Andromeda

Exactly. Of course the producers set up the concert date with the rose — I didn’t see anyone seriously proposing that Chris came up with that idea on his own (he's so not a rule-breaker or out-of-the-box thinker). It’s all in how Chris handled it, and he did so poorly. And no producer forced him to mack on Britt in front of the other ladies while they were writing supposed love songs to him, or to hold Britt’s hand when they came back into the room. That's alllll Chris.

Absolutely not. He never cared about the women's feelings because he's too much of a narcissist. I was thinking more of Brad Womack, Andrew Firestone, even Jason. Ari the racecar driver would probably be a good choice -- he seemed to have his act together in terms of socializing.

It's because he left the women wondering. If he'd gathered them all together and made his choice, as we've seen done a zillion times in the past, the rest of the women could have gone back to the hotel instead of sat there confused and hurt that their "date" essentially dumped them. I really wonder if he was told to take his choice to the concert DURING his 1-on-1 time with her. If so, he could easily have pushed back on production. I think he probably just felt "Screw it, I want to get over to that concert, and I want to take Britt, so let's go!" I don't think he thinks about the ramifications of his actions on the other women at all (or he wouldn't have been canoodling with Britt RIGHT IN FRONT of the other women--talk about rude!). He was more interested in impressing Britt and making out with her than any other concern. He doesn't work well for this show for that reason. The ideal bachelor is more of a woman's man -- he knows how women think and what might upset them, and how to reassure them. He can also juggle his relationships. I don't think Chris has those skills, so he doesn't engage much. But most importantly, the bachelor needs to have high-level social skills, so he'd know better than to dump his dates and run off without a word. Maybe the word I'm looking for is sophistication. Or class.

Oh, they'd know. They probably knew when they cast him. That's why they cast so many crazies and Big Personalities. I think they do talk about that stuff, but ABC doesn't want to get into airing the contestant's personal movie reviews and sports team fandom. More, they want to steer clear of politics, and often religion, and they don't want to rag on any part of the country, either (leaving out the "I can't wait to get out of [insert geographical location here], it sucks." The restriction is in what is shown rather than what the two people actually say during all those hours. We only see a few minutes, after all. And personal music preferences played a role this episode, with Chris saying he loved country music and Britt pretending she'd just discovered it.

I confess I didn't recognize Big and Rich. I vaguely knew the name when I figured out what the women were calling them. And maybe I recognized one of them. But the fuzzier guy (is he Big?) totally won me over during his pep talk/run with Jade. We need a Bachelor with a personality like his! It really by contrast showed how dull Chris is.

Britt is from Detroit, apparently. My husband is from So. Cal., and being that it's in the west, they aren't strangers to country western music. Many steak houses and Tex-Mex bars and restaurants have it on continuous loop. I just think she doesn't like it. But then, from Day One I've been of the opinion she's really wrangling (heh) for a Bachelorette spot, not for Chris Soules' heart and small town. I'm fuzzy on what happened at the end of the last episode and how it relates to the start of this one. Kelsey was all "I'm a shoo-in for a rose!" to the other women, then Chris came out looking dour, then he left and Kelsey had a meltdown. Is that the gist of it? So bizarre. Her anxiety attack on the floor was ridiculous. The EMT kept asking her how bad the pain was, and I heard Kelsey say she wasn't in pain. Then later I heard the EMT ask what the pain level was on a scale of 0-10, and again she said she wasn't in pain. The poor EMT probably wasn't sure what to do with her, being that it was all a sham. I've had anxiety attacks, and they can feel like a heart attack, which is only one reason I think she was being entirely manipulative. Chris booting her certainly seemed to roll off her back easily enough, just saying.

Riiiight, because Hollywood is an isolated place, where no country music is ever heard. I call bull***t on Britt's claim at the concert when she cried out "I love this song!" As if she had never heard country music before. Because she hails from Outer Mongolia, apparently. I think she hates country music (I'm also not a fan), but is being fake as usual and trying to be what Chris wants. Like saying last week that she wanted 100 children, after telling someone in the house she didn't want kids at all. If her connection with Chris was genuine, it would be OK if she didn't like country music -- since when is shared musical tastes a requirement for a relationship? That's first-date stuff anyway, and they should be past it by now. I also thought some of Britt's expressions when Chris was (crappily) singing his (crappy) song were way OTT, and completely fake. I wish the other women had gone down the street to gamble, drink, and flirt instead of sitting there waiting for the King to return. Blech.

