Bachelorette 5 Thoughts and Comments

[NYC_bach_fan]

I've been reading a bit of this board and I have to say that you guys have uncovered so much -- I am so impressed! Still, I have no idea which thread to post this in response to, so I hope this thread is the right one!

I have to admit, a little embarrassedly, that I have watched every single season of The Bachelor/The Bachelorette since it first premiered and it has become an interesting game of trying to figure out, despite the heavy editing, whom the Bachelor/Bachelorette truly connects with and who he/she doesn't fall for. I do not consider myself any sort of expert, but I think there are general themes and indicators that you see season after season. It was pretty clear from the way she greeted the 5 men on their HTDs whom she was closer to: (I hope I get this right) I recall she kissed Reid, Kiptyn and Wes when she first saw them in their hometowns, but just hugged Michael & Jesse. I don't think Jillian is acting much, so I feel like we can sort of get a good sense of what she is feeling for these guys. Anyone else notice that she's let go of the younger guys and kept around mainly the 30/31 y.o. men?
ASIDE: I also think Jillian ended up with a lot of good-hearted, good-looking and sincere men in her batch. I would love to set my sister up with so many of the final 6 -- they are really cool guys!

So, my inexpert take on the remaining 4 men:

WES
The best Bachelor analogy I can think of for Wes is Graham from Deanna's season with a little bit of Ian from Meredith's season. You've got a guy that the Bachelorette is drawn to from the start. However, like in the case of Graham/Deanna, the guy who would have been a no-brainer contender is not going to make it all the way because there is *something* that keeps things from getting there. I think that the fact that many of the other men did not like Wes is an indicator that he is not totally being above-board with Jillian.
ASIDE: I think he is let go in one of the next two episodes but comes back to propose to Jillian in the finale; I think that will happen as the big dramatic twist in during the FRC and that Jillian has to think it over. I believe he is whom she refers to as the one "hard to let go", but she will ultimately let him go again because that seed of distrust has been planted and their relationship will never be healthy.

KIPTYN
I think she is very much attracted to him (heck, I picked him out to be in the top 6, if not top 3, from just his pre-show photos he's that cute) but I don't recall seeing much emotional connection or in-depth conversations being shown between them. I think they definitely have a spark, but we're not seeing much of another type of connection on-screen, so I don't think he'll be F1. Also, after the HTD, I get the feeling that Jillian's family would not be not quite a perfect match with his family in terms of how they are (so chic and polished -- his sister is a good example -- she was just so together and almost aloof) versus how her family is (a little more low-key and home-grown, if you will, very salt-of-the-earth and very demonstrative emotionally). So there is something in what we're being shown that makes me think they are not meant to be.

REID
I would not have picked him out as a front-runner from their first meeting, but watching their body language in the last few episodes, there is a totaly camraderie and familiarity that cannot be disguised. I don't get a sense of deep passion (the way I see Jillian drawn to Wes), but there is a low-burn flirtatiousness that is there between them, so there has got to be chemistry. Also, I love how he had cups of coffee for them when he was meeting her in Philly -- it is very much an "us" sort of thinking. I think he'd got a shot to be final one.

ED
I got the feeling she definitely liked him, but the whole leaving and coming back to the show threw me for a loop -- I felt like he has not had enough airtime for me to properly assess, so I will have to watch carefully on their next date. From what I recall of their first few dates, he is definitely on her radar and she could fall for him. But he might be too late b/c Jillian is further along with Reid, at this point.

I'm going to have to re-watch the first episode to see what Jillian's initial meetings with Reid and Ed were like...

Can't wait to read more about your sleuthing finds!

[Phyllie]

I'm a true bachelor/bachelorette cynic and have been for some time. I think it's close to impossible to find love on this show. Sort of like being hit with lightning...it could happen but isn't likely.

However, I thought it was mostly producer prompting, and grilling that provided the moments that seem scripted, but last night looked like a farce from the word go. This season is without a doubt, seeming more set up than any in history...even Matt's. At least in Matt's season, he and Shayne appeared to be the only ones in on the deal.

This season, I think one of two things happened...Jillian fell hard for one guy to the point of every other bachelor knowing what was going on (Ed, Kip, or Reid). Then, they had to have a pow wow to figure out how to play out the season. Almost everyone could have an agenda...Jake, aspiring actor, Wes, promoting a CD, Micheal, actor/entertainer, Jesse, promoting his winery, Kip, future bachelor, Reid or Ed-either in love or wants a media job ala The Doctors (ask Computer Geek Ed, or HouseHunters type show).

Now, it appears that all the drama and conversations have underlying meaning. Even Reid said to his Dad last night..."Jillian and I feel exactly the same way about each other". How would he know that? And no one seemed surprised or even annoyed at Ed showing up last night.

I hope it's that she fell head over heels in love, and so they had to script out the show cause there is a tiny bit of the romantic under this cold, cynical heart.

[chopstickchick]

I just had a thought: on the Hawaii episode description, it refers to Ed proving just how serious he is on his date. Maybe that's when he brings his family in, to prove just how serious he is?!

[goldie2]

Here is another perspective, Ed is the one she has too little time with and will send home at final 3. She as much as said so last night when she told him he had alot of catching up to do. Kip will be easier to let down at final 2 because he probably starts to question if he is ready to propose. Reid has been encouraged by his family ( & even the train staff ) to let Jillian know how he feels and he will finally break through that barrier and be her final one. At the end she will tell him I'm sorry I tested you for so long,am glad you hung in there and I love you!!!!! Just seeing things through my Reid colored glasses!!!!!!!!!!! Truly though I think Jillian did a great job slaying the dragons along the way to find her prince wether he is Kip, Ed, or Reid.

