Behind the Edit **SPOILERS**

[PiperMaru]

EPISODE SIX TRANSCRIPT: PART THREE


JEREMY’S HTD:
Shot of windmill, Texas flag, a baby calf, downtown Dallas, Texas. D is walking along the street and explains that she’s in Jeremy’s hometown and that she’s there to meet his family (shot of Jeremy putting on his motorcycle helmet). She says that she cannot wait to see Jeremy today. She hopes that Jeremy is more relaxed today because the guys aren’t here. It’s just me and him (Jeremy starting the bike). She PIs that Jeremy comes to pick her up in the motorcycle looking sexy (that PI has her wearing the same long-sleeve black shirt with hair in ponytail). Jeremy shows up. He’s never mentioned riding motorcycles before and she thinks it’s hot. Big hug. They prep for the ride. He tells her the main rule is to “hold on tight.” They take off and at one point, he grabs her hand and pulls her arm tighter around his waist.

JEREMY VO/PI: We’re going for what was supposed to be a short bike ride, but I stretched it out as long as I could cuz something about having her behind me… arms wrapped around me.

NOTE: The phrase “stretched it out as long as I could” has to be red flagged. Editorially, it makes a statement. How long can Jeremy stretch this process out? Is this just a wild ride? Will it come to an end before the final RC or not?

They continue riding. D PI’s that she feels Jeremy was definitely trying to sell her on Dallas “just in case I happen to move to Dallas.” They arrive at his home. He lets her go into the house first. They stroll in hand-in-hand. She takes it all in and says “Wow. Do you live here all by yourself?” He tells her yes.

D VO/PI: I have to admit as soon as I walked into Jeremy’s house I was thinking “this perfect man, this perfect house… everything is just perfect!”

NOTE: Here we go again with the perfection, and it only gets worse. The fact it’s become so rampant and has accelerated even more this ep is enough to make me suspicious. MAJOR RED FLAGS.

They tour the house. Extremely neat and tidy. Modern-style décor. Jeremy introduces her to Kimo, his pooch. CUTE! Then he shows her his closet.

D: I can’t believe you’re this organized. This is not like a guy’s closet.
JEREMY: Well, I’m not always this organized, it’s just… sometimes I am. (Yeah, right. Not buying it. He’s obsessive.)

NOTE: No doubt, what’s lacking in Jeremy’s environment to me is color. It’s all very white, muted, earth tones. There’s nothing wild that stands out aside from the red model motorcycles and orange porch chairs. This mirrors his seriousness. Jesse’s home was permeated with character. “The home is where the heart is.” Jeremy’s home is more serious. Gorgeous, but lacking character and color. If that’s a reflection of Jeremy, then the serious meter just went off again.

Jeremy shows her a wall filled with writings for his bar exam studies. (As compared to Jesse’s snowboards!) Oddly enough. It’s in his bedroom! Lives and breathes work? What’s on the wall is all the stuff he “didn’t know.” They move to a balcony with a view of downtown Dallas. D remarks on the breathtaking view. She’s rubbing his back as they look at the view. He talks about finding the house and that there’s plenty of room for someone else (when finding another house) who can make decisions about it.
JEREMY: I just kinda want to start fresh, you know?
D VO: (could be from anywhere) I feel like the relationship between Jeremy and myself has continuously grown into something. Each time he gets more affectionate (he kisses her). He gets more personal. He opens up more and more to me every time we’re together.

NOTE: What I find curious and it’s consistent is that she says their relationship is growing into “something.” Not a “true romance” or an “amazing friendship.” Just something. But what? The vagueness of this makes if a red flag. Also, he’s affectionate with her, but she makes no mention of her becoming more affectionate with him. Vexing, that…


LOOKING AT JEREMY’S PHOTOS:
The serious music kicks in as D and Jeremy are on the couch looking at a photo album. She asks about a picture of his family and if they’re close. He says they’re “closer now.” He then says that D will be meeting his two brothers and his sister-in-law, Meridith. He wishes his folks were around, but he wanted D to see pictures of his parents and how they all fit together in regard to dynamics. More pictures of Jeremy’s parents (soft music.) D remarks that his mother is very pretty.

JEREMY VO/PI: DeAnna and I having both lost our mothers is more than just a similarity or a bond that we have between us. It’s an understanding that’s, I mean, it’s the person that’s brought you into this world and it’s probably the person you’re most connected with. (Still looking at photos.) Especially at a young age. It gives us a broader understanding of each other.

D asks Jeremy what his mother was like. Jeremy says he spoke her mind and she reminds him a lot of D. His mom didn’t hold back. If she had something she disagreed with, you were the first to know.
JEREMY TO D: In dating and stuff, I didn’t let people get to a certain point. And so she made me promise that… that I would find someone that I could (starts to get choked) I could really care about and that would make her proud. Someone that she would be proud to call her “daughter-in-law.”

He goes on to say that this is something he would’ve really wanted her to see… to meet D. He reads from the journal he kept during his mom’s illness. She couldn’t really speak and he was by her side every second until she passed. “I love you mom. Your fight is over. And now mine has begun.” D tears up, cries, and remarks that it’s very sad. Dayum. This is REALLY sad.

METHINKS I NEED TO TAKE A BREAK AND HUNT DOWN A BAG OF CHEETOS.

NOTE: The following segments are extremely choppy and flip back and forth between the PIs, VOs, and direct convo.

D VO/PI: I definitely felt very touched that Jeremy read this to me. The words that he wrote in that journal are the same words that I feel for my mother at the time when my mother passed away. Jeremy and I have that bond (she rubs his hand) that I have never, ever had with any other person.
JEREMY TO D: I do think that you and I get each other. I think that you are going through the same things that I’m going through.
JEREMY VO: I’m no expert on falling in love so I don’t know the best way to describe it.
JEREMY PI: (dressed in black suit with purple shirt and tie from the RC.) I just feel extremely vulnerable, exposed, like….
JEREMY VO: I’ve opened up parts of myself that I didn’t even realize I was capable of disclosing.
JEREMY TO D: I want you to know that you coming here isn’t so much about ending. A lot of it has to do with me trying to show you where you fit it in (kisses her forehead). So, a lot of it’s about beginnings and starting over.
JEREMY VO: I’ve not put myself out there since my mother passed away… since my father passed away.
JEREMY PI: DeAnna’s step-by-step destroying that brick wall I’ve put up that’s taken me years and year to protect myself with and… (Bloomers! Suza! Construction alert!)
JEREMY VO: …I think it’s about time. (Then a different voice inflection and sound.) I don’t just want her in my life… I need her in my life. (And yet another different inflection and sound.) I’m definitely falling in love with DeAnna.

NOTE: Okay. A few honkin’ red flags here. Obviously they’re giving us a set-up of how much D and Jeremy have in common. We’ve got the seriousness and perfection stuff laced throughout Jeremy’s edit and their relationship as a whole. Then there’s the bond they share over their mothers. What strikes me the most in this dialog is Jeremy’s VO splice of “I don’t just WANT her in my life. I NEED her in my life.” Yes, there’s been no doubt he wants her. But the needing part is nagging at me. She may want him, but doesn’t necessarily need him. Sean saying that D was exactly what he needed in his life didn’t help him one iota. (Nor did the designer label intervention. Oops.) There’s a fine line between “needing” and “needy.” One has to wonder if this is attractive to the caretaker side of D or if what she really wants is for someone to take care of her. Either way, it’s a MAJOR RED FLAG for Jeremy.

Oh. And for the record. My keyboard is covered in orange Cheetos dust. Nothing worse than radioactive Cheeto fallout.


BACK IN JEREMY’S LIVING ROOM:
It’s nighttime and Jeremy is giving D the scoop on who she’s going to meet. Older brother Jason, younger brother Patrick, and Jason’s wife, Meridith. D says that she’s nervous about meeting Jeremy’s family and that she’s concerned whether his brothers will like her.

