253 replies to this topic

[fionab]

Emily surprises no one... But Jef sure does.

[cups]

I was surprised about how easily the families accepted her!? Is this for production or is real life really like this?? It just seemed so surreal. The families were so complimentary and just so 100% sure about her after meeting her for what like half an hour??? And ready for their sons/brothers to marry this girl that they met on a tv program? It just seemed so odd to me.

I think that Arie and Jef are head over heals for her. I don't think Arie is ready to be a step-father. Jef could be. I don't think Sean is deeply that in love with her but I think overall he'd be the most appropriate match.

[loseresque]

Where can I find a Jef for myself? I know it's faux reality but seriously. Crazy big ranch, guns, picnics and a cheesy letter. Too adorable.

I liked Arie's family the most, I liked Sean's father the most (and that was a funny trick to play on Emily) and I liked Jef's date the most.

I don't know who she's going to pick anymore. Last week I thought it was Jef. This week, I'm leaning towards Sean because she talks about her daughter fitting there.

[Joymarie]

Emily speaks very unnaturally and very haltingly when she's speaking bullshit that she's obviously been coached to say and has probably rehearsed in contrast to when she's speaking naturally and from the heart. It seemed obvious to me that everything she said about Sean and Chris was coached. But I couldn't hear any difference between the way she talked about Arie and Jef. She's also seemed equally nervous to meet both families.

I'm guessing Sean talking about living at home like a slob was probably thought up by the producers to make him seem interesting. It didn't work. Same with dad and the armadillo. Dad was a good sport though.

It cracked me up that she was so phoney and sweet (what she called Southern) about his living at home when clearly she was horrified. And yet all the families found her so genuine.

I was impressed that Chris was leaving with more class than I had anticipated from him, but then he said he's ten times the man the other guys are -- and cut to the other guys laughing and bonding over his demise.

Edited by Joymarie, Jul 2, 2012 @ 9:23 PM.

[Fallacy]

Now that's how you write a letter, Ryan! Jef's letter was awfully sweet but I couldn't help but think of the "She has 7 different smiles" speech from "How to Win a Date with Tad Hamilton." Jef's letter was just one big ass kissing fest with all his "I love how you do A,B,C.....X,Y,and Z" list.

I'm also getting more convinced that she doesn't pick Arie, unfortunately. He keeps saying how confident he is and how he knows he's going to marry her, which strikes me as the kind of hubris the editors would just love to show.

[kate123]

Are Emily's teeth growing? Because they looked huge in that first scene with Chris in the bar. I found myself mesmerized, wondering if her dentist somehow put the wrong veneers on.

After following this from the beginning, I don't know what to think about this episode. Lots of little things -- love Chicago and Chris's statement "on a scale of one to Polish, my family is Polish." But beyond that, Chris was bound to be the one to go so nothing on that date was really going to make a difference.

The Holm Ranch was amazing. I'm not a gun person, but I guess some people might find shooting guns romantic. I wished Jef would have looked at Emily a little bit while he was reading his beautiful love letter. You could definitely see Emily fitting in with his family and loving that ranch.

On to Arie. He looks amazing in that racing suit. But what the hell was Arie wearing for their picnic? He's been such a fashion guy until now. I thought his mother was very nice to Emily once they got alone, explaining to her what her life would be like with his schedule.

Sean? I still just do not see anything there. Nothing. I thought the practical jokes with the bedroom and the armadillo were kind of strange. If I were nervous about meeting the family, I'm not sure I'd want to be the butt of not one but two practical jokes. I know it was all good fun, but the last thing you want is to look like a fool.

I'm looking forward to next week. Much more romance. This episode was just kind of boring.

Edited by kate123, Jul 2, 2012 @ 9:31 PM.

[bluestockinghp]

I don't see how Emily could choose Jef without meeting his family first--especially since she made such a big deal out of the fact that Jef broke up with a previous girfriend because his parents disapproved. Maybe she could Skype with them or meet them secretly in South Carolina?? Pretty unusual for hometown dates not to have any parents there, when they are both living AND in the US.

