Have I really been sitting here for 3 hours watching this insanity? The Husband has just announced that he may be done watching the show with me. NOOOOOO! Although I can understand some of his frustrations. Did we really go through all of that and STILL don’t know who our next Bachelor is? Is there any way it won’t be Chris the Farmer? Why wouldn’t they tell us? Are they waiting to gauge the public’s interest in Nick having a shot at the title? Poor guy was clearly heartbroken and had the class to say that Josh is a stand up guy, but I guess his “below the belt” (literally) comment may make some think he was shady after all? More on that later.
First – THANK YOU, Bach Producers, for not making us sit through 15 minutes of recap of each of the relationships. The show began right with Nick arriving to meet Andi’s parents. We got ZERO feedback from Andi’s family once he left, which was pretty frustrating. All we saw was Patti crying at Nick’s confession of how much he loves her daughter. Both Nick and Josh were so nervous. I’m guessing they watched Andi’s hometown date on Juan Pablo’s season and were terrified of Hy.
Here is some of what Andi had to say about Nick (so odd to hear these words now that we know she picked Josh):
“When Nick kisses me, he sees me and my entire soul. He makes me feel like a woman. He’s all passion.” She then goes on to describe their relationship as being an intellectual connection as well as a passionate one. Seems like the perfect combo to me. Her last date with Josh was very touchy feely and it was evident that she couldn’t keep her hands off the guy. I thought it would be way more obvious that she wasn’t as into Nick, but quite honestly – I couldn’t really see THAT big of a difference. Josh is all smiles and light hearted and happy go lucky. Never saw a very deep, intellectual conversation between the two of them like she had with Nick. I’d think that with Andi being a lawyer and liking her profession, that she’d need more sophistication when it came to conversations with her future husband. Josh just has that “it” factor, however, that she couldn’t get past. She’s swept up in his charisma and charm. Not that this is a bad thing, I’m just not sure it has staying power.
But let’s throw all of that aside and talk about the one thing I’m still shocked about –
Nick comes back on the LIVE FINALE and basically announces to the world that a) he’s still completely heartbroken and in love with Andi and b) Andi and him “made love” and he’s more confused than ever as to why she led him on. So maybe he’s not supposed to talk about what happens in the fantasy suite. Andi says that he’s gone “below the belt.” If Nick were more quick witted, he could have said, “well, actually, Andi, it’s both of us who went below the belt.” Instead, he spent way too long trying to think of what to say. I’m sure it’s not easy on live TV, but Andi’s too quick for him. Plus as soon as he let that little nugget out of the bag, her entire body language changed. She was PISSED and probably mortified.
This is actually the first time that I really liked Nick. Because I didn’t see any indication from Andi’s behavior towards him that would indicate in any way that she wasn’t going to choose him. Yes, maybe a little less touchy feely and smiley than she was with Josh – but I didn’t think this was a bad thing. And she certainly gave Nick plenty of kisses and reassurances. She even said to him on their last date that “it’s gonna be alright.” And when they slept together, Nick had already told her that he loved her and was going to marry her. What was he supposed to think? Was she still figuring out her feelings then? She claims she was in love with Josh from the minute she saw him. So why did she feel the need to sleep with Nick? Couldn’t they have just cuddled and talked? And now we can assume she slept with Josh too in the fantasy suite? I don’t think Nick called her out on their “love making” to degrade her. I think he was honestly flustered and trying to make sense of their time together.
My bigger question is why Chris Harrison didn’t ask Josh how he felt about the fact that Andi and Nick slept together. Did he not hear the discussion going on while he was back stage? I sincerely hope that Andi told Josh about her “relations” with Nick beforehand so it wasn’t such a shock. I wonder what Hy makes of this situation.
On the flip side – there were some signs all along that Andi would pick Josh:
– The fact that Andi was calling Josh, “Babe” and he was calling her, “Baby.”
– The fact that Andi’s baseball card gift from Josh was really funny and made Andi laugh. Andi seems to value laughter and lightheartedness over intensity and intellect.
– The fact that we saw Andi and Josh canoodle and kiss each other for a full 18 minutes of air time versus a small snippet of Andi’s last date with Nick.
– All Andi can say is “awwww” in response to Nick telling her how much he loves her family and her.
– Andi kept saying that she struggles with her heart and brain when thinking about Josh. That always means she’ll go with her heart.
