Des Makes James Take the Heat in Barcelona

Drew receives the first one on one date in Barcelona; she's excited about this date because she thinks Drew is reserved but romantic. Drew tells Des about his father who was an alcoholic but got help and years later he was diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer. Des feels they've bonded. They then have an intimate dinner and Drew whisks Des off to a private spot to share a series of kisses. I think Drew is definitely Bachelor material if he doesn't get scooped up by Des first. Des tells Drew that he is strong and emotional and gives him a rose. He tells Des about what James said and he repeatedly apologizes to Des.

Kasey, Brooks, James, Chris, Juan Pablo, and Michael go to one of the pro soccer stadiums in Spain and play soccer with Des and a professional women's team. They totally kick the guys butt because James is goalie and it totally out of it. Juan Pablo is totally in his element.

The guy hang out with Des later that night. During her one on one time with Chris, Des read a poem that she wrote for him.

Kasey and some of the other guys confront James about what he said. James said that what he said he was kidding about and he didn't really ever say he wanted to be the next Bachelor. He said the whole conversation was guy talk. James explains himself to Des and says he didn't say anything along the lines of what she was told. He says that he only had guy talk with Mikey T. and that's it.

I will say from my perspective that I do believe that James and Des developed a bond and there was definitely something there. It doesn't seem like all the guys hate James, it seems like some of them are definitely more involved in trying to dismantle him than others. I think Des was levelheaded in her conversation with James and she did the right thing by letting herself think about it.

Her next one on one date is with Zak W., who has been a favorite of mine since the beginning. Des loves his fun energy. They go to a painting studio and a male model comes in with a robe and disrobes. Zak leaves smiling and then comes in with a robe and takes it off and is standing in his underwear. It looks like they are eating dinner in a cave? I am unsure of where they are. Des loves how engaging Zak is, and she trusts him 100%, she doesn't question her relationship with him at all. She gives him a rose, and they seem to be kissing in an alley way as well, reminiscent of her kiss with Drew.

The following day, Des pulls James aside again and I feel like he does come across as very sincere and I think he does have feelings for Des. They talk and James tells her not to cry and praises her for being strong, and he tells her that whatever her decision is, he respects her for it. Once again, Des decides that she needs more time and doesn't send James home.

Drew
Zak W.
Chris
Brooks
Michael

Kasey, James, and Juan Pablo are sent home---

With Kasey, she had no chemistry so I totally get it.

With James, perhaps she got tired of his sweet talking. I wanted to give James the benefit of the doubt but when he started back at the hotel with the guys after he had just spoken with Desiree, it told me that maybe he was guilty of something.

With Juan Pablo, I don't understand why she didn't keep him around another week and have a one on one with him because she had more chemistry with him than with Michael for sure.

The Bachelorette: Bad Group Dates and Guys Who Lie

The third episode opens with a group date where the guys play volleyball to vie for time with Desiree. And so I bring you: DUMB date alert!-- what a horrible idea for a date, the guys outfits were terrible and Brookes ended up breaking a finger.

Desiree is getting ready for her one on one date with Kasey when she receives a phone call from Chris Harrison. I can tell from her facial expressions that she seems angry. She calls Brian aside when she gets to the house where the men are staying and she tells the viewers that he has a girlfriend back home. She asks him about his previous relationship and he says it's over and they're not even friends. Desiree then says, are you sure about that cause she is actually here right now. The look on his face is, "I've been had". Desiree actually hugs Brian's girlfriend Stephanie. Stephanie reveals that she and Brian were together the weekend before he came out to the show.

Stephanie tells Chris that there is no chance that Brian is staying there. Desiree thanks Stephanie for coming on the show and being so brave.

Desiree finally makes it on her date with Kasey, although it's a rather boring uneventful date, they dance on the side of a building. Kasey receives a rose cause Desiree sees he really wants to be there, but it doesn't see, like they have much chemistry.

