S05.E02: Caught In The Crossfire

[Mothra]

13 hours ago, Kayz Opinion said:

We had a weatherman in Phoenix years ago whose name was Sean...pronounced SEEN.  When people would challenge the spelling, he would explain that his twin brother is Shawn (I don't think I saw his spelling).  I'd like it if his brother's name was also Sean...but pronounced Shawn.

And my favorite actor name:  Sean Bean.

[CrazyInAlabama]

I'm watching the rerun, where it's the swimming Mermaid breast feeding party.   

Moldova isn't dangerous, unless you do stupid things when you arrive (like most of my family when they go on vacations).     I love that the woman and Andrei want her father to shell out for the wedding, all of the travel costs, and dragging all of the kids young kids along is ridiculous.     I don't care where you have a wedding, you don't need to impoverish yourself, or your parents for that.   

Angela who is 54, wants a baby, and thinks she'll get one the usual way is deluded.   The poor doctor looked like she wanted to run out the door when  Angela asked if she could have a baby at her age, and physical shape.      

Fortunately, the Pillow Talk for this episode is rerunning right after, so I can have some entertainment.   The commenters are hysterical, and say exactly what I was thinking at the time the cast said their outrageous statements.  

[PipeTobacco]

On 6/22/2020 at 11:14 PM, antfitz said:

Kalani iui s norman,  And yet she sleeping with men out of wedlock. They frown upon that.  That's the reason a married girls off at a very young age. You will hear them say, "I'm 19 and not engaged or married yet and my parents are worried."  Btw,  Anyone wanting to read a good book on mormonism, read " Secret Ceremonies."   It is fascinating and some of the practices are so weird they're almost funny.   It is  by a woman who was raised mormon, but eventually leaves the church.

I tried looking for that book on Amazon, but could not find it.  Can you give more details about the book so i can find it?

[Chalby]

Somehow I missed this episode, so I am presently watching it. If I am posting info that has already been explained/discussed, please just ignore this (or cite any posts that may address/answer my question.

Paul and Karine bother me the most. Karine needs to get away from him. She may think he's a 'good person' and a 'not so good husband', but I find he is too manipulative and controlling - (both red flags).  I can't help but think she'll feel like a hostage, stuck without family, support, and money. Since Paul has the habit of running away from confrontations, I can see him being emotionally abusive because he could very well take off (after a confrontation with Karine) and stay away a couple of days. Can you imagine how isolated Karine would feel (isolation is another sign of emotional abuse).

Is Paul for 'real' or is he putting on a great 90 DF performance?  I am hoping he's just created this backwards persona for television because anyone with a stalking charge, arson charge as well as having a mother who will not allow her son to have a house key speaks volumes to me about his character.

Lastly, how on earth does he expect Karine to react when he shows her a crap car, and disgusting broken down trailers/ motorhomes? Furthermore, in response to Karine's observation that the car is filthy, Paul gets mad because he points out her home has her living in a wooden shack, so who is she to complain? (Meanwhile Karine's 'shack' houses a supportive family and lots of love, extended family, and assistance. Seriously, Paul? He keeps talking about getting a job is easier in America etc., but I secretly doubt he's employable. Sure, he can get hired, but I don't think he would be kept on because he can't control his emotions, especially when hearing any constructive criticism.

Lastly, why do Americans immediately assume these online daters only want American green cards? The entire 90 Day Fiancee franchise appears to promote the idea that America is the only country in the world that people should want to emigrate to? (Is that the right word?). This What really frustrates me is when middle to low income men on international dating sites feel their overseas' mates should appreciate, gush, and be indebted to him for how amazing the opportunity is. Meanwhile the guy's (rental?) home is mweh, he's recently unemployed and broke (despite earning something from this show), or he carries bad consumer debt (Remember Danielle? lol). Add to this, these fiancee immigrants will be faced with the increased prevalence of racism, the high cost of living, limited language (thus, limited job opportunities) and they're further cut off from any emotional/monetary support, a president who appears to oppose anything foreign. I need to stop watching because the arrogance of these American daters increases my blood pressure because I feel SO angry. lol. 

Oh nuts... I have just watched the Asuelo/Kalini incident as well as the clueless and idiotic Moldovan. Blood pressure is going back up and no doubt I will need to post, heh. Come to think of it, these Americans must need to date foreigners because NOBODY in America will take them. Thanks for reading my rant. Sorry for typos.

[Chalby]

On 6/28/2020 at 2:35 PM, CrazyInAlabama said:

Moldova isn't dangerous, unless you do stupid things when you arrive (like most of my family when they go on vacations).     I love that the woman and Andrei want her father to shell out for the wedding, all of the travel costs, and dragging all of the kids young kids along is ridiculous.     I don't care where you have a wedding, you don't need to impoverish yourself, or your parents for that.   