D PI: (wearing same long-sleeve black shirt and ponytail) Jeremy told me that the promise that he made his mother was that he would find somebody that would make her proud…
D VO: … and that’s a lot to live up to.

NOTE: So what we have here is a nice mirror to D’s mention of feeling pressure in regard to becoming Ty’s mother. With Jeremy, she also is being held (subconsciously or not) to a higher standard. Play that against Jesse, where that same intense pressure isn’t there. That could be a huge relief to her and something that keeps him in the game longer. There’s so much pressure with her alleged Graham rehab that the pressure gauge exploded.

A knock at the door. Jeremy opens it. Meridith shakes D’s hand, but D hugs her. She then hugs Jason and Patrick. Jeremy asks if they’d like a drink. (Excellent host, that man. Melikes.)

INTERESTING SHOT. Close on a lighter lighting candles. One is already lit. Then the second. Possible F2 or a waxy ruse?

At the dinner table. D is sitting between Patrick and Jeremy, across from Jason and Meridith.

D: As soon as I came in he gave me a tour and I went upstairs and I was like… Wow… you’re the first guy that I would never, ever have to decorate for. (Interesting play against his earlier mention of not needing to make all the decisions.)

Jeremy tells them that it’s cool that D is there for the first time he’s had anyone over for dinner. She’s enthusiastic. But she’s the one who initiates a toast. Meridith PIs that her first impression of D was that she was very welcoming and was genuinely happy to see us and get to know us. The brothers talk about getting into fights as kids. D makes mention that “that’s the good thing about having three.” Hmm… reference to F3? Three as in a father/son/stepmom triad? Two’s company, three’s a crowd? Good or bad sign for VelcroMan?

Jason mentions that their mom said before passing that the closest thing you’ll ever have is your brothers—take it to heart as you get older. D agrees and tells them they have no idea how similar her life is to theirs. She tells them that when Jeremy showed her the photos of their folks she almost cried.

D: I’ve never dated someone who knows exactly what I went through… ever.

Meridith remarks that it was a huge bond for her and Jason as well. She lost her father when she was twenty-one, and that unless you’ve been there you can’t possibly know what that’s like. D concurs, then Meridith asks her out for girl time. She PIs that one of the things she was most excited about in meeting D was the bond D shared with Jeremy in regard to losing a parent, and that’s also what she shares with Jason.

MERIDITH PI: I know for a fact that for Jeremy and DeAnna that is gonna be a void that nobody else can fill but each other.

NOTE: The question here is if that’s enough for Jeremy and D to build a relationship on. It worked for his brother. But will it work for him? Red flag.


ON THE BALCONY WITH MERIDITH:

D TO MERIDITH: So I need to know some dirt on Jeremy. He’s so perfect. Everything is so perfect about him. I’ve never had perfect in my life so I’m a little scared.

NOTE: The word “perfect” is starting to twitch in my left eye, much like Inspector Clouseau’s foe in The Pink Panther. The perfection aspect really is getting out of control. It explains why the casual viewers I know keeping calling Jeremy winner. Red flag: It’s really in-our-faces.

MERIDITH: He is an amazing guy, I have to tell you. Sweet and sensitive and thoughtful and… (GAK! Clearly there was more to this sentence. And WHAT? Where’s the doubt? Does he collect Hello Kitty dinnerware? Wears pink fluffy bunny slippers? WHAT????)

D: He’s one of the few guys that completely opened up to me.
MERIDITH: The fact that he opened up to you says a lot to me. I don’t know many people who Jeremy has opened up to. I’m awed by that… that he thinks that much of you and has that much trust and confidence in you. (Odd shot of D. Looks like the wheels are turning, but she’s clenching her lower lip.)


JEREMY WITH HIS BROTHERS:
Jeremy asks what they think of D. Patrick thinks she’s great. Very down to earth and personable, and “country girl.” Jason, playing devil’s advocate, says that it’s tough to gauge everything over a single meeting.

NOTE: Hilarious. Throughout this convo, Jason is sitting with a baseball bat between his knees. Dude’s ready for a fight. ROFL

JASON: In the back of your mind, how could you not think that she could be having similar feelings with several other guys as well?
JEREMY: That’s the difference. I just don’t think about it. I’ve got to feel that I am the only guy that she’s talking to because the second I start imagining her with other people… the second their relationship starts creeping into mine. And so I just completely deny that it’s even taking place. Maybe that’s not healthy… maybe it’s not real…but

NOTE: This appears to be consistent with Jeremy’s actions in regard to persistence. And it does show that he has the mental strength to go the long haul, unlike Graham who by contrast can’t handle her being with other guys. What sticks out is the last sentence. That it may not be healthy or real. The healthy part shows he’s insightful, but the mention of real has to be red flagged as it mirrors and relates to Jesse’s edit. The guy threat also applies to Jesse who said that he’d lose his mind if he thought about his rivals, and Jason, who unlike the others is realistic about it.

JASON: But you see where we’re coming from. It’s just an impression. I’m going to be guarded for you.
PATRICK: We’re just being cautious.
JASON: We’ll be there to pick up the pieces if that’s the case.
JEREMY: If that’s the case then I will definitely have you guys for that.
JASON: Because the last person that broke your heart was mom.
JEREMY: Yeah, that’s true.

NOTE: It has to be said that this is HUGE red flag, the mention of picking up the pieces in particular. Thus far there’s a strong underlying grief in what they chose to show us and I can’t help but wonder which way that’s gonna go. Will Jeremy be grieving the loss of D or can he capture her heart and begin anew? The seriousness of his edit isn’t helped by this, so I remain suspicious.

BROTHER JASON PI: This whole process is difficult to take. I’m cautious with Jeremy’s feelings. It’s due to what’s happened to us and this barrier that he’s built around him and he understands that I understand it. So when I give him a hard time about something, he knows I have good intentions. But I’m gonna question every step he makes. That’s my role.


DEANNA’S 1-1 WITH THE BROTHERS:
They sit in the living room. Jason asks D if she and Meridith talked a lot. D says yes and that have a lot in common and that she’s very easy to talk to. It’s already awkward. He asks what they have in common and D says that she was telling her a lot about Jeremy. (Odd dialog. Because she didn’t actually answer Jason’s query.) Then it blasts right into the intense stuff.

JASON: [/b]We’re on one side here. We’re not on your side (D nods. Her lips are pursed.) We’re on Jeremy’s side, okay? We get one chance with you, okay? And then in two weeks he’s gonna come back and we’re gonna be told: “this is the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.”[/b] When I know you from one night.

NOTE: Have to red flag the confrontation. There’s an interesting contrast here. Jeremy’s brothers are not on her side. Jason and Jesse’s folks didn’t choose sides. Both were warm and inviting. Graham’s folks looked to be more on D’s side than Grahams in regard to wishing he could nab her. Then there’s the ominous line of being told “this is the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.” The key phrase is “he’s gonna come back” and tell them that. So will he or won’t he?

DEANNA: I know.
JASON: It’s very hard for me.
PATRICK: Cuz you know, you were there and you can look at it from our perspective… we’re cautious.
D VO/PI: I had some time alone with Jeremy’s brothers. They grilled me (said with a strong inflection). For the first time I got sweaty palms and was really, really nervous.
JASON: One of the things that’s important to me with whoever Jeremy ends up with is that that person’s gotta get along well with all of us. You’re not just committing to Jeremy. You’re committing to us too.
D: It’s most important for me that you all know that I am very sincere about this. I’m putting 100 percent of my heart into this. It’s not a joke to me and I have very, very genuine feelings for Jeremy. I care about him a lot. I’ve never a person that I have more in common with than him. And family is the most important part to me. I can promise you that, because not only am I close to my brother and my sister, they are my life. My main concern is coming into this is that I had all those qualities to look for in someone and I’ve never met that perfect guy. And when I met Jeremy, he has all these qualities. He is that perfect guy. He’s everything that I’ve always looked for and I’m scared to death of that.

