Move over, Kardashians. The new Kendall / Kylie blonde duo blow the socks off of Kendall & Kylie Jenner. Can you imagine that this whole time, Arie was falling for the taxidermy enthusiast enough to send home the lovable, charming and sexy Tia? Clearly, we now know that Arie will always choose blonde over brunette. Sorry, Becca? TBD
But let’s rewind. Did you notice Arie’s “24601” tattoo on his right forearm? Does he think of himself as a reincarnated Jean Valjean from Les Miserables? It has me singing that darn song in my head, “I am warning you, Javert, I’m a strong man by far…(ahhh 24601…).” Did Arie feel like he was a prisoner? Did he break out of a situation and try to earn redemption? I’m so confused, but maybe this makes him a deeper person? Why have we not seen any conversations about this mysterious tattoo?
So hometowns this week were so intense! And more so because of Arie’s reaction to them than anything the parents actually did or said. Did anyone else think he was going to faint in Lauren B’s home? He is so in love with that girl, and I honestly can’t figure out what exactly is going on between them. Also, her house in Virginia Beach looks straight out of a movie. I would have been insanely intimidated going in there. But Arie comes from money so he should have felt a little more comfortable…until his potential future father-in-law grilled him about being from Scottsdale and having no interested in golf. Crickets…
So date 1 with Kendall was a bit wild. I had flashbacks of when Brad Womack went to the funeral director Shawntel’s hometown date and watched her talk about cadavers. Just awkward. So the taxidermist thing is definitely a bit out there. This has not made me against Kendall, but I agree with Arie that she’s very quirky. There’s also a very spiritual / hippy / skippy vibe that comes from that household. What room were they all speaking in – it seemed to almost be a store of mystical gifts, jewelry and home goods. Watching Kendall’s identical twin sister basically call out the “space” that Kendall is exhibiting between her and Arie is just a little freaky. Is she reading crystals? A ouija board? Or maybe it’s just the California thing. Either way, I think Arie is very intrigued by Kendall – she’s drop dead beautiful, sweet, interesting, quirky and just a little bit “out there.” But whether this 25 year old beauty can get to the place that Arie needs her to be in about 2 weeks is just nonsensical. Can you picture Kendall being ready to have children right now? Not sure what her spirit animal has to say about this, but if Arie was 26 or 27, I’d say ok. But he’s 36 and seems like he’s full court press to settle down. Kendall still has a free spirit. Won’t stop him from wanting to figure this out in the fantasy suite…
Now if Tia can’t win Arie over by bringing him to race cars in Weiner, Arkansas after he just had to reconstruct a dead rat, we’ve got to know he wasn’t into Tia. I don’t really get it, though Tia was in her head for a lot of the journey. I thought he dug the ability in their relationship to take the lead. He seems to like to play the alpha role and he certainly had that in the Tia situation. After visiting with her family, perhaps he saw too much of a divide between her life and his? Could social-economic differences have come into play here? Could he not picture his well off Dutch parents having a drink with Tia’s folks? Or did he just see Tia as friendzone all along? She’s definitely in first place for next Bachelorette. With the perfect combination of beautiful, spunky, funny and heartbroken, we know the process works for her and that she deserves another chance to find her someone. BTW, I just loved Tia’s dad. He was a lovable teddy bear and I thought it was cute how he kept hugging Arie. Her brother also seemed to warm up to Arie and had some interesting feedback.
Then we get to Minneapolis. Becca is all aglow in a J Crew ad as she takes Arie apple picking. Seriously, didn’t their day date look like something out of an LL Bean catalogue? I loved the pre-date skepticism brewing in the Becca house. They were all like, “Yeah, this is bullsh__t” before they even walked in the door. Then once the happy couple arrives, the whole vibe changed. Becca’s mother seemed warm and smart, just like her. I loved her chat with Arie. The Uncle Pastor, on the other hand, was very intense though I grew to like him too. It was hard not to get choked up to hear them talk about Becca’s dad. Interesting how Uncle Pastor asked Arie straight up if “this was the real deal” and Arie said it was. Woah. He’s really into her.
Well then it’s over and everyone’s falling in love when it’s time for the Arie’s last and perhaps most anticipated hometown date. It’s Lauren B in Virginia Beach. I was waiting for them to flash the “Virginia is for lovers” signs, but didn’t see anything. Horseback riding on the beach – who chooses these dates? Lauren B was as beautiful as the sunset in that lighthouse tower, but am still feeling those awkward silences and pauses throughout their time together. It must be genetic because I felt the awkwardness in that living room. I mean if Lauren can’t open up and be warm and chatty around her family, does this ever happen? Also, her mom was so skeptical, it bordered on rude to Arie. But her reserved nature was identical to Lauren’s. Finally it was in Lauren’s conversation with her own mother where you can see Lauren start to open up about her feelings for him. They seem to have this unspoken connection, can read each other’s minds – and it’s so powerful, it makes Arie need to excuse himself from intense moments to go freak out in another room.
Once Lauren B’s dad found out that Arie had gone to Iraq with other racers to support the troops, he was a shoe-in. That broke the ice. Then it was all “we believe in Lauren. If she’s happy, we’re happy” and so Arie can breathe again.
I always love hometown dates and this season was thankfully no different. I was SHOCKED, however, that Tia was sent home. He just seemed to appreciate Tia for the beautiful, intelligent, driven and honest person she was – I can’t believe his feelings for Kendall were intense enough to bag a sure thing with Tia to roll the dice with Kendall. Will we be seeing Kylie on a future Bachelorette episode or in Paradise? That would be fun.
What do you all think at this point? Who’s Ex is coming back to claim his woman next week?
