Monday, March 10, 2014

The Bachelor Finale: The Anti-Juan Recap

(As you may know already, Dugan and I split our summaries for the finale.  Dugan will write his recap  from a pro-JP viewpoint (good luck, buddy!).  I will write the (much easier), anti-Juan perspective.)

Let's just admit up front that I have an easier task.
Per tradition, I will be enjoying tonight's finale with whisky and ice cream.  Not only does JP dislike the LGBT community, but I'll bet he dislikes my classic combo as well (just look at him smugly holding that Jamba Juice in the above photo).

Let's just lay out a few of the bad qualities we've seen this season:
1) Homophobic (Is not  okay)
2) Hasn't said one interesting thing (Is not  okay)
3) Chris B. Harrison doesn't really like him (Is not  okay)
4) Maybe gave Abbie crabs:



On to the episode . . .

The finale started off with horror music and JP looking like he was ready to kill someone.  Cut to Harrison saying this is going to be the "most surprising and shocking" finale ever.  Spoiler: you will be shocked to hear JP put together a full sentence.  You will then be surprised that there is no substance to any of these relationships.

Meet the Family #1: Vidal Sassoon Clare

It's always a beautiful thing when an autograph collector can introduce his hairstylist girlfriend to his parents.  I'm sure Mr. and Mrs. Pablo are thrilled about the prospect of these two getting engaged and living in their basement for the rest of their lives.  Juan Pablo's World!  Juan Pablo's World!  Party time!  Excellent!  Woo woo woo woo!

Vidal got to meet Mrs. Pablo.  It reminded me of the first conversation I had with the SeƱora I lived with when I studied abroad in Madrid.

Me: "El cielo es azul y no va a llover."
Maria Baeza Ordonez: (shakes head)

Mrs. Pablo then told Vidal that JP can be mean at times.  JP's cousin Rodolfo then warned that JP often just walks away from relationships.  Did Fleiss and Co. do any background research on JP?  JP's own family was pretty clear about how he is with women.

Said his entire family.
Meet the Parents #2: Nurse Nikki

Nikki arrived.  Before a word was spoken, Mrs. Wags instantly pointed out that Nikki is not into JP.  I agree.  Sadly (for her), Nikki lasted one week too long to become the next Bachelorette.

Once again, JP's family warned that JP is "focalized" on what he wants and can be very difficult.  Focalized may not be a word, but I promise to use it at work at some point tomorrow.

Nikki described her favorite day with JP as going to the beach and doing lots of activities.  Mrs. Pablo then warned that JP's ideal day would be sitting on the couch watching TV (I didn't write that.  Mrs. Pablo actually said it).  These relationships can work!

At the end of the date, JP asked if he "could keep both" women.  Someone needs to explain the concept of the show to him.

Do your sexy face.
Final Date #1: Vidal

JP arrived in a helicopter, Vidal in a BMW SUV.  Fleiss and Co. spare no expense on unnecessary travel.  Sadly, JP's 2005 Camry that he drives back home may not have quite the same effect.

At the tail end of a helicopter ride, JP whispered into Vidal's ear that "he doesn't know her" and then said something "sexual" that was unrepeatable.  JP is taking a Walter White-esque downward spiral.

In the evening portion of the date, JP went to Vidal's place.  She wanted to talk.  JP wanted a besito.  Vidal wanted an explanation.  JP wanted an escape route.

Earlier in the season, JP's ex-girlfriend (Camila's mom) seemed to have no problem meeting Nurse Nikki and was very comfortable seeing JP with another woman.  After the first hour of this finale, that  previous scene with the ex is starting to make more and more sense.

Have you noticed that JP has been wearing an orange Livestrong-style rubber band bracelet all season?  As a society, I wonder if we can trust anyone that wears one of those bracelets anymore.  And after this finale, who has done more damage to the charity bracelet: JP or Lance Armstrong?