PATRICK: Wow.
JASON: Well, then I guess that is the question. The question is how do you overcome that fear?
DEANNA: I know. I’m trying.
JASON: So, then Patrick. The only thing that can go wrong here is that says Jeremy is perfect, but his brothers are whacked.


OKAY. I NEED A DRINK.
AND I SUDDENLY FEEL THE OVERWHELMING URGE TO WATCH NAKED GUN.


NOTE: Yowsa. There’s a lot going on here. Red flags popping up all over the place. This HTD was edited to show so much intensity and caution that in many ways mirrors Jeremy’s entire edit. He’s perfect, perfect, PERFECT. What’s wrong with this picture? She trying to overcome her fear, but ultimately, can she do that? There’s caution all the way around, and while her commitment convo with Jesse’s dad was touching, this one was confrontational. She didn’t ask the questions—they did. The loss of control made her palms sweaty.

D PIs about Jeremy’s brothers and the fact that she believes they don’t want to see him hurt (shot of family hugging goodbye).
D: He hasn’t really attached himself to another woman since his mother passed away, and they’re just being protective. They want the best for their brother.
Jeremy hugs her and asks what she thought about the family. She’s says they’re great. Shot of them in front of the fireplace.

JEREMY: This was huge. It’s not just you meeting my family but it’s you seeing where you could fit in. And that I do not just want you… but I do need you.
D: Wow.
JEREMY: That was kinda heavy, huh?
D: Yeah. (They smooch. D’s hand goes first to his face, and his hand to her face.)
D VO: (clearly spliced in from elsewhere, different sound quality) Jeremy pretty much has all the qualities that I look for in a husband. He is determined. He’s caring. He’s loving. He’s affectionate.
D PI: (long-sleeve black shirt, ponytail) I think that if Jeremy and I were to get married, I would fit into his family very well (Same smoochy setting only this time D doesn’t have her hand on his face. Both hands are clutching her drink!)
D VO: Everything just fits right into place and it just seems so meant to be.
JEREMY VO/PI: I don’t know how this could’ve worked out any better. Tonight, the HTD. DeAnna meeting my family. We fit. We just fit. I don’t know how else to describe it (huggy shot). She is definitely the girl that I wanna spend the rest of my life with.
Shot of D and Jeremy cuddling on front of the fire. Then fade out.

NOTE: YIKES! Okay. Seriously loaded stuff. Heavy, even. Enough that I need a bucket of truffles, a bottle of Visine, and a case of sedatives. So Jeremy again is cited as having all the creds for being D’s husband. That’s consistent. She’d fit right into his family. Two kickers: Jeremy repeating again that he doesn’t just want her—he NEEDS her. That didn’t help Sean. Couple that with the repeat of his wanting to spend the rest of his life with her. Big red flags. Then there’s the “meant to be” VO. Could’ve been said about anyone, so why toss it in here? To throw us off the scent or confirm that Jeremy is F1?

From the outside looking in, Jeremy is being built up as the obvious winner. He’s perfect. But therein the problem lies. She’s been searching for perfect and it appears to be right there in front of her. IMO, something has to come to a head here. Her fear. The seriousness. The chemistry. The perfection bubble burst. SOMETHING. It just seems too bloody obvious, doesn’t it?




JASON’S HTD:
Shot of the Space Needle, public market, then Jason in the bg in front of a flowerbed. But get this. Prominent in the shot are four yellow tulips and two red ones! They are the only two red flowers in the bed. Red flag for a potential F2 spot? Two reds for he and Ty?

VO of Jason saying he’s in his hometown of Seattle (shot of D walking. She’s wearing a yellow coat) and that today’s the day he gets to take D out and show her my home. Then a shot of Jason smiling big as he sees D approaching him. He says it’s been a while since he’s seen it. He’s jumping up and down and grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.

JASON VO: We’ve had one date where we’ve been able to spend time alone (still jumping and grinning) and…
JASON PI: (dark shirt, Seattle skyline in the bg) … I’m looking forward to doing it again. I really am.
Shot of D almost leaping into his arms and he twirls her around.
JASON TO D: How the heck are you? It’s so good to see you!
D: I know. It’s good to see you!
They kiss and return to the hug. That’s some serious hug.

JASON VO: You know that thing like, distance makes the heart grow fonder (shot of them looking directly at each other), I feel like I was really starting to get to know her and than I had to take a break. And I missed her a ton (they’re still close, smiling, and both jumping with excitement).

NOTE: Funny interpretation of the old “absence makes the heart grow fonder” adage. In terms of geographical distance he’s the farthest from D. Another Freudian slip?

JASON TO D: (shot of Needle) You know what this is?
D: No, I don’t.
JASON: You have no idea what that is? You’ve never seen it before? (D says no.)
JASON: This is called the Space Needle. What do you think? Should we go up and check it out? (Nice. He’s not pushy. Asks first if she’d like to go. Does it sound like he’s explaining it all to a kid, though?)

D says a gleeful yes and they hug again. Shot of them going up in the elevator. D VO explains they went to the “tippy top” in the VIP elevator. No one gets go to the actual top where the needle is. (Sean had one arm around her in the gondola. Jason has both arms around her and pulls her close.) They emerge from stairs onto the deck and D says that it’s the most beautiful view she’s ever seen in her life (shot of the city and waterway). Jason points out Puget Sound and ferry boats. (For the record, the view from the Needle truly is awesome!)

JASON VO: This is Lake Union, where Sleepless in Seattle was filmed on one of the houseboats. (HA! Looks like Jason did his homework. I guess it’s good that Rosemary’s Baby wasn’t filmed there.)
D: The movie?
JASON: Yeah, the movie. And I live on the other side of the lake.
D PI: (white coat with black tank and silver hoop earrings. Looks like what she’s wearing under the yellow coat and is the same throughout the PIs) It’s definitely good to spend some alone time with Jason. I’m hoping for something to be there (he kisses her—twice)

NOTE: Such an odd phrasing. She’s “hoping for something to be there.” Something in relation to falling in love with Jason or something in regard to Ty or accepting Jason as a father?

D VO: There was a kiss and it was absolutely romantic (more smooching). I was very happy to be in his arms (they hug). But I am a little worried today because I am gonna meet Jason’s son.
D PI: I have never dated anyone with a child. It’s a new experience for me (D looking across the table at Jason. She seems happy).


IN THE NEEDLE RESTAURANT:
D and Jason are sitting at a table holding hands across the table. The thing about Jason is he’s consistently shown to be asking her how she’s feeling.

JASON PARTIAL VO: So after this we’re going to go and see Ty. He’s in his pirate stage so it’s gonna be a lot of fun. And if there’s anything you’re worried about—it’s going to be nothing. (D says okay) Like what would you be worried about?
D: I’m just nervous. It’s different than meeting someone’s parents. Like your parents have an opinion. But this is your son. With your parents it’s like “oh whatever… you’re gonna date her anyway.” But this is your son, you know? That’s your life.

D: How many more kids do you want? You’ve already got Ty.
JASON: How many more kids do I want? Where I come from there’s three of us. So I guess I’ve always thought three.
D: I have a brother and sister, so I’ve always thought three.
JASON: It just seems natural, you know like bigger [garbled] and just stuck in the middle, right? So when you think kids you still think three kids?
D: I still think three kids, yes—before I’m thirty.
JASON (nodding. The look on his face is priceless): Three kids before thirty…
D: I’m twenty-six.
JASON: Seems like you got a lot of energy in you.

NOTE: Just an observation, but if you were a guy on a speed dating reality show and you find out the object of your affection wants three kids in four years, how would you react? I realize they were certainly grilled about this ahead of time, but in regard to the F4 it’s curious. Jason already has a child and as stated below is thinking of three. Jesse mentioned wanting to be a stay-at-home dad, but isn’t ready to get married in two weeks. Jeremy? Who knows? There are three siblings in his family too. And Graham… well… he’s having trouble looking her in the eye. Dee’s dealing in threes. Who’s up for it?

