Edit Analysis

[Bloomers]

Whether one agrees or not with his decision, I believe it is safe to say that Brad's first season left many viewers feeling disappointed - and some quite angry - in the outcome. Therefore, when Brad was announced as the new Bachelor, I believe TPTB were testing the waters, so to speak, for the reactions.
Would enough time, seasons, and relationship failures have passed for viewers to have altered their views on Brad's decision and/or to have forgiven him?
Judging by the almost instant vocal responses to the announcement, evidently not...
Although we know that many people have come to view Brad's independent and honest decision as a mature and wise choice for him many, many more never understood or accepted his decision. The outcry to the announcement of Brad as the new Bachelor was sponteous, negative, and loud.

The Bachelor PR Machine jumped in to immediate action.

Brad's new edit was born. This heretofore proud man became suddenly and quite contrite and humble. Several times - including the latest media release - we heard how he had been to therapy over the last 3 years, and he was "a new man."
The latest release even indicated (take as much or little of it as you want) that Brad's first no choice ( or no decision) was really a mistake. It was really more than an implication - that idea - in the media release, based on another idea (even more strongly implicated) that because of his father issues he wouldn't let any of first set of girls get close to him - let alone choose one. The idea very strongly implicated in that media edit is that he would have chosen someone IF he had not had those emotional issues.

The edit to date is saying that we have a new and improved Brad.....

Now to the meat of the matter, or at least as far as I am concerned....I think Chantel was set up to slap him, and I also think Brad was in on it, too. Did he know he was going to get slapped? Maybe and maybe not - but I think he was warned to be prepared for this kind of thing.
Why?

This is all part of the redemption plan of Brad the Bachelor, part 2. Brad has been well aware of the viewers' response to him, so he knows what kinds of things are going to have to be done to make his season fly.

The PR Department has to sell Brad again. Brad, the Bachelor, has to be accepted before his season can be successful; therefore, we have to see a heretofore proud Brad become a humble Brad.
This Brad - who would never, ever get slapped before gets slapped (just even the very idea) in front of millions for what he did before.

The fact that Brad selects the girl that "slapped" him tells me that he was "in on it" in some kind of way. Otherwise, she would not have made it very far.

The other interesting item that I see in the edit so far is all of the kissing. The Bachelor Brad #1 had a self proclaimed rule that he would only kiss one girl a day. According to our spoilers, at one point, he is going to kiss 9 one right after the other as well as kiss one with another looking down on him.

I personally would never have gone the route of making him look like a horndog, but I suppose this is supposed to make him look more approachable? (Maybe someone else has an idea here as it seems squalid to me.)

Bottom line is that I see the edit to this point as the redemption of Brad (purpose to make him more acceptable to viewers who never forgave his first decision).

[anders332]

When we first found out about the slapping girl – I really thought they weren’t going to show it – if Brad was truly serious about finding someone and did find someone, I would think they would portray him in the best possible light, and not throw him under the bus. The slap does that – it reminds America (not that they need reminding ) that he chose no one.

And now that we know slapping girl is F1, I suspect the edit will show that the slap was shown as a ‘clue’ to her being F1 – she will be portrayed as the girl who ‘opened his eyes to love’……

Furthermore - as much as we know about Chantelle (which is very little) she appears to have the spunk that Deanna has - hopefully she has way more couth.

And of course we know that Emily will be the beloved F2 and the next bachelorette. MF really needs new storyboards.

[Alanna]

When we first found out about the slapping girl – I really thought they weren’t going to show it – if Brad was truly serious about finding someone and did find someone, I would think they would portray him in the best possible light, and not throw him under the bus. The slap does that – it reminds America (not that they need reminding ) that he chose no one.

And now that we know slapping girl is F1, I suspect the edit will show that the slap was shown as a ‘clue’ to her being F1 – she will be portrayed as the girl who ‘opened his eyes to love’……

Furthermore - as much as we know about Chantelle (which is very little) she appears to have the spunk that Deanna has - hopefully she has way more couth.

And of course we know that Emily will be the beloved F2 and the next bachelorette. MF really needs new storyboards.

First bold- I hope it's not that lame- opened his eyes. Ugh. I'm just hoping that she's spunky and cute and 'hard to handle' and Brad falls for the challenge. I think the slap is funny. It's not like she punched him in the face, kicked his shins, and stuck her tongue out at him.

Second bold- Just made me truly LOL! IA but even with the repeating storyline and RS' spoilers, many, many fans will still root for Emily because how could Brad not choose the sweet, perfect one with the terrible back-story? It's a formula but it works.

