By M. Giant
She sings great, as always, doing the best version of "Vienna" I've ever heard, complete with a big showy run there at the end that brings the judges to their feet. She's taking no chances this week. Steven gushes that she was beautiful, Jennifer's happy for her, and Randy says he likes everyone tonight so far, and that Elise is probably the only singer he knows who could sing that run. So then, just to stretch out the special moment, Ryan invites two of Elise's teenaged students, Mary and Mackenzie, up to share the stage for a few moments. Are we running short or something? Actually, Ryan threatens to make the show three hours tonight. If he does I'll sue.
Phil's out onstage with Ryan to talk about his old gig at the family pawn shop. Ryan tries to give Phil a chance to riff on the stuff people pawn, which doesn't really fly, even when Phil throws babies in there. So on to the session with Tommy, where fashion mogul tells the finalist who dresses the most like me, "Not to be rude, but I think you need some help." Phil modestly says he wants to keep it simple, which Tommy ascribes to fear and timidity, and he thinks Phil's drab clothes are going to cost him votes. I know everyone has to justify their existence, but shut up, Tommy. We then see Phil practicing "Movin' Out" for the mentors, and he's clearly thrown when Diddy asks him to put the guitar down, and then tries to make him groove a little while he sings, and then props a bunch of girls up in front of him to sing to. Apparently it's Phuck with Phil week.
But then, onstage, Phil is dressed the way he always is, playing his guitar while he sings, and just generally being Phil Phillips despite everyone's efforts to the contrary. Shut up, all y'all. Because he totally pulls it off. Regarding the angry growl he throws in at the end, Jennifer says that seemed like it was directed at his mentors, which Phil doesn't deny. Steven says he "Phillip Phillipsed it," and gives Phillip props for being himself, although he throws him one of his own glitter scarves. Randy runs down the list of expert advice Phil ignored and repeats, "Those that do, should," and congratulates him on knowing who he is. Ryan comes out and suggests Phillip give the scarf to a girl up front, which Phillip does a few moments after Ryan tries to start a conversation about him about whether he considered a different look. Phil mumbles that he wants to put the music first, maaaan. He had me up until then. Like Rush says, if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.
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