Tag Archives: family

The Bachelorette Recap, Final Episode & After the Final Rose

Posted in The Bachelor/Bachelorette Recaps by

Ashley meets her family at a resort and sits down to tell them about the guys. She says she’s in love and she’s ready to get engaged but can’t make up her mind. I call BS.

JP arrives on the beach with wine in hand, noting a proposal is right around the corner. They need to get out of the sun…everyone is sweating like crazy, which is really unattractive and there’s just one poorly placed umbrella as far as we can see.  Everyone is literally wiping their faces with towels they’re so drenched. Gross. Ashley says she was excited and proud to introduce JP to her family and mom gives a toast to welcome him to the family. Ashley’s sister asks some “tough” questions and later tells Ashley flat out that he’s not the one. Mom says they are “ok” together. Wow, what a reception!  Sister says that Ashley is too much for him and she doesn’t think JP can handle her, being the much older man.  Really? I think he’s in his early 30’s.  Ashley immediately starts crying when she realizes that her sister will like Ben a lot more. I think we have our clear-cut winner.  Ashley just wants people to like her so she’s heartbroken that her mom and sister weren’t wowed by the man she’s fallen in love with (not that she’s said it yet). 

Sister tells JP that she’s very skeptical and “doesn’t see it” between them. JP says that he can’t stop smiling when he’s around her and he’s 100% in love with her. Sister is hung up on JP being so much older and will not be happy if JP proposes. And tells him so.  The clincher: Sister says she saw more between Ashley and Brad. Ouch.

“I just have to figure it out.” -Ashley
“I thought you had it figured out.” -JP
…oooohh!  This really leads me to believe Ashley has been telling JP he’s the one for quite some time, which then gets me really angry on Ben’s behalf because the poor guy is getting strung along.  

Ashley has a sit down with the sister to let her know she is not happy and flat out calls her a bitch. Sister says she is protecting Ashley from herself.  I must interject here and say I am not entertained. But then again, I haven’t been all season so I don’t know why I’m surprised. 

Now it’s Ben’s turn and he brings wine to the party too. He is sweaty, sweaty, sweaty… and not the good kind. Earlier in the show BFOTB proclaims that Ashley reminds her of a jack russell terrier. We find out that Ben has a jack russell named Hopscotch. Ahh, it all makes sense. Ben says he is absolutely in love with her and believes that Ashley is in love with him because nothing is forced between them.  Really? Not like the television cameras and awkward silent moments?

Oh, surprise, surprise, sister is a divorcee. That explains a lot. Sister seems content with Ben.

“Ben should win. But he won’t. Just like every other season when they pick the wrong person.” – BFOTB’s husband via text message

For their last date they take a helicopter ride aroundFiji. Ashley says Ben is perfect for her. They arrive at a healing mud bath and get each other all muddy, which they both proclaim to be very sexy. Later in his hotel suite they toast with champagne as Ben tells Ashley that he got her parents permission to propose to her, and he tells her he is in love with her. They kiss. No tongue. Never any tongue. Not a good sign.

Ashley wraps her legs around Ben and all we notice is the bug bite on her butt. 

Now it’s JP’s turn again and as always, she is looking to him to solve all her problems and she again needs reassurance so they have a somewhat difficult conversation. JP tells Ashley that he is madly in love with her, and already told her whole family. JP asks/warns her not to break his heart. Then there’s lots of making out with lots of tongue and JP unravels Ashley’s sarong like he’s done that before. I’m not surprised.

JP gives Ashley a photo and journal scrapbook. Uh oh, Ben didn’t give her a gift. No tongue, no gift. I think we all know where this is going.

“I get lost in JP; I’m completely infatuated with him.” -Ashley

Ben is meeting with Neil Lane to pick out an engagement ring because his heart is set on proposing. He says it wasn’t hard to pick out a ring. I wouldn’t think it would be if you don’t have to pay for it.

JP puts on pink and goes to make his selection. Neil asks him what he’s going to do if she says no. Haha. But whoa, the ring he chooses is gorgeous.

Ben is the first one to land. Ben is crying talking about losing his father and how happy he is to be adding Ashley to his family.  I am so angry at Ashley for letting him get down on one knee. I am writhing in anxiety. So awkward. Why couldn’t she have cut him off before he got down on one knee and actually proposed? What. A. Jerk. Having to stand back up in shame, Ben leaves angry and she runs after him. Ben doesn’t want her to sugar coat it and informs her that there is no way to leave this situation on good terms.

“Good things don’t end unless they end badly.” – Ben
“JP is a wonderful guy. I’m sure you’ll have a nice life together.” – Ben

Rejects get sent home on a motor boat, not a plane. Write that down. And, salt in an open wound: Ben sees JP’s plane flying overhead and then has to pass by Ashley standing there waiting for JP. Seriously, where is that boat taking Ben? Out to the middle of the ocean?  Getting rejected really sucks.  Hope they put a bottle of booze in that boat for him.