D: I just want a big family. I don’t know. My mom always took really good care of us and taught us so much and then she died when I was twelve, so I feel like I want to have a child. I want to give that to a child. (Jason’s got one, honey!)
JASON: You told me so much about your mom and your experience from that, and everything you that think you were able to learn from your mom, you’ll just be able to pass along that maybe times three, it sounds like.
D: You make them into such little people, you know? (Jason says: Yeah) I want little people.
JASON: Three little people.
They’re still holding hands throughout this conversation. He asks her if she wants to see Ty. She says yes and thanks him for bringing her to the Needle. They kiss and hug.

[Google]

 

[PiperMaru]

EPISODE SIX TRANSCRIPT: PART FOUR


IN THE PARK:
Cut to across the water and to D and Jason walking hand-in-hand in a park.

JASON: What are you thinking?
D: I’m just excited for you. I know you’ve gotta be crawling out of your skin right now.
JASON VO/PI: This is the longest time in my life I’ve gone without seeing my son (shot of Ty). I don’t know what it’s gonna be like when I first see him, but I just can’t explain how excited I am. (More shots of Ty playing in the park.)
Music grows louder as D and Jason enter into a grassy area. Jason calls for Ty. He yells “Daddy!” and takes off running toward Jason. Jason runs toward him and grabs him and they roll on the grass. (The music sounds familiar. Maybe from a movie soundtrack?) Ty grabs Jason’s face as D approaches.

TY: Are you not sad anymore?
JASON: I’m not sad anymore.
TY: Why?
JASON: Cuz you’re here! I’m glad to see you, buddy. (They hug.)

D VO/PI: When Ty yelled “Daddy” and Jason took off running, and they grabbed each other. I lost it…
D PI: … from that moment. That was the most perfect moment I have ever seen in my entire life.
D VO: (shot of her swiping tears) It was like something out of a movie.
JASON TO TY: Can I introduce you to somebody? (Ty says yes.)
JASON: This is my… This is DeAnna. Can you say hi to DeAnna?

NOTE: Several red flags here. First the second reference to a movie and the mirror to Sleepless. Second, Jason getting a mention in the “perfect” zone. A big mention. And third, the good ‘ol Freudian slip of “This is my…” They just won’t let that one drop.

D: I brought you something, would you like to have it? (D hands him a blue golf ball and Ty gives her nugs.)
D VO: Once I saw Jason with his son, that was it for me. I could’ve never imagined…
D PI: … that it would all be so perfect. It would all fit right into place.

NOTE: More flaggage. The golf ball. Did someone mention Jason was a golfer? FWIW in the silly comparison department: The ball is blue. Isn’t part of D’s final RC dress blue? Then there’s another mention of perfection, coupled with everything fitting into place. This mirror’s CH asking in the preview if D will fit into Jason’s family and it also compares to three mentions of “fitting in” during Jeremy’s HTD: Jeremy twice said it was about where she would fit in, and D said in PI that she would fit right into his family. The stuff is piling up. Question is: Where does she best fit in?

D, Jason, and Ty are feeding bread to the ducks at the “duck party.”

D VO: To see him today with his child, it’s what any woman could wish for. A man that is not only okay with being around children but absolutely loves and adores (shot of D smiling) kids. I don’t have to wonder if he’d be a good father (Ty kissing Jason) or if he would love his children.
D PI: I already see that. He’s a wonderful father.

NOTE: Flagging this. It follows through with her desire to become a mom, gives Jason a big boost, and also mirrors her statement about Jeremy during the Sinatra date about his being everything a woman could want. This sets up Jason vs. Jeremy on some level.

JASON: So Ty… what was daddy doing in California? Do you want me to tell you or do you know? (Ty says to tell him.)
JASON: Well, daddy went there to meet a pretty girl. Who’s the pretty girl? (Ty points to D and says “that one.”)
D VO: I definitely believe that everything happens for a reason, and this experience with Jason and his son has made me a different person. (Shot of the three of them with Ty on the swing.) I felt like we were comfortable…
D PI: … and we were a family and we were spending the day at the park. (Ty goes down the slide.)
D VO: No one grows up and thinks “I want to be a stepmother,” but after meeting Jason and being with Ty. In a few weeks… I very possibly could be.

A final shot of the three of them in the park.
D and Jason each holding Ty’s hands and saying “One. Two.Three. Gooooo!” and swinging Ty up.

NOTE: YIKES. The flag pole is bending. First, D’s mention that everything happens for a reason. That mirrors her convo with Jesse’s mother. And as a concept, that would be a big red flag. Next is the rather huge announcement that this had made her a different person. How so? Different in that she confirmed she wants to be a mom? Different in her feelings about Jason? Different in that she’s not yet ready? Then it’s to the comfort factor, which mirrors the comfort he provided her (and she accepted) after the 2-1 date of doom. Next up is a back-up to her “being a different person” with the ominous statement that she could possibly be a stepmom in a few weeks. That would seem to indicate that there’s a proposal, no? If you’re dating, you’re not officially a stepmom. Big red flag.

And then there’s the final shot of the segment (swinging Ty) where we’re back to the power of three. One. Two. Three. Go. A definite foreshadow to Jason making it to the F3. There’s a subtle triad theme building in this ep. How does it play out? Does her final decision include Jason and Ty making them a triangle? Is it hinting at a love triangle between D, Jason and either Jesse or Jeremy? Regardless. It’s there and it’s a red flag.


IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE VAN:
Jason and D are in the backseat with Ty in the middle.

JASON VO/PI: Today really broke down in so many ways. And after I saw Ty and had Ty with me things were perfect. And I was really ready to go see my family.

D asks Ty if he’s tired and strokes his hair as he yawns. D PIs that it’s a huge deal to introduce D to his family, that he’s only done it a few times, with a high school girlfriend and his ex-wife. Shot of them entering the house. Everyone is very excited and welcoming. They hug all three of them. D VOs that she met Jason’s folks, his two brothers, and his sister-in-law. She says that Jason’s family is probably most like her own family. It’s a large group which is what she’s used to. Shot of them at the dining table. Jason’s mother stands up to make a toast.

MOM: I just wanted to make a toast to Jason and DeAnna and welcome you guys to the Pacific Northwest, and mostly to meeting out family. I love you both!
D VO/PI: Jason’s family was so special. They went completely out of their way to make me feel welcome. They actually cooked all the Greek food. I felt right at home (shot of food being passed around).
Mom asks D if she knows Jason is a sportaholic and how she feels about that. D asks Jason how she feels about sports and he tells mom that D puts him under the table. D says she loves baseball and Jason says he likes to go to Braves’ games.

Awkward chop cut to the sister-in-law asking D what it’s like to be dating Jason and three other guys at the same time. (Shocked shot of D and Jason’s dad. She looks at Jason.)
D: It’s so weird because you do care about four guys (shot of Jason’s mom) and it’s really hard for me because you have to get down to one and I don’t know how do to that (Jason’s brother).

NOTE: This mirrors the statement and shot of Jason’s portrait during the deliberation room scene.

MOM: When Jason started.. when he knew he was gonna be on this I said: Jason, are you prepared to have your heart broken? Because he’s my… I mean I saw him … I saw what he went through. (Apparently, the Freudian slip runs from mother to son!)
D: Well, it broke my heart the night that we had our 1-1 date because after he told me about Ty I completely felt guilty because I’m keeping someone here away from someone the person he loves most in the world. So before I ever gave him the rose that night I said I need to know that this is okay. (Mom seems impressed.)
Jason’s brother says that they’re grilling D pretty hard and turns his attention to Jason and asks where his feelings stand. Dayum. This is a very open family!

JASON: The most important thing for me is the sparkle of life that’s behind—the personal connection has to be there, but when you sit there and talk to her—you know when she looks at the world—she looks at it like nobody else does. The first conversation we had that first night I was like, yeah, it’s in there.
MOM: Someone (?) has that sparkle.