– Nick’s description of day to day life with Andi sounded like a nightmare. He’s basically working all day until 5:30ish and then they’ll “make out” at night? How long is that going to be fun for in Milwaukee? What will Andi do? How can she go back to a regular job after she’s been The Bachelorette? He says he “can’t wait to go grocery shopping with her.” She just stares at him.
Other points worth mentioning:
– The whole bait and switch with Neil Lane showing up in Josh’s room but Andi showing up at Nick’s room was very clever and yet aggravating. Really? Andi just woke up that morning and felt something wasn’t right? So it had nothing to do with the fact that she’s having sex with another human being? She doesn’t like that they over analyze everything? Isn’t that what the entire season is about? Over analyzing feelings? How unfair.
– Of course it’s raining after Andi dumps Nick. Seemed appropriate.
– Did Josh’s suit jacket seem to tight for him at the proposal? Not sure if the humidity made him swell up or if he just ate too much during the season, but that thing was busting off his chest.
– Love Chris Harrison’s poker face of greeting Josh when he’s about to find out whether he’s the GUY.
– This was QUITE a contrast of a finale with Juan Pablo’s finale, right?
– Does anyone else think that Nick reminds them of Spencer Pratt?
I always love a heartfelt Bachelorette proposal and Josh’s words did not disappoint. Do they help him script this stuff? I’m glad that he got his happy ending because he seems like a great guy (though not sure he’d ever have difficulty meeting a nice girl – he has a lot going for him). Just curious to see how they will fair once the cameras go away and she’s no longer The Bachelorette and is forced to follow her future brother in law around each weekend.
Well that’s all for now, but am curious as to what you all thought of tonight’s show. I’m just glad the season is over and we can all move on with our lives. I’ll be watching Bachelor in Paradise but to preserve the sanctity of this Bachelor blog, I will only be doing modified posts (there’s only so much nonsense I can take aside from the main seasons of The Bachelor / Bachelorette). In the meantime, you can follow my weekly articles on Thought Catalog (http://thoughtcatalog.com/stacey-becker/). My latest one went up today: http://thoughtcatalog.com/stacey-becker/2014/07/13-deal-breakers-you-never-want-to-encounter-on-a-first-date/
More on Ellie tomorrow – maybe I’ll do a video podcast with her to discuss her thoughts on tonight’s finale. Stay tuned!
Amy Heinl says
Oh Stacey…what a train wreck tonight. I do believe she loves Josh but the confrotation at the end with Nick was just painful on so many levels. He definitely has the “stalker” potential (in my mind only) but I can understand if they especially did the deed…that certainly would send mix signals especially if she is saying that she knew she didn’t love him. I think Andi is very black/white…I am hoping there was some internal conflict and once she made her mind up then she closed the other option off instantly in her mind and expected Nick to be able to do the same and didn’t understand when he couldn’t/wouldn’t. I wonder know if she wishes she would have discussed things with him when he reached out on two prior occassions instead of waiting till last nights live confrontation. It just made me cringe. I am hoping that Josh was well aware of her fantasy suite activities before last night’s show or this could end up being a short engagement. Wishing them both the best…they do appear genuinely happy
Amy Heinl says
Oh…I think Chris is definitely the Bachelor especially how Chris kept putting his arm on his shoulder….LOL
Denice Girdner says
There is rumour that Arie is being considered and that is why Chris is yet to be the shoe-in.
Amy Heinl says
I would never watch if Arie is the batchelor…he’s in it for another 15 min of fame
katbyrd says
Agree!!
Stephanie says
Ughh not Arie! >( It has to be Chris!!
PLynn says
Really in the end, it was no surprise to me. I think she has a tendancy to get too intense and she recognized that Josh was a better complement to it. She and Nick would have been constantly over analyzing every decision and love would not be enough. He needs to find a girl who is more organic and easy going to relax and distract him. Remember the guys saying how he was constantly analyzing everyone’s relationships and how he had watched all the previous seasons. He needs a “go with the flow” kind of partner.
Re the suit….what it is this season with the too tight, too short suits. I compared Josh’s to Chris Harrison’s at the proposal site and Josh’s jacket was probably about 4 inches shorter….never mind all bulges in his pants pockets.
Loved the excerpt on Andi’s frown. It was hilarious. Glad they can laugh at themselves. Wished they had announced Chris the farmer….but we all saw it on his face….it’s him!