Angela who is 54, wants a baby, and thinks she'll get one the usual way is deluded.   The poor doctor looked like she wanted to run out the door when  Angela asked if she could have a baby at her age, and physical shape.      

Fortunately, the Pillow Talk for this episode is rerunning right after, so I can have some entertainment.   The commenters are hysterical, and say exactly what I was thinking at the time the cast said their outrageous statements.  

I wanted to throw something at the television throughout Andrei's and Elizabeth's clips. The fact that he has no problem telling her to get her father to pay for the travel/wedding expense floors me. He has no shame regarding his attitude and comments. These are not two young, freshly in love kids who got married on her dad's dime. They are older, (should be) financially independent, and who should not expect ANYTHING beyond what is offered. If her Dad offered to pay for her dress and donated towards catering, that would be enough. But to add on another fully funded wedding is both disrespectful and ungrateful! (Meanwhile, he brags to everyone that HE alone is the head of the house, despite not working while his wife and father-in-law support him.) Lastly, Andrei's constant bragging about Moldovan wives and their hard work makes me feel that Andrei should have stayed home and found a local woman to marry.

[Quof]

2 minutes ago, Chalby said:

They are older, (should be) financially independent, and who should not expect ANYTHING beyond what is offered.

and ALREADY MARRIED.

[Baltimore Betty]

3 minutes ago, Chalby said:

Andrei should have stayed home and found a local woman to marry.

You mean someone who will listen double?

[Chalby]

On 6/28/2020 at 2:35 PM, CrazyInAlabama said:

Angela who is 54, wants a baby, and thinks she'll get one the usual way is deluded.   The poor doctor looked like she wanted to run out the door when  Angela asked if she could have a baby at her age, and physical shape.      

I found the whole 'one egg left' etc., a crock of brown stuff, heh. What an insult to viewers to imply that a 54 year old woman, with 'one egg' will naturally conceive a baby.

Another observation - I am wondering about several characters' overall confidence. Kalini, Angela, Elizabeth, and Darcey all love to have their 'boobage' on display - to an extreme in that I am anticipating a nip-slip if they are not careful. All this cleavage made me question their self-esteem. Given the verbal and emotional abuse they all take from their loser mates, all while making excuses for their significant others. (Angela is exempt re: abuse, BUT she is in this category because of her horrible abusive behaviour and ridiculous jealousy.) We watch these women being treated like crap, all while showing impressive cleavage which makes me wonder if they feel their bust-lines are the only attractive attribute they feel they can offer? I wish I could reach in and offer them self-esteem so they could kick these potentially useless fiancees to the curb. It would be so worthwhile to watch. I would LOVE to see Andrei and Asuelo being dumped at the airport without even a backwards glance.

[Chalby]

On 7/5/2020 at 9:07 PM, PipeTobacco said:

I tried looking for that book on Amazon, but could not find it.  Can you give more details about the book so i can find it?

Deborah Laake is the author, I believe.

[Chalby]

On 6/17/2020 at 8:32 AM, Mrs. Hanson said:

...look at 54 year old, overweight, and smoking Angela and NOT laugh out loud at her requests.  "We went to a fertility clinic in Nigeria......"

"If Michael and I can't have a baby, that could ruin our relationship!"  Really?  I thought it was your abusive behaviors him plus your hair trigger temper at anything he seemingly does wrong.

Great observations. Angela's abusive behaviour concerns me. I know Michael is desperate to move to America, but her anger is so unpredictable, I think he should take a hard pass. As a doctor, I would definitely laugh out loud at Angela's "fertility clinic in Nigeria..." comment. The doctor should have said, "You paid money to have some fertility specialist determine you have one egg left, but you clearly can't conclude that having your period last month means that fossilized egg is gone. Gotta have eggs to have a period

[Chalby]

On 6/18/2020 at 12:42 AM, Kangatush said:

Just for giggles, I looked up the Hellscape of Moldova.   "The local customs don't have a lot of quirks, it's mostly about being polite. Don't talk politics, as this is still a dicey issue in Moldova and Transnistria. Also, treat women with respect. Chivalry is important, and you'll be seen as a rude foreigner if you don't open doors for women. Do not say mean or sexually suggestive things about Moldovan women locals will be very angry."

Explains perhaps why Andrei flips when Family Libby treats her like shit.

I suppose Andrei has redeemable qualities, I just haven't seen them yet (aside from on pillow talk). Perhaps he and Libby are faking their arguments and insults for television. Moldovan expectations are that "women are treated with respect and chivalry"? Clearly a lesson Andrei has yet to learn.

