KateHearts

I think that Grody was thinking about how noble and virtuous *he* was to take the virginity of his wives. Rather a chest-pounding experience, no?

Russ abandoned a work assignment when he and Pao were engaged because she called him crying and lonely. He said something like, "there will be other jobs, but there's only one Pao." I'm sure he's eating those words now.

I think this is Jorge's issue: he is a boy (presumably the youngest) who grew up amongst a gaggle of very strong women. They shamed, bullied and bossed him through childhood and beyond. This is what he knows. This is what women are to him. He has no idea of what it's like to be treated well and equally. Just my armchair psych analysis. And he thinks waving around wads of cash makes him cool.

Nicole: "I don't KNOWWWWWW-UHHHH. I don't want to TALK ABOUT ITTT...UHHHH." Is she older than twelve? And it's obvious that just talking over others is something her well-meaning (?) mother never told her is rude. The most punch-worthy currently is Chantal. She eyerolls nearly as much as Anfisa does. And treats Pedro with as much respect as someone who sees a roach in their house. Her expressions towards him are like she just noticed that she's stepped in dog poop. "I don't have a dress, I don't even know if anyone will even be at my wedding." Well, why do you think? Maybe because you kept your fiancé a deep, dark secret all these months? Sorry, no sympathy.

IIRC, Russ was sent to an assignment once Pao reached Oklahoma (during the 90 days) and opted to ditch and go back home because she was sad that he had left. He subsequently lost his job- so I'm sure his depression is due in part to the fact that he sabotaged his own career by making that decision. I appreciate the insight into the economic picture in the oil/energy industry jobs.

I think Devar loves Melanie. But he needs to be told that comments like "we'll be boinkin' and boinkin' and boinkin' till we make a baby" are viewed as a little crass. Pao playing the strong women's libber "It's my body!!! It's my career!" is a bunch of crap. She's going to Miami to live the fun life and hang out with her newly-minted friends. I find it hard to understand why Russ, an engineer, is having such a hard time finding a job. But he seems miserable and conflicted and deep down I think he knows that whatever compromise he offers, it won't be enough for Pao. I thought that Loren looked bad at the reunion- another one with big, fake looking hair and too much makeup. And they were all obviously coached to make exaggerated expressions of surprise/shock/horror at the Mo and Danielle discussions. It really wasn't anyone's show but theirs. Because, you know, America needs to know that Danielle is stinky and provided a "terrible life" for Mo (who really believes his own shtick about how it's unfair to him, how no one should have to deal with her craziness, and how he needed to protect himself). He's got it down really well. His body language spoke much more than his words. And how is he financing his nice new shoes, his trips around the country, and his hotel rooms?

He doesn't seem to be driving the Audi (I think it was an Audi) convertible he picked Anfisa up at the airport with. He seems to drive a garden-variety Honda. All the phone ringing was totally fake. How could he be talking on the phone and it's ringing out loud at the same time? Does he have two phones? And the beeping? The iPhone feature used to track someone doesn't make noise. It just shows you on a map, and it doesn't interfere with the other person at all. Fake, fake, fake drama.

As for Paola, she embodies everything I dislike about the way women can manipulate men (or perhaps anyone can manipulate another person)- she mocks him, she tells half-truths to her family to get them to side with her, she belittles him, she refuses to discuss things in an adult manner then storms off announcing "I'm done with this conversation." Um, ok then.

Just started watching and I seriously want to punch Loren in the face. She gets whinier and whinier with each episode (watch their season in the beginning- she had a lot more personality) and the vocal fry ("ohmygod this isn't happeninnnnggggg") is like nails on a chalkboard. I wonder if she was adopted... she looks nothing like her parents or sister and they cater so much to her. (Maybe it's her "deepest darkest secret," the Tourette's?) She said something early on when they were waiting on the K1 like "If anyone deserves to be together, it's us!" Honey, no one deserves special treatment in this life. We all work hard and we all have to suffer some pain. You just aren't such a special snowflake. Poor, poor Danielle. She just doesn't see how the world works. "I'm hopin' that this will turn out to be a fun vacation for me and Mohammed." Girl, if those texts and calls are going through and you aren't getting a response, the reason is pretty obvious!