So if she's really not lying that she's falling in love with more than one guy, which one has more money and can support her in the manner she's accustomed to? That Utah ranch was beyond impressive. Are Arie and his dad just drivers or are they in the business?

Edited by bluestockinghp, Jul 2, 2012 @ 9:35 PM.

[superpole2000]

The gun part was weird. Shooting guns is the opposite of sexy to me. I would feel very weird taking a date to go fire some weapons.

I was hoping the families would hate Emily. I know my family would, just because they typically hate the famewhoring, plasticated, fake people in the world.

[Etta Place]

I agree with kate123 that playing practical jokes on someone in a high-stress situation like that is just not cool. Especially twice.

[Firthient]

I found it interesting that Jef’s brother Steve called him a free spirit and said that he’s never known him to want a wife and kids. I’ve heard contestants say that while filming the show, they fell madly in love with the bachelor/ette, but when they left that environment they realized they weren’t. I wonder if Jef is going through the same thing, because his sister Melissa was the one who signed him up for the show.

I would give my right arm to live on Jef’s ranch. I think Emily fits best with Sean’s family. Arie got all the looks in that family. I couldn't get over how enthusiastic all the families were about Emily. Chris’ sister Renee seems to be the only one who understands the concept of the show.

[kayobe]

Team Jef! Team Jef! We don't need a second F!!

Loved that ranch! I'm a city gal but that was lovely. I got a kick out of Emily pretending not to know how to hold a gun. I was kinda hoping she would send Ari home. He's the only competition for Jef.

I finally saw Sean's lizard tongue kiss and I was skeeved out. Though I totally want his niece's play house. With air conditioner! Fancy.

I really wanted to see skinny Emily try Polish food. It's amazingly good but not if you want to keep your figure.

eta: I loved seeing Jef play with the hem of Emily's dress and tug it down for her as he clearly had picked up that she was doing the same, that she was a bit uncomfortable. To me that shows a true intimacy and connection going on. In very subtle ways he was taking care of her.

Edited by kayobe, Jul 2, 2012 @ 10:23 PM.

[KittyPierre]

Ah, I think it's Jef all the way.

I think Emily is super-attracted to the person she could be with Jef.

Instead of the cliche of "you make me a better person" that the Bachelor/ette always spouts, in this case it would be: "You make me a more fun person." Who wouldn't want to go dune-buggy riding around the ranch, and skeet shooting, and picnicking with Lil Ricky as the cacti bloom? Instead of hanging around the playground back in Charlotte with the mom crew?

Sean's family's tortured, awkward, stilted practical jokes were the kid of thing you might think was funny if you had ZERO sense of humor. (Contrast with both Arie and Jef, who actually are genuinely funny, especially Jef. I don't think anyone's ever made me actually laugh out loud before on this show -- I mean, when they were trying to be funny.)

There's something off about Sean. Something is indeed wrong with him, emotionally. His over-thought, over-explained reasons why he has only been in one serious relationship? (The whole "She gave me her heart and I couldn't reciprocate therefore I'm not giving my heart to anyone until it's a thunderclap from heaven" speech?) Red flag there. And his whole thing about how he's got "high standards" and is holding out for a girl who can meet them? No. No. Something wrong there. He's definitely not wanting to have a relationship for some secret reason. Gay? Something to do with early abuse? Something is genuinely off. My Spidey sense tells me so. Also: When a family is that obsessed with appearances -- like the princess cottage belonging to little "Kensington" (that name is total LOLs, by the waya) -- there's often something amiss below the surface. Maybe beginning with: They're obsessed with appearances? It's a red flag in terms of "core values," if nothing else.

Edited by KittyPierre, Jul 2, 2012 @ 10:15 PM.

[gregg247]

I thoroughly enjoyed both practical jokes that Sean and Dad pulled on Emily. I like Emily, but she has zero sense of humor. Even after they revealed the jokes, she still seemed unsure if it was real or not. This was the first time I liked Sean on the show, primarily because I thought his family was great, and he seemed less fake. I get the feeling that, after he's sent home next week, he'll become next season's Bachelor. Running after her car after she left, though? Lame, especially after last week's running through the streets of Prague shouting "Em-i-LY! Em-i-LY! Em-i-LY!!" LOL

I think Chris may be the only person on Earth surprised that he was kicked to the curb this week. I felt sorry for him, as it was apparent that he wasn't "acting" like some contestants on this show do--he got hurt pretty badly.

