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'The Bachelor' Recap: Lessons Learned From Week Seven

Posted: 02/14/2012 1:19 am


Note: The following contains spoilers if you have not seen Season 16, Episode 7 of ABC's "The Bachelor."

I'm so excited that our Bachelor has narrowed down the competition to four women. That means we only have a few more weeks before this brutal season is over. I have said it before and I'll say it again: Thank goodness we still have Courtney in the running. Otherwise, we'd spend two hours every Monday night watching Ben paint the town beige in his bland-colored v-neck tee and unkempt coif. Since the episode was void of anything that fell in the vicinity of entertainment, I decided to approach the recap as a study in anthropology. Is there something from week seven that could help us understand this cultural development known as "The Bachelor"? I think you'll see from my social customs list below that the answer is a resounding, "Yes."


Lessons Learned from Week Seven of "The Bachelor"

Never write down your actual fears on the contestant application form.
It would appear that every single girl vying for the affection of Ben has conquered a fear, which can't be just a coincidence. Lindzi is afraid of heights so naturally, she has to jump out of a helicopter into something called the Blue Hole. Rachel is afraid of sharks. She's even fearful that sharks will bite her in lakes as well as oceans. Let's choose to ignore the fact that her primary school education failed her in defining fresh water versus salt water marine life and stick to the theme of scared women overcoming their phobias with Ben by their side. May I suggest to future contestants that you answer this portion on your application by stating something along the lines of:

  • I have a strong aversion to romantic dinners on the beach.
  • I avoid pimped out yachts at all costs.
  • I dislike fresh flowers with a passion.
  • The last thing I want to do is get a stamp in my passport.
  • I absolutely abhor the feel of diamonds on my bare skin.

If you're going to write a fake fairytale about your relationship, make sure you've been in one with the person for longer than three dates.
After "taking a leap of faith" together, Ben presents Lindzi with a piece of paper, pen and a bottle. The producers have instructed them to "write their story" on the paper, shove the memory into the belly of the bottle and then hurl it into the placid sea where it will undoubtedly be retrieved from someone vacationing in the cabana next door. Ben writes an epic fairytale second only to Homer's "The Odyssey" in length. The poor post-production crew had approximately two minutes of footage of Ben and Lindzi to fill a five-minute voiceover. We can only watch the inaugural cocktail party entrance on her horse in slow motion so many times before it becomes just plain sad.

Don't date a girl who only has guy friends.
When a girl says that she doesn't have any female friends because they are too dramatic, that is standard code that she is flying some sort of freak flag. When three women confirm that this girl's motives are questionable, take note. Which brings me to ...

Don't talk smack about the model.
She's a model. He's going to take her to the fantasy suite. Let's keep our head in the game, ladies! You talk smack about the model and you're digging your own grave. Poor Emily never was able to recover from her tattling session with Ben and as a result, she was forced to smile at Courtney as she flaunted her rose. Fortunately for Kacie B., she had already secured a rose on the group date. I'm not sure why Nicki is still in the picture, but let's just say she dodged a bullet on that one.

Let host Chris Harrison choose your wardrobe.
Sure, Ben sported a few pops of color here and there in his t-shits and swim trunks, but striped tank tops from the bargain bin in the women's department of Old Navy is where I draw the fashion line. He has Harrison at his disposal. If he's not willing to ask the good host to take him under his wing, at least copy the guy's impeccable taste in clothing. A solid blue button down and a nice pair of chinos go a long way, Ben. And use a comb once in a while.

What did you think about last night's episode? Were you as bored as I was? Are you excited about the home town dates? Were you shocked that Emily went home and Courtney got the rose? Feel free to sound off in the comments section.

To read the entire recap of last night's episode, visit www.iHateGreenBeans.com.

 
Note: The following contains spoilers if you have not seen Season 16, Episode 7 of ABC's "The Bachelor." I'm so excited that our Bachelor has narrowed down the competition to four women. That mean...
Note: The following contains spoilers if you have not seen Season 16, Episode 7 of ABC's "The Bachelor." I'm so excited that our Bachelor has narrowed down the competition to four women. That mean...
 
 
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10:54 PM on 02/14/2012
I'm going to stop watching. I've read the spoiler and am disgusted. See items 3&4 above.
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09:44 PM on 02/14/2012
I wonder how long Courtney would last living in Sonoma since she clearly doesn't get along with other woman. Part of the wine industry is selling yourself. This woman will drag him down.
08:33 PM on 02/14/2012
the wine rider on his contract still kills me: http://grapefriend.com/2012/01/31/the-bachelor-grapefriends-newest-hero/
05:17 PM on 02/14/2012
Ben needs to have a rude awakening of some kind. How DUMB is he???
02:51 PM on 02/14/2012
Ben's brain seems to be lodged in his nether-regions. Of course he wants to go to the fantasy suite with vapid Courtney, who I am really starting to wonder about with those odd facial movements and limitless outdated one-liners. What surprised me was sending Emily home instead of Nicki. He seems to have almost no connection with her, so I wonder why he wants to go through the awkwardness of meeting her family. Honestly, I hope he picks Courtney because the other women in the group are way too good for him and could do so much better. I look forward to Ben and Courtney disappearing after their minute of fame comes to an end and she inevitably dumps him for someone even stupider with more money. I only like it so I can trash-talk for two hours on Monday, and then settle in with Lincee's blog, which is my favorite part of every Tuesday.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Marturia
Are we there yet?
02:13 PM on 02/14/2012
Ben is ordinary in looks and personality. A snoozer. What do those women see in him?

