'The Bachelor': On the wings of DRAMA
Here's Kathryn on The Bachelor ...
First, for those of you from the Baltimore/Washington region, I hope you survived Big Snow Part 1; brace yourselves for Part 2 this week. Now on to the recap!
This week we had the hometown visits. With very few exceptions, the visits were all the same. Jake arrives, the woman takes Jake around town, Jake eats food with the family, the family grills Jake, Jake tells the family that *insert name* is just the greatest thing since sliced bread, family tells *insert name* that Jake is great and they can tell that he's really into her. Jake and Gia neck on a stoop, Jake and Ali neck in Ali's yard, Jake and Tenley neck on Tenley's driveway, and Jake and Vienna neck in a bedroom. I realize that necking is an antiquated euphemism for making out but I've always thought it was hysterical so I'm going with it.
Some notable exceptions include: Jake asks Ali's mom for her permission to marry Ali and asks Tenley's dad permission to marry Tenley. The fact that he doesn't ask for blessings to marry Gia and Vienna are a) a detail I missed; b) an editing ploy to keep us guessing; c) indicators that Jake is more serious about Ali and Tenley; or d) indicators that Jake is more serious about Gia and Vienna. With that said, as much as Jake talks about Tenley being wife material, I just don't see it when I watch them together. I would be very surprised if Jake picks Tenley at the end.
The hometown visits are very sweet, each in their own way. On second thought, Gia's isn't that exciting and neither is Vienna's. Gia takes Jake around New York. The most interesting part of the date is seeing her stepfather rock an awesome ponytail and her brother sport some massively spiky and crunchy looking hair. Gia's family is very close and loving, always a good sign.
In Massachusetts, Ali takes Jake to her Grandmother's house. I'm a little confused by this story arc. If I'm remembering correctly, I got the impression last week that Ali doesn't have a great relationship with her family, or maybe there's some tension. Please chime in if I'm wrong. This memory is reinforced when Ali explains that she was very close with her Grandma and even moved in with her to take care of her when her Grandma was sick. She also says that the last time she was home was for her Grandma's funeral. Ali tells us that when her Grandma died it was like her mother died. But then when Ali takes Jake to her Mother's house it seems like Ali gets along really well with her family. Assuming that I remember last week's episode correctly, I'm confused by Ali alluding to Jake (while in San Fran) that she accepted that her family life was never going to be exactly what she wanted. Perhaps there are issues with her father? Anyway, it's touching to watch Ali and Jake at her Grandma's house. You can tell that Ali had a lot of love for that woman and Jake is very respectful of being invited to the house.
Tenley is from Oregon. Tenley's great passion is dance and she choreographed a dance number for Jake. I know nothing about dance but I thought a) the number looked pretty and b) it took a lot of guts to dance for Jake. Jake was touched that Tenley shared her dance with him. Apparently, sucky ex-husband never appreciated Tenley's love of dance. Boo on him! I can't imagine having a partner who didn't appreciate my deepest passion. Good riddance to him Tenley! You deserve better.
Vienna is from Florida. Vienna takes Jake boating down a river and all sorts of fun wildlife is spotted: turtles, alligators, big birds, etc. Vienna's family is obviously really close. Everyone cries when they first arrive. It's sweet to see that much love in a family.
Jake returns to L.A and the episode finally gets exciting. Ali arrives at Jake's hotel room crying. She's been given an ultimatum: quit her job or quit the show. We are never told why she must choose. I assumed that prior to signing on to the show, Ali knew the maximum amount of time she would have to be away and that she would have gotten the OK from work or quit before going on the show. For whatever reason, she must now choose--her dream job or her dream date. What a horrible position to be in! I don't like Ali all that much, but can you imagine? Jake tries to remain impartial and let Ali make her decision. That really annoys me. It's obvious that Ali needs some MAJOR reassurance right about now. Although I get that Jake wants Ali to choose what is best for herself, he needs to jump in and give her all the reasons why she should stay. Jake comes around and tells her that he doesn't want her to leave but he can't promise she's the one he'll pick in the end. Ali tells Jake she'll decide by the time the Rose Ceremony rolls around.
