Bachelorette Viewing Guide - Episode 6

More catching up!  Note that at the time of writing this, I only know the four guys who are going on hometown dates, but I haven't seen anything beyond that.

Highlights of Episode 6

• Wells goes on a one-on-one date, gets his first kiss with Jojo, but gets eliminated
• Non-descript group date walking around Argentina and then playing street soccer
• A Second Two-On-One Date with Chase and Derek, and Derek is sent home
• Manufactured drama when James bringing up a minor issue about Jordan to Jojo
• Rose ceremony drama where Jojo can't pick between the last two guys and they both stay another week.

Didn't this episode feel like it was just filling time before we got to the hometown dates?  And even then, doesn't this whole thing come down to Jordan and Luke?  I'm glad that Wells got his date and kiss with Jojo, but none of us thought that he had a realistic shot, right?  And on the two-on-one date with Chase and Derek, shouldn't she have just sent both of them home?

The Implosion Of James Taylor

James, sorry I used such an unflattering picture.  I'm only using it to illustrate the heading.

I would love to meet James T.  He seems like a real down-to-earth guy with a great head on his shoulders.  He comes across as fun, funny, genuine, and trusting.  Unfortunately, his insecurities about his body and attractiveness are exacerbated by the format of the show.  Unlike physical chemistry and hotness, fun and genuine are not qualities that shine through in a fifteen minute stretch during a cocktail party.  These are qualities that grow in a relationship over time.

James's insecurities are making it difficult for him just to be himself, although he's doing everything he should be doing - he's been open with Jojo about his insecurities, he has sought validation from her (and received it).

The biggest problem this week is that he brought a minor issue with Jordan to Jojo's attention.  Now, let's ignore for a moment that whenever a contestant spends his/her time with the lead to talk about another candidate, it tends to be a death knell for the one complaining (see exception: The Chad).  I would not be surprised if James received a little extra push from the producers and was being reminded that Jordan was the "front runner" and that someone needed to bring him down a peg.

Strategically, if you're going to go after someone, PARTICULARLY the front runner, you have to bring your A game and have a strong case/evidence against him.  Without that, the tactic will almost certainly backfire.  If the lead likes the person you're complaining about, the lead will almost always defend them or give them the benefit of the doubt... even if your complaints ring true.

A more flattering picture.

Jojo and Luke

I've been fighting against the Luke train the whole way through, but he has been growing on me.  I noticed in this episode that Jojo seeks out Luke.  And when they're alone, Jojo initiates a lot of the kissing.  It confirms to me that Jojo is totally into him and he might be the best fit for her.

However, I'm getting flashbacks to previous seasons of the Bachelor/the Bachelorette wherein the best overall match for the lead gets trumped by the contestant who is definitely more attractive but who is also missing some of the traits needed to make the relationship.  It's like the Josh/Nick situation on Andi's season - Nick was a MUCH better fit for Andi, but she chose the hotter guy despite his red flags.  For Chris's season, he picked Whitney over two women who I thought were better overall fits (Jade and Becca).  In Kaitlyn's season, she picked Shawn (and his intense jealousy) over Nick.  And most recently, Ben picked Lauren B over Jojo despite the fact that Jojo was the person Ben was able to open up to more and who understood him better than anyone else.

All I'm saying is that it's a trend.  And, without knowing who wins this thing, it looks to me that Jojo is going to pick Jordan over Luke and it'll feel like a big mistake.

Andi and Josh - more attraction

Andi and Nick - more connection

Four Things I Liked

1. Wells's one-on-one date felt like a good tryout for Bachelor in Paradise (note, I have no idea if he's actually on BIP).  And further, I think he's a great candidate for him to be the next Tanner (understated guy who does MUCH better in an environment where he doesn't have to be overly aggressive to get noticed).  

   

   Nice guys don't always finish last

2.  After my rant against two-on-one dates (two posts ago), I liked the concept behind the Derek/Chase two-on-one date.  Two guys who don't really like each other engaged in activity that makes sense given the situation - a two-on-one tango dance lesson.  Unfortunately, it was clear that the dancing did not go as planned because tango needs a strong a strong male lead and neither Chase nor Derek were strong male dance leads.  I think the film crew did like 10 takes of the same exact scene - at the beginning of the dancing, they were totally into it.  The last few images, both Chase and Derek had a look of "I will go home right now if they ask us to do another take."

   

   Can it get more staged?

3. After sending Wells home, Jojo went to the Fuerza Bruta show by herself (not counting the whole film crew).  The feminist in me loved it - of course a woman should be able to go to a performance without a date!  Why should Jojo only have fun on dates?
4. I loved James's statement in his private camera saying "I think I'm the best guy for her.  There are guys [here] who make more money, there are guys here who are better looking, there are guys who might be smarter, but I think I'm the best guy for her."  I LOVED IT.

Three Things I Didn't Like

1. Jojo's remaining men are really skewing in the meathead and emotionally unintelligent direction.  She just sent home Derek and Wells, leaving (in order of least meatheaded to most): James T, Luke, Robby, Jordan, Alex, Chase.  As an example, while preparing for their two-on-one date
2. The focus on Wells and Jojo not having kissed.  Whoever is picking some of these "themes" or "angles" for the show is forcing it.  I can see the conversation in production - "The Jojo and Wells date is too boring, we need an angle to make people interested!  I know, Wells hasn't kissed her yet."  Shoot me now.
3. The overly dramatic juxtaposition of Derek crying in the limo while Chase and Jojo dance to the singing of Evita.  It lasted about five minutes too long.  The only redeeming thing was knowing that Chase had NO IDEA what the song and/or significance was for hearing it in Argentina - you could see it in his eyes that there was no recognition whatsoever.

Wait, Derek might win the Tanner award and not Wells.