S19.E07: Chris Tells All / S19.E08 Week 8, Part 1

[Andromeda]

Just fyi that I said Cedar Falls, not Cedar Rapids.  Cedar Rapids is a separate city farther south.  Anyway, just didn't want to be misquoted.

Whoops, sorry about that! Proper names and me...we're not on this journey together.

 

Chris has DUIs?  Plural?    Isn't that jail time?   I wonder if he fights the way he laughs?    I think he's a big pussy.

 

So much for him and his family  claiming the higher ground over Jade and her soft porn, if indeed they do.    Playboy is pretty innocuous, but DUIs can kill.   Fucker.    I agree Judy, I think he's mean.   He can't handle conflicts, and he constantly commits blunders causing the women to squabble over his plain ass that are unnecessary.   I think he's very passive aggressive, and would be hell to spend a long, cold winter with.   Plus, his ears are unusually small, especially on that jug head.

I dug up the old article. Seems he had only one DUI, but he also had at least one fight and was fined for leaving the scene of an accident. Not all of his lawbreaking were when he a teenager or in his early 20s, either. Speeding in 2007 & 2009, and some registration thing in 2010. I completely agree that the Playboy thing is on par with this previous bad behavior, but I'm betting the 'rents won't see it that way.

 

On the casting decisions, I found i pretty illuminating that the portion of Ashley S.'s audition tape showed her saying she moved to the city and fell in love -- with the city. So, why was she cast on this particular installment, which has nothing to do with city living?

Edited February 16, 2015 by Andromeda

[chocolatine]

I got depressed just seeing Arlington on TV; I can't imagine what I would feel like if I had to live there. I can't imagine falling for a man so much that I would move to Arlington for him. And I say that as someone who can work from anywhere that has wi-fi. 

 

What bugs me about Chris in connection with Arlington is that he's making no attempts to make the situation more palatable for the girls. No "we can have an apartment in one of bigger cities and go there on weekends", no "we can travel wherever you want during farming off-seasons", not even "I'll pay for you to fly to visit your family/friends once a month". Doesn't bode well for his ability to empathize and compromise. 

[Ketzel]

LIES! LIES! LIES!  No way Kelsey can ameliorate the damage because all she does is LIE! LIE! LIE!

 No, no. All she does is dissimulate, prevaricate and traduce! She's mendacious!

 

If Becca doesn't "win", and remains a "virgin", I wouldn't be surprised at Fleiss casting her for next season solely for the fact that she's a "virgin".

Lord, I hope not. Imagine the theme Fleiss would come up with for that? "She's My Cherry Pie" playing in the background? All the puns about "popping?" Ugh.

 

 

The biggest joke (and also the biggest clue that she's a potential psychopath) was Kelsey's whole "isn't my story great, and tragic, and great?"  And yet Chris H. didn't address that at all.  It can't be that he wanted to hold something back for the WTA.  Because if that was the case he would/should/could have held back the question about Kelsey being condescending for the time when the other women would be there to give him examples.

  I'll bet money (well, pennies) that Kelsey won't show for WTA. She'll be in Fraaahannce.

[atlanticslide]

I got depressed just seeing Arlington on TV; I can't imagine what I would feel like if I had to live there. I can't imagine falling for a man so much that I would move to Arlington for him. And I say that as someone who can work from anywhere that has wi-fi. 

 

What bugs me about Chris in connection with Arlington is that he's making no attempts to make the situation more palatable for the girls. No "we can have an apartment in one of bigger cities and go there on weekends", no "we can travel wherever you want during farming off-seasons", not even "I'll pay for you to fly to visit your family/friends once a month". Doesn't bode well for his ability to empathize and compromise. 

Seriously, not even any discussion with anyone about what else there is to do in the area other than high school football games and some guy serving coffee from his scrapyard, or any talk of what jobs might be possible in the area. Maybe more of that will come with the hometown dates, but it just seems strange to me that they'd bring the women to Iowa but only actually bring one of them to Arlington, and that there'd be no discussion at all about what else the area might have have to offer, especially considering they keep talking about Chris's anxiety about no one wanting to move there with him.

Edited February 16, 2015 by atlanticslide

[archer1267]

I don't know how much of this is old news, but it's been given new life in the latest Life & Style magazine, apparently. (I didn't watch Andi's season so I don't know if the DUIs became common knowledge then.) The link mentions 20 run-ins with the law. Perhaps they were all youthful mess-ups, but still, it makes me wonder if Chris got off the hook repeatedly because local law enforcement knew his family. I'm sure as the sole son in a family of daughters, his parents turned a blind eye to some shenanigans (my husband is the sole son in his family, so I know that a certain privilege comes with that) and maybe he never really had to deal with consequences of his actions. I've noticed also that anytime a conversation makes him the least bit uneasy, he excuses himself and walks away.

[PhilW]

Then Britt tried to backtrack saying "I only feel this way because it's hometown" or something.

 

 

It seemed really out of left field that Britt would suddenly flip out and try to guilt-trip Chris into giving her a rose, turning the tables on him with talk about how she wasn't sure she wanted to bring him to her hometown to meet her father if she wasn't his No. 1 choice.

 

Then it occurred to me that if all she really wants is to be the next Bachelorette, and there has been plenty of evidence that is what she's after, it was probably just a calculated move. She knows that to be considered as the next lead, you have to finish in the Final 4...they've been doing this reject-casting thing for years now, and that's been the one thing they have in common.