When Andrei brags of being the head of household while remaining unemployed, and tells Libby women should 'listen double' while in Moldova made me want to slap him.  Also, implying Moldovan women are better than American potentially insults the majority of viewers. Andrei is verbally abusive as we see when he consistently talks over Libby, or cuts her off with "Did you finish your thoughts?" He purposely does that to shut her down, and it works.

HOWEVER, Libby needs to shut up about her family and their 'expectations'. Every time she opens with... My family have certain expectations... my wealthy family is accustomed to... my family is loud..., and my sister is confrontational... etc. Instead of excusing her family's bad behaviour by spotlighting their shortfalls, she should demand her family change their disrespectful, Ugly American attitudes, or simply excuse themselves from attending. (Also, Libby's Dad should have answered NO to her financial request, especially for a wedding that's taking place, overseas, in a few weeks (and after he's already paid the majority $$ for their 'real' wedding). 

Come on, Libby's family are not the Royal family, and if they don't like Libby's wedding venue, or catered food, or costs, etc., behave like the rest of us, and wait until after the wedding to bitch about all the things you don't like behind the couple's backs. lol.

Hey I just realized... Does Andrei expect the family to give more gifts the second time round? 

Edited July 20, 2020 by Chalby

[Chalby]

On 6/21/2020 at 9:58 PM, Frozendiva said:

I hope Jess put some thought in to those two large tattoos on her thighs. It is not cheap to get rid of them down the line.

Colt is not a caregiver to his mother. Both enjoy their relationship.

Both observations are great! I was sure that Debbie worked (unless she's retired since joining the show) and with her pension, I am sure they are 'supporting' each other. He needs Mom to help with rent/mortgage/utilities/food, unless this is his Mom's house which could be potentially paid off or almost? (We've all seen how cheap Colt is. Except when it comes to online porn? LOL)

I have to agree - those huge tattoos on her thighs is not a good look, or area - on her - for tattoos. I generally love tattoos, but some just don't turn out okay. Jess's tattoos do not suit her, yet I can't imagine what would look better. Possibly a tat with smaller designs, tighter drawing.

Edited July 21, 2020 by Chalby

[Gobi]

1 hour ago, Chalby said:

I found the whole 'one egg left' etc., a crock of brown stuff, heh. What an insult to viewers to imply that a 54 year old woman, with 'one egg' will naturally conceive a baby.

Another observation - I am wondering about several characters' overall confidence. Kalini, Angela, Elizabeth, and Darcey all love to have their 'boobage' on display - to an extreme in that I am anticipating a nip-slip if they are not careful. All this cleavage made me question their self-esteem. Given the verbal and emotional abuse they all take from their loser mates, all while making excuses for their significant others. (Angela is exempt re: abuse, BUT she is in this category because of her horrible abusive behaviour and ridiculous jealousy.) We watch these women being treated like crap, all while showing impressive cleavage which makes me wonder if they feel their bust-lines are the only attractive attribute they feel they can offer? I wish I could reach in and offer them self-esteem so they could kick these potentially useless fiancees to the curb. It would be so worthwhile to watch. I would LOVE to see Andrei and Asuelo being dumped at the airport without even a backwards glance.

Don't forget Coltee's boobage.

[Chalby]

On 6/28/2020 at 2:35 PM, CrazyInAlabama said:

I'm watching the rerun, where it's the swimming Mermaid breast feeding party.   

Once again, the show either encourages, or only films, when the women are displaying cleavage. Once again, do they feel that they have nothing else of value to share. (For example, their babies are ALL adorable... how about filming the babies/moms interacting. It's far more interesting to view babies' progress (maybe just to me) than of babies feeding.

An aside, I believe it was towards the end of this episode, where Asuelo is playing volleyball with friends when he stated he works while Kalani stays home. Is this true? Where is he working? I suppose she is stuck being married to him so long as she is financially responsible for him (or her Dad is... considering she doesn't work)?

Here's a warning for anyone looking for a mate from any other country - if you cannot afford to sponsor them for ten years, DO NOT DO IT!!!

[Chalby]

On 6/21/2020 at 10:42 PM, mamadrama said:

Paul legitimately worries me in a way that the other big assholes do not. 

I agree with you 100%. Paul is the type of guy we'll see on Dateline or 48 Hours, and not because he's a hero. Quite the opposite. Paul's Mom has him pegged, and if Karine and family don't see how Paul has alienated his mother through his bad behaviours, I hope they watch the show online and determine at what point they should send Karine and baby $$ to get home - IF they can find the money. (I laughed when Paul's mom laid down the law and denied Paul the chance to move home, as well as took his house key. She was right - he would refuse to leave her home if all three were living there.) Poor Karine must feel so alone.

