S21: E7

[DEL901]

Home town hijinx. 

[DEL901]

Apparently Devin’s date was filmed last….wonder why it was shown first?

I love the other woman in Devin’s life.  
 

eta.  Devin asks to lean on her.  He isn’t afraid to be vulnerable.   Darn it.  I kind of like him.  

Edited August 20 by DEL901

[LakeGal]

After the run Devin was the only one that looked sweaty.  

[dizzyd]

I’ve enjoyed everything about Devin’s HT: the huge friend run club, Charlie, his family, flaws and all. And I started the season not a fan of Devin but he’s ended up coming out looking the best.

Jenn and his mom looked liked they were wearing similar dresses.

[LakeGal]

Jenn and Devin's mom Jennifer were wearing similar black flowered dresses.

[dizzyd]

2 minutes ago, LakeGal said:

Jenn and Devin's mom Jennifer were wearing similar black flowered dresses.

Omg, I didn’t even catch they have the same name!

[ECM1231]

Stew Leonard's!!!!

[b2H]

3 minutes ago, ECM1231 said:

Stew Leonard's!!!!

I cannot believe they showed Stew's.  It's definitely something to be seen and a place I've been wanting to take dear Hubby to.  Now that he's had a 'taste', he understands (he's a retired chef) and is raring to go!

[DEL901]

I missed who the woman is to Jeremy.  

[dizzyd]

3 minutes ago, DEL901 said:

I missed who the woman is to Jeremy.  

The one at the store is his mom’s sister, looks just like her. I’m not feeling any chemistry with Jeremy at all. He turned me off night 1 with the Ferrari and big dick line and after that he disappeared to be overshadowed by all the other big personalities and drama.

Edited August 20 by dizzyd

[DEL901]

Just now, dizzyd said:

The one at the store is his mom’s sister, looks just like her. I’m not feeling any chemistry with Jeremy at all. He turned me off night 1 with the Ferrari and big dick line.

Thanks.   And, whelp, that wasn’t a very encouraging home town date.  

[LakeGal]

Jenn loves those boots.  She has worn them a lot this season.

I feel like Jeremy only got a rose because Jenn had to give a 4th rose to someone. 

[dizzyd]

2 minutes ago, DEL901 said:

Thanks.   And, whelp, that wasn’t a very encouraging home town date.  

Yeah, I think Jeremy would have been cut last week if Sam didn’t crash and burn.

[DEL901]

Even just 5 minutes in, it is clear she has a better connection with Jonathan than Jeremy.   Unless Marcus crashes and burns, Jeremy is toast.  

[dizzyd]

Jonathan looks like Mark Consuelos. We got a Daisy cottage cheese ad and she’s not even the Bette but then again this is only the 3rd episode I’ve watched.

[LakeGal]

Jenn wore a dress to meet Devin's family.  She wears faded jeans and a crop top to meet Jonathon's family.  Does that say anything?  Did she want to impress Devin's family more?

[DEL901]

I like Jon’s mom.  That was solid advice.  

[dizzyd]

19 minutes ago, DEL901 said:

Even just 5 minutes in, it is clear she has a better connection with Jonathan than Jeremy.   Unless Marcus crashes and burns, Jeremy is toast.  

Yeah, he’s the only one who didn’t get the bachelorette handshake. Should be an easy RC. 

[dizzyd]

I love Marcus’ sister. 

[LakeGal]

I am disappointed that the hometown dates were all friendly and nice.  I miss the ones that have crazy relatives that ask crazy questions.  Nobody got upset and attacked the process.  

[dizzyd]

Alright Marcus, the producers are not fooling me with your insecurities, Jeremy is still going home. 

[DEL901]

Did Jenn’s Rose Ceremony shrink?

[dizzyd]

Holy shit, that dress!

After all the drama this season, I’m impressed by the civility and mutual respect shown by the F4 at the end.

[DEL901]

One of those is not like the others…only one has a tie.  

Just now, dizzyd said:

Holy shit, that dress!

