Re: The Bachelor 17 - General Discussion - Thread #1

[Longhornfan]

One thing I've been thinking with Sean and Catherine is that it is hard for me to get a feel for their chances of success (which is an inexact science no matter what, I realize that) because they have a relationship dynamic that I can't relate to, and don't have a good basis to understand: a large piece of opposites attract. They are the same and not the same, with the not the sames being the very visible pieces, and ones that I tend to think can be pretty important. So I don't know what to look for in the way of tell-tale signs. As much as I loved Meredith and Ian, for example, I saw something right off that nagged at me; I just choose to ignore it because it was more fun, and Ian was the kind of guy I'd always crushed on (but wisely, for me, didn't marry). With Andy and Tessa I saw the issues Tessa was having right off, even though the romantic in me wanted to believe she'd work through it. But Sean and Catherine ... I just have no clue what to look for. He lights up, yes, but we all know that what they feel today, as sincere as it might be, isn't enough. OK, it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things, since we'll all cheer if they make it and go "oh well" if they don't, but the student of human nature and relationship dynamics in me is curious.

Interesting insight. What did you think for Ashley and JP? I don't have a long term opinion of Sean and Catherine yet, both extrememly nice and agreeable people, beautiful couple, but there are definitely some differences.

I thought Ashley and JP had over-the-top chemistry, and he was the only one of the men she really could communicate with and the only one she trusted. I saw the yin and yang with them (and I do see some of what may be the yin and yang with Sean and Catherine), but ultimately felt I had no way to know how it would play out because, well, at that point they didn't know. Also, since I'm not an over-the-top chemistry person, I really didn't know what to look for in the way of guessing lust v. love. People like them make the BEST love stories, though, when they do work out. Sean and Catherine may be like them in many ways, but I think the differences are more extreme, and Sean seems harder to read than JP, AND I think the Bachelor shows are more negatively affected by the bubble than the Bachelorette ones (although I think Jef Holm was triple bubble coated, that just seems to be his personality).

I agree with everything that you have written about Sean and Catherine. I am not someone either who can determine whether or not a couple will be able to make it based on what appears to be an over-the-top amount of chemistry between them. But I honestly did not see that kind of chemistry between Sean and Catherine like so many others did either. They did seem to be giddy around each other for sure. So, I am not saying that they aren't or weren't attracted to each other, but I agree with you that Sean is hard to read. I certainly still have a fair amount of skepticism when it comes to the longevity of their relationship.

[dw_a_mom]

Ashley-JP resumed their normal lives & careers post-Bachelor.

Sean goes on DWTS and gets endorsements deals announced 1 day after Bach finale airs, moves to LA, and Cat gives up her job to join him.

The difference between the two couples is quite obvious.

Yeah, that is what worries me. There is a big "why shouldn't they element?" in accepting those deals, especially with both probably needing the money, but at the same time we KNOW the pressures they create will NOT be good for such a young relationship. It really helped JP and Ashley to have such strong roots and professional direction OUTSIDE of BachNation and the entertainment world.

Anyway. I'm not a natural people reader, so this stuff, odd as that may sound, helps me hone my skills just a smudge. My kids will start dating soon; yikes!

[livlafluv1]

Fleiss responded to a tweet and said no bachpad this summer.

[thinlizzy]

Hmm ........ sounds like we're going to the chapel and we're gonna get married ........ maybe??

danceround

[ThankMeLater]

why no bach pad? I loved it :(

[dw_a_mom]

Hmm ........ sounds like we're going to the chapel and we're gonna get married ........ maybe??

danceround

Or a whole "newly-engaged and getting ready for marriage" thing?

They've been pretty circumspect.

I'd watch but I wish I could say I wouldn't, because I think it would be a horrible idea for the couple.

[HowSoonIsNow]

why no bach pad? I loved it :(

Have they milked their stable of questionable characters from Bach Nation dry?

Even last season cast several repeats and several fans, since they couldn't find enough new Bach Nation characters to cast.

[cimcoe]

why no bach pad? I loved it :(

Last season's ratings were much lower than the previous two. IIRC it was somewhere in the 3 million range and 1.3 or so in the demo.

[yrkiemommy]

why no bach pad? I loved it

Have they milked their stable of questionable characters from Bach Nation dry?

Even last season cast several repeats and several fans, since they couldn't find enough new Bach Nation characters to cast.

Tierra went and got engaged and ruined everything for them

[cimcoe]

why no bach pad? I loved it

Have they milked their stable of questionable characters from Bach Nation dry?

Even last season cast several repeats and several fans, since they couldn't find enough new Bach Nation characters to cast.

Tierra went and got engaged and ruined everything for them

[motheroffive]

Going back to a previous topic, I wonder if Sean's family's, and in particular, his sister's possible displeasure could be more over him doing DWTS than with Catherine. After all they have had four months to get used to that. He has said in several interviews that the first person he called after the offer was Catherine and if she would not have been on board he would have turned it down. Maybe he didn't ask them or seek their advice and they are not happy. In her interview after the finale, his sister was fairly perky talking about the finale and the proposal but when the discussion turned to DWTS nd the wedding her demeanor completely changed. I think she is very used to being the center of his world and now he has someone else that is helping him make decisions. I remember when she posted the picture of his best three girls, her and the dogs. I thought that was her just holding on to her old status with him. I thought at the time is was a bit inappropriate given the fact he had a fiancé. It will be very interesting to see if they are there on Monday. Very telling if they are not.

[dw_a_mom]

As several long time posters had mentioned in the moment, there were several things during the season that didn't seem to fit. It looks like the ending wrapped the story up pretty well and offered a likely explanation for the weirdness, but maybe there is another layer. Stuff happens during filming that for whatever reason TPTB don't want to include in the story and, so, everyone involved is forced into silence. Sometimes that stuff detracts from the relationship we see, sometimes it really has no effect on it at all. Only time will tell. Things eventually creep out. But, yes, it won't surprise me to hear down the road something that makes us all go "oh, THAT might explain weirdness X!"

I do know that in the way the US is right now, it is really difficult to cross political lines in a relationship. The level of negative assumption and distrust is at an all time high. The show doesn't air any of those discussions, but we know they must happen. And if Catherine is on the other side of that fence from Sean's family, that might not sit well with all of them, in which case that could be an explanation. But it is pretty pointless to speculate, since we don't know these people. On my TV screen, I liked them all. I hope everyone is and will be happy. If there is something else to the story, I'll hear it when I hear it.

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