NOTE: The sparkle mention again is becoming a habit. At the firepit scene Jason said that he saw that sparkle in D’s eyes. Here he says it again in regard to life and mom backs it up. Like mother, like son. Which is also a bit of an underlying theme in regard to Jason’s edit. His mom. He being like her. Their ability to love. This all plays to the potential for the mother/son relationship between Ty and D.


IN THE LIVING ROOM:
With everyone gathered, Jason presents Ty with the star certificate that D gave him. He explains to Ty that there’s a star named after him. Everyone is very happy. Ty gives D a hug. Then drinks are passed around. One of the brothers asks if there’s a specific toast when drinking that liquor. (God help ‘em all if it’s Ouzo. Twenty years later I’m still feeling that hangover.) D thanks all of them for welcoming her and making her feel right at home and part of the family. And for letting her be in Jason and Ty’s life. “I could not begin to thank you enough.” Seriously. This is a very happy, lovely family. They all say “Opa” and then dance together. (Looks like the Ouzo kicked in.)
D VO/PI: Jason’s family was like my own fat Greek family.

They all go outside and a game of leap frog ensues.
MOM VO/PI: DeAnna has the attributes that Jason loves. She’s beautiful. And she has a sparkle in her spirit. I think we would have a really good time with her. We’re a family who loves to play (dad leapfrogging) and be together and who loves children, and Jason loves children.
DAD VO/PI: DeAnna has this wonderful spark and joie de vivre, and she has this love for sports and activity and that would just make her a natural part of the family.

NOTE: That’s the fourth mention of sparkage in total. A lot of sparking going on here. Sparks flying? Another red flag is the statement about how much Jason loves children. That mirrors his and D’s earlier convo about the power of three kids.


1-1 WITH DEANNA AND JASON’S DAD:
DAD: One thing that’s on my mind and you can well imagine… if you and Jason would move on and become husband and wife and such. As you know, Ty is such a priority…
D: Absolutely.
DAD: … his life and such. How’s it feel? I mean not your own biological child in this case?
D: Well, I know that I am not his mother and I would never, ever try to replace that. But I’m okay being a second part of his life and someone else that he can look up to. And someone else that he can go to and someone else who can play a motherly figure for him.
DAD: You seem like a very special person to me, and that’s not the norm, okay, in terms of what’s out there, honey. (Pats her shoulder) I really…
D thanks him and tells him that means a lot to her.


JASON AND HIS MOM 1-1
Cut to Jason and his mom sitting on the porch steps.

MOM: What is your heart feeling? Are you feeling that va-va-voom?
JASON: Yeah. Yeah. She is that amazing.
MOM: So you’re attracted to her? And I know that’s important, but then I worry if DeAnna doesn’t choose you.
JASON VO: Of course. I’m not gonna be hurt like I was hurt before. I’ve got body armor on.
MOM: I know, but I don’t want you to have body armor so that you don’t ever fall in love again. I want you to have that openness in your heart that is not closed. For it to work, you have to be real with her. (Mirrors Jesse’s dad telling him to be real.)
JASON: It’s worth possibly getting married, you think?
MOM: Yes. It’s worth getting hurt, and if you could fall in love with somebody then I know that your heart’s open, that your heart’s healing.
JASON: You think I’m gonna get hurt?
MOM: I don’t know. I can’t tell.

JASON VO/PI: The most important thing my mom taught me about love is that it’s really okay to show how you feel. And tonight I’m gonna get some time with DeAnna and I’ll start shedding off the body armor and opening up because it’s gonna be the best for both DeAnna and I.


CUT TO IMAGE OF NEIL ARMSTRONG PUTTING FLAG ON THE MOON.


NOTE: Okay. The flag meter has left the planet. First off, how could you not love Jason’s folks? The entire visit with them was fun, calm, loving, and very open. Being open is a running theme for this bunch. His dad asked D all the right questions and they were intentionally edited in. Mom proved to be everything Jason purported and offered sage advice. A few key red flags: Jason’s refusal that he’ll be hurt as before. He admits to wearing the armor but is wiling to shed it for D not just because it’s best for him but for them as a pair. That’s big. Serious insight. Jesse as well made the concerted effort to open up. Jeremy showed more affection but he twice told her he “needed her.” Graham internalizes everything and negates the entire issue.

Jesse, Jeremy, and Jason’s HTDs all mentioned past experiences. The difference is that Jeremy’s heartbreak was his mother and not a girlfriend or wife. Jeremy’s brothers announced they’ll pick up the pieces. Jesse’s afraid of getting married quickly, and could be rejecting an overnight invite. And Jason is looking to have three kids, shedding the armor, and accepting the overnight invite. Who is opening their heart the most and exposing themselves to potential devastation? Jesse’s mom says that whatever is meant to be will happen. Jason’s mom tells D to do some good soul searching. To follow Bloomers Realtor vs. Bartender theory: Jesse tells D that “home is where the heart is” and makes the effort to open up. Jason shows D that they can be a family in the park. He to sheds the armor and opens up.


OMG. HERE WE GO AGAIN. BREAK OUT THE KLEENEX.


Jason and D say goodbye to Ty and the his family. D thanks his mom and she responds:
MOM: Do some good soul searching. Think big.
DAD TO D: I hope to have more of you, but just moments have touched my life okay?
MOM KISSING JASON GOODBYE: Be brave.

NOTE: And the hits just keep coming. Again the parental dichotomy. Jesse’s mom: Que sera sera. Jason’s mom: Soul search and be brave. Jeremy’s brother: We’ll pick up the pieces. Graham’s mom: CALL 1-800-GREYHOUND.

Then Ty yells for daddy. He explains he as to go, tells him he loves him, and Ty starts to cry.


FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HUMAN! EVERYONE’S BAWLING.

ANYONE UP FOR WATCHING OLD YELLER?


D VO/PI: The goodbye with Jason’s family was completely emotional. To watch Jason say goodbye to his son… that completely broke my heart. I understand that he had to leave the most important thing in his life to put his heart on the line and give me the chance to fall in love. That’s a big thing.
D PI: (in this PI she’s wearing the yellow tank from the Palm Springs segments) It made me realize that I could see myself spending the rest of my life with this person. (Uh, which person would that be? Evil editors.)


JASON AND D 1-1
Somewhere on an unidentified couch in Seattle Jason and D are sitting close having a drink. He thanks her for a wonderful day. She thanks him. Jason PIs that looking into D’s eyes is amazing and that you can really feel that she cares.

JASON TO D: My heart’s in a different place than it has been in a long time. In a really long time. And I really mean that. And I don’t know where that’s gonna go, but I love where it’s heading. (She kisses him.)
JASON VO: (likely splice) If DeAnna doesn’t see a future between her and myself, of course I’ll be hurt. I don’t wanna get hurt. That’s a risk I’m willing to take (still smooching). I think we’re at a point where we both really want to get to know more about each other.
JASON TO D: Soft lips. ROFL. (When I first heard it I keyed in “loft tips.” WTH?)
JASON PI: With the way things are going. Um… I am falling in love. (Back to the smooching)
Night shot of the Space Needle and fade out.


NOT TO GO ALL BETTY DAVIS ON Y’ALL, BUT BETTER BUCKLE UP. IT’S GOING TO BE A BUMPY RIDE.



NOTE:From here on out this is all Lyb5007’s brilliant handiwork. You SO ROCK, sistah! Lyb’s running commentary is in place. Additional comments from myself and SO are noted. Please note the exceptional detail Lyb provided in regard to apparel and all other details. It’s nothing short of astonishing!

Oh, and lest I forget, Lyb gets a serious medal for surviving all of the Graham dialog. Trust me. It’s verbal carnage.


GRAHAM’S HTD:
During some PI’s, D is wearing a black, open collar type blouse with hoop earrings; her hair is pulled back. I don’t know where this is from. During other PI’s, she’s wearing the black and white swirl halter top that she wore later when visiting Graham’s parents. Graham is wearing a light blue collared shirt over jeans, except when he’s in his basketball jersey. On this part of date, D’s hair is down and she’s wearing a white v-neck, casual top over jeans. Silver hoop earrings.

