Hometown dates are over, Renee is going home and I just have one question: what on earth does Juan Pablo say or do in the fantasy suites tomorrow night to put the remaining three ladies in tears? Does he call them each by the wrong name? Does he want things to advance sexually that they are not comfortable with? Does he insult their morning breath? I can’t wait to get to the bottom of this.
But first, I need to mourn Renee’s departure for a bit. I loved Renee. Yes, perhaps she wasn’t the sexy, in your face type, that Clare and her teeth have become for Juan Pablo and she’s not the Midwestern dreamy blonde pediatric nurse like Nikki or the sexy but smart and adorable smiley Andi. BUT. Renee was the only one, in my opinion, that had a similar background to Juan Pablo and that I could see a lasting love. (Although honestly, hearing that Clare’s parents were engaged after only 3 weeks of knowing each other and then stayed married made me think that she’s got the same mindset). But back to Renee. She’s so natural and normal and seeing her with Ben at his baseball game, made me think how nice it would be for Juan Pablo to have a son and for them to put their families together. They could live in Florida, hang out by the beach together and go to dance recitals and little league practices. What could be better? Plus Renee is so sincere, it’s hard not to love her. That said, I’ve never really thought that Juan Pablo felt the same way about her that she did for him. So I guess it’s better to let her go now, versus a couple episodes from now. She’s already been away from her son for 8 weeks – that’s way too long.
My parents are going to Sarasota tomorrow on a super early flight to visit friends. I really hope they run into Renee and give her a huge hug from me (and all of us). She handled herself in a classy, comfortable and sincere style. Everyone would like to be friends with Renee. She’s a great listener, fabulous mom and will make some guy very happy (and lucky) one day. Juan Pablo is certainly the one who lost here.
Interesting that not a SINGLE one of these ladies was able to reveal to Juan Pablo that she was falling in love, was in love or was about to fall in love with him (in Andi’s case). What does that say about these women’s true feelings for Juan Pablo? Are they real? Are they just caught up in the moment or do they feel they are just supposed to feel this way at this point in the process? I think Clare is actually in love.
It does drive me crazy that all of the remaining girls use the word “and” to create the longest run on sentences known to mankind. They love to extend out their thoughts by using that word – almost trying to be cute in a stream of consciousness kind of way. I was at my wit’s end with it.
Nikki’s Hometown Date in Kansas City
I forget that Nikki is a Midwestern gal. For some reason I feel like she’d live in San Fran or LA, but maybe that’s because Ali Fedotowsky was from San Fran. Oklahoma Joe’s seemed like a great place to grab some BBQ and fries, but I didn’t get the feeling that Nikki is a regular at that type of place. I see her as more of a salad girl who pretends to like BBQ for cute Venezuelan men.
Her parents had a beautiful, large house and it was nice to meet her family. She doesn’t look at all like her parents, but you can tell she’s super close with her mom. I wondered if Nikki’s white lace top was worn to subliminally show Juan Pablo that she’s bridal material. As The Husband commented, her hometown date was pretty vanilla. Everyone was a little too accepting of Juan Pablo at face value. Nobody wanted to kick the tires. If Nikki thinks things are magical with Juan Pablo, her parents are cool with that.
Andi’s Hometown Date to Atlanta
After shooting guns for fun (is this supposed to be romantic or a way to get to know each other?) we get to say hello to Hy (“Hi, Hy!”) and wonder if he goes by Hy to avoid being called Hyman which is quite a name. It also happens to be my father’s middle name, which he would never admit. Or maybe Hy’s just such a friendly guy that he says hello to everyone and earned the nickname Hy. We may never know.
Andi wins the best smile award. She’s a great combination of sexy and cute, except when she gets insecure about Juan Pablo, in which case I find her unappealing. She can go from happy to sad to emotional in the drop of a hat. So can Clare, but for some reason Juan Pablo finds this attractive in Clare whereas on Andi, it’s a bit immature. We learn that Andi’s family calls her Pookie and we’re not sure why. Sister Rachel is also very attractive and we get the sense that Hy is very protective over his daughters. My favorite line of the night was Hy’s statement that if someone came to him with a proposal for his daughter and said that there was noone else in the world for him, then he’d be ok. This is what every dad on the show should say. It’s obvious. It’s the, “Come back when you know what you want, Idiot, and don’t you dare hurt my daughter.”
I like how Andi’s mom asked Juan Pablo to dance and he was like, “Uh, yeah, no, let’s get Andi.” Was he worried that she’d try to seduce him? Eventually he did dance with her and Hy must have been rolling his eyes. So Andi is not 100% convinced that she’s in love and even more so her sister can’t confirm this for Andi which sets her off into tears. From this date, I’m left thinking that Andi has mixed emotions about Juan Pablo (she’s attracted to him, for sure, but I’m not sure she’s got a mental connection with him (a bit of the old Sharlene, if you ask me). Hy was right to be skeptical.
