Pepper Mostly

They were all hunched over their plates like someone was going to steal them. Jesus. What a bunch of prizes.

A guy can be a take-charge person without being an aggressive door slamming foot stamping baby. And he can be a nice guy who listens and has empathy without being a dopey emotional cry baby. Why does it have to be one or the other? Jessica wanted a strong confident man. NOT a selfish overbearing man child. I can see her becoming more sensitive and emotional as time goes on, not because she's an oversensitive baby, but because of the the cumulative effect of Ryan's hair trigger temper and overly aggressive "jokes". She is feeling vulnerable. I don't see why it is solely Jessica's responsibility to "train" Ryan. Shouldn't he at least have some interest in trying to understand her, too? Flouncing around, muttering under your breath and saying that she's "too sensitive" or "too emotional" does not do anything to solve their problems. At this point I think Jessica is a little afraid of him.

How can she take care of him? She can't cook, probably won't clean, and if she can sew on a button, well, I'd be very surprised. She'll be out getting pedicures and giggling with her equally horrible girlfriends about how she's spending too much money. Once she gets knocked up she will have five baby showers (with a french fry bar--so klassy!), and yes, will demand a housecleaner. "I had to have one", she'll smirk.

That poor little girl making meatloaf while the whole family watched her, oy. And if either of them has gone to high school, much less finished, I'll eat my hat. I'm sure Christian will have a nice job in the family "paving" business. Or he can rent a storefront and put Maria to work telling fortunes. What a horrible man child. I tried to tell myself that he's just acting out because he feels uncomfortable, but my empathy bone must be broken. Jesus. Sad little Maria, with her braces still on her teeth. He did not have one kind word for her. Megan is dead to me, really. She's so awful. If you say Southern Belle to me, I expect beauty, charm, elegance, and biscuit making ability. So Megan fails on all counts. What exactly does she bring to the table? The ability to trowel on makeup is no substitute for a personality. Does she work? The MIL too. Oh my god. Yes, do all you can to grab the attention at your son's wedding. All of these people are just dreadful.

My heart is breaking for Jessica. She won't engage because she doesn't want Ryan to get mad. She said she was walking on eggshells and I think she might be a little afraid of him. Yes, she should stick up for herself and push back a little, but she's not wired that way. And now she's doing everything she can to avoid a confrontation. But it doesn't matter, since he seems to regard anything other than her complete agreement as a challenge. That whole exchange about the dresser/closet was just ridiculous. "I have suits!" Um, Jessica probably has some dresses. you can't really put those in a drawer. He's a dick. I love Ryan and Jackie and I think they will do the best. They are both very thoughtful and considerate of the other. Ryan is so laid back and low key, but I think he's pretty funny, and Jackie likes to laugh. I smile whenever they're on. Which is good because Sean and Davina make me want to claw out my own eyeballs.

I just love these two. That is all.

When Ryan was packing his stuff at the hotel, he was bemoaning the wrinkled state of his clothes and saying his drycleaning bill was going to be through the roof. Jackie told him he needed a steamer and that she loved hers. So I thought it was totally cute that she got him the steamer--it was a little private joke of theirs--as well as funny AND practical! (I love practical gifts, woe betide anyone who gives me jewelry or a crystal vase!)

hahahaha-that was driving me bonkers! "here in the south, we don't like to talk about how much our pageant gowns cost". I don't get why she thinks she's such a prize. Her farmer boy (med student and headed for a "Diseases of the Rich" specialty) seems like a nice guy, grounded, and no nonsense. Why is he saddling himself with haggard, shrill Meghan?