I think this is a great thought as well . I like Reid alot, and this very well may happen..maybe we'll see more next week that helps their romance storyline. I'm just not convinced yet that Reid has gone for it, like his Dad said, enough yet.
Atleast we all seem to agree Kip is slotted as the F2 guy. I think most agree there.
If it does happen that Jilly picks Reid then that is great. The guy who hung in there the longest , a slow starter ,won the race , and won her heart. I like that storyline.
If it doesn't happen that way and she does pick Ed,like I think, that's great too, of course.
Like you said, I think she's kept the best of the bunch, she can't go wrong.

[anders332]

Jillian said, "Jake was too perfect". If you have issues withself-esteem, I think the last person you would want for a mate is someone who is "perfect". As for Jillian and Reid, I have yet to hear them have a "real conversation", because frankly, they don't seem to have anything to talk about. Reid is not attracted to her and it shows.

Just because she thinks he's perfect doesn't equate to her having low self esteem - I really don't get how anyone can watch her and say that - she showed confidence and poise on each and every HTD, no matter the circumstances. A person with low self esteem would not have had the capacity to hold a conversation with Kip's mother.

Bottom line - she didn't feel it with Jake and he was gone. Plus he pretty much had them married with 2.5 kids and the white picket fence - I'd run away faster from him than Wes.

[BachfanNY]

I just had a thought: on the Hawaii episode description, it refers to Ed proving just how serious he is on his date. Maybe that's when he brings his family in, to prove just how serious he is?!

Its very possible...he's just so far behind though, and even jill has noted that Ed has a lot of ground to cover because she does see a future with the other guys.

And just another thought, maybe one reason she's keeping Wes is becuase he's the easiest to let go at F4...great revenge methinks (not that she would ever admit to that).

[NYC_bach_fan]

Oh! And I meant to add that I don't get the feeling that they are grooming Kip to be the future Bachelor; he's just been too quiet to provide any good TV fodder. I get the feeling that someone like Ed would be a much better (trans: more popular) candidate, which is why I am leaning towards Reid as F1 (that plus Reid&Jillian's body language with each other). And if Jake had not come to tell Jillian about Wes' GF, I think he could've been a contender for next bachelor. You needs people who give good soundbites; Michael was pretty good, but probably too goofy. Jesse is also a real possibility for next Bachelor.

But here's why I think Ed is getting the "possibly the next Bachelor" edit/treatment: Totally good guy/good looks/good edit, popular with fans, successful career.....but he put work before love on this season's show and, as a result, loses his chance with Jillian -- sob sob, audience sympathy. It is so perfect a set-up for becoming the next bachelor, though I don't know if he'd do it. I feel like he is still young, has a busy and successful career, and could easily find someone without doing the show. I agree with some other observers that another possible drawback is that Ed is not so comfortable in front of the camera, but neither was Jen Schefft and they put her front and center for a season. And that was a disaster of a season for thie franchise b/c you could tell that she was not comfortable and was NOT interested in any of those men.

[Starshine_16]

Just because she thinks he's perfect doesn't equate to her having low self esteem - I really don't get how anyone can watch her and say that - she showed confidence and poise on each and every HTD, no matter the circumstances. A person with low self esteem would not have had the capacity to hold a conversation with Kip's mother.

Bottom line - she didn't feel it with Jake and he was gone. Plus he pretty much had them married with 2.5 kids and the white picket fence - I'd run away faster from him than Wes.

She did show confidence and poise on each of the HTD's and she even held her own against Kip's mom.She took the hot tub thing in stride and she didn't seem too offended by Jesse's brother's comment.

I would run away from Jake too.He was much too serious about her in a very short amount of time.

[chopstickchick]

Its very possible...he's just so far behind though, and even jill has noted that Ed has a lot of ground to cover because she does see a future with the other guys.

And just another thought, maybe one reason she's keeping Wes is becuase he's the easiest to let go at F4...great revenge methinks (not that she would ever admit to that).

agreed, don't necessarily think him treating his parents to a trip to Hawaii will make him F1.

Good thought on Wes, she can leave him in the middle of the "running of the bulls"!

[Just LQQking]

Reposting from Media....

I knew it! Reality Steve says Ed has a GF!!!

Here is the passage....

As for Ed himself, some interesting news regarding him that’s come to light in the last week or so. The rumors circulating are that he’s left a female in Chicago high and dry about his “Bachelor” experience. A girl that he was dating who believed she was his girlfriend. And the girl is pretty upset at what has transpired. As the story goes, I received an email from a friend of one this girl explaining to me that her friend “without a doubt” was Ed’s girlfriend before he left for the show. This girl was under the assumption they were dating when he left to film the show. He came back to Chicago (after the bogus work excuse), then left again, saying he had to go to Texas for something . This girlfriend then couldn’t get a hold of him for a while after he left for “Texas” (i.e. Spain and Hawaii). An email was sent to him asking “So I guess we’re seeing other people now” and Ed responded with “No, I just need to wait until this show is over”. This Chicago girlfriend of Ed’s is under the assumption they are still together and she just has to wait out the show. I’ve have tried through a couple different channels to get this girl to talk to me, but she wants to stay out of the media because she feels embarrassed her boyfriend went on a dating show on national television. Wow. Good stuff. So Lindsey, if you’re out there and want to officially tell your side, whenever that may be, I’m here for ya’. Kinda sucks what he did to you.