This week on the Bachelorette, Jillian and her suitors traveled across Canada by train. At first I thought - come on, Bachelorette! Up the ante! But actually, the scenery was incredibly beautiful. Lush green trees and shimmering, blue lakes, set against enormous, snow capped mountains that were huge, yet peacefully quiet at the same time. It gave me pause.
Jillian had her first date on the train. A one on one with Robby a.k.a. "the young one". Robby is cute and has boyish charm, but he is lacking any depth. He is also painfully inarticulate. I was ready to yank him off the screen myself! After a day alone together, Jillian does decide he's not husband material and he gets off the train in the middle of nowhere, while the remaining guys wave goodbye to him from inside the train. Brutal.
On the group date the gang goes snow shoeing and then has dinner and drinks at a beautiful lodge. Jake clams up and can't tell Jillian how he feels, Tanner is obsessed with rubbing her feet, Jesse begs to stick around for another week (and gets some serious smooches) and Kiptyn scores major points again with adorable banter and a steamy make out sesh.
Meanwhile, back on the train, Reid is all by himself (waiting for tomorrow's one on one date) and decides to talk to the staff on the train to pass the time. He shares a bottle of wine with a conductor, and then asks a female staffer if he should go glasses or no glasses on his date. Hilarious!
On the one on one date with Reid, Jillian discovers Reid cannot snow board to save his life and fondue creeps him out. She also discovers that despite not having much in common, she still feels a great chemistry with him, and gives him a rose.
At some point before the rose ceremony Wes admits to the guys that he only came on the show to help his singing career and at this point, he feels he has gotten what he wants out of the show. Um, anyone want to clue in Jillian?
When it comes time to hand out the roses, Jillian is still conflicted. Its clear Tanner is toast, but who else will go home? Jillian does a last minute gut check and takes Michael aside for a chat. He assures her he is ready to get married (despite being 25) and to start a family with the woman of his dreams.
His words resonate with her, and she eliminates Tanner (duh) and Jake! Perfect Jake! When he says goodbye he asks "why?" and she says "it just wasn't right". My very astute, SUPER fan friend who was watching with me said " . . . And Jake is going to be the next Bachelor!" I think you're probably right! He has the looks, the charm, the sexy job. He's a shoe in!
The remaining men - Wes (snake), Michael, Jesse, Reid and Kiptyn will take Jillian home to meet their families next week. It also seems Jake will return (in his pilot uniform) to tell Jillian Wes has a girlfriend! This is like the return of crazy Trish to the bachelor Jesse Palmer.
It also seems that Jillian will travel to Spain, Hawaii and other exotic locales for the final one on one dates. We are still waiting to see who has performance issues in the fantasy suite!
We also see shots from the finale, where Jillian (in a white dress) says "I think I may have made a mistake!" Oh boy! The previews also imply someone unexpected returns. Could it be Ed? Jason Mesnick? Who? Tell us!
ABC, you got me good! I am totally hooked! As always, check out Kristen Baldwin's recap for Entertainment Weekly and host Chris Harrison's blog for more behind the scenes scoop!
This might actually be the most dramatic season EVER!
