Admittedly, I confess the week of hometown dates makes me mildly appreciate and favorite the relationships being built. However, the boredom of Ben refused to cease as what should have been one of the spiciest episodes yet, left me underwhelmed and awaiting the drama that never arrived. Although I enjoy watching the success stories of the Bachelor form, my main enjoyment stems from the ridiculous nature of the show, so when Ben is morally righteous I feel the overwhelming urge to snooze.
On the first hometown date with Amanda, the mom of two, Ben met Amanda’s daughters and spent the day at the beach prior to meeting Amanda’s family. Baby-talker Amanda’s apprehension to introduce her kids to Ben was mildly confirmed as the children shied away from Ben at first. Charlie, especially, met Ben with a saucy silent treatment that left him baby talking and goofily smiling in hopes of a fatherly connection that remained vacant. From the crumbly octopus sand construction to the tear-laden car ride to meet the family, Ben’s political correctness smiled through the pain of young fatherhood.
At the family meeting, Ben supplied Amanda’s mom with the usual flower protocol, and the family failed in hosting as they didn’t even offer Ben a cold beverage. The family was nice yet cautious, and Amanda confessed her guilt for dating as a single mom. After a whole hour playing house with Amanda’s children, Amanda proclaimed she could definitely see Ben as a dad to her kids. Sometimes I wonder if the producers force contestants to say things they don’t mean as an hour with kids does not equal a life in which one lives with the youngsters; in short, this statement made me highly doubtful.
On the date with Lauren in Portland, Lauren gave Ben a tour of the city by eating at a food truck and sitting awkwardly in a “Whiskey Library.” Undoubtedly, Ben offered Lauren’s mom more flowers, and this family actually provided food to their guest. Lauren’s sister was inquisitive and and skeptical, leaving Ben with a series of “I don’t know[s]” and a sob that cried his way out of tough questions. Lauren apparently like Ben’s lack of answers as she claimed, “Ben is my person,” to her sister. My favorite of Lauren’s family was her dad as he asked solid questions without acting like an overprotective jerk. Her dad served as a reality check as he voiced his worry by highlighting the feeble amount of time spent together as a couple and the idea of Lauren not receiving a proposal at the end. Ben, once again, was left without substantial answers and admitted he struggles to keep a balance between the girls.
Caila’s date in Ohio provided a tour of her town and a chat on a “special” swing strictly reserved for couples. They also ventured to a toy factory as Caila’s dad is a CEO of a toy company; at the factory, they built a house by molding the house with fire that appeared to scorch the dreams of the children who received the fiery toys. After playing with toys like five year olds, the couple went to Caila’s house and discussed fine Filipino cuisine and the lack of eating utensils associated with Filipino dining (how minimalistic!). Caila’s dad talked too much and gave advice that didn’t matter. Later in the night Caila became consumed with emotion; I couldn’t decide if her tears stemmed from a sadness portrayed as desperation on the show or if she actually felt happy with Ben. As the two departed, their goodnight kiss was a galore of slurpy disgust and discomfort and Caila failed to say she loved Ben, like she claimed when she was crying earlier. My opinion: Caila is trying to fall in love with a man who is bland, cliche, and incompatible with her intellect.
On the last date with JoJo in Dallas, JoJo received flowers and a letter from her ex boyfriend named Chad that voiced his desire to date JoJo again. I don’t know about you, but this attempt at drama only left me thinking of Chad Danforth’s pom pom hair from High School Musical as the conflict simply lacked a problematic nature. Why was this such a big deal? Why couldn’t JoJo just ignore the roses and have a bomb day with Ben?
Later in the day, JoJo and Ben visited the family and ate a dinner full of interrogation. JoJo’s two protective older brothers were dissatisfied with Ben’s surface level answers as they felt his appeal too rehearsed and fake. They also felt JoJo mildly crazy as they failed to understand how one could be “in love” after only going on two dates in the past 40 days. At last they informed JoJo their read insinuated, “Ben is not as invested as JoJo.” After the unpleasant confrontation with the brothers, Ben tattled about their rudeness to JoJo; this led to more unfortunately executed melodrama.
At the rose ceremony, Amanda went home because Ben possessed, “a stronger relationship with the other women.” This, to me, felt like a slap in the face as I doubt anyone wants to hear their lack of importance voiced with inconsideration, especially after introducing children to the dynamic. After Amanda’s depart, Ben produced tears that seemed fake making me oh so thankful that he never pursued an acting career.
Stay tuned for the Bachelor Finale review in a few weeks as Ben is likely to make mistakes, fake more tears, and profess to multiple women his love for them.