I was busy making the poll and somehow JP turned around this disaster.  I looked up from typing and Vidal was ready to marry him again.  Things are getting weird.

By the way, where's Neil Lane?  He's the best part of this episode.  If you're asking yourself who Neil Lane is, let me introduce the two of you.

Handsome

Final Date #2: Nurse Nikki

Nikki's date took them on a sailboat ride.   Nikki spent the date unsuccessfully convincing herself and the audience that she is interested in being engaged to JP.  

It's really a pleasure to watch the final two contestants realize that they do not know a thing about JP and might (have to) accept a proposal from him the next day.  It's never easy to realize that you've gotten this deep with a guy that has this tattoo:

Bracelet on other wrist
After a couple forced kisses in Nikki's suite, JP took off for the night.  Nikki then burst into tears in the room.  It's not the most ideal way to spend the night before you (might) get engaged.  

Proposal?

There are exactly 21 ABC minutes left in this episode and we still have not seen Neil Lane.  If we didn't realize it already from the horror movie music, this is not going to end well.

Instead of limo rides, the ladies took pontoon boat rides to the Bachelor proposal altar.  First off the boat was Vidal.  Mrs. Wags was pretty impressed with Vidal's ability to walk on the beach in heels.  She has seen me walk on the beach in snorkeling fins, so she's pretty much an expert on awkward beach footwear.   After Vidal said she wanted to be with him forever, JP then followed up by saying he thinks she's pretty, but "everyone has to go home sometime."  Goodbye, Vidal.   After giving JP a piece of her mind, JP said, with relief, "I'm glad I didn't pick her."  Yes, Juan Pablo.  Release your anger.  Become the all-time Bachelor villain:


Nurse Nikki then arrived, ready and willing get engaged.  But we, the viewing audience, know better.  There has been no Neil Lane.  Therefore, there will be no proposal.  In easily the most anti-climactic finale in Bachelor history, JP said that he had a ring in his pocket, but he's not ready to propose.  JP then ended the season by giving Nikki the final rose.  

So I guess that's it.  See you next season.  

The Bachelor: Juan Love Finale

For those reading at home, there will be two recaps of tonight's episode. This is Dugan here taking the pro-Juan Pablo side of events. I have to be honest, Fleiss & Co. really had me on the ropes there for a bit. About half-way through the episode, I texted Tim unsure if I could fulfill my role this evening. But the night continued and  the cloudy skies parted to reveal a hero to all true fans of not only love, but also the true goals of the Bachelor/ette. 

Et tu, Harrison?



As if the people of Venezuela have not suffered enough recently, host Chris Harrison comes out swinging during the opening. Chris promised tears, controversy, drama, debates and surprises. Worst of all, he questioned JP’s intentions. Tonight's episode reveals that Fleiss & Co. have a tried and true script and any deviations from said script will be dealt with through national ridicule and public shamming. It was tough to watch them eat their own because JP refused to play by their rules.

Et tu, Mama, Papa, Primo, Hermano?

  • Claire is the first to meet JP's family in beautiful St. Lucia. In news that interests Dugan, Claire points out how much sexier JP is because of his fatherhood. Dugan is at least 3x as sexy as JP judging by the same standards.
  • Claire spends two minutes around JP and his daughter and determines that JP is “exactly the type of dad I would want for my children.” HOW?
  • Claire has 13 nieces and nephews and is ready to start her own brood.
  • JP's family picks up where Harrison left off
    • Mama reveals he is not only hyperactive, but super hyperactive, has poor communication skills, makes his own mother cry and is rude. Thanks, mom?
    • Primo Rodolfo warns that JP will run at the first hint of relationship problems.
    • Papa warns that JP is "not easy"
Let's sum up the family's advice: YOU'RE GOING THE WRONG WAY!




Nurse Nikki Brings Flowers and a Back Tat

Nurse Nikki's visit brought about my favorite moment from tonight's episode.

