2/09 Show Discussion **spoilers**

[graycat11]

I think I might understand Melissa's parents. If they are indeed conservative - I grew up that way. I went to a Christian school and I KNOW that my mother probably would not have supported me going to cheer in those little outfits at a Pro game (heck I had to fight just to wear a bathing suit in front of guys as a teenager/college age person) and they definately would not have wanted camera's in our house.l

No, something is up here, it is not just being very conservative. Melissa's best friends have only met her parents once or twice, something is off here.

[NFL1]

I'll bet Jason wished he had gone to Stephanie's home instead of Naomi's. That was an easy elimination for him. He was never really into Naomi and her parents sealed the deal.

I TOTALLY agree, he was having 2nd thoughts on keeping Naomi...

[kikibibi]

What was up with Naomi's dad getting all religious on Jason, and then commenting to Naomi that "I told him [Jason] you were raised in the Judeo-Christian faith"

Do you think the dad is assuming Jason is Jewish, and is concerned about mixed religious beliefs in the potential Jason/Naomi home? (a moot point re: Naomi, I know).

The faith background of people on the shows is never or rarely discussed. I assume because the show is trying to be totally generic and appeal to all viewer. But in real life, faith differences can be huge.

[NFL1]

I thought the Molly visit was really stilted, all the golf and preppy stuff felt different from what we've been shown of Jason's life.

[graycat11]

I see no chemistry between Molly and Jason.

Pick Jillian, Jason.

One thing I don't like about this show. The bachelors are smooching with almost every woman all the time, kissing 4 different women at the same time.

[helcat]

It's not really weird. My Mom never knew my best friend at all. They spoke so rarely and I grew up in a small town (1,200 people). It had more to do with my Mom and her inability to socialize than with who my friend was. It took every ounce of courage my Mother possessed to come to my wedding. My Dad had a third grade education and just preferred not to converse with my friends for fear of embarassing me. I can understand Melissa's parents. I'm sure there are reasons why they chose not to participate in much of her life. But growing up with it, you get use to it.

I agree with you in that my Mom would never feel comfortable having lots of long conversations with my college educated buddies. But, even my shy Mother has had little meaningless conversations about the weather with my best friends a handful of times. Gosh, I went to college 10 hours from hometown but even casual friends could say they met my family at graduation for goodness sakes. However, Melissa's best friend from college sounded like she had never even been around the parents but once or twice ever. Unless, we are all assuming incorrectly I got the impression that Melissa's current life, college life, and family is centered around Dallas so that is what makes it seem even more weird to many of us.

[kikibibi]

I thought the Molly visit was really stilted, all the golf and preppy stuff felt different from what we've been shown of Jason's life.

That meeting between Molly and Jason on the golf course was weird, especially when he said "I would have worn something nicer" and she said "don't worry, I have an outfit for you."

First of all, he had to have been told he was going to meet her on the golf course. Unless they blindfolded him driving onto the country club grounds? (jk) So going to a golf club, whether or not they were going to golf, he ought to have known to wear clothing golf-ish.

Secondly, I know it sounds weird, but most private country clubs do have dress codes - no jeans, collared shirts for men (and sometimes the women), no short shorts (sorry Mel, not the place for you). It can be a little tricky being a visitor of a club member, if that visitor has not been raised in that environment.

Molly obviously was raised in the country club environment, and knows what to wear, or not, and so brought an outfit for Jason. But still, very awkward!

[helcat]

Good points.

Plus, they don't just turn around on a dime and suddenly develop a long-term attachment to a guy who's a big-time nurturer.

I can see Jason being attracted to Melissa through his savior-white-knight-nurturing-guy side and Melissa clinging to him briefly, partly because she kind of wants rescue and partly because the whole tv-show thing is a rush (not dissimilar to the rush she may get from bad boys).... and then, very shortly, I can see Melissa suddenly realizing that she's "not in love" with Jason after all because he never gives her the adrenalin pump that the man's-man/kinda abusive boyfriends have.

Not a pretty picture.

Jason, did they teach you nothing in those psych classes?

I feel a short-lived Bachelor romance coming on. There are lots of red flags for Jason to have picked up on but last night it was pretty clear that he needs to be needed. Melissa clearly needs him right now but I can't help but worry that once she has some of her own self-esteem that she wouldn't move on just like his 1st wife did.

Kinda sad because it seems like Jillian could actually be a good fit for him now that she has shown him some vulnerability. But he just didn't seem content that she might only need a shoulder to cry on occasionally versus non-stop support.

[aramcobrat]

Seeing the two of them all over eachother feels icky for some reason.

I feel the same way. In fact, I feel that way about seeing him with each of them.

And yes, soft-core porn is the only way to describe those previews. I can't imagine being the girl he picked and having to watch those scenes with the other girl(s).

Did anyone else notice that Melissa's teeth were glowing white? It reminded me of the Friends episode where Ross' teeth glow under the blacklight. Someone needs to tell her to lay off the whitening.

[mimi]

Major red flags tonight concerning Melissa's family. I can understand not wanting to be on national tv and all but for her rest friends to not know her parents is extremely strange. The one friend (Stefanie) had met them only one time when they were in college? And can't really remember what Melissa's dad is like? Jason needs to think long and hard about that before he jumps into something with her based on their "connection" and chemistry.

There is something very odd going on, I totally agree. I thought the friend's comment about having met Melissa's parents once at a pool party sounded coached and didn't ring true. I suspect Melissa does not have a relationship with her parents and has no contact with them. She was in an abusive relationship, besides? There seems to be a lot of dysfunctional history with this girl.

I'm not sure if the family is wack and Melissa has put some distance between herself and them, or if it's totally the opposite. Regardless, something isn't right and I sense a major cover-up. The tension surrounding the conversation regarding her family was so thick, I could feel it right through the TV screen!