I cannot wait. I imagine some of these women -- who haven't spent time in or near truly rural, isolated towns -- were imagining some white-picket-fence fantasy like the Gilmore Girls town with it's park and gazebo, and flower baskets hanging on lamp posts lining the clean, well-kept streets. Not a wide spot in the road with a single general store that specializes in cow feed and hay. Even most homes won't be in or near town -- they may have an Arlington address, but I bet Chris still has to hop in the truck to get to the store.

I said the same thing. They should have had a revolt and told the producers they were walking off the show. Why didn't Chris address ALL of them and say he had a special treat for one, and then name Britt, like is generally done when the bachelor presents a rose on a group date? So, so poorly handled! I would have dumped his ass right there. What a crappy date he is. That, and making out with Britt in front of the other women, while expecting them to write him love songs... Ugh. What a stinker he's turned out to be. Loved the 2 on 1, so glad he ditched both of them. I was marginally on Ashley's side, because--while really immature and ridiculous with her crying--I believe she's honestly feeling what she's feeling. The other chick is a stone-cold psycho bitch. I also have a large vocabulary. What the HELL does that have to do with talking down to the women and making snippy comments? Oh, right, nothing. Carly is growing on me. I think she's cute and fun, and genuine. And she knows how to pour champagne in a row of glasses! Carly for the next Bachelorette!! So funny that Ashley's response to "You wouldn't be happy in Arlington" was "neither would Britt!" Which is SO true, but wasn't going to endear her to Chris. Britt is Chris's last fling before settling down -- which is why he can't keep his hands off of her. She's gorgeous, but never, ever will she marry Chris and settle for being his wife. I think she's fake, but friendly -- not nearly as weirdly fake and strange as Kelsey turned out to be (to think I once was rooting for her, when she ragged on the muddy lake date.) Kelsey acting so concerned and solicitous of Chris's feelings after he ditched Ashley really took the cake. You know she really wanted to jump around and cheer. It was a big ball of awesome to watch Chris dump her in turn. I can only see Becca and Whitney as possible matches for Chris at this point.

Well said. Marigold is so not going to be a RAD child. Lego Mary is HORRID. I am appalled that no one else even notices how nasty she is. Bates sucks. I've been wondering about Anna's acceptance of the idea that he could have murdered her rapist, ever since she worried about it after the rape. Because Bates was found innocent of his wife's murder, but suddenly Anna was so certain he would murder the rapist. It made no sense to me -- which is it? Did she think him innocent of killing his wife? Or did she just want him found innocent, but deep down think him perfectly capable of murder? So weird, so creepy.

Kelsey posted this on her Facebook page: Ugh. She's bragging about being a widow, like it's all about her. Makes me wonder if she wasn't ready to break up with her husband, but the decision was taken out of her hands when he keeled over. Note to Kelsey: NO one is trying to take anything away from you that you haven't already devalued by your own words and behavior.

Sorry I missed that. She just seemed so uncomfortable from the get-go, that I wanted to see him opt out of the entire thing for her sake.

I think they've figured out to do what we joke about here, putting some "fear" on their applications that they'd really love to do. All the comments are so spot on, I don't have much to add. The Mexico/New Mexico mixup was so bizarre, with the bit at the end. She seemed to still think New Mexico was a different country, what with the sombrero. And the...uh...Native American song? Chris is so bland, the producers helped Jordan come back to stir up the remaining women. Kelsey...wow, weird way to talk about "your story." Why is it "amazing"? Or do you mean we should think you're amazing? Because no. She's like Ashley, who thinks she's the star of her personal drama, one she expect we'll all find "amazing." Then Ashley again with the pouting and "no one wants it/cares/feels it as much as I do!" Ugh. Britt...a harmless sort of fake, at least. Wearing makeup to bed? Is it just because she wants to be "ready for her closeup" at a moment's notice, because she's a "TV star"? Because in real life, I'm betting she doesn't plaster it all over her face before going to bed. Well, I hope not. It doesn't do her skin or her bedding any favors! As for the shower thing...I have nothing, it's so bizarre. But no way is that woman afraid of heights! A little balloon basket would be much more terrifying than an airplane or helicopter if it was a true phobia like she claimed. I hated the love guru stuff. How completely inappropriate!! I would have shut that crap down right away. Glad Carly finally said something. Would have been nice if Chris had asked her if she was OK with it, but the guy never says anything.