[Noobslueth]

Second bold- Just made me truly LOL! IA but even with the repeating storyline and RS' spoilers, many, many fans will still root for Emily because how could Brad not choose the sweet, perfect one with the terrible back-story? It's a formula but it works.

YES it's terrible! I have yet to see Emily's edit but I am already excited about her season... the girl is gorgeous ... imagine the man candy! Plus after this season I am sure people will not only be wanting to watch her find somebody but be standing next to her at the altar when she marries him.

[heartsaflutter]

Thanks Bloomers for your wonderful insight. I love to read the editing analysis that you all do.

[jannafan]

Let's not forget Ashley, who should become a "darling F3". She will more than likely get a good edit just in case Emily, our tragic F2, opts out of The Bachelorette gig!
Know the ending, the most interesting thing left to watch and figure out is the edits of the final four women and how they will form and fit into the story line.

[Alanna]

Let's not forget Ashley, who should become a "darling F3". She will more than likely get a good edit just in case Emily, our tragic F2, opts out of The Bachelorette gig!
Know the ending, the most interesting thing left to watch and figure out is the edits of the final four women and how they will form and fit into the story line.

You're right. They better be schmoozing Emily and/or Ashley hardcore right now because if both of them opt out, they're left with no option but the Mortician (not happening), one of the F6-8, or having to give one of the previous Bettes another shot. They'd be in a bind.

[Bloomers]

Let's not forget Ashley, who should become a "darling F3". She will more than likely get a good edit just in case Emily, our tragic F2, opts out of The Bachelorette gig!
Know the ending, the most interesting thing left to watch and figure out is the edits of the final four women and how they will form and fit into the story line.

Wowza...I was thinking about it last night. Pared down, Brad had an F4 choice of an upcoming mortician, a very recent (2009) divorcee - who may or may not be carrying some emotional baggage, and 2 (count them 2) who had former loves who had died.

The F2 is frequently a ringtail tooter or a sweetheart. Emily's whole heartbreaking back story will probably make her a favorite - just like Chris - before we much get started. Therefore, Brad will look even worse when he breaks the heart ( the heart that has already been broken by death) when he chooses the other girl who had a husband (and for whatever reason ) and let him go.
I know what I am saying here ....I am just setting it up the way that many viewers will see it. Those who have been on here for a while can tell you what is going to happen - not that it won't be very sad for Emily because I am sure that it was at the time that all of this occurred (the FRC).

The F3, Ashley, on the face of things has tremendous potential. She is in dental school and is an accomplished dancer. She must personally have a lot to offer as well for her to have advanced as far as she has, but evidently she has not gotten over the death of her (ex?) long term boyfriend because according to our spoilers, the edit is going to show her losing it a couple of times.

I think the edit is going to show Brad having to navigate through some emotionally tough waters this season. His age may well help him through this experience.

[Peppermom]

Wowza...I was thinking about it last night. Pared down, Brad had an F4 choice of an upcoming mortician, a very recent (2009) divorcee - who may or may not be carrying some emotional baggage, and 2 (count them 2) who had former loves who had died.

The F2 is frequently a ringtail tooter or a sweetheart. Emily's whole heartbreaking back story will probably make her a favorite - just like Chris - before we much get started. Therefore, Brad will look even worse when he breaks the heart ( the heart that has already been broken by death) when he chooses the other girl who had a husband (and for whatever reason ) and let him go.
I know what I am saying here ....I am just setting it up the way that many viewers will see it. Those who have been on here for a while can tell you what is going to happen - not that it won't be very sad for Emily because I am sure that it was at the time that all of this occurred (the FRC).

The F3, Ashley, on the face of things has tremendous potential. She is in dental school and is an accomplished dancer. She must personally have a lot to offer as well for her to have advanced as far as she has, but evidently she has not gotten over the death of her (ex?) long term boyfriend because according to our spoilers, the edit is going to show her losing it a couple of times.

I think the edit is going to show Brad having to navigate through some emotionally tough waters this season. His age may well help him through this experience.

I think you have a great point with this and MF can use the age difference to his advantage here. While some may be questioning how much older Brad is than the ladies, his "maturity" could be used to show why they would make a good match. He has the experience to be there for them and to understand.

[Alanna]

I think you have a great point with this and MF can use the age difference to his advantage here. While some may be questioning how much older Brad is than the ladies, his "maturity" could be used to show why they would make a good match. He has the experience to be there for them and to understand.

Don't we already have evidence of this going on? Isn't Chantal crying to him in the cranberry dress? And we for sure know he spends the Nascar date worried for Emily and giving her the rose.