American Idol: What Was the "Shocking Twist"? Who Went Home?

Ryan Seacrest teased a "shocking twist" that would send Idol Nation's collective head spinning at the beginning of Thursday's American Idol, and any longtime viewer knows that never bodes well. Would the finalists get to eliminate one of their own? Would Randy Jackson offer some valuable feedback? Would Grumpy Cat cast the deciding vote? Read on to find out what happened.

First, Keith Urban performs a boot-stompin' rendition of "Good Thing." (Not a Fine Young Cannibals cover, much to the disappointment of this Idol recapper, but still fine.)

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So what was the twist? The power was placed in the finalists' hands. The Top 5 were offered the option of sending one person home tonight, or keeping the group together just to send two people home next week. And the vote had to be unanimous.

What did they pick?

Three of the quintet wanted to keep the group together, and the remaining two wanted to send someone home tonight. The vote's anonymous, so we'll never know who voted which way (but we can speculate!).

And then, quickly and without ceremony, Sam Woolf was sent home. Gotta love those 30-minute results show! He quickly sings Imagine Dragons' "It's Time" as the credits roll, which is nice because we haven't heard that song at all throughout this season.

What did you think? Were you surprised by the twist and how the contestants voted? Do you agree that it was Sam's time to go home? Weigh in below!

American Idol airs Wednesdays at 8/7c and Thursdays at 9/8c on Fox. Check out Urban's recent appearance on The Tonight Show here.