After all the drama this season, I’m impressed by the civility and mutual respect shown by the F4 at the end.

She got rid of Sam and Thomas because the main thing is the main thing, LOL.  

[Crashcourse]

The dress could have been nice if half her boobs weren't showing.

[dizzyd]

Wow, double whammy next week! Good, I prefer when the TA episode is not a whole separate week.

[Quickbeam]

I was wondering if the faith issue wasn’t part of the Jeremy boot. She’d have to convert if the kids would be Jewish. I kinda wonder what was asked that we didn’t see. I did love Marcus’ sister. Not an easy road, those two. 

[Madding crowd]

It seemed obvious that Jenn didn’t have the same connection with Jeremy as the other guys. When Jeremy’s mom said he doesn’t fit with the description Jenn said as wanting for her husband, I wondered what she said that didn’t fit. All of the families were nice and the guys are nice too. Personally I feel like Marcus is the most attractive and I liked seeing a man say they want to be a father. A lot of guys do want to be fathers but somehow don’t want to say it. 

[tennisgurl]

I think that Devin's visit went the best, he still seems like the frontrunner, and not only because Jenn is so attached to him. His running group friends, his family, his cute dog, it seemed like we were actually getting to know him. Do I like Devin now? I go back and fourth on him, but its hard to dislike a guy when he's so sweet with his doggie. 

Jeremy's day started off well, I would absolutely go on a date at that wacky grocery store, but it went poorly as soon as they got to his family, not because they weren't nice but because it seems obvious that Jeremy and Jenn don't have much chemistry, they come across as pals, not boyfriend/girlfriend. 

Overall all of the meetings went well, they all seemed to have fun, the families were friendly, and it was honestly great to see the F4 all hanging out without any drama. That's what happens when you get rid of the obvious troublemaker. 

[Starlight925]

I find it interesting that so many of the finalists, plus Jenn, have such broken family backstories.

Jenn's father walked out of her life.

Marcus' parents walked out of his life, as did many foster parents.  Even his adoptive parents didn't bother showing up.

Devin's dad has been in and out of his life and they don't seem close.

Jeremy's dad was not present and was not mentioned at all.

And they all seem to now have emotional walls up.  Even Devin is overly expressive and has exhibited a hair trigger temper at times.

The only one who has a still intact family is Jonathan, but I don't sense the chemistry there for them.

Just an observation.

 

[Crashcourse]

7 minutes ago, Starlight925 said:

 Even Devin is overly expressive and has exhibited a hair trigger temper at times.

Devin freaks me out.  Sure, he can be nice at times, but he does look like he could explode at any moment if he doesn't like something. 

[Starlight925]

I can almost see that running trail that Devin & his group run on from my house.

I'll have to watch for them.

Interesting how many cute girls were in that group, yet Devin needed to go on the show to get a date.  

[ljenkins782]

On 8/21/2024 at 11:01 AM, tennisgurl said:

Jeremy's day started off well, I would absolutely go on a date at that wacky grocery store, but it went poorly as soon as they got to his family, not because they weren't nice but because it seems obvious that Jeremy and Jenn don't have much chemistry, they come across as pals, not boyfriend/girlfriend. 

I loved that store and want to go there, but it was pretty clear that Jenn was a little thrown by his choice to take her to the grocery store on a date. I understand what he was going for in terms of wanting to make it seem like a regular day* and the grocery store was pretty cool. But I don't think the choice landed with her.

*I find it endlessly amusing how excited these people get when they feel like they're experiencing something ordinary together, like this is what our life could be like. Well, if you did actually end getting married or even long-term dating, the thrill of grocery shopping together fades in a real hurry, if it ever even happens anymore.

Also, Jeremy and Jenn trying so hard to have fun and laugh was PAINFUL to watch. The effort behind it was so clear, look at us laughing, look at us throwing stuff at each other, aren't we fun! 

