AsanteSana

Predict Izzy is going to get used for a rose by Brett who will then summarily dump her because, in my humble opinion, he is higher on the looks scale than she is and he knows it. One thing I love about this show (and I do LOVE this show and have watched every single episode since it's inception) is that while some of it is clearly scripted the parts that aren't (like Nick's groan when Ashley I. reappeared) are so fucking fantastic. Snaggle Tooth Jared and Caila seem to be a pretty good pair who might actually work out in the real world even though it pains me to say it since she bugs the crap out of me. Daniel's communication style and brand of humor is fascinating. I could never hang out all day in a bikini and drink like these people do without feeling massively bloated and lethargic- oh to be 25 again.

Did anyone else notice Lauren walking strangely? Almost like she was injured or her back hurt? JoJo's bronze lacy bikini was pretty great- as many of you have already mentioned: her wardrobe is on point! Stark contrast to Lauren's frumpy look this week.

So Ben didn't ask any fathers for daughters hands in marriage ... Isn't this a departure from the norm? A WELCOME departure as that's always been such a goofy and forced conversation to have to witness time and again with this show. Ben is a smooth operator.. I find JoJo horrendous but Mr AsanteSana wholeheartedly disagrees with me - Caila is truly "off" as so many others have mentioned...I think she liked the attention from her family on that hometown date and that launched her into full competition mode to win prize Ben.

This show is getting better! Finally.

Amanda gently caressing Emily's(maybe?) forearm was just bizarre!! These chicks seriously are too young! Swimming with Pigs was by far my fav Bachelor moment EVER. Makes sense they were pissed off at Ben for telling Lauren B she's the only one he cared about. However, that was a serious misstep on her part to share that news. Thought she had better game.

Mauricio calling Kyle "sexy" in front of Portia made me cringe. They still seem like a complete mismatch of a couple despite their reportedly happy 20 years together. Speaking of sexy.. Katherine is not! So mannish and harsh and stern - Oof! LisaV seems out of her league all of a sudden.. Not in control nor enjoying the ride any longer

Amanda the Mother reminds me of bachelorette Emily with daughter Ricki-same voice/manner of speaking. Lauren B. has this in the bag with JoJo coming in at a close second since these 2 are who Ben appears to wish to hop in the sack with the most. Padma mentioned Lauren B is serene and aloof when hanging with the girls but super attentive to Ben when he's around without stirring up drama... This has historically been how one gets to the breathtaking Neil Lane advertisement at the end.

All these girls seem SO young and impressionable and naive - more so than in past seasons. I think Ben described bubbly sweet as his "type" and this led to casting super young barely in their 20s types. Never seen a first impression rose recipient fall so far so fast so that's been fun! I actually think Olivia is gorgeous and if she were a few years older probably would've held her own better- being on top at the beginning threw her for a loop as it's harder to maintain the lead than go after the lead- my opinion. Olivia will be a force to be reckoned with as she nears 30. Ben is on point with his social/conversational skills-great sales guy. The only time he seems "real" to me is when he's horny (or drunk? Or both?). Which is the only time I find him interesting. Go back to Shreveport Becca-find a husband in church there and stop talking about your virginity to the masses! Nobody gives a shit and now you just look pitiful and frigid!

First off I have to say I really love reading all these posts and find so many to be thoughtful and spot on! I work with menopausal women- Yolanda, given her age, is obviously in menopause. We saw her using transdermal hormone therapy a couple seasons ago- totally legit and can work like a charm. Anecdotally I have seen that many psych issues we struggle with during our teens- 40's creep back tenfold with menopause. If you are someone who struggles with an anxious nature as part of your personality, for example, you may have a strong resurgence of anxiety with menopause (same with depression etc) Also completely legit: a lab order for lyme titer. It comes back + or - There is no subjectivity about the result at that stage- A negative lyme titer has a high specificity/sensitivity- i.e. it's not likely to be a false negative. A med professional is either comfortable treating the lyme at that stage (if titer +) with antibiotics (likely if you are ordering the bloodwork then you are comfortable treating it) or the patient is sent to an infectious disease specialist. There are some rogue doctors who have questionable - meaning no rigorous double blind research studies etc- techniques for treating lyme- super long term antibiotics. We don't know if it "works" or not- it's up to the patient to stay in the conservative medical system and receive standard treatment or go elsewhere on a wing and a prayer. All this to say... I do believe Yo has been diagnosed with Lyme as borne out by serum lab results. But she's also menopausal (which can cause tremendous brain fog too) and going through a divorce-- I feel she picks and chooses when to use her Lyme as an excuse to behave a certain way as she knows no one can call her out on it without looking like an asshole. Refusing to take off wedding ring for her big implant removal surgery-- eye roll!

The scene between Noah and Max ranks as one of my favorites for the whole season. The realization that your best friend has been in love with your girlfriend then wife for decades would really put anyone over the edge regardless of how much an asshole they are. I'm relishing thinking of all the sleepless nights Max caused Noah after that reveal: Noah replaying family vacays, holidays etc in his mind when the 2 families were together over so many years. Between that and accidentally getting horny around Whitney and her friend in the hot tub = lots of emotional torment for Noah. Khama!

As an NP, I concur that it would've made more sense, not just for her but for the storyline, for Alison to continue on to become a nurse practitioner. Any type of grad school with a one year old would be horrendously difficult to pull off..I'm sure Noah hasn't changed quite as many diapers or cooked quite as many dinners over the past year as he claimed in therapy. Cynthia Nixon as therapist was a distraction! Was her hair turning white?

Can anyone speculate as to why Eden asked Noah to wait 15 minutes to find her at the party?

How annoying and "ugly American" for Julie to be liTerally finishing packing a huge suitcase for a trip and announce she's ready for Norway only to have her teen daughter correct her and remind her that the destination is actually Denmark? And not only was Julie not embarrassed by this mistake she takes it a step further and says something along the lines of "oh well it's the same place". No they are not the same place, Julie! Get your head out of your JUB balls!