When we ask ourselves why the women don't just leave, and instead put up with crappy Bachelor behavior, I blame the producers for creating the "chain." Each contestant, until they're actually eliminated, holds out hope they could be the next lead. Britt for sure would love that (Hollywood "waitress" that she is.) If each season was a brand-new cast, we'd instead be seeing the women (or men) vie to have the Most Dramatic Exit EVER. Lots of anger, tears, accusations, confrontations. Why not go out in a blaze of glory, if there's no chance ever of being the Big Star? I, for one, would love to see that.

Hmmm... I don't know about that. Better than some of those, in terms of behaving, but not better TV. Those are different barometers, though. Juan Pablo sucked as The Bachelor, but his season was fascinating in a train-wreck sort of way. Aaron was solid, and I believe sincere. Travis was dull, but OK. I liked Jason's season -- OMG great ending, and he created "doing a Mesnick": crying over the balcony. Great TV right there. Ben sucks in every way, boring AND despicable. His season was saved by the heinousness of his final choice, Courtney. Jake was corny and way OTT with the emotions, but that made for good viewing. Bob started out solid, then quickly made my skin crawl. I loved his 2nd choice (Kelly Jo?) who looked like she was going to push him over the cliff during the final rose ceremony. I figure if I can remember anything at all about those seasons, they're not total failures. One place this season is flunking is the locations. Why did they cut down on the international travel? Is it something Farm Boy isn't into? Or did they think it would take away from the down-home theme? Because it's become one of the show's big attractions.

I agree, the dates are started to be the humiliating type all the time now. They used to visit wineries, now they either have to race or perform. Why any woman wants to go on this show knowing what's in store is "amazing" to me. As for the Cinderella date, we also never used to have these blatant plugs for other ABC properties. I find it so tacky. This one was especially bad, with all the princess this and princess that nonsense. What are we, five year olds? This is a family (i.e., children's) live-action remake of a Disney cartoon, fer God's sake! And no, ABC, I am no more inclined to go see it now than I was before. How silly to have that movie be one the two adults see on a date. If they even watched the whole thing, that wasn't clear to me, but the description said they did. Then the whole staging of Jade running down the staircase -- right past the glass slipper -- at the stroke of midnight. Can you say DORKY??

My husband caught that, saw that they'd tried to cover it up. Didn't fit with their Princess theme. That said, what is with Ashley's sense of entitlement? It's always "no one wants it as bad as I do! No one deserved it like I do!" Total drama queen with a heaping of "me me me"ness. I kind of dug Kelsey ragging on the mud-hole date. She's right, that was crap for a lake to swim in. Awful place. She started to come off as whiney, but it'd be tough to fake enjoying a dumb date with some of these women. I agree, sarkygal. I was on Britt's side in that discussion. I can't put a finger on what Chris is really looking for. He keeps the most immature childish women around, he keeps very nice women (Becca), and total nutcases (Whitney until tonight), and outspoken brash chicks willing to take off their clothes (Kaitlyn). That said, Britt probably shouldn't have said anything specifically about the other women and the previous date she wasn't on. I loved how Becca revealed she was also a virgin. So low-key, because it is NOT her defining characteristic! Take note, Ashley I -- who got a ridiculous amount of air time! Geez, we get it already. Glad Jillian is gone so I no longer have to look at that ridiculous black box. Such an overplayed joke. She also sounded like she had marbles in her mouth and spoke way too fast. Seemed genuine, though, if exercise obsessed. My husband got caught up in that and obsessed about it for the entire first hour. He kept wondering when the other women would complain, and how was that fair? Harrison should have worded it differently, because it was badly handled.

I agree. It was supposed to be lighthearted and silly. For me, it was just a bland fail, though. Trying too hard. Yeah, hubby found that info, too. So not surprised to find it was pre-arranged, despite their attempts to make it appear spontaneous. I never bought it for several reasons -- I mentioned liability, but I was also wondering how in the hell they knew where the reception was, and when. Because Whitney said they had a couple of hours, long enough to get dressed and buy a gift (of leftover ketchup). How did they know this? How did Whitney know the names of the couple? Just too many unanswered questions and assumptions there.

