Re: Brooks Forester - Bachelorette 9 - Fan Thread - Discussion #1

by Mustang19 Wed Jul 31, 2013 3:46 am

atem wrote:OK, then what do you guys think Brooks does to convince Desiree to take him back?

I think he drives away in the limo, and while waiting to go home he has a lightbulb moment. He thinks of the statements from his family at his HTD about not being able to live without the person they love, etc. Maybe he lets her in on all of the probable producer manipulation, and false things they probably told him; she would understand that. Who knows. I know if I was that crazy about someone like Des is about Brooks, I would at least want to hear them out. I don't think, like some do, that this is a "kick him to the curb" situation initially. They had only the one conversation that we saw, and that was it. How many times have we broken up with someone or been broken up with and never spoke to that person again? There is usually a follow-up conversation, but I realize it would depend on the circumstances of the break-up too. I think Brooks seems like the type to take marriage very seriously, and wants to be absolutely sure he only proposes once in his life; because he wants to and not some producer wants him to.

by BarbB222 Wed Jul 31, 2013 3:48 am

From Digital Spy...In Defense of Brooks

'The Bachelorette': In defense of Brooks Forester
Published Tuesday, Jul 30 2013, 11:55am EDT | By Catriona Wigman

Here at Digital Spy, we're only a little bit in love with The Bachelorette. Okay, we're very in love with it. We love the parody Twitter accounts, the jokes about "most dramatic ever", and the knowledge that it's all just really quite silly. If The Bachelorette was a person, we'd be picking out a Neil Lane ring right now and flying to an exotic location for an out-of-this-world proposal.

But we were not prepared to feel so emotionally drained after the first part of this season's finale, when Brooks Forester admitted that he wasn't ready to propose to Desiree Hartsock and chose to walk away.

Since the episode aired last night, we've seen all sorts of accusations lobbed at Brooks, and we couldn't let that slide without sticking up for him a little bit. Don't get us wrong - we love Desiree and were pleased when she was named The Bachelorette and sobbed along with her heartbreak, but we don't think Brooks deserves the reproach.

And here's why: because it's actually kind of normal not to be ready to get down on one knee when you've known someone just over two months and have been on precisely three one-on-one dates with them.

Seriously, how often do we all complain about how fake the show is? How these people are declaring love after they've spent 20 minutes with the lead? No doubt they feel it's real at the time - how could you not when you're in this weird environment with no contact to the outside world, fantastic dates involving helicopters and world trips and delicious dinners, and producers prompting you to gush about how your feelings are growing? But it's always been hard for us viewers to get on board.

And that's reflected in the fact that few Bachelor/ette relationships last - minus the couple of heartwarming exceptions - especially when you consider the fact that after the final rose ceremony, the duo are unable to spend much time together out of fear of spoilers. We've all become cynical about the future of these showmances, so is it not a little hypocritical of us to get on our high horses when one contestant actually begins to take things seriously?

Perhaps that's why some people have been unhappy about Brooks's honesty - precisely because he's reminded us how artificial this show is. That's not even necessarily meant as a criticism, given that I eat it up every week, revel in the twists and turns and bitchiness, and get far too emotionally involved each season. But perhaps Brooks's revelation that he wasn't quite ready to pop the question was a pull of the curtain too far for some.

What was Brooks supposed to do? Pretend that he was ready for the commitment, fake a happy proposal and quietly split from Desiree when the fuss had died down? Or remain honest with her from the beginning? After all, we all saw that he didn't take this decision lightly, seeking counsel from his mom, sister and, er, host Chris Harrison before sobbing his way through the split. (Incidentally, yes, he could have handled the break-up better. But say this to me after you've had a perfect split - in which you're trying to explain that you do like someone but not enough to marry them yet - on camera.)

Actually, while Brooks said that he didn't see his feelings for Desiree growing in the future, I wouldn't be surprised if that wasn't entirely true. While it's not in the rules that you have to propose at the end of The Bachelorette, it's basically what's expected of you, and I can't help but feel the hurtling journey towards the final rose ceremony became a pressure too much for Brooks. Maybe he could have stayed in the process and offered to see how things go when the cameras are off, but that's not exactly the kind of lukewarm sentiment that the producers - or the viewers - expect. It doesn't exactly stack up to a sparkly rock and the offer of eternal bliss.

