Pepper Mostly

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!

I agree, Neurochick. I don't mind a bit that Jessica is an aspiring actress--actresses need love too! But why did they make such a show of excluding people from consideration who were actively looking to be on TV!? "We took great care to weed out the people who just wanted fame". um. no you didn't. you just weeded out the ones who weren't photogenic enough, or the right "types" for the stories you wanted to tell. Why not just gloss all that over, since we all already know that you pick who you want to pick? And that's fine too, its their show and they can do whatever they want. I just can't figure out why all the phony earnestness.

The whole bunch of them skeeved me right out. Charity pooping in her living room, Charly looking like she was on a fast train to the 700 pound mark, and the strange, not-quite-present "fiance". I'm not usually one for armchair diagnoses, but I took one look at him and thought "Fetal Alcohol Syndrome". Must have been his eyes, and his weird spaced out demeanor. And heaven help me, the only thing I could think every time they showed that apartment was "dear god it must smell horrific in there". They were cleaning Charity with baby wipes! The whole crew looked so unhealthy, sitting like bumps on a log, wordlessly devouring cheeseburgers. Awful. No snark. Just so sad and depressing.

I think she asked based on his last name, which sounded Italian to me, too!

Ryan's veneers are a bit unfortunate, but I think he's cute. He seems like a very nice, low key guy. Jacklyn seems like the kind of girl who goes for big palookas who spend their lives at the gym, use lots of hair gel, and live for air guitar. I like Jessica quite a bit, she seems sweet; and Davina will be the most interesting of the three. She's trying very hard to be cool and in control, but I'm betting she is more vulnerable and less tough than she lets on. Ryan D. is a hard read for me--sometimes he has an awkwardness/shyness that I find very appealing, but sometimes he comes across cocky and really BRO, you know? Sean I like too. He has a nice calm energy that I like. Will he be able to steady the moody Davina? They interest me. I nominate Sean's mother's bitchface for best supporting character. She was so not happy with the whole thing. I loved how Ryan and Jessica's mothers became besties in minutes, it was really cute. Just what I would do, too, if my son did a crazy thing like this!

hahaha, you guise! Yer killin me! I too think Davina and Sean have the best chance. They both seem intelligent, open and interested in making the thing a success. I agree that Davina is probably more vulnerable than she lets on, but Sean has a nice, calming way about him and if he's the guy I think he is, could be a good foil for her. (but omg, the bitchface on his mother! Geez, lady, try to behave like a grown up. He's not going to Mars. If it doesn't work out he can move on and have a really cool story to tell.) I actually like Jessica quite a bit. She seems very sweet. I really loved her closeness to her family and how well they reacted to her news! And for all her tears, I think she has more realistic expectations than Jackie. Jesus, "The Notebook"? Despite that, on the intro show I liked her a lot, she seemed like a lively funloving girl, but able to be serious and she totally had me snowed with her "I believe in this process, I trust the experts, I am going to do my best to make this work!" Haha. then she sees who they've picked for her and its all out the window. And dear me, his accent is annoying? Listen to yourself for two minutes. Good lord. But I thought for sure Jessica would be matched with Ryan R.! I could see her being very enthusiastic about going out and doing girly stuff with his niece , really befriending her. They both seemed to be homebodies very family focused. And for sure I thought Ryan D. and Jaclyn would be matched. But what do I know? I'm no expert. I think the experts were being way disingenuous with the "they were both bullied" and "they both love family" criteria. No mention of shared values, shared expectations of marriage, shared interests? come on! And its not like there were time constraints that necessitated editing down the discussions of these issues. My god, how many times did I have to hear "These are real, legal marriages! If it doesn't work out, they'll have to get a divorce!" or endless recaps of Jackie saying she love The Notebook? Jesus, this show! All that said I am so in. Cannot wait to see how this all unfolds!

Rochelle isn't a truck stop girl, though. She's an engineer, who does roller derby as a hobby. Their hook is that they're an "odd couple" I guess. I just thought she was tired and frustrated. I was glad to see her partner persuade her to switch. I like him a lot--he's very calm. Loving the lawyers and the Olympians are cute. I continue to like Hayley but dislike Blair. Star of the episode? The cute accessories they got at the ice rink. Whenever they get accessories to put on for a task I always think "I would totally swipe that".

I loved Doug last season but now he repulses me utterly. He always looks grubby and his adolescent behavior makes me cringe. I've come to like Jamie a little more--she's a mess, sure, but I think she's really trying and wants things to work. I LOVED Jason and Cortney last season and this season I LOVE Jason but I'm losing my shit over Cortney. She's so clingy and needy and critical. I think Jason is really, really making a big effort to share his feelings and be a good husband. He clearly loves her and has done so much to try to please her. She seems to have decided what a Perfect Relationship consists of (probably from an article in Cosmopolitan or something) and can't or won't see her kind and generous husband for who he is. I feel bad for Jason, because this thing is going to crash and burn, and Cortney is going to be very vindictive and mean in the aftermath. And he will be bewildered and heartbroken. After all his struggles he deserves a good, kind and supportive wife. (every time I see that pic of him and his mother on Christmas when he was a little kid, I tear up.) I'm sure he would prefer some consideration and empathy to those cheesy boudoir shots. Sheesh.

Hayley was probably excited too. She was hoping to meet a nice guy who would appreciate her. Then she gets teamed with a cold, arrogant guy who writes her off from the beginning. She didn't make a great first impression, but it turns out she has a highly skilled, challenging and honorable profession, and is probably a pretty smart, decisive person. A trauma nurse can't dither. She was right when Blair insisted on going in the wrong direction. She's the one who spotted Phil first. Blair seems to have judged her on her looks and tiny voice and overlooked the competent person inside. He could have done a lot better at behaving with common good manners and civility, but he preferred to pout and bite off one word answers.

I agree wholeheartedly! At first I was all "oh here we go, dippy blonde". BUT she's an RN with specialty training, she can't be dumb. Yes, she's a chatterbox, but I put it down to nerves, she was trying to keep a conversation going and Blair was not helping. I like her, hate him so far. When she was right and he was wrong I cackled with glee. And yes, I see why he's single. Condescending, overbearing douche. Prove me wrong, Blair. But somehow I don't think you will. I loved the lawyers too. They both seem very rational and analytical, as well as kind--they were both making every effort to be thoughtful and considerate of the other, which warmed my cold black heart quite a bit. I also loved how sweet Truck Stop Guy was to to his partner. He was so calm and soothing. Love him, and I like her too. I'm a crier under stress and really felt for her. You just know she didn't want to be The One Who Cries. I was very anti this format but it was mitigated greatly by the fact that it wasn't all blind date couples, and that production seemed to really match people thoughtfully, and that everyone seems pretty generally likeable. I'm a happy fan!

I have 35 episodes on my tivo right now--some little local station is running two episodes a day!! I'm a happy viewer. Last night I watched "Eviction". What a great show. All the characters are real people, not cardboard stereotypes, and everyone changed and grew over time. I love it.