 

If she finishes 6th or 5th, it's over.

 

The casting was just wrong for this installment. They needed a bunch of Lindseys (horse girl from earlier season).

 

 

Nah...Lindzi (from Ben's season) was a suburb-of-Seattle, prim and proper, Junior League kind of horse girl, not a rural, muddy boots kind of horse girl. She would be just as bad a match for Chris as any of the women he has had to choose from.

 

When Chris took Andi back there for the hometown date, she asked about what kinds of job opportunities there would be for her - didn't he say something like "there's opportunities to be a homemaker"?

 

 

Haha...yes, those were basically Chris's exact words to Andi, and I don't think he was joking.

 

Face it...who would watch the TV version of eHarmony.com?

 

 

Don't know about you, but I saw a commercial for eHarmony last night during the show. As a guy, that's acceptable to me, but I get a little embarassed by the onslaught of Revlon, Olay, etc. commercials. The audience for this show must be 90% women.

 

I like Becca. I don't know where she was last night, but I like her. I think she has the best personality to handle Chris' lifestyle, but I just don't think he has any feelings for her.

 

 

Becca seems very nice, reasonably smart, with no hidden agenda, but she also seems pretty sheltered and naive. That actually would make her perfect for what Chris is expecting of a wife in Arlington.

[saber5055]

I got depressed just seeing Arlington on TV; I can't imagine what I would feel like if I had to live there. I can't imagine falling for a man so much that I would move to Arlington for him. And I say that as someone who can work from anywhere that has wi-fi.

 

 

Arlington is just Chris' mailing address. He lives a zillion miles out into the country with no visual neighbors, or at least none we could see during Andi's visit. So no one is being expected to actually live IN Arlington. Maybe his house is closer to another village, who knows. Addresses in farm country are something like 4560 West 135th Ave. North. Sounds like New York City but it's really an address in a cornfield.

 

But in any case, all Chris' wife would have to do during the day is mow lawn forever, because farmers are all about keeping their homesteads immaculate, and there are miles of ditches to keep looking like golf courses. Then there's cooking, baking, having coffee with the MIL. All while Chris is out doing ... well, MAN stuff. Oh yeah, there's laundry and cleaning too. So how bored could anyone actually BE with all that to do? 

 

ETA: WOW, archer, that's one HOT LINK you posted. Just ... wow. Thanks!

Edited February 17, 2015 by saber5055

[scenicbyway]

The reality is, Chris and his wife can't just take off on the weekends to the city.  Farming is a 7 day a week 24 hours a day activity.  Planting, harvesting, calving season, there is always something to take care of.  I'm sure it's been a hardship on whoever is taking care of the operation while he's gone but I'd guess his family thinks it's worth it if it means he'll come back with a wife to help.  I have several family members with farms and there are no "weekend getaways."  Their free time is spent at horse shows and cattle auctions---how fun.

 

None of these girls is prepared for this life.  Jade and Becca come from small towns, but they escaped, I can't imagine they want to go back to that life.

[KnoxForPres]

Wow. Britt losing it like that was so fun to watch. She's on a reality tv show called The Bachelor, not in its first season, and feels entitled enough to sit there and make awkward talk about how she should be Queen Bee? Ha! And I know a majority find her breathtaking, I find her cross eyed (or something there with eyes). And that interminably long, ugly cry was magnificent.

I did think the other two went over the top on how she's ruined her chances. In my experience, being both a 3rd party observer and the crazy girl, if a guy finds you hot, he will put up with some crazy.

Yeah as a girl, Whitney is tough for me, because I wouldn't want to really be her friend. I think she'd laugh too hard at something I meant to be mildly funny. Those girls drive me crazy with the fakeness. When she got up and did some stupid "hug it out!!!!" It all felt like an act. Funny Chris likes her bc in social settings she excels, well, uhhhh, outside of Peter (made up name) who makes Folgers in the dilapated building, where will that trait be of use in Arlington?

Why are the girls having to sell Arlington? First Carly gave a pep talk in one on one, now Jade and Britt have. It's like Chris might as well say "I am not well endowed. At all. And don't know how to make the best of this situation. Make me feel ok about this" Like come on douchebag, present Arlington in a way that she can see her life there not "my kitchen is my favorite, but there is not Jack shit to do here and I need you to make that ok for me". The hell?

Edited February 17, 2015 by KnoxForPres

[saber5055]

Grain farmers have two busy seasons, spring plant and fall harvest. Summers are spent repairing equipment, drinking coffee, mowing grass. Winters are spent in Arizona or Florida. However, livestock farming is 24/7. Which is why so many don't do that any more. Farmers whose crops won't support them will also have another full-time job, then they farm (plant/harvest/fix things) when they aren't at their 9-5.

 

Except for a few months a year, Chris has plenty of time for weekend trips AND vacations to those places TB isn't sending him.

Edited February 17, 2015 by saber5055

[Padma]

The reality is, Chris and his wife can't just take off on the weekends to the city.  Farming is a 7 day a week 24 hours a day activity.  Planting, harvesting, calving season, there is always something to take care of.  I'm sure it's been a hardship on whoever is taking care of the operation while he's gone but I'd guess his family thinks it's worth it if it means he'll come back with a wife to help.  I have several family members with farms and there are no "weekend getaways."  Their free time is spent at horse shows and cattle auctions---how fun.

 

None of these girls is prepared for this life.  Jade and Becca come from small towns, but they escaped, I can't imagine they want to go back to that life.

