Plot

The first three rounds of Las Vegas week on "So You Think You Can Dance" whittled the finalists down to 77, but that number would still have to be cut down to 20 on Wednesday night's episode.

The first round was a tough jazz routine that split the husband and wife team of Karen and Matthew Hauer, with Karen moving on and Matthew going home. Later, audition round favorites Iveta Lukosiute and Willem de Vries were sent packing.

Molly Gray -- whose family "literally" packed their bags, put them in a car and drove to California -- was told she was dancing like a little girl and had to start dancing like a woman. "That's why we have 18-year-olds and not 16," Nigel said. "Because I want women here." After walking off the stage, Molly realized she'd hurt her foot badly. She went to the hospital.

Russell Ferguson, the first crumper to make it to Vegas in the show's six-year history, was also in the group. Nigel questioned Russell's lack of formal training, but told him he was "doing so well" that he'd stick around a little.

Down to 69 dancers, the remaining contestants were split into groups and asked to choreograph a routine they'd present to the judges the following morning.

Russell Ferguson's group was up first and they were done by 11 p.m. -- the first group to call it a night. The judges were blown away by their Broadway routine and the entire group made it through.

A montage of group routines followed, with a few dancers getting sent home.

Molly Gray's group was the last to perform, and they had to start their rehearsals the night before without knowing for sure if Molly was going to be back. When she finally returned, she worried her team was babying her too much. The routine was choreographed around Molly's injury, and judge Mia Michaels called it "stupid." Nonetheless, the entire group made it through.

The round everyone feared most -- contemporary dance with Mia Michaels -- was finally upon them. Mia went with what seemed like a softer, gentler approach, trying to let the dancers find their centers before getting started.

Hip hop dancer Kevin Hunt was in the first contemporary group. The judges were impressed by his technique. Tyce DiOrio called him "amazing" and he went through to the next round. More hip hop dancers stuck around through the rest of the contemporary routine, but Legacy was the last one to go. Legacy was overwhelmed by the choreography. After the performance, Legacy got emotional and told Mia that her teaching made him a better dancer and made him want to learn contemporary. Mia agreed that he was better, and the judges kept him around.

The next round was a Broadway routine choreographed by Tyce. Pauline Mata, who'd just missed the Top 20 last season, turned her ankle badly during rehearsal and went off to get medical attention.

Ashley Di Lello, who barely made it to Vegas with her ballroom dancing husband Ryan, was in the last group on the Broadway stage. Nigel Lythgoe told Ashley that she probably improved the most out of anyone during Las Vegas week and she got all of the judges' votes to continue in the competition.

The guys took on Broadway while the girls played around in the swimming pool. Ryan Di Lello was among the first group to perform and improvised tearing his shirt off -- which the judges loved and sent him through.

Dominic Pearson, who was felled by an injury during the Vegas round in Season 4, was back and looking confident -- until he was told only two of the six judges wanted to keep him. He broke down in tears and Nigel told him he had to toughen up to make it in showbiz. Dominic went home. Six more guys were cast off.

Pauline was under doctor's orders to stay off her injured ankle for two days and had no idea what the judges would tell her.

The remaining dancers had one last chance to perform a solo for the judges, without an immediate critique. Billy Bell went first and drove Adam Shankman to tears. The rest of the group followed and each tried to hold his or her own. The night ended with a montage of the solos.

"The dancing is over," host Cat Deeley said. "Now all anyone can do is wait."

Next week, the judges will announce the Top 20.