This better be an epic proposal. BFOTB and I both have a dark thought; somewhat hoping JP’s plane takes a nose into the water. It doesn’t.

Ashley and JP exchange “you look great” small talk.  JP starts at the beginning, rehashing what it was like getting out of the limo. Two peas in a pod, JP tells Ashley he is scared she doesn’t love him back but this is his leap of faith.

 “I smile because of you. I am madly in love with you.” -JP

Ashley tells JP she has wanted to tell him for forever that she is in love with him.

He gets down on one knee and says “Ashley, will you marry me?”
She says “yes.”
And cue the music…”I can’t fight this feelin’ anymore…” I told you!
And JP gets the last rose. 

At the end, my favorite part:
Ashley asks something along the lines of “can you believe we’re here?” and JP responds, “When you walked in the first rose ceremony and said ‘my husband is in this room,’ I was like ‘what the f&$@ is she talking about?'” hahah!
Ashley exclaims “It’s you!”

After the Final Rose
Ben says that after he was rejected he had to fly home fromFijistraight to his best friend’s wedding. Ooh…ouch. 

Ashley comes out and Chris asks Ben what he’d like to say. Ben’s response: “Nice ring.” Bahaha!  Man, this guy’s a hoot.  It’s the usual boring stuff…”thanks for helping me get to where I am now” and Ashley saying “he’s such a great guy, I’m always going to respect him.”

Ashley flashes that ring as Chris proclaims that she and JP are still engaged. JP comes out and not to disappoint her declaration that he’s a really great kisser, lays some big smooches on her. Chris asks the “why do you love each other?” questions, “how hard has this been?” …blah blah blah.

Ashley’s sister comes up on stage and apologizes for being so overprotective, exclaiming she’s on Team Cupcake (JP’s nickname) now and she can’t wait to introduce him to her kids and celebrate Thanksgivings and Christmases together. Ashley says “well, uh, Hanukkah.” ha, oh, right, yeah.

Where they’re at now: Ashley is finishing school, and then she’s moving toNew Yorkand they’re getting their own place. And as if that huge ring wasn’t enough, the show is sending them back toFiji. 

Well, I confess I’m glad it’s over. What did you think?  Are you going to watch The Bachelor Pad?  

Looking forward (with hope for a better Bachelor/Bachelorette) to next season. Until then – cheers!

The Bachelorette Recap episode 8, season 7

Posted in The Bachelor/Bachelorette Recaps by

Welcome home(s)! This week we get to see the [speci]men in their natural habitats around this great nation.  I know, I know, it’s only the beginning of the show, but I can already tell you who is going home this week.  I won’t – not yet – but there’s like a 92% chance you already know. 

Who: Constantine
Where: Atlanta,Georgia
We’re meeting Constantine’s father, Dimitri, his mother, Elleni, and sister, Marie, but first is a stop at “his” restaurant, Giorgio’s.  Which by “his” I mean “his family’s.”  Also, it’s an Italian restaurant. It’s only weird because he’s Greek and Greek food is delicious so I’m not sure why they don’t own a Greek restaurant but maybe folks in the South don’t like Greek food?  Shame on them. All the waitresses are googley-eyed and spying on them kissing.  I have to bet that there’s a few girls on screen that are just comparing, likely having kissed him too, in the past.  And by “in the past” I mean “the week before The Bachelorette starting filming.”

Whoa, welcome to Constantine’s ginormous house.  By “his house”…okay, you know where I’m going with that.  They enjoy a good meal and then Mom wants to get down to the nitty gritty: “you movin’ here or what?”  okay, it didn’t quite play out like that but it should have. Mom seems realistic about the fake glamour of television and wants to know if Ashley’s going to be in it once the cameras are gone. She wants to know if Ashley would pick up her life and move to Atlanta and Ashley says yes, if that’s what would make him happy. If Constantine is happy, Mom is happy.

I love that Constantine’s dad’s name is Dimitri. I also love that he says Ashley has a “gorgeous personality.”  Wouldn’t you just swoon if someone said you had a gorgeous personality?  What a compliment.  To all my friends: you have a gorgeous personality.  (you’re welcome).  Dad cautions that he doesn’t want his boy to be rushed. Here’s his advice: “it isn’t gonna be perfect. In the beginning it should be, but it isn’t always.”  I believe in that too – the beginnings of relationships should be easy and fun.  You shouldn’t have to try too hard to make it work. Life is hard enough.  Strong work, Dad.

Ashley proclaims she’s moving in much to everyone’s delight.  And just as Constantine is getting ready to leave, saying goodbye, his whole big fat happy Greek family piles in. With more food. Greek dancing ensues. Dad throws money. I’m moving in too. They kiss goodnight and the family cheers from the front porch. Anyone else think it’s a bad sign that she fell in love with fam quicker than Constantine?