Don’t Go Away, Renee!
We’re off to sunny Sarasota, and what more could Juan Pablo want than a single mom who understands more than anyone what it’s like to have a child? But we also know that nobody wants to marry the house therapist. She’s crept into the friend zone unknowingly. Poor Renee with the sparkly blue eyes who would be an amazing wife and step mom. I was so impressed with Ben’s pitching and catching skills. Who’s teaching him this? His coach? His father?
Have I mentioned how happy I am that they didn’t try to do drag racing on the beach as a means to incorporate the movie “The Need for Speed” into the dates of The Bachelor? Thank you, ABC. Just make a cheesy commercial. Leave the rest of us out of it!
Renee’s family seemed equally sincere and kind; Everyone was super down to earth and welcoming – how could Juan Pablo not just want to hang out there forever? I’m going to be sad about Juan Pablo’s decision until at least Friday.
Sacramento with Clare
So then we see Juan Pablo arrive in California and there’s an immediate difference in his body language when he’s around Clare than with anyone else. He can’t keep his hands off her. He’s into her little quirky head bobs and the way her eyes tear up when she talks about her belated father. Juan Pablo gets his own tears listening to her. He’s mesmerized by the fact that she’s a blonde but also part Mexican. As soon as Clare’s mother started speaking Spanish to Juan Pablo, I thought – Wow, Clare could be THE ONE. We may not like it, but I think Juan Pablo has made his choice.
I really liked Clare’s sisters, especially Madeline who seems to be the stable, smart sister that knows Clare well. I didn’t understand why Laura was being the bodyguard of their mother. At first I thought maybe Clare’s mother couldn’t speak. That whole controversy didn’t make sense to me. But Juan Pablo seemed to sweet talk her out of the conversation, so that worked well.
Clare is ready to accept a marriage proposal from Juan Pablo, “in a heartbeat” and Madeline wants to make sure that Juan Pablo can take care of Clare’s tender heart. We also learn that Clare comes from a religious family (or at least her mother did). Not sure what this reveals about their ocean time together.
So we’re back to the Loew’s Miami for a rose ceremony. The Husband was convinced Nikki was going home even after she got a rose. I knew it was Renee. Had to be. Poor thing. My heart is broken. Is yours?
The only bright spot is that we don’t have to wait a whole other week before finding out what the hell Juan Pablo does to piss off these ladies in the fantasy suite. Do they all leave? Does Hy show up in a helicopter to beat the crap out of Juan Pablo? Will Andi prosecute him? Are there any laws in St. Lucia? It looks like they are staying at the Jade Mountain resort which is supposed to be absolutely incredible. The rooms are open air and built into a mountain overlooking the water. Rooms are over $1000 per night and that’s in the off season. The only thing I remember about St. Lucia is from a day trip I took there on a cruise once. Everyone on my snorkeling boat got stung by mini jelly fish. Maybe that’s why Andi is so upset? Jelly fish?
Anyhow, back to drinking hot tea and stuffing tissues up my nose. It’s going to be a long night of trying to breathe. Renee’s departure is not going to make it any easier. Speak to you all tomorrow and can’t wait to hear your thoughts on tonight’s show.
Also – don’t forget to check on Juan Pablo’s stunt double in the previous post here: http://officestace.com/2014/02/home-stretch-juan-pablos-stunt-double/
You don’t like all the “ands”; I can’t stand the inaccurate and overused “literally”. Apparently, Renee was literally going to eat Ben when she saw him. Yikes.
I will have to check out the “literally” statements. Check out the “ands” for me.
I suppose I have been too tired to notice the “ands”. I was sad to see Renee go, just because she is so honest, kind, a good mother, naturally pretty without having to put on globs of makeup.
You are wrong about Clare’s teeth- it is the boobs that Juan Pablo finds attractive! He said that in Desiree’s season on his profile page. He is a big boobs guy and Clare is bringing the goods.
I am also very curious about what leaves the fantasy suite! Maybe it is loud monkey noise sex that the others can hear since the rooms are all open air? Did you see where Juan Pablo told Andi she barely made it to this level? I can’t wait for tomorrow night!
Was anyone else thrown by Nikki’s dad’s hair? Was it or wasn’t it a toupee? That was one fabulous house. Wonder what they all do for a living? I missed the first 8 minutes of the show, so I will have to go back to watch Nikki eat messy ribs. I got the impression that Hy was not impressed at all by Juan Pablo and his many women, or that his daughter was falling for that accent.
Hang in there and feel better, darnit!