Chris and Jake meet up before the Rose Ceremony and Jake tells Chris that he really likes Ali but he can't make her decision. Since Jake has told Ali that he cares for her and doesn't want her to go, I think Jake has done all he can and I absolve him of any further responsibilities. The women arrive. Ali literally looks a little green, poor thing. Ali pulls Chris aside and they go to Jake's deliberation room. Ali bursts into tears and Jake looks like he's ready to throw up at any point. Again, Jake tells Ali that he likes her and that she was not going to get eliminated tonight. Ali is in agony. I feel so bad for her. On the one hand, she's got a shot at love with this guy. On the other hand, this guy she loves is dating three other women and the guy cannot guarantee he'll choose her in the end. On the one hand, I want to say, you can find another job! Go for love! On the other hand, I could also say, you can find a guy who isn't dating three other women, you can find a guy who loves just you. Ali is now dealing with an insanely awful situation that sort of forces her to go super philosophical: does she believe that there is only one person out there for her; only one real true love? Or, does she believe that there are many ways to love, therefore many men to truly love? Dude, that is way heavy for reality TV. And at this point, I feel like I'm seeing one of the rare moments of reality that happens to be on TV. People have to make agonizing decisions like this all the time. Usually the 'issues' we see on reality dating shows are not this troubling.
In the end, Ali chooses to leave. Jake is crushed. I'm not sure if they ever explain to the three remaining women why Ali left. I'm left with the following questions: Did the other women have to stand around waiting the whole time Ali was in the room with Jake, or, did they get to sit down? Did Ali get to keep that diamond necklace from the first one-on-one date? Was Ali the one Jake was going to pick? We'll probably never know the answers to these questions.
Next week: St. Lucia! My friend did her Peace Corps rotation on St. Lucia. From what I heard, this is a plum assignment. We are teased with visions of beautiful blue waters, lush verdant greenery, pirate ships (I love pirates!), and dum dum dum. . .a phone call from Ali! I hope this isn't like Daisy of Love when London got to come back. Although I feel for Ali, she walked away and she needs to stay away.
I really thought Jake was going to pick Ali in the end but only because I dislike Vienna more than Ali, therefore, I'd rather have Ali win than Vienna. Chime in on who you think Jake should pick and/or who you think Jake will pick.
Categories: Bachelor/Bachelorette
Comments
I like Tenley and Jake the most. I wasn't sure how he was going to choose between Ali and Tenley. I don't think Jake like Gia's lifestyle or Vienna's red-neck lifestyle. I'm all for being close to a parent, but Vienna and her dad's relationship was grossing me out. Didn't they see the cameras there? I want Jake to choose Tenley. I LOVE the Bachelor shows, but will have to stop watching if they let ANOTHER person return.
Posted by: Amy | February 9, 2010 12:28 AM
OMG, Alie, give it a rest!!!! This just appears to be some grand manipulation!
Posted by: Rose | February 9, 2010 12:51 AM
I feel like Ali is going to come back (I have come to learn that it has happened in the past seasons) and he is going to end up with her. I think that he would have told her she needed to stay because she was the one if it wouldn't ruin the rest of the shows. They definately wouldn't have let him tell her and part of me thinks that the show could have set up the situation who knows?? More drama and there is a whole lot of it this season. I feel like Ali is the one for Jake and I knew it for sure tonight on the show. Just the way they were around the bonfire it was them together forever.
Posted by: Meghan | February 9, 2010 1:03 AM
I agree with Rose. Ali give it a rest. Say I am the final one and I will stay. What a crock. You notice that Jake did say she was safe and would not be going home tonight. So who was going home? My guess Tenley, since she has values. Its clear that Jake is not thinking with his head when it comes to Vienna.
Posted by: Capt Jack | February 9, 2010 11:42 AM
Jake expected Ali to stay when he couldn't tell her she's the one? He says his heart has been broken again...only to then happily walk over to 3 other women who are waiting for him.
He had 3 one-on-one dates with Ali and still doesn't know? Think he wants all four of them. Jake and his 4 wives...
SKK: On the Wings of Big Love!
Posted by: Colleen | February 9, 2010 11:50 AM
As I was watching I thought "She's pulling an ED!". Hoping that if she said she had to go, she would be the one at the front of his mind. The one that got away. When she sat down in the middle of the hall, I said to myself "He's not going to come out looking for you. Get up." And the preview of her calling him...oh my. Talk about manipulating the situation.
Posted by: Lorenzo | February 9, 2010 11:55 AM
I agree, just like Ed last year leaving and coming back I ask this question last year, and I ask it again this year. How does she know she has to leave or get fired. They are to have no communications with their friends, family or jobs while doing the show. I dont think Ali is coming back. Just wanting you to think she was.
Chris's blog today, said the Ali and Jake talks were over two hours long. Look more like a groping into me. Can you imagine what was going on with the other 3 women and the uncertainty why they were being held up with taping? I believe it was too much over-the-top from Jake and right back to smiles and hugging the 3 woman and promising the time of their lives.