I'll just pull up a chair over here, okay? I brought muffins! Totally down for the Romani couple. The poor little girl did seem terrified, but it seems she was able to communicate with her MIL about her taste in dresses! She said she didn't like ball gowns and the MIL seemed hell bent on one, but at the wedding she wore a sleeker look. She looked so pretty. and so young. MIL made me laugh! I read Peter Maas' book "King of the Gypsies" years and years ago, and I've been hooked ever since. There's not much out there about Gypsy culture so it would be nice to get another piece of the puzzle, even if its through the filter of a reality TV show. (here's an article I found about the subject of Maas' book, from 1989! http://articles.latimes.com/1989-05-28/local/me-1408_1_bimbos-gypsies-seeks-new-image-new-king)Check out this quote! "Although Tene does not believe in selling daughters as brides, he suggested that a dowry could be offered instead. But it would be a mistake, Tene said, to arrange marriages where the bride was literally given away. "If you get a dog for free, you aren't going to treat it as good as a dog you paid for," Tene reasoned, reaching for another cigarette." !! Indian couple left me cold. I like the guy but the girlfriend seems wound up kind of tight. Southern couple? Oh my god. Josh or whatever his name is should run from this trainwreck. Girl is only 24, looks 40, and is so shallow she makes a rain puddle look like Lake Superior. And she does that thing where she thinks she's cute and adorable by winking at the camera and saying she always gets what she wants. Ick.

Further proof that Jessica is kind and gracious. She didn't laugh or shrink back in terror! She says "its nice!" convincingly. Maybe she can add it to her audition reel.

I agree too. Its not like he's living in his childhood bedroom, he's got the basement fixed up like a little apartment. He's probably the only one of his family who isn't married so he's the logical one to be at home and help his mother out. Good for him, I say. It shows his kind heart and loyal nature. And his mother cracked me up completely with her "is it IMPORTED?" when she opened her gift from Jacklyn. I don't know why, but that just struck me so funny! On the not funny side--sad clown. Oh my god. If I walked into a guy's house and saw a sad clown picture (painted by his grandma, no less!) I would lose it. I am a hell of a lot more creeped out by a sad clown painting than I am by a guy who is helping his mother raise his orphaned niece!

I said out loud at this revelation: "Why do you have to make me so mad, baby? I don't want to have to hit you!" And he went straight into passive voice "things were said". Still not feeling this guy. He's a self centered jerk who won't take responsibility for his actions. Jessica is a sweet girl and I'm sorry for her, you can see her disappointment. Loving Ryan and Jackie. She's a genuinely nice person and I love how thoughtful she is. That clothes steamer for Ryan! I laughed out loud, it was just the sort of thing I would give someone. I adore her. Davina and Sean. I agree that they are off, somehow. Their conversations don't feel organic. They don't seem to really have fun. I can see a fun loving couple enjoying being goofy with holiday t shirts and hats, but on them they just looked weird and awkward.

I spent many years working at a dental school, next door to a big city hospital. Everyone wore scrubs everywhere, but there were very strict rules about wearing gowns, masks or gloves outside the clinics. I certainly see people in scrubs on the subway every day, going to and from work at Mass General!

hahahahahaha, this made me laugh really, really hard! every last one of these people says "I just really love food!" Honey. that shit you are eating might technically be called food, but come ON. I could understand it better if they were Paul Pruhomme levels of fat because they were eating fabulous, delicious food (and Chef Prudhomme lost the weight in the end!) But they are eating junk! None of what they eat looks remotely appetizing! Fast food is addictive, I know. But these are adults! Eat an apple once in a while! How can they live on that garbage? I agree that watching Dr. Now driving his car to Marla's house was made of awesome. In his white coat. And he entered the house with his stethoscope around his neck! I love him.

I completely agree. Then Ryan will sit with his bros, crying in his beer about how girls don't want a "nice guy" like him. Douchenozzle.

Poor Jessica. This is what she gets for saying she wants a man to wear the pants, I guess. To the "experts" this means a wildly insecure douchebro who only knows how to show a girl he likes her by putting a frog down her back. Then go high five his bros and mock her: "why so sensitive? Its a joke!". Guys like him make me sick. She should RUN not walk away from this asshat.

I've said from day one that Ryan D. has anger issues. I stand by that assessment. He seems to have a lot of free floating hostility which he sublimates as "jokes". Jessica did everything he wanted, even though she was scared. Not once did he offer reassurance or a kind word. Just his adolescent "jokes" and "kidding". He's so afraid he'll look whipped to his buddies that he's being a total jerk. (Newflash dude--I'm guessing your sainted Poppy didn't give a damn what his bros thought. His wife was his priority, not his asshole friends.) Jesus, he even thought he was being emasculated by swimming with dolphins. And he has no interest whatsoever in communicating. He says its important, but he must come from some planet where communicating means "I say what is supposed to happen, and you shut up". When Jessica tried to explain how she felt, he stormed off like a teenager. He is AWFUL and my heart goes out to Jessica. Every time Ryan opens his mouth all that comes out is douchebaggery. Davina I'm giving a pass for now. She has high expectations and low patience, I think. She expects all smooth sailing and no friction. I had a moment of "oh-oh" but they sat down and talked like grown ups, so I'm still hopeful for them. I do think she is fragile, and high maintenance, but I also think she knows this about herself and is willing to change. I have great hope for Jaclyn and Ryan! The dance lesson was so cute! (imagine if Jessica and Ryan had a dance lesson! or a couples massage! the mind reels.) I appreciate the effort they are both making. Back to my original Jackie love.