Dan, James, Juan Pablo, Bryden, and Zak W. go on a wild west date and learn how to do stunts like they did in the movie the Lone Ranger. Then they have to act out a scene and the guy who Desiree thinks does the best gets some special alone time with her. She chooses Juan Pablo. She says he was the best guy to choose to watch the movie with her but he is very distracting. Desiree says her first kiss with Juan Pablo was passionate and she finds him sensual.

The group has a firelight date that night. Desiree spends some alone time with Bryden and she compliments him on his acting. She says that he doesn't always make a move but once she lets him know that it's okay to make a move, he does. Bryden says that after he kisses her he wants to do it again.

Zak W. says on his one on one time that he wanted to kiss her that day, but then they never kissed. It was actually kind of weird. I wonder if Des still thinks that he is a player.

James tells Desiree that his dad is sick and he wonders whether or not she is interested in him. Des gives him a rose because she wants him here and wants to get to know him. He gives her a daisy that he picked while she went to get the rose and they kiss.

Ben is definitely very sneaky and manipulative. Des is totally falling for his b/s. The guys spot her kissing Ben in the car. Ben then lies to the other guys about getting to spend time with Des. The guys confront him and he doesn't seem to be phased by the fact that he's a sketchy liar.

Oh boy. I really like Brandon but he is going way too fast with Des. He shouldn't have told her that he was falling in love with her even if it was true because they haven't spent enough time together for her to have those feelings for him. It's sad cause he seems like a really great guy. Note to producers, he would be an awesome Bachelor because he's been through a lot in his life and it would make for a beautiful story.

Who is Staying?
Chris
Kasey
James
Bryden
Juan Pablo
Zak W.
Brookes
Drew
Zack
Brad
Michael G.
Mikey T.
Ben

Cannot believe she chose Ben over Brandon! Wow, Ben is a monumental jerk. So Dan and Brandon go home.  Initially Des just tells Brandon that he's not right for her. She redeemed herself by going after her and explaining herself. She doesn't think that they have any chemistry and she said she was so sorry. He said that he appreciates her, and she admitted that it was so nice of him to even say that. I feel terribly for this man; he's really been hurt a lot in his life.

The Bachelorette: Desiree wants to know who is there for: "all the right reasons"

I've been meaning to blog about the new season of The Bachelorette for a while now. I loved Desiree on Sean's season and so far I still love her now. She has a great personality, she doesn't take herself too seriously, and she likes to have fun.

The premiere:

So on the first week we met the 25 men who would be vying for Desiree's heart and some of them made an impression on me week one and some of them didn't. I was happy that Desiree kicked Jonathan off for being intoxicated and making inappropriate advances towards her. And the guy is a lawyer, I am not sure I want him representing me or anyone else for that matter. Why would you go on a show like that and be  drunk the first night? or ever for that matter?

Who did I notice in a good way?

Juan Pablo-- love that he took Desiree out to play some soccer

Zak W.-- thanks for showing us your abs the first night and jumping into the pool, obviously it worked cause Desiree gave him one of several first impression roses

Brandon-- he shared a very personal story with Desiree and it was sincere

Drew-- the first guy out of the limo night one, he was nervous but sweet

Brookes-- I actually liked how quietly confident he was

Who went home week one? Larry, Nick R, Diogo, Jonathan, Mike R., Micah


Week 2:

Brookes received the first one on one date of the series, and it could have been a total disaster, even I felt that  as I was watching it, but it wasn't. Desiree took Brookes to a Wedding Dress Shop, and he tried on tuxes and she tried on dresses. They clearly have some chemistry together. Brookes comments on how being there shows him who Desiree truly is and that she is beautiful because of who she is as a person. They drive around in a baby blue convertible and pretend to be married; Desiree says, Brookes is the only man she could have brought on this date. Then they go to the famous "Hollywood" sign where Desiree says that being there is a symbol of her pursuing her dreams. Brookes and Desiree exchange break up stories and say that they would do it again to find the person that they are meant to be with.
Kiss alert!-- Des and Brookes sitting on the "L" in the Hollywood sign.
The date isn't over yet! They have a private dinner on a closed road on a bridge. Brookes tells Desiree that his parents breaking up taught him not to take things for granted in life. Desiree, not surprisingly, gives Brookes a rose. Then Andy Grammer and his band showed up to sing. Brookes said Des knows what she wants and is sexy.