Opening shots, Raleigh City Limits, silver SUV on road.
D VO: Today I’m in North Carolina…
D PI: (in black top) …to see Graham’s hometown, to see where he grew up…
Back in SUV.
D VO: …and meet his family. I think that Graham is having a hard time with the other guys that I’m seeing because…
D PI: (in black top) …I have genuine feelings for them and he knows that.
D in SUV, VO: But today it’ll be just the two of us…
D PI: (in black top) … it’s his chance to open up and really share his emotions.

NOTE FROM PIPER: Raise your hand if you think that’s gonna happen?

Graham standing in front of his high school.
GRAHAM VO: It’s wonderful to be in the South.
Graham now sitting on bleachers.
GRAHAM PI: You know DeAnna’s a southern girl, and obviously, I’m a southern boy.
G VO: Right now we are at my high school where, uh, where it all started for me.
G PI: Growing up, basketball has played, uh a large role in, in my identity and so you know, I uh, want to share that with her and give her a little bit of insight into, you know, how I became the person that she knows. (Intercut with shots of D rolling up in SUV.)

D: (getting out of limo, reaching for hug, voice a little breathless) Hi!
Graham: (big hugging, wrapping her completely in his arms) Heeey!
D: Mmm. How are you?
GRAHAM: I’m getting better.

NOTE FROM PIPER: And thus begins yet another counseling session. Seems every time D asks how he is… he’s “getting better.”

D: Yeah?
GRAHAM: (heart felt) Oh, yeah!
D: Good!
(They step out of hug; is Graham the one who moves back? He’s still holding D’s hand.)
GRAHAM: Well, welcome.
D: I know.
GRAHAM: North Carolina. (D bouncing, moving right back in to hug again. Both have big, beaming smiles.)
D: I know.
(Cut to their backs as they walk up the steps, close, holding hands.)
GRAHAM: Man, it’s good to see you.
D: Me, too! (laughing, as she’s bouncing up to the stair in front of him and turning in to hug him again.)

NOTE FROM LYB: In Jason’s date, he was the one bouncing because he couldn’t contain his joy and excitement. When she sees Graham, D’s the one who’s bouncing. Red flag.

NOTE FROM PIPER:Oh the irony! ITA. It’s a bit sad. She’s so “all about Graham,” but ultimately it’s Jason who appears most excited to see her. The Giddy Schoolgirl Syndrome is jolting, like a blast of Fresca on a panti-liner. (Not my joke. Old Joan Rivers schtick).

Shot of them staying locked into hug as Graham continues to walk them up the steps, across the landing towards the doors.

D VO: When I saw Graham, I was really curious how he would act towards me. He was so cute. I could not take my hands off Graham.
D PI: (in B and W halter) I was so happy to see him.
(Cut to Graham and D walking side by side to doors.)
GRAHAM: I’ve missed you.
D: Good. I’m glad. I’ve missed you, too.
GRAHAM: MmHmm. (Graham puts his arm loosely around D’s shoulders and she puts her arm around him, hand tightly gripping his waist.)

NOTE FROM LYB:It could be difference in emotional style; it could be difference in size. It looks like Graham’s arms and legs are twice as long as D’s.

GRAHAM: (as he kisses the top of her head) Bet you say that to all the guys.

NOTE FROM LYB:UH OH! Both are still beaming and he said it in a light, teasing voice, but is this a foreshadowing of return to the angst theme?

NOTE FROM PIPER: Egads. I’m reaching for the Smirnoff as we speak. I cannot believe he brought up the guys AGAIN. Brian apparently yabbered to much about the guys. Sean got the glare of death bringing up the guys. Both got the boot. Yet Graham—who is way more emotional work—gets a pass. ITA, Lyb. Angst. Here we come…

D, bringing her other arm around him so that she is tightly hugging him from the side as they continue to walk: “No, I don’t.” (Voice is soft and… purring?)
Shot of them walking into the gym.


INSIDE THE GYM:
D, in front, looking around: “Yaaaay!”

INSERT GIDDY SCHOOLGIRL EMOTE

Graham, behind her, opening arms in a “here it is” gesture. (Cam shot of flag with MEN’S BASKETBALL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS with a slew of years noted after. This school has claimed serious basketball bragging rights!)

NOTE FROM PIPER’S SO: (I didn’t remotely catch this) “Is it not a bit creepy that a twenty-nine-year-old guy is taking D back to his high school? Isn’t it curious that Jason shared Ty, Jesse and Jeremy shared their homes, but Graham only shared his parents and not anything more personal?”

GRAHAM: This is where I grew up. I lived in this building right here.
Cam shows Graham and D walking hand in hand towards some bleachers.
Graham apparently continues, (but it looks like some slicing has been done) …so… we had some stuff made…)
D: Yay!

INSERT ANOTHER GIDDY SCHOOLGIRL EMOTE

Shot of two basketball jerseys. Graham, bending over to pick up jersey and show it to D: “For you.”
D: (looking at jersey, which is folded) Is that your last name?

NOTE FROM LYB:I have to assume she knows his last name by now, so her question has got to reflect that she can only see part of the print on the jersey at this time.

GRAHAM: That is my last name.
D: (picking up one and examining it) My jersey already says your last name on it? (You know what happens when you assume…)


NOTE FROM LYB:I found her tone of voice interesting. It didn’t have the soft, purring, tone of earlier. To me it sounded a little more calm, questioning.

NOTE FROM PIPER’S SO: (He’s screaming “control freak” at the television.) “How much of an editor’s set-up was that? She’s not YOUR girl. Putting his name on her jersey smacks of control and possessiveness, that “you belong to me” attitude his edit has been polluted by.”

NOTE FROM PIPER:Dare I say that it’s a red flag? Will she become his HoneyBunn?

NOTE TO TALLDEDE: You know what you have to do, sweetie.


D: (Turning to look at G) Hmmm. (Tone kind of flat… Considering.)
GRAHAM: (grinning hugely) Yeah, subliminal. (Graham makes this gesture of touching his forehead, then touches D’s, back and forth, indicating mental connection.)
D: Hmmmmm again. (Tone inflected upward, said to me that she liked the thought of it—a lot!)


PIPER RUNS FROM ROOM SCREAMING: FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HUMAN… ANNIHILATE YOUR INNER FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE!


(Both laugh. D looks to be getting ready to put shirt on.)
D PI: in B and W halter: Graham did seem definitely happier to be in his own element today… to being in his high school, playing basketball. (Shot of D and Graham hugging, wearing jerseys with his number 11, and last name, Bunn, on the back.)

NOTE FROM PIPER: Somewhere in there is a “bun in the oven” joke.

D PI: (in B and W halter) I saw a completely different side of Graham. That I absolutely loved! (Cut to them on the court, playing with ball. D playfully pushes him back a little to make a basketball move.)
G: (laughing voice) Is that my zone? Am I allowed to go in there?
D: (turning around in circle, with one arm extend. Giggling) Yeah, you’re allowed to come this way, gesturing with arm.

NOTE FROM PIPER: I have to agree with my SO here (the horror… ROFL). I realize they’re just goofing around, but that dialog is there for a reason. D has to ask where her zone is, her boundaries. Is she allowed in. Graham doesn’t say “sure you are” or “by all means” or “come here, gorgeous” he says she’s allowed to approach him. Very subliminal and editorially speaking, quite brilliant. They continue that struggle below. D confidently states she is allowed in his zone, and he concedes and misses the shot. Props to the editors on this one. It’s a beaut.

GRAHAM: (laughing voice) In that circle? D takes a shot and misses.
Graham takes ball on rebound and bounces. GRAHAM: (Teasing) Ohhh, oh. See, now it’s my ball. (Hinting of emotional power struggle between them?)

D: (moves toward him, sounding confident) I’m allowed in your zone.
GRAHAM: (bouncing ball) [b]You are—you are more than allowed in my zone.[b] (Both laughing.)
GRAHAM: Oh! (He takes a shot and misses.)
(Camera continues to show them playing around with ball.)