In fact, the most devastating parts of last night's very, very long break-up came as Desiree finally confessed that she was in love with Brooks - and that her only conflict throughout the show was that she didn't want to go on dates with anyone but him. After her love revelation, you could see the anguish in Brooks's face as he asked: "Why didn't you tell me that earlier?" only for Desiree to reply: "I couldn't" - the closest we've come to an on-screen admission that the lead is told not to convey their true feelings to the contestants until the final rose ceremony. Who knows how their relationship would have developed if the pair had actually been able to be honest about their emotions and relationship without the producers in their ear?

Anyway, this isn't the end, and not a small part of me believes that Brooks will have a change of heart now that he knows Desiree's true feelings, making a dramatic return to Antigua to win her heart and propose. If they end up in a happily-ever-after situation, I will be truly pleased for them (and might just try to sneak into their wedding). But if they don't, then Brooks is not to blame. On a show that's about following your heart, he's one of the only people that actually did.

by biolalyss Wed Jul 31, 2013 5:57 am

BarbB222 wrote:From Digital Spy...In Defense of Brooks

'The Bachelorette': In defense of Brooks Forester
Published Tuesday, Jul 30 2013, 11:55am EDT | By Catriona Wigman

Here at Digital Spy, we're only a little bit in love with The Bachelorette. Okay, we're very in love with it. We love the parody Twitter accounts, the jokes about "most dramatic ever", and the knowledge that it's all just really quite silly. If The Bachelorette was a person, we'd be picking out a Neil Lane ring right now and flying to an exotic location for an out-of-this-world proposal.

But we were not prepared to feel so emotionally drained after the first part of this season's finale, when Brooks Forester admitted that he wasn't ready to propose to Desiree Hartsock and chose to walk away.

Since the episode aired last night, we've seen all sorts of accusations lobbed at Brooks, and we couldn't let that slide without sticking up for him a little bit. Don't get us wrong - we love Desiree and were pleased when she was named The Bachelorette and sobbed along with her heartbreak, but we don't think Brooks deserves the reproach.

And here's why: because it's actually kind of normal not to be ready to get down on one knee when you've known someone just over two months and have been on precisely three one-on-one dates with them.

Seriously, how often do we all complain about how fake the show is? How these people are declaring love after they've spent 20 minutes with the lead? No doubt they feel it's real at the time - how could you not when you're in this weird environment with no contact to the outside world, fantastic dates involving helicopters and world trips and delicious dinners, and producers prompting you to gush about how your feelings are growing? But it's always been hard for us viewers to get on board.

And that's reflected in the fact that few Bachelor/ette relationships last - minus the couple of heartwarming exceptions - especially when you consider the fact that after the final rose ceremony, the duo are unable to spend much time together out of fear of spoilers. We've all become cynical about the future of these showmances, so is it not a little hypocritical of us to get on our high horses when one contestant actually begins to take things seriously?

Perhaps that's why some people have been unhappy about Brooks's honesty - precisely because he's reminded us how artificial this show is. That's not even necessarily meant as a criticism, given that I eat it up every week, revel in the twists and turns and bitchiness, and get far too emotionally involved each season. But perhaps Brooks's revelation that he wasn't quite ready to pop the question was a pull of the curtain too far for some.

What was Brooks supposed to do? Pretend that he was ready for the commitment, fake a happy proposal and quietly split from Desiree when the fuss had died down? Or remain honest with her from the beginning? After all, we all saw that he didn't take this decision lightly, seeking counsel from his mom, sister and, er, host Chris Harrison before sobbing his way through the split. (Incidentally, yes, he could have handled the break-up better. But say this to me after you've had a perfect split - in which you're trying to explain that you do like someone but not enough to marry them yet - on camera.)

Actually, while Brooks said that he didn't see his feelings for Desiree growing in the future, I wouldn't be surprised if that wasn't entirely true. While it's not in the rules that you have to propose at the end of The Bachelorette, it's basically what's expected of you, and I can't help but feel the hurtling journey towards the final rose ceremony became a pressure too much for Brooks. Maybe he could have stayed in the process and offered to see how things go when the cameras are off, but that's not exactly the kind of lukewarm sentiment that the producers - or the viewers - expect. It doesn't exactly stack up to a sparkly rock and the offer of eternal bliss.

In fact, the most devastating parts of last night's very, very long break-up came as Desiree finally confessed that she was in love with Brooks - and that her only conflict throughout the show was that she didn't want to go on dates with anyone but him. After her love revelation, you could see the anguish in Brooks's face as he asked: "Why didn't you tell me that earlier?" only for Desiree to reply: "I couldn't" - the closest we've come to an on-screen admission that the lead is told not to convey their true feelings to the contestants until the final rose ceremony. Who knows how their relationship would have developed if the pair had actually been able to be honest about their emotions and relationship without the producers in their ear?