PLynn says
I think the ship has sailed on the Arie thing, even though I did like him at the time. With his relationship with Courtenay Robertson it couldn’t have endeared him. The momentum is in favour of Chris, with his honest, decent, honourable ways. Just find another tailor!
backchat says
Well, I did watch all 3 hours, but mainly because the basement is the only place in the house that was cool and didn’t yet smell of the brush fire that was burning a mile from my house. I think Josh is a better compliment to Andi’s serious/intense side. And I don’t think she will mind the weekend football games, as she is into sports guys, right? I think we were seeing the sensitive side of Nick that they didn’t show all season. He was shaking when confronting her. He obviously told her that he doesn’t just have sex with everyone and that must have been the big sign that she “gave” him that made him think he was the one. If that is true, then I feel a bit bad for him. Andi dismissed his feelings by saying she did care for him because she didn’t let him get to the proposal platform. If she really respected him, maybe she wouldn’t have slept with him- that just seems like a bit of a lead on at that point in the show. Maybe she was really indecisive and needed the bed to decide where her future lies? If that is the case, I am sure Josh wouldn’t mind hearing that he was the “winner” in the bedroom. I really hope we have the Farmer as the next bachelor, and that we get a bunch of gals that want a farm/small town happy ending. I don’t need to see any more of Andi- though I did appreciate her humor at her frown and staaaaahp.
katbyrd says
As always, Backchat and I seem to agree on the finale. Having had a past relationship myself with an over-sensitive, analytical guy — that intensity can suck the life right out of you long term. I went from a laid back, fun loving person who knew how to be serious when appropriate to someone who didn’t recognize myself. It took me a while to find me after it was over, but enough of that. My hubby’s comments on Josh’s suit can’t be posted publicly, but they were hilarious. And about the brown shoes with the blue suit…… who dressed this guy? As for Nick…. he just seems too desperate for a relationship, and he could probably use a little counseling. Has he never watched the Bachelorette before? Doesn’t he know that he has a 50/50 chance of going home, no matter how “confident” he is?
Wishing Andi & Josh all the best, and hope the bloom stays on the rose for many years to come. Whew, glad this season is over.
anon 4 says
Wow, great ending…much more so than the entire season. Her ring is gorgeous and although I’m sad for Nick getting his heart broken, she really made the right decision to go with a joyful life. Not so sure it will last once the pressure of day-to-day difficulties come up. Andy has a very short fuse. Hope Josh is as prepared as he says. They would make beautiful babies together for sure.
And speaking of babies, I’m looking forward to your video with Ellie.
Sad the Husband isn’t so interested in the Bachelor/ette anymore. I absolutely loved your videocasts together!
A4
Christina says
Wow, shocked by Nick’s comment about them making love. He kind of made her look like a hussy, describing their behavior as “fiance stuff” (whereas she saw it as less than that) and saying she was “cavalier” about their intimate behavior. Stunned he admitted that!
I immediately thought back to Reid on the “After” with Jillian Harris. I’m 100% convinced he wanted to say the same thing and almost did — he made a vague reference to the fantasy suite but stopped just short of spilling the beans. Fascinating to see it revealed. (After reading Courtney Robertson’s tell-all book I was sure Andi had slept with both Josh and Reid. Sex definitely happens in those suites!)
Like you, Stacey, I found Nick the most likable he’s ever been last night. And I agree, he’s got a strong physical connection and an intellectual connection with her…isn’t that good? Ultimately, yes, she preferred the levity and playfulness of Josh — and maybe that makes a better complement for her lawyer-ish ways. The contrast was so stark between Nick’s analytical, brooding ways on “After” and Josh’s energy and looseness and huge smiles. That said, I just wish we could’ve seen one or two deeper conversations between Josh and Andi. There never seemed to be a strong mental connection.
Did Andi seem happy when Josh proposed? I don’t know… His proposal was really sweet (and rushed and nervous) but she didn’t look that swept up to me. Maybe it was just all too much and too draining and nerve-racking of a day?
They look happy now, doing press. I do think Josh is a good guy with a big heart (as Nick graciously conceded). I wish them the best!
Sally says
Gack. Couldn’t stand Nick’s wimpy, desperate, crybaby self last night. What a frickin’ self-obsessed baby. And let’s not talk about pummeling lifeless equines. Get over it already. I agree with Amy – the dude’s definitely stalker material. What a weirdo. Josh, on the other hand, seems like quite the catch!