I can't imagine that Jorge is professing "love" and that he is puzzled by her rebuffs if she didn't somehow lead him to believe that she cared for him. Then again, who knows if Jorge has any grasp of what a normal adult romantic relationship is all about.

This seems to come up with every couple at some point. Yes, she had. But they both knew it and went into it wide-eyed. I don't like when they pull it up for the sake of getting their way. Well, his work DID until she called and cried about being lonely while he was out on a job and he packed up and came home early. Surprise... he then lost his job. When the K1 visa doesn't allow the "incoming" fiance to work, then the host fiance (American) has to support them. Which is going to be hard. But again- they would expect this, right?

I don't think Jorge is "right." But goddamn, why does everyone justify Anfisa's "totally open and honest approach" to why she is here? Would it be as acceptable for a man like Mark from season 3 to say, "I enjoy taking a girl-child far from her native land to my home far away so I can dominate her"? (He didn't; he justified it by saying he was "in love"). How about "I'm cruel and I enjoy hurting animals and small children. Hey, I'm honest about what gets me going, so just accept me as I am." Sorry, but there are social and human norms that shouldn't be crossed. No, you don't expect to "buy" another person for sex and to use as arm candy. But you also don't openly despise, exploit and mistreat another human for your own (financial and material) gain. None of it is right. I just really dislike the "you go, Anfisa!" attitude when she is a self-centered, selfish and downright vicious human. The only time I have ever seen her smile on this show is when she is looking in the mirror.

I didn't say moving was weak; I said it wasn't a smart move in my opinion. To go to a brand new city across the country with no job prospects is not the most responsible plan. Similarly, Russ just couldn't bear to stay away from Paola to do his (what seemed to be responsible, well-paying) job as an engineer because she was sad and missed him- so he left work mid-assignment to be with her. And look where that got him. I have heard many versions of the "I've given everything up to be here with you" and "I want her/him to be happy because she/he gave up everything to come here" on this show. While that might be true, the decisions were made by mature adults who weighed the pros and cons. Of course it's hard to leave what you know and move far away, but the American half of the pair is the one who must work and provide financial means for them both- at least early on.

I think Kyle is weird and his eyes bother me. They always seem red-rimmed and he's very weak-acting. While I understand that Noon may have been intimidated by New Orleans, for him to up and move across the country to try and make her happy wasn't a smart move, IMO. And I agree with others who don't understand why now she HAS to stay longer than 6 months? That's a long time. If her dad is dying, then it's probably long enough. If she just wants to spend time and help them out, that's long enough too. She's looking for a way out. Of course, when I went back and watched the episodes where she first arrived and saw his horrific disgusting apartment, I wondered why she didn't hop on the next plane back right then and there.

What's okay is what works for the couple . Who can say one way is "right" or "wrong"?

There was no suggestion throughout the entire season that he ever really went to work. Then again, if he wants to live a life hanging out in a half-finished bus in his bare feet, going to surf (because you know, the ocean is his blood), then I guess he doesn't need much to finance that lifestyle.

See, I just can't find anything admirable, funny or amusing about a real-life person who is so shallow and lacking in character taking advantage of a man who is so lacking in self-worth the only way he feels he loves someone is if he's being abused by them. They both must have very deep, long-standing childhood issues. Jorge needs therapy, not to learn a lesson. And she needs to realize that looks inevitably fade; if you have no redeemable personality characteristics, then after that you will lead a lonely life.