People on this show sure come from some nice neighborhoods. When was the last time we had a hometown date in a rundown apartment or condo?

I agree with the poster upthread about Emily's teeth seeming to get bigger. They're starting to look like Matt Dillon's teeth from "There's Something About Mary"!

[Crumpet]

I think Emily is super-attracted to the person she could be with Jef.

Yeah I agree. Like that goofy little dance thing she did when they were walking away from his family...she definitely shows him a different side of herself than she shows the other guys.

And OK. I am 100% a city person. But that ranch was insane and I want to go to there. Plus Jef's smile/sense of humor is the cutest. He's got depth. Unlike Sean.

Ooh boy Sean. I'm sure his family is very nice. But those "jokes" and his running after the car. So lame. If I was faced with that for the rest of my life I'd run in the other direction. The AC in the playhouse was the most interesting thing about that date.

I like Arie but he is still too much of a smooth operator for me. And he uttered the dreaded "Emily and I's relationship..."

Edited by Crumpet, Jul 2, 2012 @ 10:34 PM.

[happyhippy]

I don't want her to pick Jef. He can do better. But my gut says it's him. She's smitten. Hell, I'm smitten.

Arie's family was so fucking rude, carrying on a conversation that blatently excluded their guest like that. Good for him for bringing it back to English, though he should've from the get go. You could tell Emily was pissed, and I don't blame her.

Sean is a creeper. There's something so off with him. And can he speak one word without that disingenuous grin/smirk on his face? It makes me uncomfortable.

[tiggertwo]

The speaking Dutch thing was incredibly rude.

Where does Jef actually live? I think the brother's comments were a definite red flag. Reminded me of Ian and Meredith.

I never liked Sean, still don't. So boring. Cute dogs though. And his dad was totally different than whet I was expecting. For some reason, I was expecting some stereotypical manly dude; he dad seemed much nicer than I thought. Kensington and Smith - talk about yer trendy little names.

The show was quite boring and just as expected. I knew Chris would go. I guess he was the only one who didn't. I liked him though. Is he going on BP?

Emily is so lucky - two great guys to choose between.

[themama]

I had to laugh about the fact that she wore a spaghetti strap dress to meet a family of mormons. Not sure if they're all super conservative about showing their arms and whatnot, but it just seemed funny. Maybe I'm weird.

[Joymarie]

I don't want her to pick Jef. He can do better. But my gut says it's him. She's smitten. Hell, I'm smitten.

I feel the same way about both Jef and Arie. I'm still hoping it's Sean, though clearly it is not.

People on this show sure come from some nice neighborhoods. When was the last time we had a hometown date in a rundown apartment or condo?

The last one I remember was Ian, Meredith's final pick. It made no difference at all.

I kind of hate when they go to the family home rather than the guy's home. You really don't get much sense of the man from his parents' home. They used to always go to the person's home. She didn't go to any bachelor pads at all.

I had to laugh about the fact that she wore a spaghetti strap dress to meet a family of mormons.

I guess she doesn't know about Mormon modesty and the special Mormon underwear.

The weirdest thing about Sean was that his Dad thanked Emily because Sean was more open with him about his feelings with Emily than ever before. Which totally fits the theory that he's gay and his dad suspected.

I was momentarily seduced by Chicago, but then Chris was there.

Edited by Joymarie, Jul 2, 2012 @ 11:15 PM.

[kate123]

KittyPierre - word, word, word. To everything in your post regarding Sean. The more I see of him, the more I think there's something off about him. I haven't been able to put my finger on it, but it just seems like he's pretending. He knows how he's supposed to behave on the show and he's just going through the motions. I don't believe anything he says about his feelings for Emily, because nothing he says is remotely original. It's right out of the Bachelor 101 script. When Arie and Jef speak to her, what they're saying is heartfelt and spontaneous. With Sean, I feel like it's carefully parsed. And Sean doesn't seem to possess a very well developed sense of humor. Occasionally he says something mildly amusing, but the guy is so rigid.

