In last season’s The Bachelorette on ABC, we met Jake Pavelka, a pilot from Dallas.  With his All-American looks and aw shucks demeanor, the only thing he really stood out for was, well let’s just say he’s a bit of a crier.  Oh, and his penchant for declaring that “he’s too perfect”, which is apparently something the poor guy has struggled with from an early age.  He tried to be the utmost gentleman and flew to see Bachelorette Jillian after he was eliminated.  One of the guys remaining, Wes, was a bit of a snake and Jake needed to save her honor.  Or something like that.  However, this noble gesture only ended with Jake in, you guessed it, tears.

Nevertheless, Jake returns as the main man this year with 25 ladies vying for his attention and affection.  The first episode consisted of the general introductions and Jake having to eliminate 10 of the girls that evening.  None of them really stood out, except for Michelle who is fantastic!  She’s kind of a combination of stalker and lonely girl – a serious hot mess.  I had already decided that, aside from Michelle, the show would probably be a snooze fest of repetition.  That is, until I saw the teaser for the following week’s show.  Someone was getting kicked out!  Well, okay, that’s something new. 

Last week started out with a group date for an InStyle magazine photo shoot with Gia, Rozlyn, Valishia, Corrie, Christina and Ashleigh.  As Gia and Rozlyn are both models, they were definitely in their comfort zone.  However, Rozlyn gave Gia the ol’ thumbs down for merely being a bikini and lingerie model.  Not up to Rozlyn’s super-duper catalog modeling evidently.  Christina was so nervous around the pros, she nearly gave herself hives.  After the shoot, the date moved on to the Shangri-La Hotel pool for the obligatory swim suit change and the girls each having one-on-one time with Jake.  Rozlyn was the stand out when she took Jake onto the roof and basically threw herself on him.  The kiss was enough for Jake to present her with a rose, keeping her safe at elimination. 

The one-on-one date went to Ali, a cute little blonde with a fear of flying.  Trying to cure her of that, they flew to their destination with Jake at the controls.  They landed in Palm Springs for a private Chicago concert. 

The last one was another group date at an amusement park.  The only real stand out here is Elizabeth who read Jake the tiniest note on the tiniest paper I’ve ever seen.  Although she had to make it about four pages front and back to basically tell him that she wouldn’t kiss him until she was the last girl standing.  Jake seemed intrigued by this and asked to spend more alone time with her, sending the other girls home in the limo.  As they were heading out, a fireworks display burst overhead just for Jake and Elizabeth.  Bummer for the other girls to have to see it through the sunroof.  During their alone time, Elizabeth continued to talk about her non-kissing deal all while about 2 centimeters from Jake’s face.  It was almost as if she was daring him too.  I don’t know why – so she could say “no” maybe?  Weird.  Oh, dear, did they really?  Did they just play “On the Wings of Love” in the background?  Please don’t do that again.

Finally the night of the Rose Ceremony arrives and as the girls mill about, Chris Harrison asks Rozlyn if he can speak to her outside.  Of course all the girls are a twitter at what is going on.  Chris informs Rozlyn that she’ll need to leave the show immediately for having an “inappropriate relationship” with one of the show’s producers.  Love it!  Her answer?  “I don’t see how my private life is anyone’s business.”  She didn’t deny it; she didn’t try to explain anything.  She just went upstairs and packed while a big, burly guy looked on.

When Chris informed Jake of the issue, he seemed devastated – a little too devastated if you ask me.  She’s one chick and there are 14 more.  I was a little surprised not to see him cry actually.  He felt “betrayed”.  He’s “never been cheated on before.”  Cheated on?  Dude, you’re making out with like ten different women a night.

In the end, he sent two more girls home – insecure Christina and some other girl that had really wide eyes that scared me a little.

Article also posted at Reality Fishbowl.

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