I thought the shoppers were taking the shopping list literally, when Jimmy just meant "buy a lot of ketchup." They were filling up the shopping cart with boxes and boxes of the stuff, and all I could think was no way does any party need that much ketchup. Even so, what they had would barely be enough to fill a child's wading pool, much less a hot tub.

And this season he said he couldn't do his predictions because he knows too much. I always watch Kimmel on Bachelor nights, because he often has a guest, or talks about the show.

And I caught the edge of a cuff, so I'm positive her butt isn't hanging out nearly as much as the black box is implying. They must hate the poor girl, and it's clear she's not the winner with this treatment. Ashley I acts like a 14-year-old, and MacKenzie isn't much better. I can't imagine Chris with either one of them. Ashley and her Kardashian fixation is ridiculous. I see why she worships them, and she has a similar appearance (though I thought Sandra Bullock when I saw her mugshot, not so much in person). But shallow much? Upset that she won't get to wear her specially selected outfit because they're having a pool party? Geez. I spent the whole "wedding crashers" discussion rolling my eyes and talking to my husband about how they couldn't ACTUALLY crash a wedding without a whole lot of liability hanging over their heads (much less air the "sneak cellphone footage" that production supposedly acquired from the bushes). Ridiculous. What was their actual date supposed to be? Because if it involved one of those D-list music acts playing for them personally, that wouldn't work out too well, standing them up. No, clearly it was planned, and so having Whitney act like she's convincing Chris to go along with her audacius plan is just a bunch of crap, and makes me angry. I like to at least pretend this is somewhat real. ITA completely.

Constantine was on this show? How did I miss that? No, seriously, I want to know what this was about... I have a swimsuit cover-up I always throw on when I leave poolside for any length of time. They either didn't pack them, or were encouraged not to wear them. I hated that entire segment, it was ridiculous and humiliating for the women. Yeah, I know, but you'd think at least one of them would question whether it was the right thing to be doing. Maybe the other women at the house did just that and decided against it. If the previews from last week hold true, the fact his house is "right there!" won't matter because the over-the-line behavior happens on a group date, which is kind of funny, considering how Chris H. was pushing them to take advantage of his nearness. (Which I really hated. Since when has it been a case of "no rules"? That's new this season. Is it because they predicted Chris would be kind of dull, or the women would need permission or incentive to do something intereting?)

I visited there once, it was so beautiful. Which is why I was thinking she had to mean something else (like the name of the attraction). But on rewatch, I think the empty shells of buildings reminded her of the actual Mesa Verde park. Why she'd have to keep saying it like it was an equivalent of "Make my day," though...for that I have no explanation.

I actually had no problem with MacKenzie's nose comment, or her asking if he believed in aliens, but I did have a problem with how she said both. The alien question would have sounded more more intelligent as "Do you think there's life on other planets?" Unless she really means, "Do you think aliens are here on earth abducting people and anally probing them?" Which is more likely, come to think of it. The nose comment, she could easily say she liked men with strong profiles, or something to that effect. She's cute, but so very young. She sounded like a 12-year-old compared to Chris. I rewatched, and there were pellets of some kind being shot out of the guns. Maybe not paint? A couple of times the light caught them as they flew through the air. Yeah, I don't know if this season is particularly filled with silly women, or there's nothing else to show, or what, because usually the conceit is the women are all pretty much quality women (except for a designated mean girl the rest don't like), who sit around talking about the bachelor and nothing else. This season is filled with silly drunks saying dumb things and acting ridiculous. I had the same thought about someone's future career. Not good, being on national TV acting like that. It'll last forever, I guess they just get used to the cameras, and have no idea their drunken antics even has a chance of actually being broadcast on millions of TVs across the country. Usually they don't, if they don't directly involve the bachelor. The producers are getting more scummy exploiting them, or they really are a particularly silly bunch. ETA: On rewatch, I actually watched the scene of the women breaking into Chris's house. Wow, that was not cool. Going through his personal things? So tacky and childish. It really does seem Chris got a lot of low IQ, low maturity candidates. I expect most of them will be culled, but it seems to be more than usual.

I guess she watched too much Walking Dead and knows only a good headshot keeps 'em down? I felt bad for the zombie actors, too. Man, it looks like a blast, though. SO much better than bikini tractor. I kept thinking of wet swimsuit chafing, but there probably wasn't enough material down there for that to be an issue.