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

[MonicaJM2001]

If you do sneak in everyone, don't forget to bring your awkward OMG! reaction faces they love to show in the audience.... ;)

[eusebeia]

Some random musings, as we wait for Monday.  Apologies for the length.  :hidingchair 

TB is a “reality” show, not a work of literature, but they do craft it as a “story.” They don’t just set up a camera and let it run.  
So I’ve been thinking about how this season might be using literary conventions—and what that might mean for the finale.  

The first, rather startling conclusion, I came to was that as of Monday night, the protagonist is Brooks, not Desiree.  Usually (always?) it’s the lead whose decisions and conflicts drive the story.  But Desiree put her cards on the table early; we are in no doubt about whom she would choose.  Her VO/PIs are escalating statements about her love for Brooks.

So the focus changed to Brooks in the last episode.  What are his feelings, what does he want, what will he do?  At least half the episode is taken up by his saga. They fly him and a crew up to Boise so we can hear him lay out his doubts.  I don’t know whether that was unprecedented for TB, but it can’t have been in the original plan.  Then they give him an extended interview with CH—how often does that occur for a contestant, especially one about to bow out?  These scenes give us insight into Brooks’ state of mind and establish his fatal flaw (every hero has one):  Brooks is indecisive.  He can’t make up his mind.   As CH says, he’s “wishy washy.”   And you can always rely on CH to tell us what we’re supposed to think.  

Then comes the excruciating encounter with Desiree at the pier.  This is where Brooks’ trial by fire begins.  He learns that his most basic assumption was wrong and that Desiree is deeply in love with him.  Her words assault him, breaking him down.  By the end he doesn’t know what he should do.  He’s sobbing.  He can’t even stand.  This is the dark night of the soul, TB-style.  

At this point the hero must claw his way back to the light.  He must be determined, decisive, and forcefully pursue his goal.  There will still be obstacles but he will overcome them.  

What I think this MAY mean for the Finale is what some people have already been suggesting.  Brooks will quickly figure out how he really feels, that he loves and wants Desiree, and he will move heaven and earth to win her.  (Hey—wasn’t there an earthquake while they were there?)   She won’t fall into his arms the moment he shows up, but there will be a catharsis—for them and for us—by the end of the episode.   

You can see in a lot of the media coverage and blogs that Brooks has become the focus.  Even the question on the Bachelorette website asks fans to weigh in on Brooks’ decision.

[Piper61]

While you're devising ways to get us in, can you devise a way to get me airfare and a hotel, too, please.  

Maybe CH will fly us in his hot air balloon?

That had better be one large hot air balloon!  

[Piper61]

While you're devising ways to get us in, can you devise a way to get me airfare and a hotel, too, please.  

Haha and sorry but I'm allergic to anything less than 1st Class and 5 Stars...  

That works for me!

No worries I have a house in Burbank!!

Woohoo! Plans are coming together.

[latergator]

Some random musings, as we wait for Monday.  Apologies for the length.  :hidingchair 

TB is a “reality” show, not a work of literature, but they do craft it as a “story.” They don’t just set up a camera and let it run.  
So I’ve been thinking about how this season might be using literary conventions—and what that might mean for the finale.  

The first, rather startling conclusion, I came to was that as of Monday night, the protagonist is Brooks, not Desiree.  Usually (always?) it’s the lead whose decisions and conflicts drive the story.  But Desiree put her cards on the table early; we are in no doubt about whom she would choose.  Her VO/PIs are escalating statements about her love for Brooks.

So the focus changed to Brooks in the last episode.  What are his feelings, what does he want, what will he do?  At least half the episode is taken up by his saga. They fly him and a crew up to Boise so we can hear him lay out his doubts.  I don’t know whether that was unprecedented for TB, but it can’t have been in the original plan.  Then they give him an extended interview with CH—how often does that occur for a contestant, especially one about to bow out?  These scenes give us insight into Brooks’ state of mind and establish his fatal flaw (every hero has one):  Brooks is indecisive.  He can’t make up his mind.   As CH says, he’s “wishy washy.”   And you can always rely on CH to tell us what we’re supposed to think.  

Then comes the excruciating encounter with Desiree at the pier.  This is where Brooks’ trial by fire begins.  He learns that his most basic assumption was wrong and that Desiree is deeply in love with him.  Her words assault him, breaking him down.  By the end he doesn’t know what he should do.  He’s sobbing.  He can’t even stand.  This is the dark night of the soul, TB-style.  

At this point the hero must claw his way back to the light.  He must be determined, decisive, and forcefully pursue his goal.  There will still be obstacles but he will overcome them.  

What I think this MAY mean for the Finale is what some people have already been suggesting.  Brooks will quickly figure out how he really feels, that he loves and wants Desiree, and he will move heaven and earth to win her.  (Hey—wasn’t there an earthquake while they were there?)   She won’t fall into his arms the moment he shows up, but there will be a catharsis—for them and for us—by the end of the episode.   

