Compared to previous seasons, the group's average performance for the first night on the "big stage" was, I thought, pretty good. Just nothing really remarkable... most of them hung around that average.
Now, the question becomes, how much of that is the contestants, and how much is the theme? I'd beat my head into a wall if I were competing and the first finals night was Jacko...
I completely agree. Everyone was generally good, small issues here and there, but good. No standouts as being far ahead of the pack.