The group date is that they are going to star in a rap video with Souja Boy.

Ben, Zak W., James, Michael G., Will, Brandon, Drew, Juan Pablo, and Mikey T. are all on this date.

Zak W., I knew it, this guy stepped up tonight! He took Des aside and presented her with an antique journal that he bought for her to record her thoughts in during this process. He said that he didn't want to be seen as a clown, but when he smiles, that is him experiencing life.

Ben steals Mikey T. away from Des, he seems a little sinister to me. I think his whole father act might be just that, an act. ;-)

Brandon saw Ben kissing Des and wondered if Ben is there for the right reasons. Ben is definitely being manipulative, he totally manipulated Mikey T. Brandon totally reveals himself and his story to Des and she feels a kindness in his heart. I am honestly shocked that out of all the guys Des could have given the date night rose to that she gave it to Ben. I would have given it to Zak W. or Brandon.

The last one on one date of this episode goes to Bryden and they go on a road trip of California. There is a lot of laughing and joking around. Desiree is happy to see that he doesn't take himself seriously all the time. He tells her at dinner that night about a freak accident he was in, he almost died. He tells Desiree that he used the military as a way to cover up that he wasn't ready for love, but now he believes he is. Desiree thinks he's an amazing man and gives him a rose. Then they go into a huge hot tub, like the size of a pool. Then there's this awkward conversation and ...
Kiss alert!-- Des tells Bryden to kiss her already, and he goes for it.

At the Cocktail Party:
Michael G. is about to reveal to Des that he has type 1 diabetes and what that means, and Ben walks in and steals Des away and Michael G. lets Des know in a polite way how ignorant Ben is. It's definitely disrespectful; I'm angry.

Apparently Ben doesn't know that Brooke and Bryden have already kissed Des also? And Brookes actually got the first kiss. The guys confront Ben as a group.

ROTFL Comment of the night-- Ben: "I did what I had to do for me and Des." Ummm, Ben, I wasn't aware there was a you and Des yet. Ben doesn't care what he did, he thinks he is all that and a bag of chips. And all his excuses about wanting to see Des is all selfish.

Roses:
In addition to Brookes, Ben, and Bryden
James
Kasey
Dan
Juan Pablo
Brad
Chris
Brian
Zak W.
Drew
Mikey T.
Zack K.
Michael G.
Brandon

Who was sent home? Will, Robert, Nick M.

The Bachelorette: Emily's Season-- Prague Packs a Punch

Emily faced a surprise heading into Prague for the week; she discovered that Arie, who Emily has really liked since the beginning, had dated a producer from the show several years ago. He never told her about it, but, the producer, Cassie who is a friend of Emily's, decided to tell her because Emily's relationship with Arie has become so serious.

Emily invited Arie on the one on one date with her knowing full well that he was keeping this from her. It was initially a big deal to Emily that he had dated her friend, the producer, but she decided that because of the nature of their relationship and because of the way, she, herself, felt about Arie, that it didn't matter. She quickly got over her bad feelings, because her good feelings for him were so strong. Ari tells Emily he loves her and wants her to come meet his family.

John and Emily go on a one on one date to the John Lennon wall, and end up having dinner in a dungeon. John reveals to Emily that his last breakup was a bad one because his girlfriend ended up cheating on him. It's why he is so cautious now; he tells Emily he would love for her to meet his family. Following her date with John.........