You can see in a lot of the media coverage and blogs that Brooks has become the focus.  Even the question on the Bachelorette website asks fans to weigh in on Brooks’ decision.

excellent post and I totally agree...    I just can't wait to see what he has to go thru to convince her... I still wonder if he shows up on Chris' LCD at the end... the PI with the red dress

thanks for this eusebeia

[MonicaJM2001]

Some random musings, as we wait for Monday.  Apologies for the length.  :hidingchair 

TB is a “reality” show, not a work of literature, but they do craft it as a “story.” They don’t just set up a camera and let it run.  
So I’ve been thinking about how this season might be using literary conventions—and what that might mean for the finale.  

The first, rather startling conclusion, I came to was that as of Monday night, the protagonist is Brooks, not Desiree.  Usually (always?) it’s the lead whose decisions and conflicts drive the story.  But Desiree put her cards on the table early; we are in no doubt about whom she would choose.  Her VO/PIs are escalating statements about her love for Brooks.

So the focus changed to Brooks in the last episode.  What are his feelings, what does he want, what will he do?  At least half the episode is taken up by his saga. They fly him and a crew up to Boise so we can hear him lay out his doubts.  I don’t know whether that was unprecedented for TB, but it can’t have been in the original plan.  Then they give him an extended interview with CH—how often does that occur for a contestant, especially one about to bow out?  These scenes give us insight into Brooks’ state of mind and establish his fatal flaw (every hero has one):  Brooks is indecisive.  He can’t make up his mind.   As CH says, he’s “wishy washy.”   And you can always rely on CH to tell us what we’re supposed to think.  

Then comes the excruciating encounter with Desiree at the pier.  This is where Brooks’ trial by fire begins.  He learns that his most basic assumption was wrong and that Desiree is deeply in love with him.  Her words assault him, breaking him down.  By the end he doesn’t know what he should do.  He’s sobbing.  He can’t even stand.  This is the dark night of the soul, TB-style.  

At this point the hero must claw his way back to the light.  He must be determined, decisive, and forcefully pursue his goal.  There will still be obstacles but he will overcome them.  

What I think this MAY mean for the Finale is what some people have already been suggesting.  Brooks will quickly figure out how he really feels, that he loves and wants Desiree, and he will move heaven and earth to win her.  (Hey—wasn’t there an earthquake while they were there?)   She won’t fall into his arms the moment he shows up, but there will be a catharsis—for them and for us—by the end of the episode.   

You can see in a lot of the media coverage and blogs that Brooks has become the focus.  Even the question on the Bachelorette website asks fans to weigh in on Brooks’ decision.

Great post! I was thinking about it this past week too how it seems like the latter part of the season is more from Brooks POV and his thoughts and feelings. The first half was Des obviously but then midway through a just a little past, it shifted to Brooks and has since then been about his struggles and emotions. i think this part 2 of the finale is about how he comes to terms with his true feelings and his journey back to Des to declare those feelings and fight for her. The edit of this season imo, can only allow one of 2 scenarios Brooks vs no one.

[Piper61]

Definitely Brooks or no one.

eusebeia, great post!

[nutty1]

Wonderful post!!

We will be waiting for that wonderful proposal in exactly 3 days from now!!!!!!  

[nannymargie]

Wonderful post!!

We will be waiting for that wonderful proposal in exactly 3 days from now!!!!!!  

I hate wishing my weekend away but I will gladly give up this weekend to get to Monday.

[draven31]

Very insightful post eusebeia.. :Clap: 

I'll be at work for both so I'll check here first. The good thing about dvr'ing this is I can skip over the really awkward parts which should leave 20 mins or so.  

[eusebeia]

Great post! I was thinking about it this past week too how it seems like the latter part of the season is more from Brooks POV and his thoughts and feelings. The first half was Des obviously but then midway through a just a little past, it shifted to Brooks and has since then been about his struggles and emotions. i think this part 2 of the finale is about how he comes to terms with his true feelings and his journey back to Des to declare those feelings and fight for her. The edit of this season imo, can only allow one of 2 scenarios Brooks vs no one.

You're right that the shift started earlier.  At the HTD Des got one chat, with Brooks' Mom.  But Brooks got 3--his sister, his brothers, and his Mother.  And even that wasn't enough, so we got the Boise scenes.  

I think I posted earlier about Brooks getting the "hero" entrance and music--with cymbals--on his HTD.  I will be listening for cymbals Monday night.

[Rolly]

Eusebeia, great post! :Clap:  Can hardly wait for Monday to get here. Watched the last episode again today and it was brutal, as Des would say "it breaks your heart".  You can already see a peak of what's ahead with Brooks' return. How will he get himself back when he realizes he loves her? We shall see....

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