But he has 6000 acres!!! Surely there's a complete staff and it wouldn't be difficult to hire someone to replace whatever Chris physically does. Right? (I know nothing much about small farm life and nothing at all about something on the scale of Chris'. Huge!)

 

ITA that it seems strange he has said so little about his plans to make Arlington more interesting for his wife. He has tons of money to do that with, but my sense is he's pretty tight. Or maybe "Look, honey! Another high school football game tonight! Did I tell you about how I played for them, back in the day? ... I did? Oh." seems to him like all a woman should need. He really seems incredibly dull and unimaginative to me. Does he have any hobbies or interests at all outside of the farm? Frankly, I would feel that the idea of marrying him so we could raise a family ("as many kids as we can!") in Arlington, sounds like a terrible life. I've been in a few small towns, but never -that- small or with truly nothing of interest to do there. And then there's the weather. And talking about his work every day. Even if I got a dog for some company and we rode horses for recreation, it just doesn't sound very good. 

 

I know he's loaded, but between his boring personality and his lack of thoughtfulness or interest in the women, I've never seen a TB who seemed like less of a "catch".  Do the parents live there, too? Because that would be another big drawback, as would being expected to socialize pleasantly all the time with the "locals" or they'd think "Chris' wife" was a snob. (And don't get me started on small town gossips). Run, Jade, Whitney, Becca and Kaitlyn! Run!

Edited February 17, 2015 by Padma

[saber5055]

But he has 6000 acres!!!

 

 

Those 6,000 acres just lie there until it's time to plow, disk, plant, then spray in spring. Then those 6,000 acres just sit there growing stuff (maybe a crop duster will spray them, but that's not Chris's job) until it's time to run a combine over them. Then they just go to sleep all winter while the farmer(s) are in Florida until spring when it starts all over again.

 

I know these corn and bean fields ... they are my closest neighbors.

Edited February 17, 2015 by saber5055

[KnoxForPres]

Those 6,000 acres just lie there until it's time to plow, disk, plant, then spray in spring. Then those 6,000 acres just sit there growing stuff (maybe a crop duster will spray them, but that's not Chris's job) until it's time to run a combine over them. Then they just go to sleep all winter while the farmer(s) are in Florida until spring when it starts all over again.

I know these corn and bean fields ... they are my closest neighbors.

I have utmost respect for what goes into a farm. But as asked above, can the rich landowner hire staff to do that and live elsewhere majority of the time? Why is it mandatory the CEO is hands on? That's a real question with zero sarcasm so hope that is conveyed.

Haha, sorry I read that wrong! So they can and do live elsewhere. Damn then Chris, throw these ladies a bone and let them know it's not as bleak as it seems. Apologies for my misread. Is/is not Chris responsibility is a huge difference :) So glad we have you!

Edited February 17, 2015 by KnoxForPres

[Unwarranted]

My thought about beautiful, intelligent Andi is that her relationship with Josh failed not because of a lack of feeling, but that she is a person who can spot a fault a mile away, and if she finds you have committed an offense against her, no matter how minor, she will pin you to the wall on it.  No mercy, no overlooking it.  You may try to worm out of it, but that will not be allowed.  Smart enough to spot it, smart enough not to let you divert her attention.  She will be right, but some people need a place to hide, we are not all perfect. 

[scenicbyway]

Those 6,000 acres just lie there until it's time to plow, disk, plant, then spray in spring. Then those 6,000 acres just sit there growing stuff (maybe a crop duster will spray them, but that's not Chris's job) until it's time to run a combine over them. Then they just go to sleep all winter while the farmer(s) are in Florida until spring when it starts all over again.

 

I know these corn and bean fields ... they are my closest neighbors.

 

He also has cows and hogs, those won't just sit and wait for spring.  He probably does have a staff but as the boss he can't just take off every weekend.

[Shibori]

Chris said in his People blog (I think the link was in the media thread) that he spends a lot of time in Des Moines and that his friends live there. So it's not all farm, all the time.

[Adeejay]

Carly is that unattractive girl, who all her life has had it out for all the pretty girls. She must lead a horrible, miserable life.

[Padma]

Carly is that unattractive girl, who all her life has had it out for all the pretty girls. She must lead a horrible, miserable life.

Maybe, but I didn't see her that way at all. I think she's very pretty, generally sweet and kind but with low self esteem. I think being cooped up with the crazy that was Kelsey and the fakeness that was Britt (plus a production crew all too willing to prompt her to express herself freely about both, probably egging her on) was just a catalyst for candor.

 

Then again, I didn't think she was being catty because I felt everything she was saying was true. That said, of the remaining women, I think only Britt has the combination of "great looks + sexy confidence" to make it as the Bachelorette. The rest are either introverted (Carly, Whitney, Becca, Jade) or, like Kaitlyn and most of those who remain, just not pretty enough.

Edited February 17, 2015 by Padma

[Tink]

It was a salvage yard/coffee shop according to the window signs when we got a wide shot. It looked pretty cool, but that looks like an accident/lawsuit waiting to happen with people carrying around hot cups of coffee while random letters and signs are strewn about just waiting to be tripped over.

I live in Des Moines. They were at West End Architectural Salvage. This is a big warehouse type bldg with several floors of things salvaged from buildings. All kinds of things, some look kind of junky to me and others really nice. It has become kind of a cool place now as they had a show West End Salvage on HGTV where they would redecorate using items from the store. Some things are recycled into furniture, etc. I think this show is coming back but will be on the DIY network. They also rent the space as a venue for events.