Sean ran through the streets of Prague looking for Emily. What he did was a bit corny, but there were also elements of it that were really sweet. He finds her "alone" (cause she's not really alone; there's a camera crew) , and asks her what she is doing there by herself. This is the part of Sean that I really like; I love guys who are caring like that. She told Sean what a great surprise it was for him to be there, and they ended up going to a restaurant to talk. This was followed by some intense kissing in the streets of Prague. Woah! Emily looked pretty happy.

Then there is this awkward three on one date which literally ends up being the kiss of death for single dad Doug. Emily pulls Doug aside to basically let him know that she has to send him home; he gives her this awkward kiss. He then apologizes and she says that she likes him but doesn't see their relationship progressing.

Also included in this date is more hot Emily and Sean one on one time.

Chris pouts to Emily that he is upset that he didn't get a one on one date. It makes him look very juvenile to be doing this at this stage.

Jef wraps up Emily's week in Prague with a fun one on one date. They go to a puppet store together where they pick out puppets. Emily says she can see that Jef is so ready to be a dad. They put on their own impromptu puppet show in a library and Jef reveals to Emily that he is in love with her (through his puppet of course).

Chris interrupted the rose ceremony to talk to Emily; he apologized and told her that he's ready to be the man that she and Ricki deserve. Ultimately, it must have worked because Chris stayed and John was sent home. 

The Bachelorette Season 8: Emily Reaches to New Heights

Chris receives the first one on one date of Week 3; their mission, should they choose to accept it is to scale a tall building so that they can have dinner at the top. A thunder and lightning storm starts which frightens Emily, but she says she is comforted by Chris's presence. They finally reach the top where they.... high five? I found that weird, he could have hugged her at the very least, but a lot of them find themselves not knowing how to act simply because Emily is a mom.

The two of them discuss the intimidation factor when it comes to approaching someone they're attracted to. Emily tells Chris she wouldn't walk up to him in a bar because she would be too intimidated, whereas he says he would approach Emily because she would catch his eye. Emily is surprised when she realizes that Chris is 25, and I can definitely see how, stereotypically, age would be a factor for her. I think most people have a tendency to automatically assume that because someone is young it makes them immature but I think it is more about how an individual is raised and the experiences that they've been through. Chris seems to be very genuine though and Emily sees that. She gives him a rose and surprises him with a Luke Bryan concert. Chris says he respects Emily so much so he asks permission to kiss her; she says, why don't you try and you'll find out. Ultimately, they do kiss, and it ends with Emily saying it's one of her best dates ever.

The guys who receive the group date card are Alejandro, Alessandro, Charlie, Doug, Jeff, John, Michael, Ryan, Sean, Stevie, Tony, and Travis. This group date was actually a bit much in my opinion; it consisted of Emily's friends grilling each guy individually. Sean and Doug seem to be favorites of her friends. Sean says he wants a woman who is confident and knows who she is. Doug was raised by his father who died at a young age. He and his sister were split up and were in various foster homes. The time away takes a toll on Tony who begins missing his son to the point that Emily sends him home. Sean makes a great impression on Emily and she decides to give him the group date rose.

Arie receives the other one on one date of the week, and they go to Dollywood in Tennessee. Dolly Parton shows up at her date to sing a song that she penned for Emily herself. Emily says she is in love with Arie's personality, and that he reminds her of her fiance Ricky. Arie says that Emily has exceeded his expectations. The end up kissing and she gives him a rose.

At the cocktail party, Kalon is flat out rude to Emily. Alessandro sees having Ricki and Emily as a compromise in his life. What is wrong with these guys? She gives Kalon the benefit of the doubt (big mistake if you ask me Em!), but sends Alessandro packing faster than he can say ciao.

Arie continues to make a good impression immediately comforting Emily after what happened and they kiss again; Ryan sees green (envy) or is it red (anger)? Sean also continues to make a good impression reassuring Emily that he would be a great dad.

Stevie, Tony, and Alessandro are eliminated.