Awww. :D Back at ya, roamyn!!

I believe Italians are white also. I don't believe Davina "hates" her culture and/or background. She's not connected to it. I can't fault her for it--I know a lot of people who don't feel especially connected to their ethnic background. shrug. To me its just different strokes.

Not for nothing, but Indian is not a race, its a nationality. As I understand it, Indians would consider themselves white. If a woman of Italian extraction said "no Italian men!" would anyone care? And if Davina never practiced her religion or isn't particularly religious, is it self hate if she says she doesn't care what religion, if any, a potential husband has? Do I hate myself because I was brought up in the United Church of Christ, but I'm an atheist? Davina never really experienced Indian culture, except in a negative way. I think she's forged an identity that suits her, and owns it. A couple of generations ago this was the norm here in the US. People assimilated and left their old culture behind. Maybe granny spoke the native language but the kids grew up speaking English, playing baseball, and eating hot dogs and hamburgers. Do they all hate themselves too? Nowadays its the fashion to own your ethnic background with pride, and I'm all for that. But it is decidedly not one size fits all. And I still think Ryan is a Colossal Douchebag. I am aghast at his douchiness. I'm sorry, but if any guy dumped me in the water he would get his walking papers pronto. He KNEW she was scared, and he scared her on purpose. They are still feeling each other out and he used what little knowledge he has about her to "joke" and "kid" by doing things she doesn't like. Who does that? A douchebag. A tone deaf, self centered douchebag. I'd be delighted to see if he proves me wrong, but I have doubt.

Every douchey thing he did, he called "a joke". He is AWFUL. Self centered, boorish, and insensitive. Him dumping her in the water was just cruel. And then he did it again! His talking heads remind me of nothing so much as a 13 year old boy who thinks he's the smoothest thing ever. Sheesh. she needs to run, not walk, away from this train wreck.

So, Ryan D. and Jessica are going to go down in flames, I guess? I like her, I think she's sweet, if a little naive. Ryan is a Douchebag of the first water. The guy who makes nasty little barbs then says he was "just joking". The guy who thinks throwing someone in the water is funny. Then does it a second time. My mouth dropped open when he swept all the cheesy little decorations off the bed, as soon as Jessica said leave them for a minute, they're cute. This guy is aggressive and has anger issues, hides it with these douchey behaviors and says its all in fun. Did his sainted grandparents have this kind of dynamic? Run, Jessica, run! I continue to like Sean and Davina--they are thoughtful people, taking their time. I just hope Sean apologized abjectly to the hotel employees he went off on. Jacklyn, you are KILLING me. WHY did she feel it important to order for them both in the restaurant? I don't think she's awful, just really, really tone deaf. She's used to being on her own and it shows. She's hilarious in a way, though! There's something about her and Ryan that makes me want to see them succeed. They both seem so vulnerable somehow.

I like Robert too. I loved Mark Cuban in his season also--I really like the non showbiz types, I guess. I want to see non-dancers get better, that's why I love this show! I know Patti Labelle won't last long, but I enjoy her zestfulness. And holy mother of god, her outfits at rehearsal! no sweats for Miss Patti! That orange shirt she was wearing looked like raw silk. It cracked me up. Everyone else is in hard working dance gear, and she's impeccable and elegant in a silk shirt! Respect.

I was really impressed with Mike's sons. The wife, not so much. She loves playing the martyr a little too much. And yes, the boys should leave. But I'm sure they would see it as abandoning their mother. Lauren was just sad. Again I was impressed by her family. My heart broke for her son.

omigod, the picture with the guitar made me "awwwww" out loud! What a couple of goofballs--I think I'm going to enjoy them after all!