[NikSac]

But he has 6000 acres!!! Surely there's a complete staff and it wouldn't be difficult to hire someone to replace whatever Chris physically does. Right? (I know nothing much about small farm life and nothing at all about something on the scale of Chris'. Huge!)

 

ITA that it seems strange he has said so little about his plans to make Arlington more interesting for his wife. He has tons of money to do that with, but my sense is he's pretty tight. Or maybe "Look, honey! Another high school football game tonight! Did I tell you about how I played for them, back in the day? ... I did? Oh." seems to him like all a woman should need. He really seems incredibly dull and unimaginative to me. Does he have any hobbies or interests at all outside of the farm? Frankly, I would feel that the idea of marrying him so we could raise a family ("as many kids as we can!") in Arlington, sounds like a terrible life. I've been in a few small towns, but never -that- small or with truly nothing of interest to do there. And then there's the weather. And talking about his work every day. Even if I got a dog for some company and we rode horses for recreation, it just doesn't sound very good. 

 

I know he's loaded, but between his boring personality and his lack of thoughtfulness or interest in the women, I've never seen a TB who seemed like less of a "catch".  Do the parents live there, too? Because that would be another big drawback, as would being expected to socialize pleasantly all the time with the "locals" or they'd think "Chris' wife" was a snob. (And don't get me started on small town gossips). Run, Jade, Whitney, Becca and Kaitlyn! Run!

 

No kidding, I didn't even think about that. I think I might (maybe, barely) be able to adjust to small town life, but it would be super hard if half of them were also my relatives. Sometimes a girl needs to be able to go out and water her front planter in her jammies without her in-laws knowing about it (okay so apparently I'm turning into that crazy neighbor lady we had when I was a kid). There's something to be said about anonymity in a relatively "large" town.

[NikSac]

The rest are either introverted (Carly, Whitney, Becca, Jade) or, like Kaitlyn and most of those who remain, just not pretty enough.

 

I find it interesting how Chris seems attracted to the more introverted women. They likely wouldn't make good B'ettes,  but if he's going to find a wife in this group it seems she'd likely be pretty introverted.

[FireFoxy]

I finally caught up and lol. Jade looked like she wanted to run away when she went to Arlington. Whitney has this in the bag. I still don't see Britt as this big faker. She's there to promote herself just like Andi, Emily, Ali and so many others have been so I can't hate on her for that.

[Rainsong]

Chris, you are getting Hobson's Choice and you have no one to blame but yourself.  Your inability - or mere refusal - to attempt any adult conversation or to steer 'your future wife' away from the constant bitchy gossip by actually engaging her in other subjects has lumbered you with:

 

-someone who is clearly not all that interested in you or Iowa (Kaitlyn)

-someone whose genuine sentiment quotient is equivalent to that of a $3.99 Hallmark card (Whitney)

-someone whose virginity may be by far the most interesting thing about her (Becca)

 

The nothingness of your season to date and the nothingness resulting in a lack of drama (the real kind, not the juvenile Carly kind) ie suspense relative to the final stage(s) are a reflection of the nothingness of what you have brought to the table, intentionally or unintentionally.  We all know women who seek a blank slate, marry a blank slate, and are perfectly happy with a blank slate as long as food is put on the table and she can have the kids and focus 99% of her attention on the role of Mommy with the modern penchant for posting approximately 1,258 photos per day of her child(ren) and their mundane activities (sleeping, eating) on various social media platforms.

 

Here's the odd thing:  you are not a figure of fun or resentment like a Ben or a Juan Pablo.  There's nothing to dislike about you except, perhaps, that there's nothing to really like about you.  Are the pesticides and herbicides interfering with your libido?  Grab someone - anyone - by the shoulders and have a good long mash session.  Run your hand up an arm, down a leg or across a back to indicate your tactile appreciation of the female form.

 

You are the kid in the proverbial candy store who's emerged with a 2-cent piece of sugarless gum.  You haven't broken The Guy Code but I'm not sure you've even read the first page or even the preamble of The Guy Code.  As such I can't relate.

Edited February 17, 2015 by Rainsong

[Stinamaia]

Chris works for Summit Farms as a land agent or something. This outfit is just outside Ames (home of Iowa State U) and not far from Des Moines. I think the show might be playing up the Arlington angle. Also Arlington is about the same distance from Chicago as from Des Moines.

It seems that Waterloo is the town that these small towns revolve around. I grew up in a town of 123' so I'm probably immune to small town shock. My cousin who still lives there works as a teacher in a town about 12 miles away. I'm sure Arlington has shrunk just as my small town now has dwindled down to one business, but people are centered around another community now. Chris doesn't strike me as the kind of farmer I have known. For one thing, he either has or pretends he has names for his cattle. Generally farm folks I have known don't give names to cattle that are going to be sold for butchering. 4-H cattle are different, of course.

[Canada]

I love Carly.  I think she's pretty, funny, and smart.  Ugly Britt could learn a few things from her.  I hope she's the next Bachelorette.  Now that would be a fun season!!

[Phei]

Britt has 8 followers on twitter 1 is abc and the 7 others are churches, she is trying really hard to be the Bachelorette.