[Chalby]

On 6/22/2020 at 10:41 AM, invisiblegirl12 said:

Yes, through IVF she could have an embryo implanted, and then sustain the pregnancy through hormone therapy, and some very, very good prenatal care.

Not to mention, a huge financial burden doing IVF so I doubt it is on the horizon. I am beginning to think their current relationship is all producer driven. At least Michael has a good out - he wants a baby who Angela can't deliver.

[Gobi]

58 minutes ago, Chalby said:

An aside, I believe it was towards the end of this episode, where Asuelo is playing volleyball with friends when he stated he works while Kalani stays home. Is this true? Where is he working? I suppose she is stuck being married to him so long as she is financially responsible for him (or her Dad is... considering she doesn't work)?

Check out the couple’s thread for Asusual’s work history.

[Chalby]

On 6/22/2020 at 1:47 PM, LadyoftheLake23 said:

...she is seen as illegitimate until they get married in that church, and the won't baptize until she's seen as a legitimate offspring. Pretty archaic if you ask me, and makes me glad to be a member of a Protestant denomination!

Good point. It also makes me grateful to worship in my own way, in my own home, rather than belong to any organized religious congregation. I also question what organized religion would view any child as illegitimate? Andrei's church still preaches an unacceptable prejudice, which in this day and age should never be placed on an infant.

Edited July 21, 2020 by Chalby

[Chalby]

On 6/22/2020 at 3:26 PM, Neurochick said:

It's the same thing with all those Real Housewives shows.  Each season has the housewives going on at least two vacations, but everybody knows that Bravo pays for them. 

If I want reality, I'll watch a documentary.

Although I would deeply miss the snarks, I would also deeply enjoy watching Bravo cancel all the Real Housewives franchise as I would enjoy snarking these ladies withdraw from their fake fame mongering. Imagine Kyle's, Luanne's. Dorinda's etc. reaction to being dumped, and nobody caring? Heh. Bravo could clean house like they did with Vicki and Tamra, except take them ALL out. Also, I'd love to see the reactions of Coltee, Darcey, Big Ed, etc if they were dumped cold.

[Chalby]

On 6/22/2020 at 3:26 PM, heatherchandler said:

I am also trying to figure it out.  She seems to loathe him, she is so embarrassed by everything he does or says.  He has a horrible voice, and yeah he's not a hot island stud.  Why did she marry the guy?

I was under the impression that her 'religion' states they are committed as Asuelo was her first (shudder). When she learned she was pregnant, she tracked him down. My info could be incorrect, but I thought she mentioned Mormons and lifelong partners... (I tend to tune out when they discuss religious 'orders', generally placed on women.)

Edited July 21, 2020 by Chalby

[Chalby]

On 6/22/2020 at 4:34 PM, LucyEth said:

Coltee, nothing attractive about him at all, that girl really wants a green card. Also, he should just tell Debby and be done with it, he is a grown man after all and she needs to let him live his own life and make his own mistakes.   

 

Colt and Jess are perfect for each other as they are both unappealing and dysfunctional. I think they should marry and move into a home with an in-law suite, and be pulled from television so we will never have to see the likes of them, again. At this stage, the only person I truly appreciate is Paul's mom because she will not 'lie' or 'fake it' for the cameras. When I saw Paul flip out about Karine taking the baby out of the car seat, I had to feel for Karine because the man is nuts. Worried about baby in car seat while he runs into ongoing traffic. No one can live with someone that messed up. If Karine leaves, she'll have a better chance of him not stalking her (unless she simply moves on to someone else online, given she's American now).

Edited July 21, 2020 by Chalby
Bad habit of forgetting my 'closing' parenthesis. (Spelling?)

[Chalby]

On 6/23/2020 at 12:33 PM, MrBuhBye said:

I think it’s Portuguese which there would be less demand for.

Appears it doesn't matter as I still see Paul needing to use his translation app when he's talking to Karine. I think he has difficulty dealing with any new information. Heck, even while shopping he didn't 'get' what Karine was saying about the wipes - they only needed one box, but Paul was perseverating on the 'buy 5, save $5'. Despite being low on money, he still can't grasp that spending (my assumption on prices) $20.00 to save $5.00 is not the best idea when you have to get groceries for under $40.00. Can't eat baby wipes, but one can use a damp cloth to clean baby.

[Chalby]

On 6/23/2020 at 12:19 PM, MrBuhBye said:

Don’t get me started on assuage.
 