I can’t wait to check out / analyze Clare’s rack. JP definitely said he found her teeth to be sexy which to me, is a bit of an odd fetish. Loud monkey noise sex sounds exciting. Didn’t notice Nikki’s dad’s hair, but she’s got really thick, frizzy type hair, so maybe it’s natural? Hy was the best part of last night.
I liked how Andi’s father said, ” I know my daughter can find A guy but can she find one worthy of her” (or similar, not sure on the exact quote but he said it towards the end of her hometown date). He saw right through JP’s lines.
I also liked that Clare’s sister asked the realistic questions that Clare did NOT want to hear. It was odd that she hovered over her mother. I think she was protecting her mother rather than Clare. Can Clare speak Spanish? I haven’t been watching much this season and don’t know.
Michelle, I can’t remember if Clare speaks Spanish. I think in the beginning of the season, they showed her learning or practicing Spanish. Or maybe that was a different blonde. Can’t remember. Pregnancy brain.
Thumbs up for Andi’s dad.
Thumbs down for Clare’s sister.
Big raspberries to JP for dumping the girl who would have been his best match if he had any brains.
I’m ashamed to admit that I can’t WAIT for tonight!
Cyndi – don’t be ashamed. I heard the husband randomly say multiple times today how excited he was for tonight’s show. I’m excited too!
I didn’t see a lot of chemistry from Juan Pablo with Renee, but what I don’t get is…WHY DID HE KEEP HER AROUND SO LONG? He had always said he would send her home the minute he didn’t see a future with her, because she has a son. Surely he would have had an inkling before the hometown date?
I have to say Renee became my favorite this episode. She is so real, knows what she wants, and isn’t pulling any coy looks or sob stories for attention. Her family was my favorite too. Nikki’s puppy dog eyes and Clare’s head flipping are getting to me.
One thing I love about hometown dates is seeing how much these parents care for their daughters. I thought Renee’s dad was the best! And her son–so sweet!
I was surprised to hear from Andi that she’s still “not yet” falling for him. She did have one of the later first one-on-ones but I feel like it’s now or never, right?
Agree–can’t wait to find out what happens tonight! Yikes! And why are both Nikki and Clare crying? Will he bring Renee back?
Also….Juan Pablo seemed to have the most physical chemistry with Clare this week…maybe he was pulling back from the other relationships in anticipation of the finale? The date with Nikki seemed a little awkward, and the date with Andi seemed “fun”, not romantic. Renee’s date I thought was great, just a “normal” day. Hmm.
Clare’s head flipping seems to be very offensive to people on here, Guest3. The Husband can’t stand it. I really hope Renee comes back but I don’t think he was interested in her.
Stacey – I will bet you $10 he tells the other girls about his romp in the ocean with Clare during their overnights. I think the guilt ate at him and he felt like he had to be honest before shacking up with the other women. The best was Andi’s comment in the previews – “there is a difference between being honest and being an a**hole!”.
I never even thought of this, but it makes total sense! What else would have all three girls in tears? Good thinkin’, BohBrownsMom!!
BohBrownsMom is a wise woman! But I’d hope JP is smarter than to admit that he had an overnight with Clare. I wonder why Clare wouldn’t just mention it to Nikki while they’re standing silently next to each other at the rose ceremonies. That would really drive Nikki nuts. Guess we’ll have to see!
Sudafed! Get the behind the counter stuff at the pharmacy – it will clear things up – and is ok for when you are pregnant! Good luck! : )
I’m going drug free, but nice to know that sedated is an option!
As much as This season has disappointed, I am looking forward to tonight.
My take:
Renee was the best person for the long term and I don’t think Juan Pablo expects he will really last with anyone so he let Renee go. I know I know he doesn’t seem that smart, but I do think he is sensitive to hurting people even if it looks like he will blow it tonight.
Clare in Juan Pablo’s words iy, iy, iy, iy, iy is she going to be trouble in a long term relationship. She cannot let anything go with Juan, her family, or whatever. That just doesn’t work in a relationship and I think Juan Pablonus all guy and all in control in his relationships.
Andi – agree, if she isn’t sure se has a connection now, show won’t be sure later. She is smart and in her gut knows it is physical and something’s missing. She just doesn’t want to admit it to herself
Nikki – I just don’t get anything about the connection. She seems nice enough but still don’t see a fit there
I paid close attention tonight to see if I heard anything meaningful about Juan Pablo, what he feels about the girls and just some sense of who he really is. I heard “nada”. I don’t know if its aka gauge barrier or not.
Renee was sad to see go. Classy, mature lady!
TKitt: Renee was his only chance at a lasting relationship, but he wasn’t interested in her physically. Agree she’s a classy, mature lady. I don’t think he’s interested in the remaining 3. Just Clare who he’d like to make out with and call it a day.