[Padma]

Another odd thing to me about Jade's visit. Her father seemed very accepting of her "wild" past (whatever it was, including the nude video & Playboy). Nothing wrong with that, except that conversation--and Jade's with Chris--seemed to have no regret on her part for doing any of that. I got the feeling she was proud of it. Nothing necessarily wrong with that either, except that it gave the impression that her interest in "modeling" might be different from what it sounds like (and so may "wild" be a euphemism for something more seedy than we think.)

 

I thought her father's support for all that was kind of odd, like when he said, "You need someone who will give you your freedom and support that" or some such. It sounded like a husband should understand if she's a swinger or exhibitionist and just not hold her back from it, "You deserve it." Maybe I'm wrong, but I got a weird vibe from that conversation.

 

Of course, Chris' inability to have a conversation with her about her choices, her feelings or her plans for the future (even whether they include more nude videos). He really is too introverted and too cautious to be TB. Where we need to see thoughts, feelings, curiosity, passion and maybe even some humor, Chris brings self control, blandness and quietness.  That said, he was right to let her go rather than bring her to the FS, which could have come across as exploitative since he probably already was quite sure she wouldn't be F1.

Edited February 17, 2015 by Padma

[Armchair Critic]

Whitney and her "SHUT UP" is like nails on a chalk board.

[himela]

Comments about these two episodes: I want to comment on Andi and her interview. I think she is trying (or being promoted) to become the next bachelorette. We already had Brad who was twice the bachelor, why not Andi? Andi is social, communicative, she knows how to keep people intrigued, she shares all her life publicly with the bachelor nation. In my opinion Andi's season was a very successful season of the show, and not only cause of the drama with that guy (what was his name?). But I swear that I wouldn't want to see Andi beeing the next bachelorette cause in my opinion she blew her chance by choosing the athlete type of guy she so much insisted was not going to pick once more at the beginning. I don't know the reasons she and Josh broke up, but I was sick of listening to "I know better now than to choose the athlete type again" thoughout the season and then doing exactly that. So, please please, I prefer a total unknown girl to be the bachelorette than Andi once more.

 

Kelsey was trying to do some damage control. Question: These two interviews with Kelsey and Chris were after episode six was aired or before the show began? It makes a difference. If Kelsey had known what the audience is thinking about her (a crazy sociopath etc) she would not dare make this interview or at least she'd try to be a lot more modest and regretful than she was.

 

Regarding Arlington: I'm an introvert and I enjoy being alone at home, but I do this knowing that at any point I am able to walk or drive somewhere and do something fun, meet friends or go shopping. I like the country and I like the silence, but, for heaven's sake, Arlington has truly NOTHING someone can do or go to. I mean, I doubt that my grandparents would like to live in Chris's home, even though they are old and would love the clean air and the silence. I really doubt any woman in the world would be 100% happy to live where Chris lives and the only reason she would do it for some time would be if she truly loved him. I think Chris asks for a lot when he wants a woman (any woman) to bury herself in this middle of nowhere. I think he should reconsider if he truly wants to find a wife for life.

 

Britt, Britt, Britt.... You fell inside your own trap I guess. I think that what she was trying to do with her monologue after Kaitlyn received the rose was to show that she has true feeling for Chris and that's why she is being jealous and insecure, like many many other bachelorettes have done, expecting him to feel sorry for her and reassure her that everything is alright and he wants her etc. But when you take big risks you know it will become a boomerang; Chris did not fall inside this trap (maybe cause Carly had warned him about Britt an hour ago?) and he reacted like a smart person for once. I was really happy when he saw through Britt's BS. Or maybe Britt has become too...dirty by now and he can't take the smell any longer? :P

 

I was surprised that Chris picked Kaitlyn for one of the four hometown dates. I was really sure that the final four would be Whitney, Carly, Becca and Britt. I think that Carly knows herself that Chris sees her as a friend and maybe she is hoping that she can become the Bachelorette instead of chasing Chris and his boring life. I think Carly has already quit and she is waiting for her time to leave. After all I don't think she was ever into Chris, she seemed to enjoy this experience.

 

I wondered why Chris chose Jade to take her to his house and hometown and then I remembered that his sisters had chosen Jade some time ago. It made sense, cause he also introduced her to his parents. I guess he wanted to take the OK from his parents as well about her. I'm not sure if Chris will mind about Jade having made nude photos in Playboy to be honest. He said himself he wanted to see Jade's wild self. After all Jade seems to have regretted it and I think she deserves a chance. regardless of her bad choice.

 

I also believe that Whitney is the one for Chris. She seems like the traditional housewife and she doesn't mind living in the middle of nowhere. I think for a while now that she will be his final pick, they'll get married and have 5 kids before bachelor season 25. :P

 

I don't believe Britt will go. She will try to save this.

[Bugs Meany]

Britt has 8 followers on twitter 1 is abc and the 7 others are churches, she is trying really hard to be the Bachelorette.

 

She doesn't bother with Twitter. You might want to check her out on Instagram, where she has the most followers of any contestant this season.

[saber5055]

He also has cows and hogs, those won't just sit and wait for spring.

 

 

He does not have cattle. Any shown were on someone else's farm. Production had to search hard to find corn that hadn't been picked yet when TB came to Des Moines in October; that was in the newspapers at the time. They found some standing fields outside of Des Moines; that's where the cattle were. Chris's Arlington fields had all been picked.

