Last week, one of my favorite writers, Michael Slezak, conducted a slightly insane American Idol analysis that compared the strength of each season’s Top 10 contestants. His conclusion? Season 11 ties with Season 5 for the strongest Top 10 in Idol history.

I’ll take that a step further: With the recent elimination of Heejun Han, I think Season 11’s top eight — who hit the stage with songs from the '80s Wednesday night — is the strongest top eight to ever battle it out for the Idol crown. The talent cuts so deep, in fact, that I could see a whopping seven of the eight contestants tackling their own “I Love You This Big”“This Is My Now” at the Nokia Theatre come May.

But here’s the thing: A solid set of contestants does not a memorable season make, as last season’s anti-climax proved. My favorite seasons don’t just present us with potential recording artists; they take raw talent and cultivate it. They tell stories with artistic arcs. They create journeys.

And that’s why I love this season.

Week after week, we’ve seen the contestants earnestly build their identities like puzzles, despite the meandering “constructive criticism” from the judges. We’ve seen them wrestle through emotions, intertwine personality and vision, and take creative risks. There’s real momentum driving this season — the kind that both captivates you and keeps you guessing.

This is especially true of the girls, who are fighting against the voters’ four-year gender bias that the judges frustratingly perpetuate. While their obstacles are undeniably tougher, their payoffs seem that much sweeter.

I’m dying for Hollie Cavanagh to hit her emotional stride, hinted at in performances like “Reflection.” I’m pulling for Elise Testone’s aching performances to show that older contestants can be as fresh as younger ones. I can’t wait to see how Skylar Laine’s stylized gusto can color other genres.

And I’m hoping — melodrama warning — with every Idol fiber in my body that Jessica Sanchez is recognized as the natural-born star that she is.

That’s not to say the boys aren’t wildly talented. Phillip Phillips is a musician through and through, one who refuses to play up his image or play to his target audience. Joshua Ledet has long earned his “Mantasia” nickname, marrying vocal histrionics with restraint and palpable emotion.

Even the weaker links in the chain, Colton Dixon and DeAndre Brackensick, bring something intangible to the table, the former being a ridiculous amount of likeability. The odds may be ever in the boys’ favor, but in truth, all eight contestants have proven to be solid contenders.

My favorite seasons are always the ones whose sincerity flies in the face of reality television culture, and Season 11 is no different. Strip away things like the judges’ heavy-handed comments and the Tommy Hilfiger-induced makeovers, and you’re left with eight contestants’ genuine desire to share their gifts, not unlike this one.

Of course, there’s always the possibility that this season will flat-line over the course of the next seven weeks. But for now, Season 11 has all the ingredients to go down as one of the most memorable seasons in Idol history.

Stay tuned . . .

Get more of Tara Seetharam's pop culture musings on her website www.taraseetharam.com and follow her on Twitter @TaraAshley