Quote

I think that Devin's visit went the best, he still seems like the frontrunner, and not only because Jenn is so attached to him. His running group friends, his family, his cute dog, it seemed like we were actually getting to know him. Do I like Devin now? I go back and fourth on him, but its hard to dislike a guy when he's so sweet with his doggie. 

I still feel like Devin is the overwhelming force in the relationship. It was telling that Jenn flat out admitted to not really liking him at first, she said "If you'd told me night 1 that Devin would be getting a hometown, I wouldn't have believed you." Where Devin has succeeded is in being there for her in what's obviously an uncomfortable time, his big personality being beamed directly at her 24/7 begins to feel like a relationship, but I really don't think there is one. He's her safe place in all the drama, but I think it's because he's invested in winning this thing and shapeshifting to get there. I don't think she's physically attracted to him either, she's just huddling in the safety of him.

I completely forgot Marcus was even there, I couldn't recall who the 4th guy was gonna be. He definitely seems the most guarded and either she really likes him OR she's just worried about him not liking her and how that makes her look as Bachelorette.

Really, I don't get genuine relationships between her and any of them, so all of those "I'm falling for you" moments felt extremely flat. Her rushing out the words through clenched teeth while they try to make it a moment like they've seen in romantic movies, it all felt performative.

I'm interested in the Men Tell All episode, but I have zero interest in the final outcome or watching these people play pretend anymore. This season was a HUGE dud and I hope they do better at casting the lead next time.

[Alexander Pope]

On 8/21/2024 at 9:54 AM, Crashcourse said:

Devin freaks me out.  Sure, he can be nice at times, but he does look like he could explode at any moment if he doesn't like something. 

I also find Devin weirdly fake in his embrace of authenticity.  He is clearly well immersed in reality TV conventions and is good at giving both the producers and Jen what they want.  But he never feels quite real to me.  And yes, there is always a sense of rage lurking beneath his so-called vulnerability. At a certain point I just started feeling bombarded by his words and wished for some silence!!

[DEL901]

1 hour ago, Alexander Pope said:

I also find Devin weirdly fake in his embrace of authenticity.  He is clearly well immersed in reality TV conventions and is good at giving both the producers and Jen what they want.  But he never feels quite real to me.  And yes, there is always a sense of rage lurking beneath his so-called vulnerability. At a certain point I just started feeling bombarded by his words and wished for some silence!!

I wonder if part of Devin’s panic when he thought shed let the ex in stemmed back to being abandoned by his father.   That can leave a mark.   He is lucky that unlike Jenn and Marcus, he seems to have some sort of relationship with his dad.  

[JenE4]

Aw. Devin and Jenn do seem like a couple in love. I’m rooting for them, but then Devin said something about how he hoped it all doesn’t come crashing down, which seems like foreshadowing.

Pivot to Jeremy, with Jenn’s reaction of “Did you take me here to murder me?” Not good vibes that Jeremy falls in the negative tally on the viral debate of “Would you rather be alone in the woods with a man or a bear?” 

I’ve been to the Stew Leonard’s in Paramus NJ. It’s definitely an experience. The first time I walked in and thought I was just going to a basic grocery store, we were cracking up over all of the animatronics. Though, it’s a close call between Stew Leonard’s and Uncle Giuseppe’s, which has an octogenarian crooner belting out Frank Sinatra and old Italian classics in the produce section.

Jeremy was the one with the sports car?!? Ew. I didn’t like him. Mom and sister were horrified. Only brother (brother-in-law??) thought it was funny. This family is the requisite one who’s not onboard, as they should be because there two aren’t going anywhere. Jeremy only made it this far because Sam got cross-examined by the radio DJs and then Jenn and completely self-destructed.

Jonathan and Jenn are lax bros. I do like seeing the two of them playing lacrosse, likewise running with Devin. Can see either couple keeping this up as an active hobby together. Better than getting a part-time job bagging groceries with Jeremy, even if grocery-shopping might be a weekly chore.