 

Chris said in one of the early eps he had hogs. It was never mentioned again. So, is it a farrow-to-finish operation? Is he raising pigs only to sell to a feeder? Or is his a finish lot? No one knows. Maybe those pigs are on one of his rental properties and they aren't a REAL part of his operation. We don't know, it's never been revealed.

For one thing, he either has or pretends he has names for his cattle.

 

 

Those were not his. Anyone can stand at a fence and say, "Hey, Bessie" but that doesn't mean that cow (or, more likely feeder steer) has that name. Show cattle and registered dairy stock have names for registration and breeding purposes. Others go by the number on the ear tag.

Edited February 17, 2015 by saber5055

[Rhondinella]

Just a reminder: Please don't talk about things that happen in the next episode (S 19. E 09) in this thread.  I mean, yeah, it's kinda silly to think of some of these things as spoilers as they have been public knowledge for a long time, even by those who are not "spoiled" for the show.  But some people still don't appreciate it.  So if you're gonna talk about anything that might have been revealed on Monday night's show, please discuss it in that thread.  Thanks.

[C76]

Britt has 8 followers on twitter 1 is abc and the 7 others are churches, she is trying really hard to be the Bachelorette.

Actually, that's the amount of people that she's following.

[Shugardrawers]

I want that sweater dress Carly was wearing,  the grey with navy roses.  

 

I googled Arlington Iowa.  429 people, 425 of them white.  

429 people in the whole town!  That's roughly the number of students in our local elementary school.  Or patients in the hospital nearby.  

 

While I think Britt is an entitled bitch, I can see why she would not be thrilled about moving there.  

Where on earth would she "act"???  The local community playhouse?

 

My son happened to be here last night, and he was watching the "Chris Tells All" part with me before he headed home.  He doesn't watch this stuff, and kind of rolled his eyes over my enjoyment (until I explained the fun of snarking on it to him.  LOL).  Anyway... he totally loved Ashley S.  Found her incredibly fun and loved that she brought the crazy, to the point he said to me "Man, if I was straight and willing to go on a reality show, she'd totally be the one I brought home to meet you.  She would have definitely been there at the end."  

 

I told him he'd just be doing that for the show mockery angle and I'd support him in that decision. He agreed readily... convinced that Ashley knew exactly what she was doing, in bringing the Meta.  Heh.

I LOVE your son!  He sounds so snarky and adorable please make him join us!

 

[CalamityBoPeep]

I LOVE your son!  He sounds so snarky and adorable please make him join us!

 

LOL  The one difficulty there would be that he would have to watch the show to give it the full snark it deserves... But yeah, what he'd say would be so worth it for the rest of us. So.. weighing... his sanity vs. his snark... tough call.  ;-) 

[kira28]

 

Jade looked like she wanted to run away when she went to Arlington.

I so agree with this! Jade looked horrified at the thought of living in Arlington. I think she was probably one of Chris's top picks until he took her home. She looked trapped and like she couldn't wait to get the hell out of there.  I think that is why she wants to tell him about her past. In the hopes he has a problem with it so she can leave. I wonder if Chris took her there because he thought since she was a small town girl and seems demure and quiet that she would be the most likely to fit in , plus his sisters originally liked her.   I'm so tired of Britt and her dramatics. Carly is right though, Britt lies constantly. She seems to be a people pleaser and just takes on whatever personality she thinks the guy wants to see. Like a chameleon.  I don't think Carly was too excited about Arlington but notice she didn't trash it. I think she decided the road was over here as well so she was taking Britt down with her.

[Bellalisa]

It seemed really out of left field that Britt would suddenly flip out and try to guilt-trip Chris into giving her a rose, turning the tables on him with talk about how she wasn't sure she wanted to bring him to her hometown to meet her father if she wasn't his No. 1 choice.

 

Then it occurred to me that if all she really wants is to be the next Bachelorette, and there has been plenty of evidence that is what she's after, it was probably just a calculated move. She knows that to be considered as the next lead, you have to finish in the Final 4...they've been doing this reject-casting thing for years now, and that's been the one thing they have in common.

 

If she finishes 6th or 5th, it's over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You dont have to finish top four to be the next bachelowhorette..Not anymore. They can and do pick whoever they want for whatever reasons- Juan Pablo was like 16th. But I agree that is what she was sobbing hysterically about- that she didn't make it further and how this would impact her changes of being the bachelorette and her acting career. She realized she blew it! Those were not tears for Chris but how she messed up being in the Final Two, missed going abroad to the exotic locale, missed more screen time. I would cry my eyes out too.

[Mabinogia]

missed going abroad to the exotic locale, missed more screen time. I would cry my eyes out too.

 

 

True that. She suffered through boring Chris slobbering all over her for weeks, she suffered through dates catching pigs, and going to a mudhole and Arlington only to be cut right before they head to Bali! I'd be devastated. Of course, the main reason I'd go on the show was for the travel, and curiosity of seeing what it's like living in the fishbowl for a bit, but mostly the travel.

Edited February 19, 2015 by Mabinogia

[leighdear]

She seems to be a people pleaser and just takes on whatever personality she thinks the guy wants to see.

I honestly don't think I've ever met a man who thought that those characteristics, from a beautiful woman, were BAD.  *LOL*

[truthaboutluv]

So I finally slogged through this boring mess. I watched the first hour with the Tell All on Sunday and most of Jade's date but was so bored by then that I just couldn't make it through the whole thing. I swear this show feels WAY longer than two hours this season. I'm convinced it's Chris. But I finally made it through the end. I still need to work up the strength to get through the second part. 

