LAST WEEK

Between a couple of summer trips and some technical difficulties when I did have time to post my recap, it didn’t quite happen. So here’s a brief rundown (or as brief as I am capable): Emily went out with Chris and Arie. On her date with Chris, they climbed to the top of a restaurant for dinner and there were the typical cheesy clichés about climbing stuff being just like love. Emily was concerned about Chris’s age, but he assured her that he’s ready at 25 to be a husband and father. He does seem older than 25 to me. He was kind of obsessed with getting the kiss and finally went for it while they were dancing during a concert. They seemed to have a nice enough time but I didn’t see a whole lot of chemistry.

On her date with Arie, they went to Dollywood, an adorable southern themed amusement park. They instantly seemed to have a lot of chemistry and a great connection. Dolly Parton was there and Emily almost peed herself she was so excited. While they were dancing to the song Dolly wrote for them and another, Arie couldn’t take his eyes off Emily. He kissed her forehead and just seemed generally smitten. During dinner we found out that Arie has actually been very serious with a woman who had children before and Emily wouldn’t mind being with someone who has to travel for work. They seem like a great match. They ended their date with a steamy make out on a carousel and just seem really, really into each other.

For the group date, Emily took the guys to the park where a few of her best friends grilled them. Their friends really liked Sean, who has a good old fashioned set of values and a pretty smoking bod. She also invited a bunch of neighborhood kids to play at the park with them to gauge how good they are with children. She was impressed with Jef and ended up giving him the rose. Ryan skipped hanging out with the kids to talk to Emily, and ended up telling her that she can’t get fat after they get married. I know guys like him. My sister is no longer married to one, thank god. He’s kind of a narcissistic tool. Emily seemed appropriately turned off by that sentiment but for some reason he’s still around.

Two guys went home before the rose ceremony. Tony went home because Emily could see how much he was missing his kid and was honest enough to admit they probably wouldn’t end up together. The way she went about it was really sweet and they both seemed happy with the decision. Alessandro went home after telling Emily that he would be willing to compromise and be with someone who has a kid. Emily awesomely told him that the person she chooses will see being in their lives as an honor and blessing and sent him packing. She had another cute moment with Arie venting to him afterwards, and when Ryan saw them kissing (they really like kissing each other), he said he never thought he’d be competing with such a dainty man. Yeah, women never go for sweet, genuine, drop dead gorgeous race-car driver types.

THIS WEEK

This week took place in Bermuda, and before I even had a chance to think about it, we see that Ricki is traveling with Emily. Loving that she’s still making that a priority.

First date: Doug

Emily and Doug hold hands and make a wish as they walk through the "Moon Gate" in Bermuda.

Doug had the first impression rose and there are a lot of impressive things about him, except that he seems a bit confrontational. He adds to the list of what makes him awesome by telling Emily that he started a charity, the specifics of which he doesn’t share. They write his son a postcard together, which is sweet. At dinner, she wants to get past all the seeming perfection and asks him about his flaws. When the best he can do is that he spends too much time with his kid and didn’t wash his girlfriend’s car enough, he turns the question around on Emily and she realizes how uncomfortable it is to try and talk about your weaknesses on a first date. Still, I’m guessing that if Doug were honest, he might admit to having a bad temper. I seem to remember Brad listing that as one of the reasons Emily didn’t stick around with him. Doug decides not to kiss Emily until she makes a first move, but I think Emily is waiting to be kissed.

Second date: Group

For the group date, the guys learn how to sail and race each other for a chance to party with Emily later. Arie, Jef, Ryan, and Kalon end up beating Charlie, Sean, Chris, and Travis after an intense race. The losing team is sad and Charlie cries…he’s pretty sensitive. The winning team goes to hang out with Emily.

Immediately, Ryan continues to dig into my bad side by making a toast to wining the competition and to their trophy wife. Say whaaaaat. Emily drills him later about whether he would be ok with her getting fat, and he tries to pass off his misogyny as flirting? Then he tells her that she shouldn’t have kissed Arie in public because he prayed that she would be an example to other young ladies blah blah blah. Emily points in a later interview that he knew what he was getting himself into and if she were the Bachelor no one would bat an eyelash. You go, girl. Make out with Arie as much as you want. During time with Jef, he earnestly tells her how much he likes her and has him kiss his fingers better from injuries sustained while sailing. She admits the she wanted a real kiss, but she’s still looking forward to it in the future. Arie and Emily have more sweet kissing time and they continue to be really affectionate with each other. It’s the little things he does that make me feel like they actually do have a very real connection. Jef is given yet another group date rose, which makes him pretty happy.

Date 3: Two-on-one

Awkward.

The next date is a dreaded two-on-one with Nate and John. I know it sounds dirty, but it isn’t that interesting. They go on a boat, dive into the ocean, and eat an extremely awkward dinner in a cave. They both seem nice enough. John hasn’t made a great impression on me in the past, but he’s cute and was fine on the date. He ends up getting the rose because Nate doesn’t have the maturity she’s looking for. I find that I’m not that invested in how this goes either way. John is safe this week, but I don’t personally see him hanging around much longer.

Cocktail Party

At the cocktail party, Arie is making it pretty clear that he doesn’t like Ryan. He says that he isn’t really threatened because he knows his connection to Emily is so strong, but he feels protective of her and doesn’t think Ryan is really concerned about anything but himself. I actually believe him. I think it would really bother me to see someone I care about dating a guy like Ryan. At the encouragement of some of the other guys, Arie goes in to interrupt Ryan’s time with Emily. During their conversation, Emily admits that Arie is the person she always thinks about. Awww. Meanwhile, Ryan makes some boneheaded comments about how Emily is special, but he feels “called to something higher.” Basically he’s hoping if he doesn’t win he’ll be the next Bachelor. HA. Yeah, your deep feelings for Emily are really clear.

Earlier in the evening, the guys gave Chris some crap about his age, so he goes to assure Emily that he really is ready to be a father and husband. That would be nice if he left it at that, but then he decides to confront Doug about the comments. Doug just laughs him off and it’s really just kind of obnoxious on both sides. I think these two might just sink each other.

At the end of the night, Charlie and Michael are headed home. Michael seemed to have potential week one, but we have seen virtually none of him since then, so that makes sense. Charlie is nice enough and a big teddy bear, but I don’t think this experience was good for his emotional health anyway. Am I confused why Ryan is still there? Yes. Emily does not seem to be buying Ryan’s BS, she even said as much to Chris Harris during the cocktail party. I guess it may have just come down to her being more sure that Charlie and Michael weren’t for her, but I really don’t think Ryan is anywhere near deserving of her.

The drama continues next week in London, England, when someone dares refer to Ricki as “baggage” and Emily loses her shit. Also, I think we’re going to get more quality time with Jef, who is quirky and cute and I’m really looking forward to seeing more of.