Posted by: Capt Jack | February 9, 2010 1:01 PM
Aight, so basically the show has to have set it up! while watching, i noticed at the rose ceremony Ali stared to the side. Was she staring at the other girls? or the producers? My guess is the producers! Before she asked chris to talk, she seemed to mumble something under her breath, either a "now" or "wow". My guess; its a now! Ali was waiting to ask chris her question, and waited for the producers to give her the ok. This situation must be a set up! Why would her job ask for her back when the show is nearing an end? Why does Jake get a phone call from her next week? It is simply the show trying to bring its audience more drama! Ali obviously had the most attraction with jake, so why not make it seem his dream girl is gone forever?
SKK: I'm not saying that there wasn't some manipulation here, but I also totally noticed her asking "now?" but didn't think that meant the producers set it all up. She had clearly told Jake that she would give him her decision at the rose ceremony. All these shows have set up shots and cues to hit, after all.
Posted by: Bill Bowing | February 9, 2010 2:00 PM
In my mind I would think it was between Ali & Tenley. He did tell Ali that she wasn't going to be eliminated that night so she had a 1 in 3 chance but still decided to leave. The problem I see going back to her job is now she will hate them for making her leave and will always question what would have happened so I doubt the job lasts long now anyway. Assuming Ali can't sneak back in as they did show a preview of her calling Jake next week I hope Tenley wins it, if she does get back in which I doubt I think it's a coin toss between Ali & Tenley.
Posted by: Jay | February 9, 2010 3:34 PM
Jake came on the show looking to date people a) that he usually doesn't date (Which he has made reference to Vienna for that one "Vienna is the kind of girl that I usually don't date." And also said that Gia is unlike the other girls meaning unlike the other girls he's picked.)
And reason b) why he came on the show was to find a girl that he felt a deep connection with so that he could fall in love.
He has an obvious deep connection with Tenley and Ali. I think we can all agree that just as much as Ali and Jake had a great home-date, Tenley's was just as powerful and good. I don't think Tenley was going anywhere. He's said before from the 2nd to last episode that he see's Tenley the most as his wife.
In my opinion, Vienna only made it this far because she has put forth a lot of effort and energy, showing that she is there for Jake! Constantly making it known to everyone over and over and over... She's really overwhelming and I think that Jake just likes feeling that much attention and energy for him. It makes him feel like she could be a potential wife because of how much she gives to him.
I think Gia was going to go home had Ali not left. Because between Vienna and Gia, Vienna shed more tears, "necked" with him more, had him come into her home vs. Gia only going to a restruant... Even though she's been breaking out of her shell more, she still was pretty much the same... Stand offish and less open then the other girls. Plus it was kind of awkward how her brother said he would hunt him down and break his legs. Ha...ha... Welcome to the family!...Creepy!...
So now that we know Ali has called him up while he was on his vacation with the other girls... I think what will probably happen, will be that she either comes back with or without her job and he will probably have a delema because he will feel like Ali didn't really take a leap of faith into their relationship. I'm guessing that was probably really hurtful for her to leave after he said that she wasn't going to be elimated...I mean the man's trying! He's giving away the stuff he's not supposed to just so that she STAYS!
But she left.. So I could tell he was kind of like... "Okay so...Tenley it is! That was easy! Must be meant to be!"
So I think Tenley is the one, but I think Ali if she is respectful of what Jake wants and maybe even quitting her job for him will really impress Jake in the end.
I can't wait for next week!
Posted by: Elise | February 9, 2010 4:20 PM
i like tenley beacause i think jake will pick her.Jake said that he was falling to much for tenley and crap. and when ali left jake looked like he wanted to marry her
Posted by: ash lash | February 9, 2010 5:50 PM
Of course Ali will be back!! It's what keeps the ratings up. Ali get on my nerves! She is sooooo OVERDRAMATIC!!!! And did you notice that Jake did the same "leaning on the rail" pose that he did last season? This show gets cheesier every season. It's really comical!!!
Posted by: ccg | February 10, 2010 10:34 AM
Tenley will be the next Bachelorette and there will be a showdown between Vienna and Alil for the final rose/proposal. This show is becoming way to dramatic!!!! Let's give it up to ED for starting all this.
Posted by: Cindy | February 10, 2010 3:51 PM
I actually like Gia and Tenley. I'm tired of Ali and her whining...I couldn't believe she sat in the middle of the floor like a baby having a temper tantrum...GO AWAY!
I think it was tacky and disrespectful for Jake and Vienna to make out in her bedroom. I don't know ANY father who would be cool with that...thumbs down!
I'm tired of Jake and his crying behind...I have never seen a so-called man who cries this much...oh, but wait...smiles again when it's time to tell the "girls" (why not WOMEN) we're going to St. Lucia.
Posted by: MrsT | February 11, 2010 11:51 AM