My use of the word "dream" was used extremely sarcastically, obviously. With a child and a low-paying job, it's possible Nicole receives food stamps and some assistance. I recall her home looking like a very modest frame house; it's possible she's renting from a family member. At any rate, with a child at stake, I would be willing to bet her family is providing a lot of backup for her.

Bell's palsy is an acute event and usually a bit more dramatic than we see in Nicole's mother. I just looked at a clip from when she took Nicole to the airport and it looks primarily limited to her mouth. Could be a nerve injury. Strokes don't always affect the entire side of the body; some people just have weakness in a leg or hand.

"This is my question. I seem to remember Nicole proudly stating "she lives on her own" in the first episode. I think it's also been established that she's a barista at a local Starbucks. Assuming no college degree? She's never mentioned as currently pursuing more education as well either?" (... is anyone having difficulty with the quote function?) My guess is that Nicole is living the dream of receiving public assistance, family help to care frequently for her daughter, with the hope always just around the corner of a far-away Prince to take her away from it all.

I can't go along with this... she's a despicable, greedy and cruel user- honest or not, she's taking advantage of some real flaw in Jorge's personality- the fact that he relishes her contempt and mistreatment screams "psychiatric disorder." Honest or not, Anfisa couldn't care less if he got run down by a bus tonight.

I think there is a lot of emphasis on the American half of the couples' feeling "guilty" that their foreign betrothed "gives up everything to come here," and thus feels obligated to give them everything they desire. This is another red flag to Nicole that she needs to get her health in check. Panting and nearly "passing out" walking up a desert hill because exercise "isn't your thing"- in your early 20s is NOT ok and she could be heading down the same path as Mom. If her mom did indeed have a stroke, she can't be much older than perhaps 50- and that could mean some bad genetics in the wings for Nicole (in addition to her unwillingness to eat well, exercise or otherwise take care of herself).

I think there is a lot of emphasis on the American half of the couples' feeling "guilty" that their foreign betrothed "gives up everything to come here," and thus feels obligated to give them everything they desire.

OK, I had to laugh at the word "gluten" in here. But anyway, yes- Jorge, for some reason (I can't figure it out) is lapping up the abuse like a neglected pet. He actually SMILES when he asks, "you mean you're only dating me to buy you things?" It's hard to feel sorry for him when you just know he has understood this from the beginning. Similarly, Danielle is this way with Mo- "I think he's tryin' to get outta the marriage." (Smile) Ya THINK? And how do you smile about this stuff and then boo-hoo to the camera that you are losing the love of your life? Chantal couldn't even admit to her lie to the camera when she said, "My family doesn't trust me and they *sure* don't trust Pedro." Yeah, you set him up, dumbass- and now to make yourself look even worse, you won't even own up to that. As for River, he's got a screw loose, or else he's just playing this whole scene up to secure his position as Favored Child. I'm sure Mommy has coddled Chantal and her cheer career forever, and now that sis has committed the Big Coverup, what better way for River to earn eternal favor with Mommy and Daddy than to play this for all it's worth? Nicole is incredibly obtuse. The whole discussion with Mom's friend flew over her head- the talk about May, about whether this is what will work for Nicole and her family, translated into, "Guess I gotta talk to Azan and ask him what he wants." I also think she fancies herself a very liberated, modern woman when she blurts out things like "why can't the men stay home with the kids?" and "I'm not a sit here and take it kind of girl." Yeah, you really do make the modern American woman look admirable. As for Matt's mom, she made a turn from the "We can't have a beach wedding because it may upset Matthew" to "It's too expensive for our family" (implied: we've gone to three f*ing weddings for my loser son already; we're fed up). Although she meant well, I don't like how she totally steered everything towards what she wanted and Alla, who is really innately so nice, decided it wasn't something she should stand her ground on. Matt evidently had no say in the matter whatsoever. I had to laugh at the dancer writhing on him in the preview for next week. He looked absolutely repulsed.

Uh... I think Jorge has already proven to the world that a complete fool is exactly what he is.