This week is going to be the first week when we really see where the Idols stack up as far as fanbases. There were no glaring gaffes and nobody hit it out of the park, so it’s going to be a matter of who has the most support as an artist.

The one advantage of the Idols doing Shania Twain songs this week is that I was likely to not know many of the songs or be completely ambivalent about them, so I could perhaps form opinions about the Idols as artists on their own merits (at least a bit). I’m not a huge fan of Shania to begin with, and I also don’t care for country music, so I was really dreading the show. In the end, it wasn’t quite as bad as I imagined, but not impressive.

Lee, of course, had to start out with one of the few Shania songs I know, and one of two I actually like. I enjoyed seeing Lee sing a love song. His confidence is still growing, and it was nice to see him relax and smile a bit after he got past the opening of the song. I liked his spin on the melody too. He’s got a look and a sound that are becoming signature and reliable as well. Although, unlike most everyone else, I do agree with Simon: there is something weird going on with Lee’s mouth. He sings out of the side of his face, for reasons I can’t explain. He looks like he’s suffered a stroke or something when he’s holding out those long notes. This goes along with his aversion to looking straight at the camera or the mic, I think. Can we beat this out of him? Still, loved it. My favorite of the night.

Casey, thankfully, got the memo and stepped it back up again with a performance that reminded me of when he did “Jealous Guy.” My real question is whether or not he’s capable of that kind of depth on a regular basis, and if can he give us that kind of passion and feeling when he’s rocking out. Being a switch that’s either on or off isn’t too far removed from being a one-trick pony, Casey. Still, I think he did what he needed to do.

Crystal had her off night tonight. You knew it was going to happen, and it wasn’t horrible by any means, but I felt a little bit of second-hand embarrassment for her. Between the almost desperation of the song and then her mouthiness during and after the judging, it just wasn’t a flattering night for her. Of course, she looks invincible at this point, but that doesn’t give her an excuse to take lessons from the Siobhan Magnus school of self-defense. The judges are there to judge. Shut up, take their comments, and save your comments until you’re asked for them. It looks petty and weak to do anything else. How do you think Tim Urban managed to stay alive for so long? It wasn’t because he whined and argued and stomped his feet every time someone said something bad about him. Suck it up, ladies. Both of you.

Speaking of Siobhan, I’d actually guessed she’d be doing something like “Any Man of Mine,” and I figured it would either be spectacular or it would be horrendous. Oh Siobhan, ever full of surprises, managed to make it bland, boring, confused, self-indulgent, and of course screechy. It was largely forgettable to me, unlike her outfit, which looked like she stole her grandma’s curtains to make it. I was a little shocked that the judges went for it – the only thing I could figure is that it wasn’t as bad as her past few weeks and they didn’t want to risk another argument that would make the show run over again and infurate the Gleeks, especially since Crystal had already gotten huffy (not to mention a Simon/Kara snipefest that ate up precious judging time as well). I think Siobhan’s gimmick has gotten old, and she’s brought nothing new to the table for weeks.

As much as I’m not a fan of Big Mike and his Big Persona, I did like what he did with his song. He sounded genuine and sensitive, and I could see the Luther Vandross comparisons (for once). I was less impressed with Aaron. I honestly expected more from him, since country has kind of been his “thing” all along, and I wasn’t blown away by any means. Again, the judges saw something that I didn’t, I suppose.

If all those “vote for the worst” types are on Siobhan’s side, then she may have another Tim Urban-type breath of life in her. In my opinion, Siobhan should be going home this week. At least Aaron has tried to grow and show a little bit of depth. Siobhan has become predictable (believe it or not), boring, and petulant.

However, I have a feeling our top 5 will likely be Crystal, Lee, Casey, Mike and Siobhan.