And now for some brief feedback / reaction to The Bachelor Winter Games:
I didn’t write a separate recap for this – it just seemed ludicrous to try to keep up with a 4 episode season launched in between the regular Bachelor season. I will say though – there are some very interesting relationships brewing there and I have LOVED seeing the international heart throbs interact with the American contestants. A few thoughts:
- Watching Clare try to navigate her love triangle with Benoit and Christian has been torturous. I can’t stop picturing her trying to make things work with Juan Pablo. In fact, both Juan Pablo and Christian kept saying, “It’s ok” when Clare went into one of her emotional scolding tirades. She finally had someone in Benoit who would treat her right and she’s not remotely interested. Then she fights and tells off Christian, only to accept his rose later. Now that’s entertainment.
- Of course, I’m intrigued by Dean and Lesley’s relationship. First because Dean was pulling the same hot and cold behavior towards Lesley that he did with Russian favorite Christina in Paradise. Second, because Lesley called him out on it and was basically like – Look, Dude, man up or I’m outta here and going to explore other options. And she means it! Lesley is a tough cookie and won’t accept that crap that he was dishing out. She’s confident enough to walk away yet she’s interested in him too. It’ll be interesting to see how he reacts to the pressure.
- Love how Bibi has had two relationships already and quickly has gone from Canadian Ben to the new Jordan former Bachelor. Jordan got grilled by the Olympians in the house for flipping a coin on his season of Bachelor to determine who his final pick would be. He admitted that was a douche move and he’s back for redemption. He seems to have found it with Bibi. I’m glad Bibi is getting loved on this season since she didn’t have luck on Arie’s season.
- A bit skeptical on Aly & Josaih. She’s absolutely adorable and reminds The Husband of the love interest of the Prime Minister in Love Actually.
- Watching Stassi (the Swiss Stacey?) and Luke together is also an intriguing mishmash. Are her lips real? It’s hard to notice anything else about her.
- I love Yuki and anything that she says though I wish she’d remove her color contacts.
- Ben Higgins is as lovable as ever, but he seems distracted and disinterested in any of the ladies.
- Ashley I is always a mess and watching her get pursued by the Canadian Ben Higgins is quite comical. Like watching a boy in 8th grade ask out a 5th grader.
Alright, hoping everyone had a nice long holiday weekend and wishing you all a great week ahead.
Xo,
Stacey B
Jenny says
I would like to know what’s up with the greeting where the girl contestant runs to the bachelor (pretty much every season, starting around hometown dates and going forward through fantasy suite dates) and jumps onto him, enthusiastically hugging and kissing him with her legs wrapped around his waist. Do the producers tell the participants to jump the guys? In my years of dating, I can’t remember ever greeting a date or boyfriend by jumped onto him and wrapping my legs around his waist, even if we hadn’t seen each other for days or weeks. It’s odd to me, minus the kissing on the lips, it reminds me of the way very young kids and toddlers greet their parents. In addition to being infantilizing, this maneuver seems tiresome, off-putting, and now routine (after seeing everyone do it). I wonder if this is just a staged greeting that the director/producers arrange.
Also, I cringed a little when Arie told every family that he was “falling for” their daughter (only used the “L” word with Lauren). To me it almost sounded like how you compliment someone on their home, just to be polite, no matter how much you like their home. And that he’ll have explaining to do when he sends each of the girls he’s fallen for home, and to the one who watches the show eventually as his fiancé and feels less special to hear him say he’s fallen for everyone.
When asked if it was the real deal with Becca, I thought because he was put on the spot, he said yes (not sure if he’s super into her or if he was answering an awkward question with the least awkward answer).
Regarding the Winter Games, I couldn’t agree more with you about Clare. Christian is externally handsome physically, but seems ugly and unappealing on the inside (although perhaps some of the disconnect is cultural). And I would be so happy if Ashley never mentions her virginity or cries on the show again.
Stacey B says
Jenny – Husband and I had the same discussion re: the running hug n straddle greet. Totally staged. I wondered how many times they had to film each greeting and how odd it looked – or repetitive.
I don’t see Lauren B naturally doing something like that. And yes the “falling for” and “I love that” expressions were out in full force.
Jim J says
Lauren is so the one. She is sufficiently blonde and a clear Emily replacement. Becca has no chance at being Mrs. Arie for the above reasons. Kendall will be the runner-up, jilted in some topical locale.
Stacey B says
Jim J – I see it the most with her, but not sure if it’ll last.
Sarah says
I totally think he picks Becca – he wants the opposite of what he has chosen in the past. Brunette for the win.
Stacey B says
Sarah – I think Becca has a lot of fans. She’s certainly the “safe” choice and the most down to earth of the remaining group. If he wants stability and a lasting relationship with someone who’s ready, it’s her.
Stacey B says
Haha, Milly! I thought you might have a problem with that taxidermy segment. That was pretty darn gross and he must really be into her if he’s chosen her over the girl that took him race car driving!!
Anon 4 says
Totally bummed that Kendall stayed and Tia was sent home. Especially since Kendall knows she’s not ready for an engagement. The way he spoke to Tia’s family that really was unexpected.
Well, just surprised catching up on all the episodes I missed…
Anon 4 says
PS
Well, we know it’s not Tia’s boyfriend that comes looking for her in spite of the southern accent !
Jenny says
I just saw the finale of the Bach Winter Games and World Tells All. I’m happy for Clare and Ashley! Also happy for Lily (who at 21, is younger than nanny Bekkah, btw) and Courtney, who are just so likable. I’m disappointed in Luke, and could see how confused and hurt Stassi was.