Холостячкa #13

barish

4. Will, 28: I like Will a lot. The way he handled Lee this week really put him on my radar. While he was respectful, he really put Lee in his place without lowering himself to Lee’s level. Later, after shining on the handball Group Date, he got both the rose and a makeout sesh. I can see him getting a 1-on-1 in the coming weeks, but based on how little of his conversations with Rachel have been shown up to this point, I don’t really see him being a major final 4 contender. I love a good dark horse story, though…

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

Episode 5
I know I said that I would lump Episodes 5 and 6 together but as this one started to wrap up I decided I'd get it out there now rather than wait on the next one to be complete.
Also, in case you missed it: The He Said, She Said podcast, my relationship podcast with Reality Steve, has officially launched. I'm quite happy with how it's turned out! I was worried I'd have a hard time navigating people's feelings but I've been able to be completely honest, which is a relief.

Stitcher Premium is a paid podcast service but, even as a proud sale hound who loves a good deal I can honestly say it's cheap; it's basically the price of a latte per month, and even less if you sign up for a year. If you're curious but not quite committal, you can use promo code STEVE for a free month. And if you have a relationship question you want some unbarred, unbiased opinions on, you can message me.
Lastly, I want to thank you guys for your comments last week. I'm always so impressed by the thought and care (and excellent grammar!) that goes into them. I haven't had time to get involved because I've been in the weeds with back-to-back episodes, but know that I'm always reading along.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

“This is, like, extra even more validation that is there.” —Will

JACK'S 1-ON-1
Because pretty much nothing happened at the end of the Group Date cliffhanger, I'm going to skip ahead to Jack's 1-on-1. There was an ITM at the start of this date, but note how her outfit is from her 1-on-1 with Peter, meaning "last night" in that context was actually referring to Night One...

This is just one of countless examples of how one's words can be plucked out and placed elsewhere. Obviously here it doesn't change the tone, but you get my drift.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

This date mostly involves Rachel dodging Jack's advances. If you think about it, it's a great ruse for the lead to be sick for 1-on-1s with the contestants they're not into. Not saying Rachel wasn't sick, but how smart would that be??

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

I feel for Jack as I know from experience that it's not easy having the internet call you awkward. That said, I don't feel bad for him in the heartbreak department as his affections towards Rachel felt forced and like he was just saying and doing what was expected of him, albeit with the most.... dramatic... pauses...of... any... contestant... in... Bachelor... history ...

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

ROSE CEREMONY
Leading into the Rose Ceremony, Iggy feels frustrated...

I get the frustration of not having had a 1-on-1, but he DID have pockets of time with Rachel and chose to spend 2 of those precious pockets talking shit about each Eric and Josiah. So that's all on him.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

But just as I'm about to throw up my hands re: Iggy, he says something in his departure that has me nodding in agreement (for once)...

I'm not going to pretend that I learned more about myself in the 6 weeks I was in the Bachelor bubble than I had in my 29 years leading up to that point, but I wholeheartedly agree that few experiences teach you more about yourself, and as quickly. I personally feel many folks don't reflect or analyze themselves and their behavior in that environment (or rather, they don't as much as they should), so the fact that Iggy said this redeemed him in my eyes. Think back to all the departure ITMS you've seen: most involve saying they wonder if they'll find love, they don't know what's wrong with them, or they feel like they didn't get a real chance or were overlooked. Iggy's takeaway shows a self awareness and a recognition of both his flaws and interpersonal skills, which—in relation to the social dynamics, well beyond the incredibly specific and unrealistic "looking for love" scenario—I really relate to and value.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

BRYAN'S 1-ON-1
Rachel takes Bryan out and about in Oslo, followed by a casual rappel off the Holmenkollbakken ski jump. It's no secret I think these two are super cute. I enjoy their easy banter (I really don't get the Bryan-haters) and I loved this funny exchange...

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

Going into the evening portion, there's a long voiceover of Rachel going on about how disconcertingly perfect Bryan is. When we finally see her speaking, it turns out we've found one of the long lost ITMs from last week's Group Date!