Jonathan’s family home (or air bnb) has more crystals than Devin’s house had stuffed animal carcasses. What’s the deal with this brother? His wife was gushing that they “fell in love” in 3 days, and yet he’s judging how fast this “process” is? How the heck is production traveling with this love bench? Well, her response to Jonathan’s “falling” declaration seemed more effusive than her response to Jeremy, but not quite as much as with Devin.

So we learned last week that Marcus’s parents abandoned him as a kid. Now he’s saying his adoptive parents won’t be there, and some years ago he was seeking out other parental figures, whom we’ll soon meet. This all sounds kind of strange. Tragic that one set of parents left…but now it’s sort of suspect that a second set of parents are absent and we’re moving on to parents #3? But I think I just watch too many ridiculous thrillers. I’m sure he didn’t murder these people. But that would be a standard move twist, too, that she was concerned about being in the wilderness with Jeremy—but let her guard down in the wilderness with Marcus, the actual villain.

Wait, who are all the rest of these people?!? It’s like every friend Marcus has ever made. Okay, at least Jeremy has a leg up over Marcus! He has walls and won’t let himself feel anything, so Jenn can maybe “picture themselves falling in love someday,” which might be perfectly reasonable in real life, but not on this journey. But now she’s crying, so maybe she does feel something?! Unless she’s crying because she’s going to see her way out. Nah, these tears are putting Marcus up above Jeremy, I think—as long as Marcus can express some type of feeling to her. Otherwise she’ll cut him loose like Sam.

Okay, this is a different bench. Production just secures a bench, not necessarily travel with it. Marcus pulls out a falling for you! And, likewise, Jen is also falling for all four men, which sort of makes the declaration meaningless—unless we’re going for a polyamorous relationship, I guess.

What’s with the guys meeting up at a bar?!?this is new. They were so excited to see each other—then suddenly remembered why they’re all there. Awkward. Oh, they did this to get into Marcus’s head. Well, or he was the only one susceptible to the self-doubt after seeing the guys. I’m starting to think Marcus is going to find Jen and send himself home.

Jen gets out of the car wearing yet another furry elbow wrap. Jesse takes it from her while she continues outside to the outdoor rose ceremony. Why?!?!? Why is she wearing these things?!? It’s not even to stay warm, apparently. Even Jesse’s like, I need to get those ratty things off of her. Jenn either has the warmest elbows known to man (with the wraps) or the coldest elbows known to man (without the wraps).

Whelp, Marcus succeeded in convincing Jen he’s falling. And Jeremy will go to Stew Leonard’s and drown his sorrow in popcorn and lobster rolls, take out his hurt feelings by aggressively bagging groceries, crushing people’s focaccia with canned goods, and launching into an eerie cry-cackle at the singing milk cartons.

[ljenkins782]

5 hours ago, Alexander Pope said:

I also find Devin weirdly fake in his embrace of authenticity.  He is clearly well immersed in reality TV conventions and is good at giving both the producers and Jen what they want.  But he never feels quite real to me.  And yes, there is always a sense of rage lurking beneath his so-called vulnerability. At a certain point I just started feeling bombarded by his words and wished for some silence!!

I totally agree, he's clearly got his finger on the pulse of what plays well on TV and on Instagram and he's playing his role. I don't think this "relationship" will make it past the post show IF he's the final 1.

But I could absolutely see Devin projecting himself all over the beach in Bachelor in Paradise, he would clean up on the insecure girls in that environment.

[Starlight925]

50 minutes ago, ljenkins782 said:

I totally agree, he's clearly got his finger on the pulse of what plays well on TV and on Instagram and he's playing his role. I don't think this "relationship" will make it past the post show IF he's the final 1.

But I could absolutely see Devin projecting himself all over the beach in Bachelor in Paradise, he would clean up on the insecure girls in that environment.

Joke's on Devin, as there will be no BIP this year.   Of course, he wouldn't have known that at the time of filming.

He has this simmering, teeth-gritting anger bubbling up.  When her ex showed up and he almost stormed out, then was calmed down because she did "the right thing", we saw the way he'll handle conflict.  