The big red flag has got to be his previous relationship. Three years and then he decides he and the girl don't share the same values. Values are values. They usually don't change drastically over time. I don't think he's being honest with Emily about what happened there. His "high standards" don't seem to allow for any type of compromise in a relationship. Either the girl is exactly what he wants or she's crossed off the list. He's never going to find someone and maybe that's the point. Maybe he really isn't that into girls.

And here's the kicker. He's made it clear (at least to my understanding) that he's not having sex with anyone until he's ready to commit to a woman for eternity. And maybe he wants to wait until after marriage. But I get the sense that his reasoning for this is just a smokescreen. It sounds like a convenient excuse to avoid sex for as long as he possibly can. I can believe that feeling in a younger guy, maybe a guy who hasn't ever had sex before. But this guy is 28 and he's slept with women before. If he were a virgin, I think he should have brought that up. You don't walk into a marriage at that age without finding out if you're sexually compatible. His idealistic view of this perfect relationship he wants is just strange and if he manages to convince a woman to marry him and he's a dud in bed, then he might end up back where he started.

There's definitely something off.

[Kali12]

Well, I think it's Arie all the way. (And I have to admit, they look great together). The way she was dressed for him, the way he touched her, how responsive she was to everything...I think she enjoys Jef and finds him cute and a challenge, but the chemistry (imo) is still all with Arie (and I think its been that way from the beginning).

I think Sean may be gay, but if not, he's got some issue or other. I thought his dad may be nice, but he seemed kind of odd to me, and I thought he did think Sean was gay (he seemed like a "pray away the gay" type, though that may be horribly unfair as everything he said was kind and soft-spoken). If Sean's gay, he'd be the perfect F2, imo. But I don't think that'll happen. We're reaching the part of this show that I never understand--the part where TB has "strong feelings/love" for more than one guy (or TB/woman) and keeps both of them around knowing one will be devastated.

Such a strange show, esp. at the end.

That said, I think if it's not Arie or Jef, they'll probably be the next bachelor (esp. if its Arie).

[Maddingcrowd]

I liked Sean a lot more in this episode and his family seemed nice. I have no problem with practical jokes and just because Emily has no sense of humor doesn't mean there is something off about Sean. I think Sean knows he is still competing with (then) 3 other guys so why should he declare his undying love for Emily just to be embarrassed as he is kicked to the curb.

Also think people change over time and it is possible for people to date for a few years and grow apart. Maybe Sean came to realize he wanted a family and the girl didn't-you just can't tell. I actually think he acted the most appropriate; he really likes Emily a lot and hopes to spend more time with her. How can any of these guys say they are really in love with Emily when she is seeing other guys and they haven't even met her daughter or family? Of course they do it for the drama but it seems unrealistic.

Jef isn't my type at all (hate skinny jeans on men) but he seems nice enough. I just wonder what his missionary parents are going to think when they return to find Emily in their family. Arie seems like he would have the most in common with Emily, but he always looks a little grimy to me and I don't like him as much as before. Chris was at his most charming, but I knew Emily wasn't interested. It must be really hard to say I love you and not ever get the return. It's like in Seinfeld when Jerry said "That's a big matzo ball hanging out there". Of course, Emily can't reciprocate at this time, but I don't know if I could say ILY with 3 other guys probably saying the same thing.

[PetuniaP]

If there's something off about Sean...god help me, I'd be fooled. I can see that Emily has no feelings for him but I still think he's the hottest guy left on the show. Not a crazy difficult feat with this crew, to be sure, but still. I loved that little swagger he had after running behind Emily's car and kissing her...even as I cringed at the cheesiness factor of it. Maybe he is gay...he's a bit too fond of the over the top romantic gestures.

Has any Bachelor/Bachelorette had this many people profess love this early? Usually they wait until final two. Is everyone reading the same handbook or is Emily really that fetching? Props to her for keeping it together while Jef was reading that adorable letter. I'd be bawling like a baby.