JP's Family: “So….you’re from Kansas”
Nurse Nikki: “No, Missouri”

Ok, Americanos. Before we get all judgy with JP's family...let's play the newest WWT Game show...

KANSAN OR MISSOURIAN!!!


Here's the list:

  • Sam Brownback
  • Dick Gephardt
  • Dwight Eisenhower
  • Stan Musial
  • George Brett
  • Kathleen Sebelius
  • Ulysses S. Grant
  • J. William Fullbright
  • Bob Dole
  • Harry Truman
  • John Danforth
10 or more correct = a Trista and Ryan happiness star
6 to 9 = Mesnick and Molly
3-5 = Sean and Catherine
1-2 = Brad Womack
0 = Jake Pavelka

Papa, Mama, and Primo Rodolfo continue to try and scare Nurse Nikki with all of JP's faults, but she is determined to stay interested.

Claire and JP's Helicopter Journey Veers Off Course



Look, no one is going to argue that JP is the most likable Bachelor/ette ever but ABC really tried to hammer this guy because he was honest. It's a two month dating show where very little quality time is allowed between the participants. There's been 18 Bachelors and 3 marriages. So Fleiss & Co. don't like anyone pulling back the curtain. They are determined to make the audience believe this is about love and marriage. And no Venezuelan is about to expose the great and powerful OZ due to honesty.

JP was attracted to Claire. Claire, understandably, didn't want sex to be the focus of their relationship. She wanted more. She wanted a real connection. There is a perfectly understandable reason JP and Claire's relationship was stalled at the physical connection they shared since early on the season. (Foreshadowing...)

Later that night, Claire wanted a more detailed explanation from JP. The problem is that he was being honest. I believe he got himself into more trouble because he had to keep this charade going for the cameras. They have chemistry and enjoy hooking up. Claire was upset that he stated he doesn’t know her. Oh, you know why he doesn't know you, Claire? Because he's been filming a TV show where he dates 27 women at once. HE DOESN'T KNOW YOU. He’s being honest and telling you how he feels. JP admitted, “I could lie to you…”

That is what ABC, Harrison, and Fleiss & Co. wanted. The fact that JP was honest was his undoing.

Nurse Nikki's Catamaran Cruise

The Nurse Nikki final date was fairly guarded. It was like watching a Floyd Mayweather fight. Nothing happened. You did get a glimpse of JP when Nurse Nikki asked what life would be like without private islands: a tv with sports on. 

A co-worker predicted Nikki would win because she is the opposite of Claire. She never challenged JP and JP clearly does not like to get challenged. But their date also revealed her true feelings. Nurse Nikki is clearly into JP. Claire wants to win just to win.

Bad Moon Rising

  • NO NEIL LANE. Bad Omen. Neil Lane is the most likable part of every season. And we didn't get Neil Lane. Why don't you just take out "Ladies, this is the final rose tonight" while you're at it.
  • In a strong runner up to the Missouri/Kansas quote of the night, Claire came strong with a contradiction: “the whole time, I wanted to be here…there were times when I wanted to bolt.” WAIT. Read that slowly. Again.
  • After being rejected, she gave another strong effort: “I would never want my children having a father like you…”
  • JP fires back: “WHOOOO. I’m glad I didn’t pick her.”
  • Nikki arrives and secures a rose but not a ring
  • JP gives a perfectly reasonable explanation that he wanted to be 100% sure about marriage before proposing.
  • While batting 3 out of 18 for actual marriages, Harrison demands 100% engagements.
  • Juan Pablo may be the only person involved treating marriage with the respect it deserves. 

After The Final Rose


Still smarting from the non-engagement, Harrison grills JP about saying "I love you." JP refuses. Again, Harrison and company  would rather JP lie and give the people what they want. They want roses and love and engagements, god damn it, and ABC delivers it twice a year on their pre-determined schedule. Harrison demands that JP subject himself to the Fleiss love machine.

Juan Pablo gives them a gentle reminder, "THIS IS REAL LIFE.”

Well, not really.