D VO: Graham continues to surprise me, every day that I’m around him. There is just something that I feel for him that I do not feel for the other three guys.
D PI: (in B and W halter) I don’t think about anybody else when I’m with him and I never want my date to end.

NOTE FROM PIPER: This comment is curious given her assertion that when she’s with each of the guy’s they have her total attention. Is it a Freudian slip? On the other dates is she really only thinking of them or always giving them the Graham Chemistry Test? This is a two-fold red flag for odd delivery and for the mention of never wanting her dates to end. This date ends badly and permanently.

(Cut back to D and Graham on-court, standing on other half of court.)
GRAHAM: What, what happens if I—if I make this impossible shot?
D: (soft, flirty voice) Have you ever been kissed on center court? (Well yeah… there was that one time with Dennis Rodman… oops. Bad Piper… DEDE… a little help?)
GRAHAM: (big grin.) Really?
D, coy, and teasing as she moves towards him. “Yeah… a sweet, little … (swats ball) …peck!”
She continues in challenging voice. “But you have to make it!” (HA! NOT!)
GRAHAM: (taking aim, then looking upward) Please go in.
They both laugh, he takes aim…. and…. misses! (INSERT DEAD.MAN.WALKING EMOTE.)

NOTE FROM PIPER: No doubt this is yet another subliminal harbinger of doom. This is what Graham does as a profession. Just like Jesse, he’s in his element. But he didn’t score on the court, and while he did score love points with the girl… he doesn’t win the game. He even asks what the subtle repercussions are for making “this impossible shot.” (Insert dead.man.walking emote times ten.) This underlying edit continues below. He apologizes. She shows faux sympathy and gives him a consolation kiss. And Graham STILL pulls away. She pushes. He pulls. Power struggle. The edit is showing that this pairing is a subconscious psychological mess.

Graham throws arms out, and approaches her: “I’m sorry.”
D, moves into his arms, pouting: “That’s terrible.”
She lifts her face to him.
D: You get one anyway.
GRAHAM: (lowering his head to kiss her, murmuring) I get one anyway?
D: MmHmmm.
Smooch. Graham starts stepping backwards as they are still hugging. D follows for a step or two and then they break apart.

[PiperMaru]

EPISODE SIX TRANSCRIPT: PART FIVE


SITTING ON THE BLEACHERS:
Cut to them sitting on bleachers. He is up one row higher, leaning forward, arms folded on his knees. looking down to her. She is sitting one step lower, and is looking up at him.


NOTE FROM LYB: Do we have any doubt who holds the real power in this relationship?

NOTE FROM PIPER: Sheesh. None whatsoever. He’s sitting in the dominant position as if presiding over her. First thing out of my SO’s mouth: “By sitting above her he’s subconsciously asserting that as partners they aren’t equals and as if D should be honored to be in his presence.”


GRAHAM: You know, obviously, I don’t live here any more, but, uh, meeting my family will tell you a lot. (You can say that again, buddy.)
D: I hope so.
GRAHAM: As do I. It’ll be good though, and I’m excited, and, I, you know, I can’t wait for you to meet them.


NOTE FROM LYB:It seems as soon as he’s not standing on the court, Graham’s energy goes to laid back, sleepy mode. But he’s still smiling and making way more eye contact with her than I’ve seen in other interactions.


D: What’s your mom gonna be like?
GRAHAM: She’s sweet and amazing.
D: What about your dad?


NOTE FROM LYB:Graham is nodding with an interesting expression to his mouth, then kind of widening his eyes a sec, in a really strong look.


GRAHAM: He’s the Man! (Nodding, laughing.) He’s a little on the quieter side, but, uh…
D: (grinning, nodding, tilts head) Oh, realleee….? Hhmmm (Yeah, what a shock, right?!)


NOTE FROM LYB: Just my impression, but I sense there may have been some slicing here. I wouldn’t be surprised if D and Graham had been joking around about Graham’s father being quiet. To me it seems like they’ve been laughing, and now Graham is getting back on topic. FWIW.

NOTE FROM PIPER’S SO: Graham referring to his father as “the Man” is a total stroke of irony given his dad’s comment when mom mentioned their “cutting the ropes.”


Graham’s now looking down, as he’s thinking how to describe his dad, he gives a little chuckle, nodding, hunh, still nodding, but…

GRAHAM: Uhhhh, you know, he’s the… the center of our family. You know, he, he… he ties everybody together. He’s a good model to aspire to be like. You know, he always took care of everything, and man, he’s gonna grill you. I can’t wait! (now Graham’s teasing, grinning, actually slightly shaking head, no. He starts laughing, reaches forward to touch D’s hand) No, I’m just kidding.
D rocks back laughing.
GRAHAM: (still laughing) No, I’m just kidding! He’s gonna give you a huge hug and welcome you into his house, and you guys, it’ll be easy. And they’re gonna… they’re gonna be huge fans. So… it’ll be exciting. It’ll be fun.

NOTE FROM PIPER: “The Man,” and “his house.” Not “their house.” Very my way or the highway, no?

Shot down to D taking a piece of fruit salad from a bowl. Nooww I understand why Graham has been fiddling with that plastic fork!
D: You’re so talkative today, Graham.
GRAHAM: Yeah, I’m good now. When I don’t have to live with the other guys you date, it’s a lot easier to talk. When it’s just us, it’s fun.
D: I like this side of you.

NOTE FROM PIPER: Will AbMan never learn? This relationship is more like a shrink and patient having an illicit tête-à-tête. Whenever D asks how he’s doing Graham replies that he’s “getting better.” I realize it’s about the process, but it’s starting to sound like a chronic illness she’s nursing him through. And he almost always drags the rest of the guys into their alone time. Their relationship is one long counseling session. Who needs that? Bottom line comes down to what my SO rightfully pointed out whilst we were discussing this: “It’s not about DeAnna… it’s ALL ABOUT GRAHAM.”

(Now Graham’s teasing, grinning, actually slightly shaking head, no)
(Different shot here. Graham is now holding her hand, stroking her palm. D’s voice is different, deeper.)
D: I’m glad to just be with you today. All my focus can just be on you. I don’t have to … she kind of scrunches up her mouth.

GRAHAM: Yep…Yep… Yep…Yep… Yep… starts laughing.
D: (laughing) You were totally different when I showed up here today and I like that—a lot!
GRAHAM: And I’m happy you’re here.
(They smile at each other and D grins at him while biting on her fork.)
GRAHAM: (standing up) Let’s, let’s … let’s call it a close to the basketball session, and, uh, go see what the Bunn family is doing. D stands up, laughing.
D PI: (in black top) Graham is talkative, affectionate, and a totally different person. I am pleasantly surprised. (Yeah, hun. Enjoy it now cuz the reactor is about to go nuclear.)
(Camera shot of them leaving the gym hand in hand.)
D VO: Things have been great so far today. I hope things continue to go great when we meet his parents. (UH, OH! Foreshadow that they will not?)

NOTE FROM LYB: During the next part of the date D has her hair down. She is wearing a black and white swirl halter top with white pants. She also is wearing some long dangle earrings. During PI’s, D is wearing a black shirt, open collar type blouse with hoop earrings; her hair is pulled back. Graham is wearing a light blue collared shirt over jeans.


GOING TO MOM AND DAD’S HOUSE:
Gull flying over lake, Silver SUV on road, Raleigh, North Carolina.

D VO: I think Graham’s opening up because…
D PI: (continues) …he’s in his hometown, and it’s just he and I.
Shot of them sitting close together in SUV, Graham is stroking her palm with one hand and has his other arm loosely around D’s shoulders. Graham is looking out the window and/down a lot, per usual, interspersing occasional glances towards D. Both do have big smiles and seem happy.
D VO: I was really happy he was able to let loose and be himself.
D: Are you nervous?
GRAHAM: I’m excited.
D: (Softly) Yeah?