Who: Ames
Where: Chadds Ford,PA
I will give it to Ames– he really knows how to pull together an outfit.  I’m really digging him in his “welcome to Pennsylvania, don’t I look rustic” plaid shirt.  Today Ashley is meeting his sister, brother-in-law, mom, brother, sister-in-law, nieces, and nephews.  Another insane house…is that an indoor pool?!  What is up with these mansions?  Ashley’s contestant applications must have had family financial history requirement.  Ashley says that things with Ames are moving very slow…she feels something (like maybe she feels he’s into guys?), and she’s not ready to stop learning more about him. Ames, my friends, is a hand talker. Those perfectly manicured hands are flailing about every which way.  His family explains that Ames has a lot of varied interests, very similarly to the male figures in his life, and that tragically, both his father and stepfather died of cancer. The sister thinks Ashley is interested in Ames but can’t tell if she is passionate about him. That means no. Ashley keeps telling everyone that she is feeling reassured and they are moving slower than other guys. She doesn’t feel the romance and the sister is catching on so she warns Ames that he needs to step it up.  Ames decides to do what he thinks is the most romantic thing ever and takes Ashley to have a picnic under a magnolia tree.  It is quite lovely.  Ashley is surprised to have learned thatAmes went to boarding school. She is not surprised to learn that he was the unpopular guy in school. He says he was really nerdy. We believe him. Ashley says that they have the same outlook on life. We believe her.  Ames says they had the most amazing kiss ever. I don’t believe him. It looked awful.  He said it was the most beautiful moment in all his life; he’s absolutely falling in love with her. Meanwhile, Ashley looked relieved it was over.

Who: Ben
Where: Sonoma,California
Ashley thinks Ben is so sexy. Ben takes Ashley to get some wine and they’ve kissed like eight times before they even get to lunch. They set up a picnic on a porch in the rain. Ben says it’s a really big deal to be bringing home a girl to meet mom, having only done it once before. Ashley asks about Ben’s father, whose passing has had a profound impact on their family.  Ben’s sister confesses that she was the one who signed her brother up to be on The Bachelorette but she seems super protective and not all too pleased that he’s made it this far.  Ben says that if things keep progressing the way that they have been, he will propose. Ben tells his mom that this has changed from being an adventure to actually really liking her. Ben has a really nice moment with his mom, apologizing to her for not being a better person for her after his dad died. He gets emotional talking to the camera about his dad, and notes he thinks his dad would be proud of him. We didn’t really get to see Ashley interacting with the family or Ben that much. It seems like a really good set up to make Ben the next Bachelor…what a transformative experience this has been for him….now he’s ready for love…yadda yadda.  I like him and all, but you all know how I loathe the recycling of contestants.

Who: JP
Where:Roslyn,NY
It’s super pretty where they met with a gazebo and lots of gorgeous flowers but its not so pretty where they have their alone time before meeting the fam: a super cheesy, 70’s-esque roller rink.  Okay, maybe early 90’s. Apparently it was supposed to rain so JP had planned a date for her at the roller rink. Cheesy music, disco ball, and my stomach turning…yup, must be love…”I can’t fight this feeling anymore…”  seriously I bet this is going to be their song if they get engaged. Ha!  Meeting the parents and his brother is a big deal, he tells Ashley, alluding again to the last girl he brought home which ended horribly.  JP lets on that he has anger/jealousy issues (which we all know about) but Ashley doesn’t catch on.

Ashley asks “so you grew up here?” and I’m pretty sure he answered, “yeah, 33 years.” Which means he’s lived at home his whole life? Ewww. JP’s mom is cautious. JP skirts the “are you in love with her?” question by saying all signs are pointing to that. He feels confident that they have what the other guys don’t. Yes, he will propose to her if he’s in love with her when the time comes. Mom is guarded and nervous, apparently everyone is really scared of what might happen if JP gets his heart broken again.  But, JP says he’s okay if he gets hurt again. To cap off the evening mom brings out JP’s bar mitzvah photo, huge, framed, autographed (probably with a bunch of “K.I.T.”s and “Stay cool”s). They dub him a cross between Kirk Cameron and Doogie Houser.  I dub him Ashley’s perfect match. And, not in a “yay, I like you both so much” kind of way.  More like “you’re both dull and you can have each other.”

Roses:
Ben
JP
Constantine

It’s no surprise that Ames is going home tonight. Except maybe to Ames. For as smart as he is, he looks painfully confused. He gives a super classy speech to say goodbye, telling her it’s been beautiful and poetic. He’s got a bewildered, glued-on smile until he gets in the limo. He says he had fallen in love and he’s now back to a lifetime of adventures with himself.

Next week: Fiji. Planes, yachts, helicopters, waterfalls, snorkeling, swimming pools, beach picnics. 

Then, in the final episode it looks like Ashley calls her sister a bitch for not liking her man.  This could be fun. Don’t get your hopes up, though.