 

So the Tell All - didn't care at all. Kelsey's still delusional, though the producers were total assholes to her with some of that editing (whether she deserved it or not), Chris is still boring as fuck with nothing remotely funny or interesting to say and Andi, don't care at all. Though I did think it was sad that a show of this production value and no one thought to give the woman a damn Kleenex. 

 

So the episode. Sorry, Jade bores me and we all know Chris is hardly Mr. Personality so that date was pretty much snoozeville which is probably what killed my ability to finish watching the show on Sunday night. I do think it was sweet how she clearly picked up on how uncomfortable and insecure he was about Arlington and reassured him without being over the top fake like Britt. 

 

Now speaking of Britt. I will say that I thought Kaitlyn summed her up well when she said it's like Britt probably doesn't know what she wants and instead just tries to mold herself into who she believes whatever guy wants her to be, which in this case, is Chris. And Britt pretty much confirmed this when she stated to Chris how she liked reinventing herself and thought Arlington was something she could "try". Boring and uninteresting though he may be, I don't think Chris is a complete moron and I definitely think that comment raised a red flag to him on the heels of Carly's comments. I guess it's fitting for a wannbe actress like Britt - she clearly saw this as another role. Play the part perfectly so she's the last one standing. That and I do think there is an element of arrogance that comes from being used to having guys all into her. 

 

That said, I disagree with a comment I saw in one of the pages that Chris was already pulling away before Carly said she what she did to him. I didn't see that sat all. Their kissing was very intense and still more passionate than any I'd seen with him and any of the women, when they first shared one on one time during the day portion of the date. And the way he cradled her face in that moment, he still looked very much all into her imo. And hell, I do think he might have given her the group date rose. I think after Carly spoke to him, he started listening to everything Britt said with a more critical ear, then that was coupled with Kaitlyn's insecurity and his wanting to reassure her and Britt just losing her head completely after he gave the rose to Kaitlyn and things were done for Britt. 

 

That said, I have to say that while I do think Britt was phony in that she was clearly treating this like she was performing a part, I didn't think she was being so over the top deceptive about Arlington. Carly's only comment repeatedly was that when they were in  Arlington, Britt said to them she could never live there and now she was acting like she loved it. But Britt actually tells Chris that when they first got there, she thought she couldn't see herself there, it was shocking and so small to her. Her big story was that when they were leaving, she saw this beautiful sunset and it made her change her mind and think she could make things work there. Now do I think that was still bullshit, sure but the way Carly acted, she made it seem like Britt came back immediately saying, "omg I loved it. I loved every single thing I saw. The minute we drove up,  I thought I could live there, etc." And she didn't. 

 

But then again, I find Carly pretty annoying and pathetic. I thought that hand puppet was not funny in the least and pretty pitiful. Then there was her obvious judgement and snark about Jade who declares Carly the closest person to her in the house. Then she was a weeping mess when they thought there was going to be a rose ceremony. I just honestly find Carly incredibly weepy, insecure and not nearly as funny as she clearly seems to think she is. Meanwhile, Kaitlyn has really become more likable and awesome in my eyes versus how I first felt about her when the season started. She completely gets my vote for the next Bachelorette, assuming Chris doesn't pick her. 

 

As for Chris and Witney's date, I do think it's interesting all the comments about Britt being fake because while I like Witney well enough, I find a lot of that over the top giddy excitement over every little thing total bullshit and a bit of a put on. The squealing over being introduced to Chris' friends was beyond annoying and over the top. Interesting to compare it to Jade's almost muted response to meeting Chris' parents. I also thought Witney sounded like she was interviewing for a job in her responses to the friends - tell them all exactly what they want to hear so I come across as the best candidate for the job. That said, I do think she sincerely has some feelings for Chris and they look good together.

 

Speaking of that date, more evidence of Chris' utter ineptitude in handling the most basic conversation. Witney says that she's already told Chris how her mom passed away and then adds, "I actually have no parents...." Chris, completely blank just stares back, until there's an awkward silent pause and then Witney has to say how she never had a relationship with her dad. A normal person would have picked up Witney's statement about not having parents and said, "really, what about your dad? Did he pass away too?" But no, Chris just stares back with that blank, doe-eyed stare. Honestly, I always think back to Chris' date with Jillian where he stated that the more she talked he just started thinking about fairies and horses and this fantasy land and I really think that's what's going on with him most of the time with most of the women, except for when they're kissing. 

[Padma]

Speaking of that date, more evidence of Chris' utter ineptitude in handling the most basic conversation. Witney says that she's already told Chris how her mom passed away and then adds, "I actually have no parents...." Chris, completely blank just stares back, until there's an awkward silent pause and then Witney has to say how she never had a relationship with her dad. A normal person would have picked up Witney's statement about not having parents and said, "really, what about your dad? Did he pass away too?" But no, Chris just stares back with that blank, doe-eyed stare. Honestly, I always think back to Chris' date with Jillian where he stated that the more she talked he just started thinking about fairies and horses and this fantasy land and I really think that's what's going on with him most of the time with most of the women, except for when they're kissing. 

I think that's exactly how he is. He's the perfect candidate to have his scenes Photoshopped with those comic book-style thought bubbles. While one of the women is telling him something important to her (whether "my mother died suddenly" or "I'm a nude model for Playboy") we would see him with that same blank (yet seemingly attentive!) stare while above his head would be his real thoughts: "How much longer should I wait to move in for the kiss?" or "I hope I'll be back at the hotel in time to catch the game tonight." 