NOTE FROM PIPER: Again, a very telling aspect of their dynamic. With Jason, Jeremy, and Jesse during the HTD’s they were the ones asking if she was nervous meeting their families and especially Ty. They all reassured her. Here it’s in the reverse. He doesn’t ask her at all. She’s asking Graham if he’s nervous. Shrink meet patient. And then he keeps repeating how good it will be as if to convince himself of that. What also sticks out in the following segment is his mention of her being “worthy” of meeting his folks. Again. It smacks of this weird sense of her being “good enough” for him to meet his family.

GRAHAM: Yeah, It’ll be good. Yeah. You’ll, you’ll see here very, very soon. Very soon.
GRAHAM VO: My parents are gonna celebrate having uh, a nice southern girl in the house. It’s been several, several years since I’ve brought a girl home to meet my parents. So this is different, especially with the circumstances. But DeAnna’s an amazing girl and if anyone’s, you know, worthy of meeting my parents, she definitely fits the bill.


AT THE BUNN FAMILY HOMESTEAD:
GRAHAM: Knocking at door. Hellooo.
Woman’s voice from inside: “Helloooo” as Graham opens door, moves forward to hug his mom.
GRAHAM: Heeey!
MOM: Oohh!
D looking on in the background, smiling. Graham’s father is in foreground, standing with back to camera, watching Graham and his mother hug.
GRAHAM VO: DeAnna and I walked through the door and we saw my mother, Karan, and my father, Ike, and, uh, we all exchanged hugs, and just a really positive upbeat (PI) start to… to a good day. (Note: D has brought them a bottle of wine as a gift.)

NOTE FROM PIPER: Is this the only date where D gave a gift to the parents? Jesse’s folks brought wine as did Jeremy’s family. Oh, and should Graham not have let D in the door first? (The SO wasn’t pleased about that. He grew up in the South.)

MOM: Y’all come on in.
DAD: Yeah, yeah.
D PI: (in date attire) As soon as we walked in the door, his mom and dad were so happy to see him.
D VO: You could tell that they were a very close family. That made me feel right at home, because…
D PI: …I need someone who’s very close to their family.

NOTE FROM PIPER: The family dynamic of all four of these guys is completely different. While I’m surmising that D genuinely did like all of the relatives the edit interactions are vastly different. Both Jesse and Jason’s family time was a combination of humor and deep thinking. Jeremy’s family time was intense and cautious veering into the negs. And Graham’s family time is just loopy. Not festive and there’s no meal. Everyone else had dinner together. Graham didn’t even share her with his parents over food! Big red flag.


IN THE LIVING ROOM:
Everyone sitting around talking in living room.

NOTE FROM PIPER: Graham is sitting on the couch looking like he’s a kid waiting to get chewed out by the school principal!

MOM: Has it been better to be one of 25 girls vying for one guy or one of… one girl and 25 guys? What’s it like?
D: I think it makes it harder for me because I know exactly what these guys are going through.
MOM: Right…
D: It’s way better to be in my position, but now I feel bad ‘cause they’re all in the position that I was in.
(Bad cut here. Change in sound. Obviously later in the convo.)
MOM: Can you, in that short time frame, find someone that will, last over time?

NOTE FROM LYB: I’m pretty sure we’ve got some Fleissing going on here. It sounded like mom was asking a question and would have waited for D to reply. What we see is a cut to Graham’s face, as he listens to conversation. His expression is pleasant, giving absolutely nothing away! (This is a million dollar question, isn’t it?!) I’m pretty sure D responded to mom, then asked her if she thought it was possible to find something that would last in that short amount of time. Then mom apparently continues on, as if part of her original question:

MOM: You know, that’s hard to know, because I don’t think–I think it takes time to test that. In a marriage, the ups and downs, you know, carry you so that…
DAD: (interrupting) So did we go through any ups and downs? (ROFL. No wondering where Graham gets his laid back personality style from!!!)
MOM: (with a bit of laughter in her voice) Yeah, we had our, definitely had our share of ups and downs. There were plenty of times had, you know, we wanted to cut the rope and, but, you know…
DAD: (grinning) We did? (as if surprised)
(Everyone starting to laugh, everyone kind of talking over each other.)
MOM: …Forty years.
GRAHAM: Oh, you did? Oh man…
Continued laughter…


NOTE FROM PIPER: Okay. This is bloody hysterical. This is the whole enchilada in a nutshell. I think Graham’s folks are lovely and I appreciate that mom was trying to offer sage advice by relating her own marriage, but this really does highlight the tumultuous relationship D and Graham have had. Compare this to the advice D received from Jesse and Jason’s folks. The fact dad made light of the rope cutting (whether he was really shocked or not) and Graham’s reaction to it draws attention to the utter cluelessness that is rampant in his edit. Major red flag.

NOTE FROM PIPER’S SO: (Who is still chuckling about this…) “I don’t think Graham’s mom threw him under a bus as much as she was trying to warn D off from getting involved with him. If anything… she threw her own husband under the bus!”


DAD: (laughing) See what comes out?
GRAHAM: (laughing) Yeah, man…
Everyone still smiling, but laughter fading away…
MOM: So that’s true. So I think that’s the challenge (shot of Graham, pensive).
DAD: So you think you can be friends? ... I, I think that’s the most important thing.
GRAHAM: Yeah.
D: (Looking at mom) You have to be friends first.
MOM: So, do you think you know Graham, now?
D: (with just the teensiest of hesitations) I’m getting there… (Mom laughs)
D: (continues) I saw a different side of Graham today when I came here today. He was totally different.
MOM: Really?
D: Yeah, and I like that.

NOTE FROM LYB: I noticed that D sat on one couch with mom; while Graham sat at the end closest to D of an adjacent couch. D sat with her legs crossed, pointing towards Graham, but had her hands clasped together under her top leg. Did this position symbolize that her feelings for Graham keep her tied up ln knots, twisted into a pretzel?

NOTE FROM PIPER: Yes! ITA. Their union is just one big pretzel. Perfect! And bad body language. On all the other dates, D’s paramours are right by her side. Graham brought her home like he was bringing home a new schnauzer. On the one hand I felt really bad for D because she was trying so hard and so wanted it to be perfect. But lets face it. Graham isn’t that snuzzly wuzzly extroverted I’m an open book guy she purports to be looking for.

GRAHAM PI: Today felt like I was hanging out with someone that I was in a relationship with… just, just being with her, her smile, and sometimes the way she makes me feel when she looks at me is (voice deepening) very, very special.

NOTE FROM PIPER: The use of the word “sometimes” still really nags at me. D is a giddy schoolgirl with the butterflies. Jesse has the sweaty palms, Jason is bouncing up and down like a kid. And Jeremy pulls her arm closer on the motorcycle stretching out the trip. And Graham says that “sometimes” she makes him feel special? Say whaaaa? Sorry kids, but the Pampers are bang full and the motherlode is about to hit the fan.


IN THE KITCHEN:
D: So let’s see some pictures.
GRAHAM: Mmmmm
D: (Teasingly) Look at that picture, Graham.
(Cut to photo of young Graham in vest, tie, coat draped over shoulder, Very preppie looking. So NOT the Graham we see today! ROFL)
MOM: Oh, no, I, I meant to take that down.
(D and Graham laughing)
GRAHAM: Yeah, sure you did. I’m sure you did.
MOM: No, really, I don’t like that picture.
GRAHAM: I don’t like it either.

NOTE FROM LYB:D is laughing, then hiding her lips drawn in over her teeth, then licking lips in a way that I think Lynn7 would say means she wants to kiss him.

MOM VO: DeAnna and Graham look like they click together. I think Graham’s attracted to her and interested in creating a long-term relationship. (But it looks like she’s shaking her head no as she says this. Ruh Roh! Red flag!)


GRAHAM’S OLD BEDROOM:
D and Graham’s mom are in Graham’s old bedroom, looking at all his trophies.

NOTE FROM PIPER’S SO: I’m quoting his rant: “Are you kidding me? The guy’s what… twenty-nine and mom still has a shrine to him in her house? Worse yet. He’s on a reality