Week 8
Clearly there are no rules for 2020, when Chris Harrison can temporarily peace-out of his contract and leave us stranded with JoJo Fletcher as the new host. The only explanation I can come up with as to why they picked her is to keep the casting channels open with the NFL through her semi-famous STILL fiancé Jordan Rodgers.
Tayshia picks Zac C for the one-on-one. Her choice of date is the reason people refuse to get on board with this show. Can you imagine arranging a first date and telling the guy you’re doing a wedding photo shoot with a “professional photographer” you absolutely didn’t find via Craigslist? The lengths guys will go through for hot girls with big boobs… Their “photographer” noticeably sorted through Clare’s laundry and settled on her short shorts Clare forgot to pack because she they weren’t conducive with her being able to sprint down the aisle with Dale.
Tayshia experiences some discomfort, naturally, as wedding dresses are typically a third date sort of attire—but also because she has been married before. The only reason Zac should ever wear one of those suits, would be if he had just lost a dare in which the alternative would be immediate and sudden death.
During their dinner, Zac opens up about his past. We learn he had a brain tumor and struggled with addiction. As someone who is also in recovery from alcoholism, I’m so damn proud of the show for not shying away from yet another uncomfortable topic. While he may not have been able to share every gory detail of him being arrested for a DUI and possession of crack cocaine, he is completely transparent about his sobriety and has even channeled his struggles into co-founding a recovery program. Tayshia seems intrigued by Zac’s age and maturity, and he gets the rose. We get a glimpse into next week and Tayshia appears less than thrilled to learn that dating a former addict means their background might not include hugging foster puppies and healthy relationships. Hang tight T, Zac’s one of the good ones.
The group date takes on an artistic flare which we were hoping would erupt into the infamous Wedding Crashers “Nude Gay Art Show”, but unfortunately is left strictly to the professionals, and what we can assume is some stellar boner-control.
Bennett’s move of taking Noah’s seat next to Tayshia for the entirety of the date is pretty much the only likable thing Bennett does this entire episode. What came across as suave, self-assurance in earlier episodes, is nothing but arrogant, pretentiousness. The star of the group date wasn’t Bennett though, it was Ben. Again, The Bachelorette goes deep with yet another uncomfortable truth—that Ben lays all bare (literally!) when he opens up to Tayshia about his struggles with decades of an eating disorder and bulimia. Ben gets the group date rose and is safe to continue his exploration of t-shirts with deep and inexplicable necklines.
After a spooky date, Eazy commits Rookie Move #23 in the playbook, when he spills his love feelings all over the dinner table after spending less than a combine total of 2 hours together. Don’t get me wrong, Eazy was easy to love, but it is obvious Tayshia feels stronger for some of the other guys. Twitter did NOT take the breakup well.
At the end of the episode, we are graced with JoJo again. She reminds us to go easy on the filler and Botox this holiday season, the wax museum-look should be reserved for actual celebrities at Madame Tussauds. JoJo also shares with the boys there will be a rose ceremony, but only after a mini date with Bennett and Noah. Before the meetup, Bennett, the walking thesaurASS —emphasis on the ass, offers Noah some gifts. It was as if the producers gave Bennett the scripted direction to “be a pretentious dick” and after he failed out of acting school, he just run with it.
While this episode is “to be continued”, I hope she just immediately sends both of their asses home and gets back to her other quality relationships ASAP!