Anyway, this isn't the end, and not a small part of me believes that Brooks will have a change of heart now that he knows Desiree's true feelings, making a dramatic return to Antigua to win her heart and propose. If they end up in a happily-ever-after situation, I will be truly pleased for them (and might just try to sneak into their wedding). But if they don't, then Brooks is not to blame. On a show that's about following your heart, he's one of the only people that actually did.

WOW... thanks for posting this, Barb! I agree with so much of what that article said... I firmly believe Brooks will realize he has been in love all along, and his face will light up again like it did when he talked to his mom and sister (to me, that screencap of him in the regular Brooks thread screamed of a man in love). Monday can't come soon enough!!! I'm glad most of us are still on the train together! High clap

by Piper61 Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:18 am

atem wrote:I put this in the F1, Brooks thread and now here. I think it was refreshing for Desiree to find a guy who is not so scripted. Seems like all her dates were so freaking scripted and it showed. That's why she liked their word game. Yeah, Chris H goes off on how silly it is, but so what? It was finally an unscripted moment not set up by a stupid MF production.

I forget about what CH says, whatever Brooks and Des talked about and did up to Antigua had her falling completely in love with him to where all he would have had to do was propose and she would have said yes. The End. Now we have to wait and see what dies happen and wade through some puddles of BS in the meantime.

Oh, how sad it is to see the banner without Brooks. :pinkcry:

by Piper61 Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:22 am

Bhaka wrote:Soooo late to the party, but I'm glad I finally found this thread! I think everything in the edit points to the spoilers being true. I remain very optimistic!

Hi Bhaka. I agree and I remain optimistic, too.

by Piper61 Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:29 am

BarbB222 wrote:Sharing a song that fits Bres last night and the Finale...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Beautiful and poignant, Barb. Makes me very teary-eyed.

by BarbB222 Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:28 am

Piper61 wrote:
BarbB222 wrote:Sharing a song that fits Bres last night and the Finale...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Beautiful and poignant, Barb. Makes me very teary-eyed.

It did me too. I thought about it as I watched Monday.

by Beeleever Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:58 am

Delete post. Lesson to Bee...read upthread before you post...Article already posted! duh

by MonicaJM2001 Wed Jul 31, 2013 11:06 am

That article Barb just posted is very refreshing to read while having to weed through all of the ridiculous judgment and anger towards Brooks. The way some people are reacting, you would think Brooks would have been better off being a liar and just randomly declaring "I love you!" just to appease the process. He cares and feels strong enough for Des to not just throw words out meaninglessly. The article is right, there is alot of hypocrisy occuring right now.

by Beeleever Wed Jul 31, 2013 11:13 am

MonicaJM2001 wrote:That article Barb just posted is very refreshing to read while having to weed through all of the ridiculous judgment and anger towards Brooks. The way some people are reacting, you would think Brooks would have been better off being a liar and just randomly declaring "I love you!" just to appease the process. He cares and feels strong enough for Des to not just throw words out meaninglessly. The article is right, there is alot of hypocrisy occuring right now.

I totally agree. We ask for real, honest emotion...not fake, scripted for TV stuff. But only when it's what we want to see? SMH...

by bilolo Wed Jul 31, 2013 11:43 am

nannymargie wrote:
atem wrote:OK, then what do you guys think Brooks does to convince Desiree to take him back?

All he has to do is tell her he realized he was in love with her all along. That he didn't want to leave her when he broke her heart. I am sure it will not take too much convincing on his part.

i sure hope it does, he needs to learn his lesson, i hope she makes him wait for her decision or it would be too easy, don't you think ?

by latergator Wed Jul 31, 2013 11:52 am

bilolo wrote:
nannymargie wrote:
atem wrote:OK, then what do you guys think Brooks does to convince Desiree to take him back?

All he has to do is tell her he realized he was in love with her all along. That he didn't want to leave her when he broke her heart. I am sure it will not take too much convincing on his part.
i sure hope it does, he needs to learn his lesson, i hope she makes him wait for her decision or it would be too easy, don't you think ?

you didn't ask me, but I will bite... is making the person we love squirm a sign of how much we love them? not that there wont be a lot of ribbing later, like favoring tweets, making sarcastic remarks in her blog about him. I am reminded that one of the things these two have loved the most about each other is :: he(she) is so witty, he(she) makes me laugh, he(she) is so sarcastic, he(she) gets me.

no, I don't think making Brooks squirm when he comes back to right his wrong is the time to make him squirm. especially if the only reason to do that is to prove to the viewers that she is not a doormat.

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