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

I touched on this over at Flare, but there's something in Bryan's effusiveness that reminds me of Andy when I first met him. A lot of you have told me you think he speaks in clichés and just tells her what she wants to hear, but based on my experience with a somewhat "older" man... well, I believe him. Trust me, if he were a decade younger I might not feel the same way. But his candor about having dragged his feet in past relationships was reminiscent of what Andy told me when we first met. It wasn't necessarily what I wanted to hear—many could take it as a red flag, actually—but that honesty, no matter how unflattering, makes his conviction all more the convincing. I particularly liked how he emphasized never wanting her to be unsure of where he stands. He's not trying to protect himself or have the upper hand or play games—this, too, reminds me of when I started dating Andy—and just feels mature. Also notice her adorable "okay" ...

Double negative!

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

GROUP DATE
While Bryan's on his date the Group Date card arrives. Dean reads it, and note the formation of the guys while they listen...

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

He reads every name except Lee's and Kenny's, and note the shot they use to show Kenny hanging his head. It's clearly from a different moment, as Dean is now amongst the men...

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

Despite the fact that I am no fan of Lee's, I always give credit where credit is due for 4th wall breakage. His reaction to being on a 2-on-1 with Kenny did just that and I have to admit I laughed...

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

On the handball date, I also laughed (out loud!) when Josiah described the following with complete seriousness...

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

I've gone on before about how the contestant experience consists of a LOT of waiting (particularly the hurry-up-and-wait variety) is very much a test of patience. This was well-captured when Peter returned from his hot tub jaunt with Rachel. You can tell Peter's well-liked by the fact that none of the guys are blaming him personally for being made to sit around for 3.5 hours, but you can see how, if this insult was added to the injury of already not liking a guy, this could be a recipe for drama...

Also, think of how a mere "bored having waited 3.5 hours" face could easily be edited to look like jealousy.

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

barish

LEE AND KENNY'S 2-ON-1
I can't bear to talk about this 2-on-1 (at least the parts that fell within Episode 5) so I'm going to pass.*

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)

Cheerio

Брайан смотрящий на Рейчел в кафе

Миниатюры

 

__________________
- I thought I knew what to do. I failed.
- Good. Now go fail again.

Cheerio

вообще я согласен что в нём чувствуется maturity. В частности в разговоре с Кэнни мне понравилась его позиция и он набрал немного балов там. Особенно хорошо эта maturity чувствуется в разговорах с Рэйчел. Видно что он не глуп, и что из своего богатого опыта общения с женщинами он сделал много правильных выводов. В частности он умеет слушать и всегда знает что бы такое правильное сказать. Тем не менее интуитивно мне его подход не нравится. Кроме клише, могу ещё отметить отсутствие индивидуального подхода (типичная проблема бабников, у которых нет определённого типажа, и потому им сложно объяснить почему та или иная девушка для них особенная), т.е. вещи которые он говорит он мог бы говорить сотням других девушек на её месте. А также мне не нравится что на её опасения он не реагирует серьёзно. Т.е. когда она их озвучивает у него заметен неловкий смех, и в целом он ведёт себя так будто в опасениях есть доля правды и он хочет эту тему побыстрее закрыть. И реплики "dont let it scare you" совершенно не помогают, потому как в данном случае это эгоистичное желание. Т.е. совершенно не хватает искреннего желания развеять её страхи, помочь ей, желания to address the issue.

p.s. по итогам 5й серии.

__________________
- I thought I knew what to do. I failed.
- Good. Now go fail again.

Cheerio

говоря о mentalk, мне ещё понравился разговор Антонио с... как там его... Крисом? о том что из 5ти индивидуальных 4 получили белые парни. Вообще я бы хотел больше таких серьёзных диалогов без излишнего драматизма. Очень помогает разобраться в парнях.

__________________
- I thought I knew what to do. I failed.
- Good. Now go fail again.

barish

__________________
“The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that something was wrong with me.” (c)