Didn't watch the program last night - it's just getting too absurd.
02:13 PM on 02/14/2012
Is this Ben for real? Does he not see through Courtney's play....winning! That was my biggest clue....He must be in this for the fascination of her or just the skinny dipping was enough to seal the deal....He let go Emily for COURTNEY? He's not looking for a wife, trust me.......He's looking for season ratings and hopefully he can sell more wine and become a household name. Just can't see any sincere man choosing Courtney as a wife, but wait and see I bet you he proposes and if so, well the network need to rework this program and interview more carefully...it's a fiasco!
01:17 PM on 02/14/2012
I can't stand the feeling of diamonds on my skin...fantastic! Soooo boring. There's nothing to write about. LOVE Courtney - so fun to watch.
11:33 AM on 02/14/2012
i understand that while they were taping this season, maybe, just maybe, Ben didn't know any of this is $#%^ was going on with Courtney, so who wouldn't be into her. You have a model who says she is crazy about you....she's taking off her clothes without you even asking...blah, blah, blah. I get that. So now, let's fast forward. You are Ben and you're watching this season and seeing all the behind the scenes conversations. You can't be happy with how this is playing out, nor can you have any faith in what Courtney has told you. It would have been awesome if after Courtney got her rose, Kacie B. came in from stage left and took her out 'Terry Tate Office Linebacker' style.
11:32 AM on 02/14/2012
Wow - Ben is really not a very bright guy. It appears he is not thinking with his brain. I have only watched a couple of episodes and I can already see what kind of snake Courtney is.
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
kmswriter
You can't handle the truth
09:49 AM on 02/14/2012
The more I think about Emily going home, the more I am convinced she is better off....Ben has demonstrated poor judgement IMHO...so yes, Emily actually is the victor in all this...as well, Emily has met and made some wonderful friends while on the show..as well as won over this fan.....

The character Courtney played is every mother's & mother-in-laws nightmare....she will make a fine actress - wife - hum, not so much....but it is Ben's life...so congrats to Ben and Courtney...

Bachelor and Bachelorette have lost another viewer....(I will not watch Emily Maynard)
09:46 AM on 02/14/2012
I recently have had an early Monday evening committment and don't get home until 9:45...I can turn on The Bachelor, see who is waving a rose, who doesn't have one and correctly guess who is going home. Ben is the most bland, boring,uninteresting bachelor ever, I'd rather watch Brad or Jake againt ahn watch an entire episode this season!
09:12 AM on 02/14/2012
I think Ben is a total idiot for keeping Courtney. Her game is so obvious, she says it's a game not finding the love of her life. Ben I hope you are watching this girl you apparently pick in the end and realize you've made another huge mistake. Run Ben Run!!!!!!!
08:53 AM on 02/14/2012
If the network were smart they would do a real twist on the Bach or Bach.

......The season opens with a new name to start................."Bachelor and Bachelorette"
Have the same type of show that has been in the past except:
...have the same number of men and women, and secret to all one man and one woman who are the Bachelor and Bachlorette...........no one knows who they are
...work the dates,,,,parties, outings etc..........and not have people going home,,,,,,,,,,,,,and have a rose ceremony for the end,,,,,,,,,,the marriage proposals...............both Bachelor and Bachelorette try to throw everyone off....................make it a smaller group.
..........so one man chooses a woman and one woman chooses a man...........a double show
and,,,,,,,,,,,it would be interesting because no one knows who the Bach & Bach's are...........makes them be more open and themselves......not knowing..............
newgirl
An eye for an eye leads to more blindness
02:15 PM on 02/16/2012
I'd like to see it where the Bachelor lives in the house will all of the women, 24/7. No rose ceremonies, just send someone home when you've just had enough of their attitude or acting out or after catching a glimpse of one them in the morning. Send home all cat fight participants on the spot, till there's only one left, and then she's the one.
08:39 AM on 02/14/2012
......It makes for alot of drama and the sponsor's rake in the money.

Please, either this man Ben, is just acting a script from the network, or he really wants a sexy kitten model with no values, ethics or manors. So, if he chooses her, it a play for the network, or he met his match.
Most of the girls have more ethics and values than he does. And, to me he's not that attractive to look at and he seems a bit concerned about his male ego rather than a mutual relationship.
...hey it's a reality show..........ratings are the game