 

"Chris Soules + Arlington = Most Boring Life I Can Imagine".  But fortunately for him I think Becca and Kaitlyn are still interested, though not yet "in love". And, luckily for him if he chooses her, I think Whitney is really totally committed to a life with him (maybe was even "with a crush" before meeting him, based on her early comments) and has the personality and drive that might even make him seem more interesting/exciting if they were a couple.  No wonder he seemed enthralled by her on the "wedding crashing" date. She energized him and brought some vitality to his normally quiet, plodding and completely uninteresting ways.  Together, they remind me of an old movie, where he'd be played by Gary Cooper and she'd be Barbara Stanwyck--a woman obviously too smart, ambitious, assertive and capable for our hero, but smitten with the big lug anyway.

Edited February 20, 2015 by Padma

[Swedish Chef]

Yay, for referring to Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck, and also, true!

[Laurie4H]

Catching up. Assuming this is for real, I saw this as a bunch of mean jealous girls bullying the prettiest girl who is actually really insecure. Britt had issues but she didn't bad mouth and act cold like Carly did several times. I've been through that type of bullying (I wasn't Britts level of beauty but pretty in my younger years and extremely insecure). I had the Carly and Whitney types be very cruel like that. Not over guys but just in school, work, and social situations. On a lighter note I liked Jades lipstick at the Rose ceremony. I much more of a fan of red and brown lipstick and not that shimmery stuff they seem to be using a lot this season.

[cinsays]

Well, I didn't see Carly or Whitney being cruel to Britt at all.

Just frustrated that her fakeness and me-me-me-ness was all she ever had to offer. And, maybe, seeing how Chris was so taken in by her acting, feeling like he was being led away from the possibility for other more promising and real relationships.

[Shibori]

I think its demeaning to suggest that anytime a girl dislikes a "pretty" girl, they're just hating on her looks. Kaitlyn had plenty of reason to dislike her for basically saying in front of Chris and other girls that he shouldn't have given Kaitlyn a rose. But other than Carly, it didn't seem to me that the other girls turned on Britt until she pulled that nonsense of, I'm leaving, but not yet, and I have to talk to Chris first but nothing he could say could change my mind unless he totally says something that changes my mind. And Her comments to the girls in their living room were completely inconsistent with how she behaved when she actually talked to Chris. If her mind was 99% made up, when Chris wasn't apologetic and fawning over her, she should have walked out, head held high. If she was out the door by her own choice, she wouldn't have given two shits what Carly said to Chris because it was one more example of why they weren't right for each other. But instead she bawled like a two year old throwing a tantrum who keeps peeking to see if you're still watching or not.

When Britt asked to talk to Chris, all four of the remaining girls reacted immediately, and it was Kaitlyn (who is plenty gorgeous in her own right), who said it best- Britt couldn't stand there through the rose ceremony knowing she might not get picked. I'm not willing to patronize all four of the remaining women by suggesting their anger was nothing more than simple jealousy of the pretty girl.

Britt's cutesy little "can I just talk to you for like two seconds," the way you could see her wheels turning in panic when she was talking to Chris, and that ridiculously over the top fake crying scene all suggest to me that she's a shitty actress, not to mention a shallow and obnoxious person.

Edited February 22, 2015 by Shibori

[ByTor]

I just got around to watching this episode. This is probably going to be quite unpopular, but Carly of all people calling Britt fake was laughable. Carly claiming she cares about Chris so much and feels so protective of him that she just has to warn him about Britt was so super phony. What I got from it was that what she most cares about is Britt for once not getting what she wants. Plus, I don't know if it was editing, but what she said about Britt was a lie. Carly said Britt told her no way could she see herself living in Arlington, then went & told Jade she loves it, it's so beautiful. When I saw the conversation with Jade, Britt said at first I was like no way would I live here but then I saw the sunset while we were driving away and it was so beautiful. Carly made it sound like all Britt did was gush to Jade, but she did tell Jade she had a negative opinion at first.

I said in another post I'm not sure I buy that any of these contestants are insecure, but this episode totally changed my mind about Carly. She looks to me like she's one of those people who are so insecure that they try to make themselves look better by making others look worse. If Carly has issues with getting into relationships I have a feeling that's her biggest obstacle.

[JudyObscure]

Yes, ByTor, I usually think all the contestants must have excessively high opinions of themselves to even apply for this show, but in Carly's case it was probably pressure from her brother that made her send in that video, so we finally got a truly insecure woman. I sort of found that a nice change, but I also agree she was misrepresenting Britt when she talked to Chris. I thought he had plenty of reasons to cut Britt from the herd, but her attitude about Arlington shouldn't have been one of them.  

 

 The recurring "His wife will have to live in Arlington!" isn't strictly true.  The Pastor they talked to lives in Arlington, Chris does not.  Chris lives on a farm in the country and Arlington is his postal address.  Where I live in Ohio is the same sort of farmland and scattered about are these little ghost towns that have a small post office and a gas staion and that's it.  No one thinks they actually live in that town, even though it's part of their address.  If we want to shop or party or go to the ballet, we have a choice of Columbus, Cincinnati, or Dayton all within a 45 minute drive.  When we lived in Washington DC we still had a 45 minute drive to the ballet (Kennedy Center) even though it was only about six miles from home. Bumper to bumper, crawling traffic every inch of the way.