Ok, I admit it....I'm crushing on Jef. That ranch was sick and I think Emily saw dollar signs and 100s of acres for Rickie to run around on. But I think Emily will get her heart broken big time if she chooses him. I get that Jef thinks he's in love now but I don't think Emily has what it takes to hold on to him. She's better off picking Arie...despite how rude the family was with the Dutch. If my parents tried that crap with French, I'd nip it in the bud so fast. Not cool of Arie to let it go on as long as it did. Despite that, I think that in picking Arie...Emily would be giving herself a chance at a longer term relationship. No way a relationship with Jef goes past 9 months. But I think it's too late..Emily and Jef sitting in a tree...k.i.s.s.i.n.g.

[angelpops]

For what it's worth, here's what I think: Sean would be the pick for the most "normal" life. Arie is like all the other guys she's dated before - life in the fast lane, you might say. And Jef is the wild card - he's not like anyone she's ever met before, so that is really interesting to her. If what Emily really wants is to have a million babies and stay home and raise them, she would be best off to pick Sean... but I don't think she will because that seems way too boring. I think she should pick Arie, because I really want to sleep with Arie myself. And Jef is cute and sure I'd date him, but he's really not my type and kinda too soft for me.

[legaleagle44]

Arie's family was so fucking rude, carrying on a conversation that blatently excluded their guest like that. Good for him for bringing it back to English, though he should've from the get go. You could tell Emily was pissed, and I don't blame her.

You said it. If I were ever in a situation like that, the second that crap started, I'd roll my eyes and say (in more than passable Dutch), "Ik spreek jouw praat, en ik ben hier met jouw" ("I speak your language, and I'm right here with you!") I'm really disappointed that Arie didn't call his mother out on that, even though both of Arie's parents turned out to be pretty cool in the end (and I can definitely see that Arie takes after his dad, both in looks and personality!)

[sgupta4]

I missed the first forty-five to fifty minutes of tonight's episode so I ended up missing all of Chris's HTD and much of Jef's HTD. But I'm sure I didn't miss anything during Chris's portion. He did manage to keep his composure during the RC.

But I noticed when she was on her way to meet Arie, she had a big old grin on her face. Except for the Dutch-speaking portion, I thought it went well.

With Sean, she kept using the word "perfect" all the time. That doesn't bode well for him. Plus, I don't think she's interested in him at all.

Emotionally, I think it's a contest between Arie and Jef at this point. If she does bring Sean to the F2, it will be as a placeholder thus being a dead giveaway that the other man is the F1.

ETA: I meant to comment on Arie's mom, kind of a future peek at what Emily might look like.

Edited by sgupta4, Jul 3, 2012 @ 12:59 AM.

[over30patheticgroupie]

I watched this at a friend's house which was noisy and I couldn't hear everything. Was it a prank that Sean lived at home? I don't know if he was kidding but the red flag for me was when he said his mom should have cleaned it up before he showed it to her.

angelpops, I would also choose Arie because he is the one I would want to sleep with the most. But I don't think in the long run he would be the best husband and father material (trust me on this as I have been dating an Arie type for years and am still single). His mother was a blonde and dressed kind of like Emily, I thought that was cute. I bet his mother was a looker in her younger years. I got a kick out of his twin brothers too. But I also wonder how Ricki friendly his family would be.

I think she is fascinated with Jef. He is saying all the right things for sure. But I am leery of his family, I don't know if Emily would truly be accepted or happy with them down the road.

ACK, as has been said here Sean would be the best fit but I am not feeling it for him and I don't think Emily is either.

[lady luck]

I'm not into Utah (no coffee, no booze, and a lot of judgment if you want either), and I am allergic to ranches, but wow. That place was amazing. Jef's skinny jeans? Not so much. Spandex is all kinds of bad.

Oh Arie. You had a gigantic neon sign over your head tonight that said F1, and that makes me worry. I watch this damn show to laugh at human folly, it is not fair to feature two legitimately funny and cool dudes who might actually be hurt if they're rejected. Screw you, Fleiss. This is not okay unless it leads to a double Bachelor of awesome.

