully formed this week. In fact, we've had a Top 4 in our minds, two guys and two girls, for a few weeks, but they really solidified those placements with some stellar performances this week.

The other four contestants had several hits and misses along the way, but even so, nothing could detract from some incredible and powerful dances, culminating in a number that knocked our socks off, and Gaga's shoes!

We'll go from worst to first, which is a relative expression as no one in this season's Top 8 is bad. However, Jordan and Ricky seemed to have the weakest night, and if we had to eliminate two dancers, they'd be our picks. The voters have been trying to get rid of Jordan for a couple of weeks so far, and they just might get their wish.

The dancers performed once with an All-Star, and then paired up for a second number. Jordan's jazz piece with Ade earlier in the night was forgettable in light of other dances, but we couldn't get past the bizarre faces she made in a disappointing rumba with Jess. She just didn't sit right with the feel of the dance.

Ricky made Anya look heavy, which may be the best way to describe his biggest flaw on the jive, while Marko simply danced circles around him in that very clever janitor hip-hop duo. In fact, Marko still stands tall as the top guy in the competition. Aside from that hip-hop routine, he brought Gaga to tears when he earned a standing ovation for a contemporary masterpiece with Allison.

At this point, we expect genius when All-Star Allison hits the stage, and she didn't disappoint again this time around. Marko, though, was with her every step of the way as if the pair had been dancing together for years.

But if Marko's our favorite guy dancer, he's followed closely by Tadd, who was hip and cool with Lauren F. in that jazz piece. Up until he lost his hat, we were mesmerized. Then we admit we were distracted by him awkwardly pretending he still had it for awhile.

His Foxtrot with Caitlynn wasn't as solid, but for a breaker to hold up as well as he does in these different styles, he's a real inspiration. Caitlynn falls into the same category as Jess of the Top 8. Both are good, but neither are quite as good as the best we see each week. Ivan smoked her in their hip-hop number, as she never quite got deep enough into the liquid smoothness of the movement.

The same thing happened to Jess in a hip-hop routine opposite Lauren G. He couldn't quite rise to her mastery of a style that wasn't really her own either. But, as the judges said, he's shown tremendous growth and should be proud with whatever finish he winds up with.

The night, though, closed with the top two dancers in the competition, and certainly the strongest women. Nigel put the slimmest of difference between Sasha and Melanie, declaring at one point in the night each of them his favorite dancer. Sasha didn't get to shine, though she was solid, in an early quickstep, but her closing dance with Melanie was stunning, as we've said.

Lady Gaga, though, only had eyes for Melanie. Her contemporary piece earlier in the night had Gaga on her feet. Truly it was a magnificent and effortless performance, matched only by the strength and power of that closing number.

"I would hire you tomorrow to dance on my tour all around the world," Gaga told her. "There is something so athletic and so passionate and so beautiful, and you're such a star." We couldn't agree more.