 

LOL, it appears there's a few of us who take issue with people who mangle words to the point where the incorrect version slowly becomes acceptable (except to me). Being Canadian and raised learning/ speaking French/English, there are words/phrases that are constantly mispronounced, but if you are going to take from another language, at least pronounce the word the same way e.g. forte, foyer. etc. I remember flying in to Copenhagen and feeling so 'stunned' when I discovered that English speakers mangled both the sound and spelling of the city. Who are we to change a historically acceptable word to better suit ourselves? Ah well, this could turn into a lengthy discussion with accompanying examples, lol. 

Edited July 21, 2020 by Chalby

[Chalby]

On 6/28/2020 at 3:10 AM, mamadrama said:

Thanks to 90210, one of my best friends for the past 30 years has to constantly correct people who call him EYE-in (Ian). 

I had taught over many years and came to the conclusion that parents who give their children 'unique' names to reflect how 'unique' their child is have no appreciation for what their child will face throughout their lives. In giving a unique name, parents have often butchered the spelling and pronunciation of many regular names. I don't mind playing with spelling, but if the spelling doesn't match any type of phonetic solving, then don't make your child spend his/her life correcting others. I used to mispronounce certain student's names in the beginning of the year, and when the parents would correct me, I would state why I came to my conclusion. Just because you add an e to Jon, doesn't automatically turn it to Johnny. Follow the rules, OR spell phonetically. If tv Ian wanted to be Eye in, he should have chosen different spelling Iain. Don't take a regular name and mess up the pronunciation, while correcting others as if their attempt is wrong. (Clearly this is an unresolved issue for me, ha) 

Edited July 21, 2020 by Chalby
subject and verb didn't match

[LadyoftheLake23]

On 7/20/2020 at 4:49 PM, Chalby said:

 We watch these women being treated like crap, all while showing impressive cleavage which makes me wonder if they feel their bust-lines are the only attractive attribute they feel they can offer? I wish I could reach in and offer them self-esteem so they could kick these potentially useless fiancees to the curb. It would be so worthwhile to watch. I would LOVE to see Andrei and Asuelo being dumped at the airport without even a backwards glance.

I think you may have something there, @Chalby. Back in the day I had a college roommate who was, well, "big a little bit," while I was 5 feet nothing and 99 pounds. Of course she was much better endowed than I was, and that's about the only physical attribute she had that was better than mine, so she started making snarky comments about me being flat chested. Now, I was only an A cup at the time, but I did have boobs, so it frosted me plenty, especially after she made that remark in front of the guy I was seeing at the time. I wasn't good with a witty comeback at that time, but after that incident I kind of stewed about it silently until I came up with one. Finally the day came when she said it again and I used my comeback. Never heard about my "flat" chest again! It wasn't until years later that I realized that it was a self-esteem thing on her part. We're not friends anymore*, and I don't regret what I said but I do feel bad for her and for others like her (like our 90-Day ladies) who think they have to have their girls hanging out to feel good about themselves.

* The end of our friendship had nothing to do with this incident.

[Alonzo Mosely FBI]

Has anyone heard Andrerrrreeerreriii's parents pronounce his name? I am wondering if they exaggerate it like Libby does. 

[Kayz Opinion]

19 hours ago, Alonzo Mosely FBI said:

I am wondering if they exaggerate it like Libby does. 

They do not.   I think Andrei exaggerated it many times in order to help Libby pronounce it correctly (which she now thinks she does).

[Kayz Opinion]

On 7/20/2020 at 6:28 PM, Chalby said:

LOL, it appears there's a few of us who take issue with people who mangle words to the point where the incorrect version slowly becomes acceptable (except to me).

My younger son (51) and I have done this to ourselves.  We decided to be "sophisticated" and funny--and pronounce a new car model OUR French way (we do NOT speak French).  Cadillac introduced the Escalade in 1999.  We've pronounced it Es-kah-lahhd for so many years, it seems wrong when we hear it pronounced correctly.  

[charmed1]

On 7/21/2020 at 5:12 PM, LadyoftheLake23 said:

I wasn't good with a witty comeback at that time, but after that incident I kind of stewed about it silently until I came up with one. Finally the day came when she said it again and I used my comeback. Never heard about my "flat" chest again!

Did it begin with, “Oh yeah? Well, the Jerk Store called...”

[Alonzo Mosely FBI]

1 hour ago, Kayz Opinion said:

They do not.   I think Andrei exaggerated it many times in order to help Libby pronounce it correctly (which she now thinks she does).

ha I think she does it to have something that oh so much more special about herself than her sisters and is 99% of the reason she does it.