Sean's a stealth creeper, and the 'jokes' were beyond awkward/unfunny. He might be closeted (there's no excuse for his faux passionate statue kissing otherwise), but he seems more like the angry and controlling type. His speech was a lot of 'my love is a unique gift that you must cherish forever'.

Really, we don't ever need to get to the Arie or Jef's heart gets crushed part. Go back to the bromance in the house and stay there forever, show.

ETA: Practical jokes are the best. But they have to be funny, and Sean's were not. The ideas could have been okay, but they couldn't pull them off. The worst part was how they left her hanging, it was uncomfortable.

Edited by lady luck, Jul 3, 2012 @ 1:19 AM.

[Shugardrawers]

Regarding Sean, I'm going to have to disagree with everyone. I think he was in a relationship where he really liked the girl, he was comfortable, she looked perfect on paper and maybe he even loved her just a little. BUT...when she started to push for a more permanent commitment I think he realized he was really leading her on all along and the guilt got to him. I think his statement about "giving himself" to a woman might have been more about an emotionally intimate relationship and not so much about sex. I really think he has a lot of guilt regarding his last relationship and knowing it wasn't a forever thing.

[Neuromancer]

It cracked me up that she was so phoney and sweet (what she called Southern) about his living at home when clearly she was horrified. And yet all the families found her so genuine.

This is exactly what bugs me about Emily. She can be so very fake. Yes, she's trying to be polite, but could her reactions in awkward situations be anymore calculated? That fake smile when Sean told her he lived with his family, and then saying it was fine, she loved the house, blah blah fakity-fakeness lie lie lie. Then even when she was alone with Sean, when he's showing her his "room", she again lies about how it's all fine, and even volunteer to clean up after him. Neither reaction was genuinely how she felt.

Another perfect example was the armadillo at the end. I love Sean's dad -- what a fun guy. I bet he was a little disappointed that he got basically NO reaction from Emily. C'mon, Emily, have a genuine moment for once. A cute squeal, or an "oh, my word!" or a "You can't mean we're going to eat that?!" or something! She's so bland, she's not even any fun to tease.

I don't blame the family, they tried, but those kinds of jokes really rely on the victim's reaction, and Emily had none.

I couldn't trust a girl like her to be my friend, not until she dropped that fake polite crap, because I'd always be wondering what she really thought.

Edited by Neuromancer, Jul 3, 2012 @ 1:35 AM.

[oakgal]

People on this show sure come from some nice neighborhoods. When was the last time we had a hometown date in a rundown apartment or condo?

The last one I remember was Ian, Meredith's final pick. It made no difference at all.

I don't recall Ian's condo being rundown. I do however remember Jen's hometown date with Jerry. His Mom (and sisters?) lived in quite a small home, I think they were lower down the economic ladder--I'm trying not to say poor. But she seemed poor. I remember Jen seemed so awkward during the visit. It was the only time I recall someone on this show not being at least middle class.

I wish they'd go back to the guy's place too. It's much more telling. It has happened recently, Deanna went to Jeremy's house.

I think it's Jef. I really do. She seems so into him. I mean, she seems into Arie too. But she seems completely smitten with Jef. She has heat with Arie but it's not the same.

Maybe it's the Kool-Aid talking, I seem to have swallowed a lot of it this season, but I'd like to see Arie as the Bachelor. You know, after Roberto.

Emily made me laugh when she showed up at Rancho Mormon in her virginal white sundress. I liked how Jef's family danced around the issue of compatibility and values. We all know what they mean. Jef clearly isn't a practicing Mormon--not with all that swearing--but it has to be an issue. Are his parents really going to be that cool with a non-Mormon wife for Jef? Hmmmm.

Sean bores me to tears. I also find his perma-grin off putting. The joke was on Sean though, I totally bought that he'd still be living at home. I can buy that 100%.

Bye Chris. Nobody is surprised except you.

Edited by oakgal, Jul 3, 2012 @ 1:44 AM.