[Alexander Pope]

I do think however that Devin said one of the most beautiful things ever said by a Bachelorette contesticle (as Ali Barthwell calls them)--when he and Jen had that weird therapy session with the Maori representatives in NZ, and he said his Mother was a mountain, I was genuinely moved.  But mostly not so much.

[ljenkins782]

15 hours ago, Starlight925 said:

Joke's on Devin, as there will be no BIP this year.   Of course, he wouldn't have known that at the time of filming.

He has this simmering, teeth-gritting anger bubbling up.  When her ex showed up and he almost stormed out, then was calmed down because she did "the right thing", we saw the way he'll handle conflict.  

In any other season, Devin's declaration that he was going to leave if the ex stayed would have blown up into a big "well, what if he had?" scene between him and the lead. The idea that that was enough a dealbreaker would be significant.

But either no one cared enough to tell Jenn about it or the show didn't want to run that story because Devin is the winner and they are desperately attempting to make the relationship look real (unspoiled here, so this is pure speculation).

If he is F1 and Jenn didn't know about that particular scene, I imagine there were some uncomfortable conversations after that episode aired.

Edited August 23 by ljenkins782

[DEL901]

11 minutes ago, ljenkins782 said:

In any other season, Devin's declaration that he was going to leave if the ex stayed would have blown up into a big "well, what if he had?" scene between him and the lead. The idea that that was enough a dealbreaker would be significant.

But either no one cared enough to tell Jenn about it or the show didn't want to run that story because Devin is the winner and they are desperately attempting to make the relationship look real (unspoiled here, so this is pure speculation).

If he is F1 and Jenn didn't know about that particular scene, I imagine there were some uncomfortable conversations after that episode aired.

I kind of think Jenn might understand.  They were both abandoned by their fathers. Even though he has some sort of relationship with him now, I imagine that fear of abandonment never quite leaves and can spill over to other relationships .

[ljenkins782]

2 minutes ago, DEL901 said:

I kind of think Jenn might understand.  They were both abandoned by their fathers. Even though he has some sort of relationship with him now, I imagine that fear of abandonment never quite leaves and can spill over to other relationships .

I'm not sure I understand how that applies, though. She wasn't running off with the ex and leaving the guys behind, he'd have just joined the group that was already there.

[Kerri Johnson]

On 8/21/2024 at 10:54 AM, Crashcourse said:

Devin freaks me out.  Sure, he can be nice at times, but he does look like he could explode at any moment if he doesn't like something. 

His ex girl friend said the same thing. That he would have a temper. 

[Kerri Johnson]

On 8/22/2024 at 4:04 PM, JenE4 said:

This all sounds kind of strange. Tragic that one set of parents left…but now it’s sort of suspect that a second set of parents are absent and we’re moving on to parents #3?

I think this has to do with his criminal activities. Why would his adoptive parents want anything to do with him?

Edited August 25 by Kerri Johnson

[JenE4]

3 hours ago, Kerri Johnson said:

I think this has to do with his criminal activities. Why would his adoptive parents want anything to do with him?

 

3 hours ago, Kerri Johnson said:

His ex girl friend said the same thing. That he would have a temper. 

Wait. What?! I have not heard anything about exes or other people coming out and spilling on contestants’ pasts this year. What’s the gossip/speculation?

[Stats Queen]

16 hours ago, Kerri Johnson said:

I think this has to do with his criminal activities. Why would his adoptive parents want anything to do with him?

What criminal activities 

[Starlight925]

27 minutes ago, Stats Queen said:

What criminal activities 

    This topic needs a Spoiler tag:

Spoiler

Marcus has been accused by many women of sexual harassment, including having sex with them while they were passed out.

Former army members said he would randomly shoot dogs while on missions.

He has an apparent temper and will turn on a dime.

Bottom line, this guy has us all fooled as this nice, sweet, vulnerable guy with a sad backstory, but the sexual harassment and emotional abuse stuff has come out now from several prior girlfriends.

There are extensive Reddit's on the subject.

 

Edited August 26 by Starlight925